Terry, MT

7 7 Prairie County Residents shared their thoughts through a community survey last December, 2007. 87% thought Terry was a community that helped one another and 91% felt it was a real home.

Strengths were education, helpful friendly people, hospital and medical care, businesses that invested in Terry, small town atmosphere, park, museums, clean appearance. Things people would change is adding more students and people to town, improve road maintenance, full time restaurant, jobs and locals more welcoming to new folks.

53% of respondents were willing or very willing to help with community projects.

Top 3 areas to improve the quality of life in Terry were livable wage jobs 63%; education system 48% and youth activities 43% and health care 34%.

From the 15 items listed on the survey that came up during Study Circles, the top issues were
1. Value added agriculture
2. Recruit professionals
3. Assisted living facility
4. Expand recreational opportunities

Eleven people gathered on April 30th to guage progress on community projects.

Great progress is being made on establishing a community foundation to benefit Prairie County. The directors of Friends for Cherry Creek Dam met in March to change their bylaws and name to Prairie Benefits. Officers and a board of directors were also elected. Prairie Benefits will work with the Montana Community Foundation to manage the funds. Prairie Benefits will provide an opportunity for ongoing funds for community projects.

The Prairie County Commissioners are working with Julie Jones of Singletree on an assisted living facility in Terry.

The value-added ag committee reported that they hosted a forum for ag producers on April 23rd that focused on the ethanol industry, raising natural beef, and backgrounding systems for calves. The need for continued education on ag diversification opporutunities such as camelina production was noted.

Another meeting is planned for June 4th at 5:30 p.m.