2009 Leadership Montana Group 4

2. 2 2009 Leadership MontanaGroup 4 “The United State of Montana” I felt like this subtitle described what we set out to do as a group and captures what we hope to share with our audience.I felt like this subtitle described what we set out to do as a group and captures what we hope to share with our audience.

3. Billings : May 2009 3 Overview Group Background What we did Where we did it Our group process What we asked What we heard Interpretations Next Steps & Opportunities Comments and Feedback

4. Billings : May 2009 L-MT Group 4: The United State Of Montana 4 Group 4 Jacquie Burchard Aaron Kampfe Chad Lippert Eric Simonsen Grant Kier Julie Dial Paul Reichert Tori Moran Al Parisian

5. Billings : May 2009 5 Background In this case the “barrier” could be seen as getting in the way or as offering so many options that it was impossible to move forward down a particular path. Either way, our progress was stagnated.In this case the “barrier” could be seen as getting in the way or as offering so many options that it was impossible to move forward down a particular path. Either way, our progress was stagnated.

6. Billings : May 2009 6 What we did We hope that these insights will help all of us, as leaders, to take a more informed and deliberate approach to defining a direction for our state (or our endeavors that impact our state).We hope that these insights will help all of us, as leaders, to take a more informed and deliberate approach to defining a direction for our state (or our endeavors that impact our state).

18. Billings : May 2009 18 The group process What the heck is ideation?What the heck is ideation?

19. Billings : May 2009 19 “Project Process” Comments Everyone was too polite for too long. We started with topics and ideas that were too ambitious Did not have or make enough time for our team to work together

20. Billings : May 2009 20 What we asked I don’t understand last question (GK)I don’t understand last question (GK)

21. Billings : May 2009 21 The Geography Red circles are Larry Swanson’s “Seven major cities”. Green circles indicate places where we tried to interview people for this project. About 30% of our attempts are in these areas. AL - I have 4 interviews in Missoula. Please update.Red circles are Larry Swanson’s “Seven major cities”. Green circles indicate places where we tried to interview people for this project. About 30% of our attempts are in these areas. AL - I have 4 interviews in Missoula. Please update.

22. Billings : May 2009 22 Dr. Swanson: MT Population by Region

23. Billings : May 2009 23 Who responded Business: Chamber of Commerce director Large business executives small business owner Retired real estate agent Retired head of MT Federal Reserve Education: Principal School district member University faculty Health Care: Medical center CEO Government Mayor Former city manager Economy CPA Environment Agriculture - Farmer

24. Billings : May 2009 24 Survey Says! What we heard Accomplishments Landscape and beauty New infrastructure Improved Citizen Involvement Branding More Arts Alternative energy Vibrant communities Threats / Concerns Local infrastructure costs Broadband availability Loss of cultural identity Unbalanced tax structure Unbalanced economy Poor planning Affordable living Access to Medical Care

25. Billings : May 2009 25 The Team’s Observations Homogeneous communities and lack of diversity can hurt Montana’s ability to adopt to change. Public education model is inefficient. Need to overcome job protectionism. Duplicate overheads and part-year model. Gracious Space needs to be extended to public hearings in planning (for example). False or empty public hearing opportunities are not really public listening. Some small towns may become ghost towns in the next 20 years, in part due to trends not in our control. There is NO state or regional “long term” plan or strategy to stabilize MT: grow rural areas, and conversely better manage and control growth in rapid expansion areas.

26. Billings : May 2009 26 Dr. Swanson: MT Population Concentration

27. The Team’s Observations Skilled MT workers get recruited away from Montana. Legislature will have to adopt and be more responsive as Montana grows (size, complexity). Politicians cannot see past ‘one size fits all’ solutions. Public policy and regulations put small business at a disadvantage, hurts small towns disproportionately Tribal Governments and Reservations are under additional stress because they have an federal government involvement in the system. The loss of one “landmark” business can really hurt a small town, and have a ripple effect.

28. Billings : May 2009 28 Dr. Swanson: MT Economic Sector Trends

29. The Team’s Observations

30. Billings : May 2009 30 Dr. Swanson: MT Population by Age

31. Billings : May 2009 31 Insights and FindingsNext Steps? Similarities in views from different places and interest groups, was somewhat unexpected. In MT, just a few people have historically made a real difference, because they can. There does not appear to be anyone LEADING a urban / rural vision of progressive success. Lots of small unconnected efforts. Montana’s Historic downtowns still hold a huge opportunity for revitalization because they anchor culture and commerce. Form an economic group of similarly situated rural “hub” towns that are running on the same economic model and may have ability to share resources without competing. Reproduce community forums like Home Town Helena. Create a MD/nurse recruitment pool for rural Montana. Bring in pre-qualified potentials to a single recruitment fair event. Perhaps pick just a few schools/teaching-hospitals to recruit from (efficient).

32. Billings : May 2009 32 Insights and FindingsNext Steps? Survey concentrated on “leaders” who tended to be engaged and employed; did not catch the underserved or underemployed. Relationships among issues: decisions in far off places have a big ripple affect in Montana. Things are more interrelated than they appear. Butte’s model: tapping into former (successful) locals and bring them back to re-invest locally. Develop shared access to professional grant writers. Create “Resource” districts: share planning or development expertise in logical areas

33. Billings : May 2009 33 Insights and FindingsNext Steps? Influence possible university study [Senate Joint Resolution 25], 2009 session. Leadership MT sponsors a “conference” or workshop to launch a new initiative to bring solutions and success stories out in the open to bring people together across Montana. Form an economic group of similarly situated rural “hub” towns that are running on the same economic model and may have ability to share resources without competing.

34. Billings : May 2009 34 Dr. Swanson: Common Needs