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VISION AND VALUES SESSION ONE

The team focused on three main things to help the recreation economy: 1) making it easier to enjoy outdoor activities, 2) fixing up main streets, and 3) making sure everyone is included. They talked about how outdoor recreation is becoming more important, both in Montana and across the country, and shared data showing that it helps the economy. They also shared key findings from the EPA’s analysis of visitor data.

WORKSHOP GOALS

In the first session, participants talked about their ideas for improving the area’s recreation economy and downtown Thompson Falls. The planning team introduced draft goals made by the local steering committee before the workshop. Later, participants discussed, approved the goals, and voted on the top three to focus on for action planning. Goals 1, 2, and 3 were chosen. They brainstormed actions for all five goals but made detailed plans for the top three.

1. Asset inventory: Find important assets to promote, connect, and put up signs for.
2. Physical connections: Identify needs for paths and connections between recreation areas and downtown.
3. Regional promotion: Find partners and resources to promote regional assets.
4. Business and workforce development: Help businesses grow and train workers for recreation and conservation jobs.
5. Youth engagement: Increase outdoor activities and stewardship for local kids.

COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN | Thompson Falls

Here are the final goals and actions developed through Thompson Falls’ Recreation Economy for Rural Communities action planning process. 

Goal 1 – Asset inventory: Identify high-priority assets for promotion, connection, and wayfinding signage.

• Action 1.1 – Expand the network of signage and kiosks highlighting recreation opportunities and other assets inside and outside of town.
• Action 1.2 – Create and publish a map of Thompson Falls highlighting all recreation opportunities in and adjacent to town.
• Action 1.3 – Create a public-private partnership group to coordinate efforts around recreation economy development and to leverage available funding to implement projects in this plan, including Great American Outdoors Act funding
• Action 1.4 – Convene a public launch event to publicize the RERC process and seek input on goals and actions.

Goal 2 – Physical connections: Identify needs for connective infrastructure among recreation assets and downtown.

• Action 2.1 – Based on existing plans and studies, identify the specific next steps needed to make Main Street safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Action 2.2 – Physically connect the Mule Pasture trails to the high school.
• Action 2.3 – Gauge community support for the community center at the high school.
• Action 2.4 – Develop an information hub and community space on one of the vacant lots on Main Street.

Goal 3 – Regional promotion: Identify partners, resources, and opportunities to promote regional assets.

• Action 3.1 – Develop a Destination Marketing Strategy for the Thompson Falls area.
• Action 3.2 – Create a County-level Recreation and Tourism Coordinator position with a focus on supporting Thompson Falls.
• Action 3.3 – Identify apps targeting specific outdoor activities and other existing promotional materials and make sure opportunities in and around Thompson Falls are included.
• Action 3.4 – Create promotional materials to highlight local and regional assets, including videos.

Read the full report here!