These 11 Montana Communities received "Reimagining Rural” Awards from AARP

In a collaboration between AARP Montana and Montana State University (MSU) Extension, rural communities across the state are receiving a boost to enhance their public spaces. The AARP Montana Community Project Awards for Reimagining Rural Alumni Communities aim to help already vibrant towns become even better places to live, work, and age by providing project sponsorship dollars to implement community enhancement ideas.

Reimagining Rural is a program offered by MSU Extension’s Community Vitality team to increase volunteer engagement in rural communities. Reimagining Rural communities host gatherings for their local residents and leaders to connect with rural-focused speakers and engage in a discussion about the ideas they heard from the speaker and how they might apply locally.

The Community Project Award Initiative

“AARP Montana recognizes the importance of strong, connected communities,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “Through this innovative program, we are providing $1,000 awards to eleven rural communities that have participated in the MSU Extension Reimagining Rural program. These project sponsorships empower local leaders and residents to create positive change within their neighborhoods.”

Criteria for Community Project Awards

Community projects that aligned with AARP’s Livable Community Domains were qualified to apply for an award. Examples of eligible initiatives include enhancing parks, creating community gardens, improving public green spaces, developing bike and walking paths, improving accessibility, or enhancing public transportation options. Other examples include creating programs that foster community connections and social interaction, enhancing local services, promoting health and wellness, and supporting aging-in-place initiatives.

“The driving force behind these projects is the Reimagining Rural alumni communities,” said Loraine Wodnik, AARP Montana State and Community Engagement Analyst. “Passionate individuals are deeply rooted in their towns and understand the unique needs and aspirations of their friends, neighbors and community members. The applicants represent these alumni communities, ensuring that the projects directly benefit the people they serve.” 

Non-Partisan and Tangible Impact

“AARP Montana emphasized that these projects needed to remain non-partisan and non-political,” said Summers. “The focus is on tangible, quick-action efforts that will make a real difference. Whether it’s revitalizing a downtown area or enhancing a walking path or trail the goal is to strengthen community bonds in rural Montana.”

The 11 Winning Montana Communities

After a competitive process led by AARP Montana and MSU Extension Reimagining Rural, eleven communities emerged as winners:

• Anaconda -- Bike Anaconda Day. Anaconda’s Main Street Committee, under the umbrella of Discover Anaconda, will work with schools, local businesses, and the county to promote a safe Bike-to-School, Bike-to-Work, and Bike Anaconda Day. Plans include an event on September 5, 2024 to coincide with the final farmer's market of the year and the start of the school year. Bicycle safety lights will be given to participants. By working with local businesses to provide incentives, cyclists will generate downtown business traffic while gaining safety information, snacks, and celebratory items (stickers/lights) along the way.

• Baker- Signage for developing Baker History Walks. The Southeast Montana Area Revitalization Team and the O'Fallon Historical Museum aim to share Baker’s rich history and keep it alive, through interpretive signs, complete with QR codes, that tell the story of Baker’s past. This project encourages walking which promotes mental and health benefits. Additionally, history walks will provide outdoor activity and social engagement opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

• Broadus - Benches near or on the new Fit Trail. The Powder River Area Economic Development Council and the Powder River Trails organization have teamed up to create a 12-mile-long series of walking paths in Broadus. This award will provide benches along the new Fit Trail and will benefit those with limited stamina or mobility. This award augments matching funds from the local School Community Development Council. 

• Havre - Outdoor Mural. Bear Paw Development Corporation and the Hi-Line Arts Council have teamed up to empower the Havre community through the support and promotion of arts, culture and creative expression. This award will help fund public art in the form of a mural in downtown Havre in the community's Art Alley, which is quickly becoming a hub for community events. The proposed mural will be painted by a Havre native who is a muralist and who works throughout the western United States. 

• Hays - Fort Belknap Reservation - Expand Newah's Garden. This is an impactful project improving the outdoor space in a culturally significant way. Award funds will allow for the expansion of the Newah's Garden sweet grass garden space, increase the flower beautification pots and trees, purchase children's benches, and purchase a portable water sprayer to water plants around town. The community enjoys the space using it as a gathering space. 

