Hey! Quick update on the REAL CO-Lab

• Rural Business Roundtables and Reports
  First, can I just say that our Rural Business Roundtable series was one of the most meaningful events of the year?! The business owners and experts who hopped into our calls were honest, authentic, and helped to highlight opportunities where policymakers and stakeholders can make a difference for communities to thrive- or survive, in some cases. I’m really grateful for all the Montana business owners and the experts who joined our calls who are community-minded. THANK YOU!
• Next- Kassi and I are working hard to finalize our reports. We just uploaded the Rural Business Roundtable Report on Tourism to the REAL website and will continue updating more based on our incredible sessions.
• Please note, there are organizations across the state that can advise you on the information from this report to assist your community and its businesses. Montana economic development organizations in addition to your local city councilors, county commissioners, and/or legislators could be good resources for you.
• Thriving Rural Communities- Meagher County Study
  A quick reminder, this study has been ongoing (for general information check out the website). I’m here to report progress! We have a preliminary draft report we will be circulating for feedback to folks we interviewed in Meagher County, then we will be releasing our final report this month (fingers crossed!). Stay tuned!
• Another special thanks to all the funders of this report- we couldn’t have done it without individual donors, foundation donors, and our largest sponsor, Wells Fargo.

Thanks for being part of the Co-Lab community.

All my best to you after the 4th of July and for the rest of summer,

Morgan

Morgan Slemberger (she, her, hers)  [email protected]

SENIOR DIRECTOR
Rural Entrepreneurship And Leadership Co-Lab
(REAL Co-Lab)

UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA