:The Laurel Outlook:News

A team of six outside experts, who are experienced in community development, will be in Laurel July 11 and 12 to conduct a community assessment to help community leaders plan for Laurel's future.

“The panel of experts doesn't come to the listening sessions with preconceptions about what needs to be done. Their objective is to get input from members of the community to determine what things they want to keep the same and what things they want to change,” said Rebecca Wales, a community development specialist with Big Sky EDA (BSEDA).

The Laurel Downtown Task Force, with the assistance of Big Sky Economic Development Association, will conduct the assessment. The Task Force is a joint effort of the Laurel Chamber of Commerce and the City of Laurel. Its mission is to develop a plan for the future of Laurel's business district.

Session participants will collect responses from community members and use that data to determine the direction community members want for Laurel's downtown area. The assessment is done at little cost to the community, because the BSEDA is supported with county and city mill levies to promote local economic development.

They will hold 10 listening sessions at Laurel City Hall in council chambers during the two days to answer these questions:

€ What are the major problems and challenges in your community?

€ What are the major strengths and assets in your community?

€ What projects would you like to see accomplished in your community in the next 2, 5, 10 and 20 years?

Participants should arrive prepared to answer those specific questions. Community assessment team members include Al Jones (Montana Department of Commerce, Regional Development Officer), Lynn Muncey (Beartooth RC&D/CRDC), Karyl Tobel (MDOC/Commercial Loan Fund), James Klessens (Community Matters), Tracy McIntyre (Eureka Rural Development Partners), and Gloria O'Rourke (Montana Economic Developers Association).

The panel will hear from specific sectors of the community at each session. There will be five listening sessions both days. Specific sectors and their session times are:

€ Wednesday, July 11 - 1:30 to 2:30 pm., youth groups and school groups; 2:45 to 3:45 pm., educators and seniors; 4:15 to 5:15 pm., CHS, MRL, union groups and utilities; 5:30 to 6:30 pm., business sector, retail, consultants/services, artists and cottage industries; and 8 to 9 pm., first responders.

€ Thursday, July 12 - 8 to 9 am., bankers and realtors; 9:15 to 10:15 am., government services, city council and planning board; 10:45 to 11:45 am., medical and agriculture; 1:15 to 2:15 pm., manufacturing and chamber of commerce; 2:30 to 3:30 pm., church organizations and civic organizations. All other members of the community are invited to participate in this final session from 2:30 to 3:30 pm.

The two-day assessment will wind up with a town meeting Thursday evening from 7 to 8 pm. at DJ's meeting room.

People who cannot attend one of the 10 listening sessions may send comments and responses to the Laurel Chamber of Commerce at 108 East Main Street, Laurel, MT 59044, or e-mail laurelchamber@rbbmt.org. A community assessment response flier is inserted in this issue of the Laurel Outlook. Information about the community assessment will also be distributed during the July 4 Chamber of Commerce Grand Parade.