Community Planning Platform | Montana Department of Commerce (original) (raw)

The engagement phase of the project focused on reaching out to planning and economic development stakeholders throughout Montana for valuable insight into information most important to the planning process. Outreach included a community questionnaire, key stakeholder interviews and a series of community meetings. Houseal Lavigne, a planning consulting firm, was contracted to assist in this critical community engagement phase.

Community Questionnaire

An online survey was developed and distributed to different types of stakeholders to gain an understanding of the different needs for the CPP.

Community Meetings

The team attended regional and state sponsored events and met with working groups throughout the state to better understand the needs of local, regional and statewide users.

Key Stakeholder Interviews

Phone interviews were conducted with key stakeholders at state, regional and local levels to provide in-depth feedback for the CPP.

Key Takeaways

The survey, interviews and in-person discussion at community meetings were summarized into a list of key takeaways.

• Access to accurate and reliable data with clear information about the source
• Tools, resources and support for planning and technical expertise ranging from GIS technical assistance to training on grant writing and planning legislation
• Templates and best practices for key planning documents
• Tiered support systems to meet the distinct needs of small, medium and large community types from towns, small cities, big cities, counties and regions
• Collaboration and mentorship bringing together local, regional and state governments and planning organizations
• Clear communication about the goals and objectives of the CPP to ensure broad audience understanding
• Funding and maintenance prioritized to ensure the platform is supported and updated