Community Development

Liberty County Extension is involved in a variety of community development efforts to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of communities and address community development issues identified by residents.

• Community tourism assessment and development
• Local governance
• Business and economic development
• Community surveys

MSU Liberty County Extension has worked closely with the Montana Community Foundation to establish a community foundation in Liberty County.  As state and federal funds become less certain, many communities are seeing the benefit of establishing a community foundation to ensure the future of rural areas in Montana.  A community foundation provides leadership, direction, and assets to ensure that people have a place to continue to work, play, and live for generations.  In February, 2014, through the combined efforts of the Montana Community Foundation, MSU Liberty County Extension and local area friends and neighbors, the Golden Prairie Community Foundation was born.

The Golden Prairie Community Foundation met their 5-year goal of raising $25,000 at the end of 2018 and were able to establish a permanent endowment in Liberty County and surrounding communities. There has been over $80,000 raised so far, thanks to the many generous donations received from community members.  The Foundation has representatives from Chester, Ledger, Joplin, Rudyard and Hingham.

Since 2015 the Golden Prairie Community Foundation has given out almost $25,000 in grant money to the Chester Preschool, Chester Garden Club, CJI Athletics, Golden Triangle Center, Liberty County 4-H, Liberty County Library, Liberty County Community Development Committee, Hill County Ambulance, CJI Education Foundation, the Rudyard Historical Society, North Star Athletics, HEDA and the Joplin Commercial Club for community involvement and improvement projects.

For more information about the Golden Prairie Community Foundation contact the Liberty County Extension office at 406-759-5625.