Assessment team helps evaluate strengths, needs
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RONAN — The main problems the town faces were ranked at the last Greater Ronan Resource Team Assessment meeting in the community center on Wednesday, June 9.
Volunteers from all over Montana helped assess the town’s needs to promote economic development much like Polson did a few years ago.
The team is part of a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce and the Montana Economic Developers Association. They came to town in May to begin finding out what the town needs according to its citizens.
Key members of the team returned in June to help the town prioritize their needs and review a 73-page assessment that can be found at http://www. medamembers.org/meda/ resources/resource-teamassessments/? item=8604
“It’s your turn to decide what to do with the information at hand,” said Gloria O’Rourke, MEDA team coordinator.
More than 50 community members attended the meeting.
“We’ve had a fantastic turnout,” said Gus Byrom with the Montana Department of Commerce. “This shows that you really care about the town.”
The team split the participants into groups to prioritize the community’s needs. They listed those needs on poster paper, and each person was given four votes to help rank the issues.
Creating a downtown master plan to develop the community received the most votes. Business development and creating a town identity tied for second.
Getting the towns in Lake County to collaborate so that things like summer events are not all on the same weekend was the third interest.
Community infrastructure was fourth, and activities for kids was in the top five.
“Kids were really important to you,” Byrom said.
The team said that the next step was for the community to take those needs and make an action plan. Anyone can volunteer to make something happen. the team said they are available if anyone has questions and they can help find grant opportunities for funding.
It was suggested that the group create a Facebook page to help organize town improvements. Ronan Mayor Kim Apperspach said he plans to start working on getting the towns to collaborate.
After the meeting, community member Brianna Ewart said that she recently moved to the area and she is interested in local business and helping the town form an identity.
“I’d like to see the town do something based around agriculture,” she said. “We’ve got a great start to get things done. I hope the momentum continues.”
More information is also available through the Lake County Community Development Center at www.lakecountycdc. org and the Ronan Chamber of Commerce.
The Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development is hosting a “branding” meeting based around tourism on Thursday, June 23, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center. People can learn about what is in store for the community, how to participate, and the tools and programs available.