• Lewistown - Leadership Development Program. Snowy Mountain Development will use award funds to reinitiate a previously-successful program of leadership development for community members. This program falls under the Social Participation and Engagement category of the AARP Livable Community Domains and will have an impact in the community for years to come. 

• Rudyard - Repairs to the concession stand in the park. The Rudyard Community Commercial Club is leading efforts to provide value to the community by making much needed repairs to the county park concession stand. The concession stand is a very important asset to the park and town, as it serves the youth baseball groups and community events. Since Rudyard is unincorporated and does not receive funding from Hill County, all improvements in the town rely solely on volunteers and donations. Projects bring young and old together to discuss community and how to improve rural community life. 

• Shelby - Improve outdoor spaces by beautifying Main Street and business corridors. The City of Shelby aims to focus on outdoor spaces with its award funds. The city will purchase a portable water tank, that would be pulled by an ATV and used to water the flowers along the Main Street Business District, Central Avenue and Oilfield Avenue through summer months. This project maintains the downtown beautification efforts previously undertaken. In addition to AARP’s $1,000 investment, the City of Shelby would cover $399 of the cost. Shelby previously received an AARP Community Challenge Grant for Dog Park improvements. 

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  Thompson Falls - Improve access to outdoor recreation facilities around Thompson Falls with nine mobile disc golf baskets. Sanders County Community Development aims to do community outreach at events to support previous development of a disc golf course. Demonstrating the activity at various events with nine mobile disc golf baskets will help to familiarize community members with the sport. Through mobile baskets, fun activities can be provided at social events around the county while generating interest in a sport that requires minimum investment to play and is accessible to all ages. 

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  Valier - Additional electrical outlets and a water spigot/drinking fountain in the park. The Valier Area Development Corporation is planning additional power outlets in the park – which is used for special community events such as music performances, community and family picnics, reunions, and winter light displays, as well as a welcoming spot for travelers. The outlets could be used to support musical performances with lighting and microphones. They also plan to add a water spigot or drinking fountain, so park visitors have a place to fill their water bottles or get a drink when they stop at the park to take a break. This project will positively impact the community. 

• Worden - Benches on Main Street. Community Project Connection aims to install benches along Main Street for the many community members who walk to the grocery store, library and restaurants and may need to take a break along the way or simply enjoy an ice cream cone. Benches are great additions to outdoor spaces and they benefit young and old alike from moms with kids to older residents who need a place to sit. Benches actually encourage walking because those with limited mobility or endurance can feel confident embarking upon a long walk when they know they have a place to take a rest along the way. The benches will match those recently purchased for the baseball field.

“These 11 communities exemplify the spirit of collaboration, resilience, and community pride,” said Tara Mastel, Program Lead for Community Vitality at MSU Extension and Reimaging Rural lead. “As they embark on their projects, they’re not only improving physical spaces but also nurturing the bonds that make rural Montana truly special. Let’s celebrate these local champions who are reimagining their communities—one project at a time.” 

The Reimaging Rural Community Project Awards program from AARP Montana is part of AARP’s Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Earlier this summer, AARP Montana announced Community Challenge Grant winners. To learn more about AARP’s livable communities work in Montana see https://states.aarp.org/montana/mtcommunities.

The Power of Volunteers

“The Reimaging Rural initiative shines a spotlight on the power of volunteers in rural communities,” said Nancy Andersen, AARP Montana Director of Outreach. “AARP Montana is looking for outreach and Community Engagement volunteers in rural communities across Montana. Volunteers work in their own communities with other local residents, community leaders, and organizations to host events, support community projects, and share information and resources on AARP issues and priorities. Whether you like to be out in front or behind the scenes, there are various ways to get involved.” Those interested in volunteering for AARP Montana can reach out to Nancy Andersen via e-mail at nandersen@aarp.org.