Thompson Falls to participate in rural community program

Fourteen Montana communities have been selected to participate in the fifth Reimagining Rural virtual community gathering series. Reimagining Rural is a free program offered through Montana State University Extension that invites residents of small towns to hear new ideas for rural community vitality.

The Reimagining Rural series includes three statewide sessions on Feb. 4, 11 and 18 featuring presentations from rural experts and highlights of Montana’s small towns that have had successes. Those sessions are offered online to groups gathered in person in participating towns. Following each session’s speakers, local groups hold facilitated conversations about how new ideas might work in their communities.

This year’s participating communities 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 the start of the Reimagining Rural program, 53 communities in Montana have participated.

“Some small towns that are facing challenges don’t have the capacity or resources to navigate these issues, and because of that, negativity and despair set in,” Anderson said. “This program helps communities flip the narrative, see the good, strengthen relationships and inspire resiliency.”

The program is sponsored by the Montana Community Foundation. For more information or to participate in local sessions, contact Anderson at 406-351-1488 or jennifer.anderson@montana.edu.