Wow. Just wow. The Montana Festival truly blew my mind. Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to be part of something truly special – the Montana Festival! Being surrounded by such a passionate and driven group of people was an energizing experience unlike any other.
The focus on inflection points really resonated with me. It’s clear that these moments of change can be springboards for incredible innovation. The Festival gave us the tools and the inspiration to leverage these opportunities in our own communities, whether it’s starting a business, creating art, or simply being a better neighbor.
We are all co-creators of our future, and the Festival made that abundantly clear. Meeting and collaborating with entrepreneurs, leaders, and everyday citizens was a powerful reminder that positive change starts with connection. Together, we can build a Montana – that thrives on good jobs, vibrant towns, and groundbreaking ideas.
Montana at a Crossroads
Montana is at a pivotal juncture. Inflection points create opportunities for innovation, creativity, connection, and personal growth. The Montana Festival exemplified this by bringing together the top entrepreneurs, business leaders, innovators, investors, culture creators, designers, community builders, movers, shakers, and policymakers to connect, share ideas, and accelerate “Made in Montana” ideas, projects, startups, and policy solutions that create good jobs, great towns, and can serve as models across America.
A Few of My Takeaways from the Montana Festival
Strong Foundations Focus On:
- Relationships First: Strong connections are essential to moving ideas forward, not just solving complex problems.
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- Vision & Inspiration: Design plays a crucial role in setting intentions, creating inspiration, and bringing beauty to communities through “stories in space.”
Community Partnerships Must:
Focus on Rural: Most Montana towns are under 10k people. Supporting rural communities in growing while preserving their values is essential.
Deploy a Team Approach to Community Planning & Design: The Regional & Urban Design Assistance Team (RUDAT) provides national expertise to local leaders to support sustainable growth & community planning efforts.
Strategies to Address Growth Challenges:
Land Trusts & Capital: Helena’s model showcases how creating land trusts and raising capital can support affordable housing development.
Strategic Partnerships & Data: Collaboration between chambers, economic development groups, and fostering data sharing is crucial.
Rethinking Parking: Reducing parking requirements and allowing the market to decide can improve project affordability in development efforts.
Multimodal Transportation: Prioritizing walkable, bikeable communities will benefit residents and businesses.
Shaping Montana’s Future:
- Neighborhood & Community: Building strong neighborhoods and a sense of community is essential for a thriving Montana.
- Thriving Business Ecosystems: Creating the right conditions for businesses to succeed is vital for long-term growth.
SterlingCRE’s Role in Community Development
At SterlingCRE Advisors, our role as a leading commercial real estate brokerage is to facilitate the growth and development of Montana’s communities by working closely with our partners and clients. Our expertise and market intelligence allow us to guide property owners, developers, investors, and business owners in making confident decisions that contribute to the vibrancy and sustainability of both urban and rural areas.
Responsible and Sustainable Growth
SterlingCRE Advisors is dedicated to responsible and sustainable growth that’s in harmony with the unique character of our communities.
Our brokerage plays a pivotal role in connecting the right stakeholders to the right opportunities. By facilitating strategic partnerships and providing comprehensive market insights, we help our clients navigate the complexities of real estate development and investment. Whether it’s bringing new businesses into Montana’s economy or providing guidance on new developments our goal is to foster sustainable growth that benefits all Montanans.
The Montana Festival was a reminder of the potential we have to shape the future of our communities. At SterlingCRE Advisors, we are committed to leveraging this potential through innovative and sustainable practices in commercial real estate. By fostering strong relationships, advocating for smart growth, and providing tailored solutions, we aim to build a brighter future for Montana.
Together with our partners and clients, we can co-create thriving communities that are resilient, vibrant, and inclusive. Here’s to shaping a better tomorrow, Montana!
