Columbus, MT

Horizons is a community leadership program aimed at reducing poverty in rural communities of fewer than 5,000 that have experienced significant decline or demographic change. The program’s goal is to help communities understand poverty, help them commit to action to change it and then bring about lasting change in their community. It is funded by the Northwest Area Foundation and delivered by Montana State University Extension. The program functions as a 18 month program and features five segments: Spotlights, Study Circles, LeadershipPlenty, Community Visioning, and Community Coaching and Action.

Columbus is located between the Yellowstone River and Interstate 90 in South Central Montana and is the county seat of Stillwater County. The community originated as a stagecoach station along the Yellowstone Trail, and today is a prominently agricultural and recreational area.

Demographic information about Columbus, according to the US Census Bureau:

• Population has increased by 10.5% from 1,748 in 2000 to 1,931 in 2006

• Median age is 38.3 years

• Largest age category is 40-44 years at 8.5%; Smallest category is 65-69 years

• 96.6% White, 1.7% Two or More Races, 1.3% American Indian or Alaskan Native, <1% Black or African American, Asian and Other

• Largest industry is Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting and Mining

• 37% of residents over 25 have a high school degree; 28% have some college education in 1999, 14% of individuals in Columbus earned income below the poverty level. More facts about poverty in Columbus, according to the US Census Bureau:

• 68% of individuals and 44% of households earn less than $30K

• Per Capita Income is $17,689

• Income bracket with the largest number (12%) of households is “less than $10,000”

• 17% of individuals under 18 and 16% over 65 live below the poverty line, compared to 13% and 9% respectively in Montana

• 15% of woman live below the poverty line

• Unemployment rate in Stillwater County is 2.8% (2007)

Columbus has been active in the Horizons program and is making great strides to reduce poverty in the community. The Horizons Steering Committee gathered input from the community to determine the most important issues within infrastructure and services, economic development, community involvement, youth and school, and beautification.

After the community established the top priorities the following vision statement was developed during community visioning.

“Columbus is a safe, progressive community that values its people and honors and preserves its history. Its character is reflected in its active community involvement, youth development, and the support of a self-sustaining business environment. Columbus is a place where all community members can thrive, prosper, and grow.”

One of the first actions that was taken by the Horizons Beautification Committee was to repaint the sign into Columbus and plant flowers near to provide a warm welcome to visitors. The Committee also renovated an old message sign by a local park. The Beautification projects have given the community a sense of pride.

A focus of the Horizons Steering Committee was the creation of the Columbus Community Foundation. The mission of the Foundation is “to promote philanthropy, receive and administer charitable gifts and invest in programs that improve quality of life by building a permanent endowment perpetuating the vitality of the community.” Through generous donations from the community the Foundation was born.

The town of Columbus is part of the Montana Main Street Program. The program provides resources for economic revitalization in downtown areas. In Columbus, the program is focused on a vacant lot from a fire. The Horizons Beautification Committee decided to partner with the Main Street Program so both programs can work together and double their efforts.

Through Horizons, community members focused on the idea of becoming a self sufficient community. One way of doing this was through the creation of the local farmer’s market. The purpose of the farmer’s market is to give the community a tool to become self sufficient and buy locally. The market was originally held only in August, but was extended due to its wide success. The 2008 Farmer’s Market was kicked off by Montana’s Governor Brian Schweitzer on July 24th and will run through mid-September.

Many rural communities also lack the resources to provide educational opportunities to individuals who wish to further their skills. Several guests were invited to Columbus to provide information and training to community members. Guests included Marsha Geotting who spoke on real estate planning, and Paul Lachapelle who talked about becoming an efficient and confident board member. These educational opportunities give residents tools to better themselves and become a more efficient community leader.

Youth have also been a focus in the Horizons program and involved in the entire process by serving as Study Circle facilitators and writing on the blog. The Columbus Mentoring Committee has been hard at work to develop an afterschool program. Committee members worked with the school system to distribute surveys, attended a conference and worked on finding a suitable location. With lots of work and dedication, the new program will start this fall.

Horizons has made a huge difference in Columbus. According to the blog, Horizons and its activities not only brought together Columbus but also surrounding areas. The blog attributes the most important accomplishment of Horizons is the “unification of a community.”

Horizons Communities:
Anaconda
Big Timber
Boulder
Brockway
Columbus
Crow Agency
Culbertson
Forsyth
Harlowton
Melstone
Roundup
Scobey
Terry
Whitehall
White Sulphur Springs
Wibaux

The Farmers’ Market this summer has so far been a great success. Not only is it a place to shop, but also a place to eat, socialize, and listen to the musicians.

In one of the earlier weeks it was estimated that there were from 275 to 300 people there, which was about the same as each week last year. There have been 24 sellers so far this market, with a few more joining later on, which meets the highest point for number of sellers for last year.

The Beautification Committee, a result of the Horizons Program, is dedicated to helping the people of Columbus create a more beautiful and attractive community. The primary purpose of this group is to raise awareness that the appearance of our community sends a strong message to town folk and visitors alike and to invite the entire community to participate in this effort.

Several areas in need been identified and the committee members are gathering information to move forward with these efforts. Among the ideas brought to the group were signs to bring travelers into the city from I-90 at the Springtime Road exit and Welcome signs at all entrances to town. A toxic chemical waste cleanup day, assistance with yard cleanup with the assistance of various organizations and youth groups, sponsoring city-wide clean-up days similar to the Billings “Bright and Beautiful”, campaign, working with a landscape architect to plan improvements on Pike Ave. and the parks. Other suggestions were new banners for main street and murals on blank buildings walls.

One of the long term goals of the group is to work closely with the Main Street Program as it develops. Melissa Kramer, Stillwater County Economic Development Coordinator, presented the outline for the Main Street Program, and how that program would go hand in hand with the goals of the Beautification Committee.

The group hopes to work closely with the City Council and the city ordinances to expedite the clean up of problem areas. Anyone interested in participating in these efforts should contact Mary Schimmele at 322-5250 for more information.