Reimagining Rural gatherings in Ekalaka

The Reimagining Rural Initiative is a partnership between MSU Extension, Montana Community Foundation and the Montana Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

A Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gathering was scheduled earlier this year but later canceled due to the pandemic. This virtual statewide gathering of twenty communities across Montana has been rescheduled and will be shown in the upcoming weeks at Carter County Events Center as Carter County is one of the twenty communities participating.

Ben Winchester from the University of Minnesota will discuss his “brain gain” concept and research and how it applies to Montana’s rural communities during the first scheduled virtual gathering on September 15 from 6 to 8 p.m.. The concept provides a fresh, positive outlook to rural development and gives communities ideas to support positive community work. A trained facilitator will be in Ekalaka to help lead and engage a discussion following the presentation. The discussion will be centered on the concepts presented in order to determine ways to incorporate the ideas into the community.

A second presentation, “Save Your Town,” will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on September 29, and a final evening of idea-sharing from participating communities, as well as a question and answer session will take place on October 13.

More will be scheduled in the spring of 2021.

Reimagining Rural Virtual Community Gatherings in Ekalaka are sponsored by the Carter County Community Foundation. Participants are asked to bring a mask. Seating will suffice for social distancing.