Analysis of Touring Cyclists: Impacts, Needs, and Opportunities for Montana

This report provides statistics and information on the cycling tourism market in Montana. In 2012, cyclists brought in over $377 million dollars to the state of Montana, and cyclists are traveling throughout the state, even to the most rural regions. The study also outlines opportunities for communities to support touring cyclists and their local economies. 

Multi-day Cycling Study

Aligning Strategies to Maximize Impact: Case Studies on Transportation and Economic Development

This report provides case studies of successful collaboration between transportation and economic development strategies within the context of a region. By sharing resources and playing off of strengths, these two areas of community development can be planned cooperatively for maximum success. Explore this article further for some great planning techniques.

NADO_Trans&Econ

Affordable Senior Rural Housing

This resource provides articles on the challenges faced by seniors in rural communities when trying to find affordable housing. With a fast increasing senior population and few housing options as it is, the need for senior-specific housing is immense. These articles review some of the federal programs that exist for creating affordable senior housing, the funding that is involved, and the resources that are available for rural communities to establish such housing. 

Affordable Rural Senior Housing

Addressing Equity and Rural Poverty: The View from the Ground

Rural and small-town communities face many challenges when attempting to fight poverty while encouraging economic capacity. This webinar provides some best practices for fostering equity in regional and community economic development. Watch the recording to see how communities can work and plan together for equality while boosting local and regional economoy. 

Addressing Equity and Rural Poverity Rural Equity Webinar

Aging in Place – Role of Broadband

“…nearly 4 percent more rural seniors are in nursing homes than their urban counterparts;” this report identifies some of the reasons why this statistic exists, and offers some insight to the developing services for improving. One of these areas of service is telemedicine, including online consultations, home-monitoring systems, and web-based health education. 

Aging in Place and the Role of Broadband in Rural America

Advancing Community Priorities

Guest speakers, David Jaber from the Oyate Omniciye regional sustainability planning effort of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Pine Ridge Reservation) and Carrie Runser-Turner from the GroWNC regional planning project in Western North Carolina,  provide examples of how their tribal and rural communities were able to advance their priorities through local, regional planning efforts. In addition, Jennie Rodgers, communications specialist with the Rural Community Assistance Corporation, discusses how our local communities can ensure that their priorities are incorporated into the regional plan for Northcentral MT. Watch the full webinar for all of the details!

Advancing Community Priorities_PP

Action Items Summary

This document summarizes the action items and common themes that were identified by community leaders at the June 24th, 2014, Vibrant Futures Implementation Session. Participants developed action items, which included sequences of steps, resources, potential partners, possible funding sources, and timelines for accomplishing the action item. Participants also came to several conclusions on the common elements necessary to successfully implement the plan. 

Action Item Summary Implementation Session

Phillips County Input

Employment

  • More small business
  • Less regulation
  • Allow the TransCanada project
  • Employee training
  • Move in companies to create more jobs
  • Improve government policy in regards to agriculture, mining
  • Reclamation is ongoing at the mine
  • Open some state lands to recreational access and housing development
  • Develop access road