Road Trip
You've probably noticed I've taken a little break from the SCO website and newsletter lately. I decided to take an extended road trip
this summer to revisit the real world again after living in Plentywood for the past four years. I was curious how other parts of the
country are adjusting to the economy and what they are doing to cope with it. But mostly I just wanted to drop out for awhile.
I spent some time in western Montana, but I'm currently holed-up in Park City, UT, a popular ski resort area just east of Salt Lake
City off I-80, and a former hometown of mine back in the early '90's. It can't compare to Montana as far as spectacular scenery goes,
but economically I think it has a leg up simply because of the growing surrounding population.
So what does this have to do with Plentywood, or Sheridan County, or the website? Actually nothing, but sometimes you have to
step back, or leave, to really appreciate something. So I guess that's my point.
Stepping back and looking at this massive northern plains rural area, especially along the Montana Hi-Line and wonder what it will
be like 50 years from now. In my opinion it's really a sleeping giant and has as much to offer as any of the well traveled and well
healed resort areas. Maybe more.
It's downside has been well documented; exodus of young people, more deaths than births, cold winters, hot windy summers,
aging population, no jobs, no entertainment etc., etc. That's a pretty gloomy picture. However to some, that's opportunity. Why?
Because when you hit rock bottom there's only one way to go.
I've mentioned it several times in the blog and the newsletters that the biggest liability of the northern rural areas is the lack of
leadership and the imagination to re-invent itself.
I can't imagine that eastern Montana 50 years from now will be one big massive government controlled farm, or a buffalo commons,
as suggested several years ago by Frank and Deborah Popper. But it's creeping toward reality and nobody from the outside hardly
notices.
So who should be taking leadership responsibilities? It's certainly not the local locals. They're packing up the wagon and heading
towards retirement. It's the young people. But they are given a one way ticket out of town after graduation by their parents, and the
school, without a mention of returning one day.
Without people and new ideas an economy cannot grow. It can survive with government intervention, which is it's lifeline now, but
there is a tipping point when all life support systems will be gone and it's coming soon. So how do you stop the population erosion
in these rural areas, especially the young people?
It may be too late, by at least 30 years, but here's my latest suggestion for whatever it's worth:
This is not a new concept. Many businesses and countries have been doing this for years. Could it work in Sheridan County and
other rural areas? Sure. Will it happen? Not likely.
Here's an example why:
I thought the Centennial Countdown Celebration would be an ideal promotion for Plentywood and Sheridan County. 100 year
birthday party, three years to beat the drum, promote the region, raise some money and have some fun along the way.
Al Gober (owner of the Gold Dollar formerly the Spot) and I came up with several major event ideas. Not your typical Plentywood
"bake sale and balloon" promotions but events that had the potential of generating serious revenues for the county. However, we
were reluctant to go ahead with the plan without the sponsorship support from the local major businesses, the banks, insurance
and utilities companies etc. Companies you think would benefit by impact promotions.
However, they didn't want any part of it. Not one of them even had the courtesy to return phone calls or reply to email's so we could
explain the promotion, or for them to tell us no. How hard can that be? They preferred to bury their head in the sand so they don't
have to deal with it, hoping we would just go away.
Since starting this website four years ago I have received a lot of email's from former residents and others who thought about
relocating to Plentywood. Some actually did, only to leave saying they felt unwelcome and treated like an intruder. I thought they
were over reacting and didn't give themselves adequate time to adjust to the slow lane. It wasn't until we were rejected by the local
businesses regarding the centennial events did I understand what they meant.
Based on what I've learned over the past four years and the feedback from others I don't see any economic or population growth for
Sheridan County or most other Montana rural areas. The people that currently live here have no sense of urgency to do anything and
the government certainly doesn't, and shouldn't, because they're part of the problem in the first place and without a plan you can turn
out the lights because the party is over.
Your comments are appreciated.
You've probably noticed I've taken a little break from the SCO website and newsletter lately. I decided to take an extended road trip
this summer to revisit the real world again after living in Plentywood for the past four years. I was curious how other parts of the
country are adjusting to the economy and what they are doing to cope with it. But mostly I just wanted to drop out for awhile.
I spent some time in western Montana, but I'm currently holed-up in Park City, UT, a popular ski resort area just east of Salt Lake
City off I-80, and a former hometown of mine back in the early '90's. It can't compare to Montana as far as spectacular scenery goes,
but economically I think it has a leg up simply because of the growing surrounding population.
So what does this have to do with Plentywood, or Sheridan County, or the website? Actually nothing, but sometimes you have to
step back, or leave, to really appreciate something. So I guess that's my point.
