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Rural Montana summer fairs worth the weight shouldered by civic groups

Seaborn Larson

March 19, 2018 |

Great Falls Tribune |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Choteau, Montana

Small towns along the Rocky Mountain Front in Montana have a history of putting on summer festivals to attract locals and tourists alike and to earn funds to benefit their communities. As the festivals now face challenges, such as aging populations, locals are coming up with creative solutions. Whether promoting younger community members or finding corporate sponsors, these small towns will work to ensure their communities survive.

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Tech startup formula finds spark in a changing Montgomery

Brad Harper

March 13, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

Tech classes in Montgomery, Alabama are targeting unlikely entrepreneurs, including local lawyers and artists who want to learn entrepreneurial skills to help their own sales and services. Taking place as CoWerx46, a co-working space, the series of tech classes is free for the time being due to business sponsorships who support the goals of the program.

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A way out of Bozeman's shadow

Katheryn Houghton Lewis Kendall

February 11, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Belgrade, Montana

Belgrade, Montana, a city 12 miles outside of Bozeman, uses creative financing and revitalization to ensure its identity remains independent from its rapidly growing and ever-popular adjacent city. While many residents of Belgrade work in Bozeman, the city has developed "tax-based renewal strategies" and restaurant liquor license regulations to ensure Belgrade stays on the map.

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When a town wants to grow — but not too quickly

Lewis Kendall

February 08, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Three Forks, Montana

The town of Three Forks, Montana has managed to grow at a steady, manageable pace, relying on multiple economic drivers to keep the community afloat while other towns nearby have suffered from over-reliance on the coal and railroad industries. Town leaders learned from the downfall of the railroad boom, investing in businesses processing cement, wheat, and more to maintain economic diversification.

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How Preston took back control

Aditya Chakrabortty

January 31, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: England, Preston

The city of Preston, northern England, models a new local procurement plan after an initiative in Cleveland, Ohio that keeps money spent by large community institutions, like hospitals and schools, within the local economy. By focusing the chain of supply and demand within the community through co-ops and credit unions, the city of Preston saved £75m that goes back into the local economy.

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In 2011 Preston hit rock bottom. Then it took back control

Aditya Chakrabortty

January 31, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, Preston

In 2011, when a huge plan for a sprawling shopping mall halted after the financial crisis, Preston’s future looked bleak. That is, until Matthew Brown, a local government leader, decided to spend money locally, an idea that drastically reshaped the city’s economy. The city council “ adopted a guerrilla localism,” and it paid off. By changing procurement practices and business methods, Preston has become a model for how to turn around a failing city.

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Home at the Headwaters: After recovering from the loss of its founding industry, Three Forks looks to continue bucking the trend of small town Montana

Lewis Kendall

January 28, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Three Forks, Montana

Unlike many other small Montana towns, the community of Three Forks has managed to humbly thrive by investing in several economic drivers rather than rely solely on the railroad as its only large employer. With booming talc and cement plants as well as new entrepreneurial spirit, Three Forks remains steady and continues to renovate for tourists and town-folk alike.

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How This Southern City Is Becoming a Mecca for Startups

Nick Fouriezos

January 17, 2018 |

OZY |

Multi-Media |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Birmingham, Alabama

The South has not historically been known as a place to work in a tech startup, but Birmingham is changing that perception. Now, venture capitalists, a local university, and the government are pouring funding into high growth companies in Alabama, knowing the money will last longer in Birmingham than in a coastal city like New York or San Francisco. As startups are helping the city grow, talent is beginning to follow.

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The ‘scenery economy' reinvigorates a Montana town

Eric Dietrich

January 10, 2018 |

High Country News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philipsburg, Montana

While many rural towns have struggled to retain residents and jobs, Philipsburg, Montana has enjoyed a newly bustling downtown because of tourism brought to the town by businesses with long-term advertising and renewal investments. Although the economic benefits are clear, residents worry that permanent families still aren't moving in.

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Why some young professionals settle in small-town Montana

Eric Dietrich

January 09, 2018 |

High Country News |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Libby, Montana

Despite the brain drain struggle that some Montana small towns face, young professionals are finding reasons to move back to the state and towns they call home. Some towns have tried specific strategies, such as promoting good public schools and reaching out to alumni when good job opportunities become available. For others, professionals are drawn to the community and more relaxed pace of life. Still, towns are continuing to fight in creative ways for talent to come back home.

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