Yellowstone Times

Fourteen Montana communities have been chosen to take part in the fifth Reimagining Rural virtual community gathering series, organized by Montana State University Extension. This initiative offers residents of small towns the opportunity to explore new ideas for enhancing rural community vitality.

The Reimagining Rural series includes three statewide sessions scheduled for February 4, 11, and 18. These sessions will feature presentations from rural experts and highlight successes from Montana's small towns. The events are conducted online but encourage local groups to gather in person within their communities. After each session, participants engage in facilitated discussions about how the presented ideas could be applied locally.

The selected communities for this year are Cut Bank, Dillon, Ekalaka, Forsyth, Fort Benton, Fromberg, Glasgow, Glendive, Harlem, Havre, Jordan, Rudyard, Thompson Falls and Wolf Point.

"2025 marks the fifth year for the series, which has seen success in small towns," said Jennifer Anderson, MSU Extension community vitality associate specialist and program coordinator. "Past participants shared that it is a great starting point for local conversations about what it takes to be resilient and build positive community momentum."

Since its inception, 53 communities across Montana have participated in the Reimagining Rural program.

"Some small towns that are facing challenges don’t have the capacity or resources to navigate these issues," Anderson stated. "This program helps communities flip the narrative, see the good, strengthen relationships and inspire resiliency."

The initiative is sponsored by the Montana Community Foundation. For further details or participation inquiries regarding local sessions contact Anderson at 406-351-1488 or jennifer.anderson@montana.edu.