The public is invited to attend “TRF Making It Home Action Forum,” Monday, April 8, 5:30 pm, at the Ralph Engelstad Imperial Room.
TRF Making It Home was facilitated by U of M Extension, using the “Marketing Hometown America” template. Designed as a tool to create dialogue that moves people toward action, the process can be the spark to help a rural community look at itself in a new way. Marketing Hometown America engages communities to gather a variety of ideas starting with a community kickoff event and continuing with four small-group gatherings and a large-group action forum.
Advance Thief River Director, Michelle Landsverk, says recruiting new people to the community is one of her highest priorities. “If our local economy is going to thrive, we need people to move here, purchase goods and services from our local businesses, and work for our local employers.”
TRF Making It Home volunteer facilitators were responsible for generating community promotion ideas. Facilitators included Jamie Bakken, Lars Dyrud, Kristen Haase, Sean Ranum, Angie Westling, Mark Schmitke, Karmon Trontvet, Nicole Peterson, Karen Griffin, and Josh Watne. Each facilitator led a study circle, a small group of participants that met four times to come up with a community marketing plan.
The plans of each study circle were rolled into a set of priorities by the TRF Making It Home steering committee. These priorities will be presented at the Action Forum, and community members will be invited to get directly involved with promoting the community. The steering committee overseeing the project includes Mayor Brian Holmer, Rick Trontvet, Laura Stengrim, Ashley Nerhus, Brad Bergstrom, Kermit Genereux, Jessica Muller, Beth Nelson, Angie Philipp, and Michelle Landsverk.
Broad community participation is desired, so community members are encouraged to attend the action forum to learn how they can help promote the community. (Preregistration not required.)
For more information, contact Michelle Landsverk by calling 218-280-1755 or emailing.
