Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913

Reimaging Rural Grants Benefit 11 Montana Communities

Two Rivers Economic Growth Receives Funds For Middle of Nowhere Concert

The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. (MCF) announces $22,000 in grants awarded from Reimagining Rural to benefit 11 communities across the state with placemaking, leadership, and other community development projects. Reimagining Rural is a program spearheaded by MSU Extension – in conjunction with MCF and other partners – to provide small towns with opportunities and resources to shape their future.

“The Reimagining Rural program features speakers with stories of success in rural communities and the positive trends in rural demographics to help local leaders see a path to a vital future for their community,” said Tara Mastel, MSU Extension’s community development program leader.

The projects funded through this year’s Reimaging Rural grants came out of each community’s participation in the third round of Reimagining Rural in the fall of 2022. Over the course of three virtual sessions, each community heard from rural entrepreneurs, experts, and advocates about ideas to revitalize their small towns and how to put them into practice.

“Through the Reimaging Rural sessions, it became evident that we need more leaders in our community,” said Haley Barker, MSU Extension Agent for Stillwater County, who received a $2,000 grant to implement a leadership development program. “The quote ‘We are the they’ from one session resonated with participants and has become the steering committee’s motto for this project. We are so excited to bring this opportunity to Stillwater County and further grow our leaders in the community.”

Grants are provided through the support of MCF and MSU Alumni Foundation Annual Giving Day. Since Reimaging Rural’s inception in 2020, $59,690 has been reinvested in small towns across the state through grants and 47 communities have been through the program. This year’s grantees include:

Glasgow - $2,000 to Two Rivers Economic Growth, Inc. to promote the “Middle of Nowhere Music Fest” to encourage tourism in the area.

Boulder - $2,000 to Boulder Area Chamber of Commerce to rehabilitate a mural on a historic building downtown.

Cascade - $2,000 to Cascade Arts & Culture Council to establish a local nonprofit organization that will host arts, culture, and history events.

Columbus - $2,000 to MSU Extension Stillwater County to implement a local leadership program in conjunction with Columbus Community Foundation.

Cut Bank - $2,000 to Cut Bank Trails, Inc. to host “Cut Bank Community Involvement Expo” to introduce newcomers and longtime residents to all the area has to offer.

Forsyth - $2,000 to MSU Extension Rosebud County to implement a community branding project that includes a branding plan and wayfinding and placemaking projects.

Lewistown - $2,000 to Recycle Our Waste Lewistown to install a water bottle refill fountain and encourage recycling in Central Montana.

Terry - $2,000 to Prairie County Economic Development Council to transform the town into “Christmas Town USA” of Eastern Montana through lights and decorations.

Valier - $2,000 to Valier Area Development Corporation to install benches around the Lake Frances Campground.

Wheatland County - $2,000 to MSU Extension Wheatland County to conduct family-friendly activities, particularly in the winter months.

Wibaux - $2,000 for Wibaux County to create a “paint by number” mural on a building downtown.

“ReImagining Rural is such a valuable program. Every year the feedback from participants is so positive,” says MCF Program Director, Elisa Fiaschetti. “We are honored to be a partner in supporting these organizations and communities as they implement and complete valuable projects that contribute to their community’s vitality.”

For questions, please contact MCF Program Director, Elisa Fiaschetti, at 406-441-4953 or [email protected].

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 03/08/2024 00:39