GREAT FALLS, Mont. — Great news is coming out of Big Sky Country as three ROCs take on projects to beautify and improve safety in their communities.
One of these includes a new sign that will be installed at the entrance of the Morning Star Community in Kalispell, Mont.
Currently, those looking to get to the co-op are taken to the community next door if they enter the address into the GPS. Since there isn’t any signage at the moment to let them know they are in the wrong place, this can be confusing.
Laurie Westendorf, president of the democratically elected Board of Directors, discovered the community could receive a $2,000 grant from NeighborWorks Montana and thought the sign would be the perfect project to use the money for.
Residents of the 40-home ROC were given the opportunity to weigh in on the design, which is being made and should be placed soon.
When it comes to tackling projects like this, Westendorf advises people to always keep the goal in the mind.
“Think about how the community will benefit and tackle it with a positive attitude,” she said. “If it seems overwhelming, there are lots of resources for help along the way.”
Green Acres leaders also used a grant to tackle a landscaping and garden boxes in their community.
River Acres installed speed bumps in the neighborhood to help with speed control. Members of the Board of Directors donated tools and their time to install the speed bumps.
NeighborWorks® Montana, the Certified Technical Assistance Provider for the state, chronicled these stories in its latest newsletter. Read more about these projects, as well as the upcoming regional training, the newest ROC to achieve resident ownership in Montana, the inaugural ROC Leadership Institute and more here.