News

Economic Analysis Resource Team Members Requested for Sanders County Assessment. Your Opportunity to Contribute Your Expertise to Montana’s Future Success

This is your opportunity to take part in the process and have a role in the grass roots effort to set new directions for Sanders County. We are seeking team members for November 3 – 5 and need your expertise.

Please contact Gloria O’Rourke 406.563.5259 or E-mail: [email protected] if you have an interest.

What is a Resource Team? Sponsored by Montana Department of Commerce with coordination by Montana Economic Developers Association and your local Certified Regional Development Corporation, Resource Teams are a county and/or community based planning and assessment process involving interviewing a large number of people in the community, recording their suggestions and having a team of experts write-up implementation plans for county/community use. The critical focus is the community. The team of experts suggests ways of accomplishing the goals of the community.
 

Who are Resource Team Members? Team members are professionals in the areas of economic and community development; health; housing; workforce development; education; land use planning; grant writing; telecommunications; financing; emergency management services; and strategic planning. The team can also include state, county and federal government participants.
 

What are the benefits of a Resource Team visiting your community? Realistic and doable projects will be presented from simple to complex; creates excellent public and member relations; is excellent for resolving conflicts; it produces an action plan that will not sit on a shelf; the process works in a rural community; the approach builds community consensus; you can attach the plan to funding applications; and the Team is inexpensive for a community to host.
 

What is the Process the Resource Team uses? The Resource Team will come into your community; conduct one to 1 1/2 days of questioning and gathering of information. The Team then compiles results and categorizes responses; holds a community town meeting to share the information that was gathered; then provides the community with a written report within 4 – 6 weeks. The team returns for a prioritizing and project identifying town meeting.
 

What are the communities responsibility? The community needs to provide a community leader; provide the logistic services (tour of the community, meals and lodging for the team, meeting room); and solicit community participants.
 

Who are the community participants? The following segments of your community should be invited to participate: political leaders, religious leaders, members of the agriculture community, bankers, educators, major employers, realtors, health care and social service providers, senior citizens, civic groups, students and anyone with an interest in their community. "Those that show, get things done!"
 

What questions will be asked during the listening sessions?

1. What are your community’s strengths and assets, including successful projects in the past?

2. What are your community’s problems and challenges?

3. What projects and/or issues need to be addressed to achieve the preferred future for your community?

 
What will the final report include? The final report will include recommendations from each team member based on the needs of the community. The report will be suggestions to accomplish your needs and with each recommendation, you will receive sources of income and contacts.

Will this report sit on the shelf and gather dust? A unique aspect to this project is follow-up. Upon the community’s request, team representatives will follow-up on the community’s progress at six months and again in one year. If project goals are not being accomplished, priorities will be reviewed and once again addressed.

Who has participated to date? Assessments have been held in Cut Bank, Baker, Conrad, Polson, Custer, Forsyth, Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation, Liberty County, Judith Basin County, Big Sandy, Chinook, Mineral County, Malta, Lincoln, Glendive, Ft. Belknap Reservation, Hill County, Harlem, Glasgow, Golden Valley County,  Red Lodge, Hardin, Manhattan, West Yellowstone, Broadwater County, Lima, Stevensville, Darby, Victor, Gardiner, Absarokee, Deer Lodge, Anaconda, Laurel, Eureka, Livingston, Belgrade, Broadus, Lockwood, Big Timber and Malta/Phillips County.

Gloria O’Rourke 406.563.5259 or E-mail: [email protected]

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.