Stepping back and looking at this massive northern plains rural area, especially along the Montana Hi-Line and wonder what it will
be like 50 years from now. In my opinion it's really a sleeping giant and has as much to offer as any of the well traveled and well
healed resort areas. Maybe more.
It's downside has been well documented; exodus of young people, more deaths than births, cold winters, hot windy summers,
aging population, no jobs, no entertainment etc., etc. That's a pretty gloomy picture. However to some, that's opportunity. Why?
Because when you hit rock bottom there's only one way to go.
I've mentioned it several times in the blog and the newsletters that the biggest liability of the northern rural areas is the lack of
leadership and the imagination to re-invent itself.
I can't imagine that eastern Montana 50 years from now will be one big massive government controlled farm, or a buffalo commons,
as suggested several years ago by Frank and Deborah Popper. But it's creeping toward reality and nobody from the outside hardly
notices.
So who should be taking leadership responsibilities? It's certainly not the local locals. They're packing up the wagon and heading
towards retirement. It's the young people. But they are given a one way ticket out of town after graduation by their parents, and the
school, without a mention of returning one day.
Without people and new ideas an economy cannot grow. It can survive with government intervention, which is it's lifeline now, but
there is a tipping point when all life support systems will be gone and it's coming soon. So how do you stop the population erosion
in these rural areas, especially the young people?
It may be too late, by at least 30 years, but here's my latest suggestion for whatever it's worth:
Create a super scholarship program established by the Chamber and the school, funded by every organization, merchant,
church, and anyone receiving any government subsidies. Award it to qualified graduating seniors to attend college with one
condition. They return after graduation with a legitimate economic development plan, a business, or a job, stay and work the
plan for five consecutive years.
This is not a new concept. Many businesses and countries have been doing this for years. Could it work in Sheridan County and
other rural areas? Sure. Will it happen? Not likely.
Here's an example why:
I thought the Centennial Countdown Celebration would be an ideal promotion for Plentywood and Sheridan County. 100 year
birthday party, three years to beat the drum, promote the region, raise some money and have some fun along the way.
Al Gober (owner of the Gold Dollar formerly the Spot) and I came up with several major event ideas. Not your typical Plentywood
"bake sale and balloon" promotions but events that had the potential of generating serious revenues for the county. However, we
were reluctant to go ahead with the plan without the sponsorship support from the local major businesses, the banks, insurance
and utilities companies etc. Companies you think would benefit by impact promotions.
However, they didn't want any part of it. Not one of them even had the courtesy to return phone calls or reply to email's so we could
explain the promotion, or for them to tell us no. How hard can that be? They preferred to bury their head in the sand so they don't
have to deal with it, hoping we would just go away.
Since starting this website four years ago I have received a lot of email's from former residents and others who thought about
relocating to Plentywood. Some actually did, only to leave saying they felt unwelcome and treated like an intruder. I thought they
were over reacting and didn't give themselves adequate time to adjust to the slow lane. It wasn't until we were rejected by the local
businesses regarding the centennial events did I understand what they meant.
Based on what I've learned over the past four years and the feedback from others I don't see any economic or population growth for
Sheridan County or most other Montana rural areas. The people that currently live here have no sense of urgency to do anything and
the government certainly doesn't, and shouldn't, because they're part of the problem in the first place and without a plan you can turn
out the lights because the party is over.
Your comments are appreciated.
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There is another side of the story too. You have a passion for a change and you feel it needs to happen
sooner than later. This is not the only way to do it. Look at your passion as correct, but try to accept that
the timing is maybe a bit fast. It may be 30 years or more but the area will change. Our population and
costs will drive future development. It will happen, it is exactly the same model that has happened in
many rural areas of the country. You have great vision and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Just accept
that you are not wrong, just a bit fast for the schedule.
............................................................................................................................................................................................
Dennis, I think you said it like it is and have made some very valid points. Maybe your message will get
"them" to get their head out of the sand. It makes me crazy when supposed educated business people
will not take the initiative to help themselves.
............................................................................................................................................................................................
sooner than later. This is not the only way to do it. Look at your passion as correct, but try to accept that
the timing is maybe a bit fast. It may be 30 years or more but the area will change. Our population and
costs will drive future development. It will happen, it is exactly the same model that has happened in
many rural areas of the country. You have great vision and I enjoy reading your thoughts. Just accept
that you are not wrong, just a bit fast for the schedule.
............................................................................................................................................................................................
Dennis, I think you said it like it is and have made some very valid points. Maybe your message will get
"them" to get their head out of the sand. It makes me crazy when supposed educated business people
will not take the initiative to help themselves.
............................................................................................................................................................................................