Moving Forsyth Forward

Published: 2022
By Jennifer Anderson

Forsyth is looking to the future with renewed enthusiasm and spirit thanks largely to the MSU Extension-led program, Reimagining Rural. The web-based series began as an approach to help small towns recognize their potential and become reinvigorated with hometown pride. Forsyth is a Reimagining Rural success story. Participating since its inception, community volunteers excitedly took on the task of moving Forsyth forward with some pretty big goals, including a refreshed community brand and branding toolkit, as well as downtown improvements. With help from MSU Extension, the community successfully applied to become a member of the Montana Main Street Program. Moving forward with the community branding, MSU Extension also assisted the group in creating and completing a community branding survey, which netted nearly 300 responses. Data gathered from the survey will be integral in developing the brand. Through grants, donations and city/county contributions, the group secured a $10,000 match and is seeking an additional $50,000 from the Montana Main Street Program to begin drafting the new community brand and downtown beautification efforts. The branding will include logos, a tagline, and a unified typeset and color palette. All will be in a “toolkit” available to community organizations and businesses for promoting the community. The beautification efforts include new community entrance signs, downtown light pole banners, information kiosks, benches, garbage receptacles and way-finding signage, all incorporating the new brand. Forsyth residents love their small town and all it offers. This was evident from the survey, which has also invigorated the volunteers to work even harder to make important improvements. People want Forsyth to be a thriving, vibrant small town. Thanks to the leadership and guidance from MSU Extension, improvements are happening.