EPEDC regional economic resiliency planning

Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation recently announced a series of opportunities for public input and community engagement related to the development of a regional economic development and resiliency plan. The plan will address the needs of Carter, Dawson, Fallon, Prairie and Wibaux Counties, and will evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the regional economy as well as ideas of how to stabilize the economy moving forward.

Public input is requested to ensure that the plan addresses community needs as provided by residents in each county/community, and that it includes strategies and actions that are specific to the eastern Montana region and the unique needs in that part of the country.

EPEDC has contracted with KLJ Engineering & Planning to assist in gathering community input. Staff from both agencies will be at several locations between March 7th and March 10th. There are no formal presentations planned. Individuals are encouraged to stop by during the designated times, talk to KLJ/EPEDC staff, fill out a survey, put suggestions in the suggestion box (which can be provided anonymously) or just say hello and provide any feedback.

Staff will be in Ekalaka on Tuesday, March 8th. Input can be given at Stompin’ Grounds Coffee House between 7 and 9 a.m., or at Wagon Wheel Café between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. At either location, the first beverage is free, courtesy of KLJ/EPEDC for all who fill out a survey or provide a suggestion for the plan, verbally or in writing.

For questions or more information about the ways in which one can participate in the process, contact Beth Epley at EPEDC (406) 853-6471, eepley@epedc.com; or Denae Johnson at KLJ (701) 471-5140, denae.johnson@kljeng.com. The community survey can also be found by visiting https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JJPZB7Q.