Troy residents, officials brainstorm ways to promote the city

A community improvement event spearheaded by a state association brought Troy residents and local officials together in search of concrete projects to promote the city.

Organizers with the Montana Economic Developers Association led the Sept. 28 brainstorm meeting. The session was held at the Troy Branch of the Lincoln County Library and broadcast via Zoom.

After conducting listening sessions and town hall meetings earlier this month, the association members narrowed conversations down to how Troy could improve housing, youth and family services, broadband connectivity and access to natural resources.

City Councilor Shawna Kelsey suggested during the Sept. 28 meeting that the group organize a workshop for aspiring landlords in mid-November. Kelsey hoped that the group could share resources on low-income rental opportunities, writing rental contracts and filling out rental applications.

“All that ... can be intimidating for people just getting started,” she said.

Kelsey envisioned recruiting landlords from the area to share their experiences and raised the idea of starting a landlord’s association that could meet quarterly in the future to continue sharing resources.

To help younger residents looking for housing, Kelsey suggested the group could organize a workshop designed to guide high school seniors through the process of renting an apartment.

“We could give them some tools to head out into the world,” she said.

Sharee Miller, a city resident, pitched the group on creating a business resource page on the Troy Chamber of Commerce website. By consolidating information on how to launch and maintain an enterprise, Miller said the group could help more potential small businesses owners get their start in the area.

To promote the resource page, Miller suggested that the group could host a launch party within the next two months.

Residents and local officials also discussed developing the chamber-museum Frisbee golf area to promote outdoor recreation during the meeting.

Gloria O’Rourke, coordinator with the Montana Economic Developers Association, told the group that to help with their efforts they could expect to receive a small grant through the association.

“In a way… all of your work today you earned $1,500 dollars for Troy,” O’Rourke said.