Montana

The Rural Community Conference was a great success with over 150 individuals in attendance. Horizon Communities were very fortunate to have the opportunity to network with a wide array of individuals. Those in attendance, represented local businesses, policy-makers, education, and civic organizations. This state-wide event helped to provide the necessarily tools needed to helped build community-focused strategies to alleviate poverty.

Throughout the course of two days, individuals had the opportunity to participate in break-out sessions, panel discussions, and a Rural Community Share Fair. Events such as the Share Fair, helped to connect citizens with organizations that could provide grant opportunities, program ideas, and educational resources.

 Not only did the Rural Community Conference provide ample opportunities for networking, but many local and nationally-known speakers were in attendance to teach some of the practices that have worked well during their many years of community development. The speakers included:

• John Allen: Director, Western Rural Development Center and Professor, Department of Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology, Utah State University.
• Jennifer Anderson: MSU Rosebud/Treasure County Extension Educator and Community Coordinator for Horizons in Forsyth, Montana.
• Barbara Andreozzi: MSU Deer Lodge County Extension Educator and Community Coordinator for Horizons in Anaconda, Montana.
• Cornelia Butler Flora: Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Agriculture and Life Sciences. Director, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Iowa State University.
• Cathy Cooney: Program Director, Montana Community Foundation.
• Jim Goodwin: Sr. Program Officer, Western Rural Development Center, Utah State University.
• Daniel Kemmis: Board of Directors of the Northwest Area and Kettering Foundations, and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency; O’Connor Center Senior Fellow, is the former May of Missoula, and a former Speaker and Minority leader of the Montana House of Representatives.
• Al Nygard: President and CEO of Al Nygard Consulting-Bismark, North Dakota.
• Linda Reed: President/CEO-Montana Community Foundation.
• Craig Schroeder: Sr. Associate, Center for Rural Entrepeneurship-Lincoln, Nebraska.
• Patrick Scully: Deputy Director for the Study Ciricle Resource Center.

Overall, “[The conference] touched on a wide range of solutions in a variety of venues, highlighting best practices for community success, emphasizing proven strategies and introducing emerging idea.” Some of the most compelling insights from the Rural Community Conference came from the Horizons Communities. Speakers, such as Jennifer Anderson, of Forsyth and Barb Andreozzi, of Anaconda, spoke on the impact of  Horizons in their communities and the real work of networking, adopting, connecting and mobilizing to alleviate poverty.

YMCA of the USA launched a key component of Activate America http://www.ymca.net/activateamerica/ in July 2004 – the Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) project. This community leadership initiative aims to:(1) raise the visibility of lifestyle health issues in the national policy debate, and;

Study: People look to local leadership to reduce poverty

By Justin Carmody
Community Services Assistant

A survey of eight states in the Northwest released last month by the Northwest Area Foundation showed that residents of the Northwest strongly believe that their local elected officials have an important role to play in reducing poverty. The survey explored the public’s perspective on poverty in their community and local elected officials’ role in helping individuals who are struggling to make ends meet. Survey results showed that the public is acutely aware of people struggling financially in their communities, but believe poverty can be reduced at the local level.

The Northwest Area Foundation commissioned Lake Research Partners to conduct this survey in: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. The survey showed some clear priorities in addressing poverty in people’s communities as well as high expectations for local officials in making these improvements. Nine of 10 people surveyed said that local elected officials have a responsibility to reduce poverty at the local level.

“Americans are saying that they want their local elected officials to take a very active role in helping people who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Karl Stauber, president and CEO of the Northwest Area Foundation. “Our work in communities is showing us that county commissioners can be pivotal in addressing the priorities Americans listed in the survey: attracting businesses with good-paying jobs, and improving access and reducing costs related to health care.”

ÊOther methods of reducing poverty in the community that are listed as top priorities are creating more affordable housing, providing better social services, improving public transportation and mobilizing churches and other community groups to get involved.

Although the survey found high expectations for local officials and a comprehensive list of priorities for making improvements, most people surveyed were optimistic about reducing poverty locally. Local elected officials received high marks for being knowledgeable about community members’ struggles to make ends meet and being accessible to speak with individuals about helping those in the community who are in need.

Montana Department of Commerce Director to Present Over $1.3 Million in Grants to Economic Development Projects in Eastern Montana

Three Day Tour to Westby, Wolf Point, Malta & Chinook

Montana Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite will present more than $1.3 million dollars in economic development grants to five projects in northeastern Montana. Preite will make stops in Westby, Wolf Point, Malta and Chinook during a three day tour of northeastern Montana, starting Monday, October 22, 2007.

“Montana’s on the move,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I am committed to growing local economies beyond the boot of western Montana, and improving the quality of life for all Montanans.”

“The Montana Department of Commerce provides support to countless economic development projects across the state,” said Preite. “I welcome the opportunity to travel and see firsthand, the progress these projects have made, and the benefits they’re bringing to local communities.”

Monday, October 22

3:00 p.m. @ Westby City Office, 207 Main Street, Westby

Director Preite will present $293,000 in funds to the city of Westby and New Century Ag for infrastructure improvements and workforce training related to the expansion of New Century Ag facility. The city of Westby will receive $243,000 in funding, from the Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development (CDBG-ED) program and $25,000 from the Big Sky Trust Fund (BSTF). New Century Ag will receive $25,000 in funding from the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program.

Tuesday, October 23

9:00 a.m. @ Great Northern Development Corporation, 233 Cascade Street, Wolf Point

Director Preite will present $500,000 in funds to the Cowboy Hall of Fame. Funds will be used for design, site development, and planning. Funds were allocated to the Montana Department of Commerce by the 2007 Legislature.

2:30 p.m. @ Future Dinosaur Museum location next to Phillips County Museum, 431 Highway 2 East, Malta

Director Preite will present $50,000 in funds to the Judith River Foundation, Inc. for museum exhibits, furnishings, equipment and finishing work. Funds are from the Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIPP).

3:00 p.m. @ Peaks & Prairies, 100 Opportunity Drive, Malta

Director Preite will present $410,000 to Peaks and Prairies, LLC for training of up to 30 new, full time employees. Funds are from the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) program.

Wednesday, October 24

9:00 a.m. @ Blaine County Wildlife Museum, 317 Indiana Street, Chinook

Director Preite will present $50,000 in funds to the Blaine County Wildlife Museum and the Blaine County Museum for a Moose-Grizzly Encounter Display and finishing work. Funds are from the Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIPP).

Poor People are Moving to Already Poor, Rural Communities

Attracted by low-cost housing and low-skill jobs, poor people move disproportionately to rural communities. Rural places are poor in part because poor people move there. By Bill Bishop [1]

http://www.dailyyonder.com/poor-people-are-moving-already-poor-rural-communities