Forsyth, MT

 Following on the heals of the local pool forum hosted by the City of Forsyth and the Forsyth Horizons Project, the Sout Eastern Montana Development Corporation hosted a similar more wide-spread get together.  Recognizing many of the communities in the south eastern region are facing municipal pool issues, whether it be building new, renovating or funding the current one, all seem to agree the pool is a contensious issue around town. SEMDC hopes to assist the communities first by getting everyone to the table to brainstorm on different ideas and then look at possible solutions.  Following on the Horizons model, the notion is that we’ll all benefit if we work together.

   MSU Extension Agent Byron Hould facilitated the Master Gardener program, which is helping build the foundation for a local community garden.  18 community members completed and passed the training.  Some of the graduates will soon be gathering to focus on developing a local community garden, which surfaced as a need/desire through the Horizons Project and has since been determined as one of the long term projects to be worked on.

Forsyth had an unprecedented 252 complete community surveys. What they like about Forsyth is the small town with easy access around town & to the Interstate, the friendly people and low crime rate. Strengths are it’s schools, medical care and retirement villa and its location by the Yellowstone and proximity to Billings. They would like to improve the streets, clean up the blight and junk vehicles, have more activities for youth and add more businesses. Of the issues that came out of study circles, these 252 said infrasturcture was the most important issue to address - streets were frequently mentioned. A close second was expanding available services- more businesses with services not presently offered. Community beautification, recreational opportunities including using the Yellowstone plus marketing the community assets and communication rounded out the field. The steering committee will be working on these and communicating and collaborating with the city, county and area organizations to help make them happen.

After over three hundred community members completed the community vision survey, the Forsyth Horizons Steering Committee got to work pouring over all the information gathered to draft numerous potential vision statements community members could choose from.  Monday November 5th community members did just that.  The chosen vision is the same the city administration created numerous years ago during a similar community development project.  The Horizons Planning Committee will be working to put this vision into practice in upcoming community events.

Forsyth’s vision is to be…A vibrant well-kept community that supports family values; fulfills economic, educational and social needs and provides a “hometown” quality of life.