Libby & Troy, MT Baylee Bergman Raegan Lindsey Lee Mueller Hayleigh Scott Matthew Bowman Agenda 1. Our Mission 2. About Libby & Troy 3. The Problem 4. Stakeholders 5. Libby in the Press 6. Industry 7. Needs Environment Organization Market 8. Montana Tourism 9. Insights 10. Barriers 11. Authenticity 12. Similar Town Kellogg, Idaho 13. Hypothesis 14. Attractions 15. Small Towns of NW MT 16. Research Plan Phase 1 Phase Proposed Milestones Our mission is to rebrand Libby & Troy, MT so that people will once again find the City of Eagles About the great towns Libby, MT Population: 2,691 (2013) (Current Libby) 1.27 square miles (Current Libby) Located in Northwestern Montana between the Cabinet Mountains and the Kootenai River. Average household income: $25,869 (Current Libby) 94% of the community is caucasian (Current Libby) Full of outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, swimming, and hunting.(Current Libby) Troy, MT Population: 957 (2013) (Current Libby) 0.78 square miles (Current Libby) Located in Northwestern Montana beside the Kootenai River. Average household size: 2 people (Current Libby) Just celebrated its 100th birthday during September, 2015 by hosting: (City of Troy) Farmers market Swap meet Flea market Apple fest Citation: Current Libby, Montana Population, Demographics and stats in 2014, (2015, August 1). Retrieved October 2, 2015 Citation: City of Troy, Montana. (2015, October 1). Retrieved October 1, 2015 The problem How do we bring people to Libby & Troy, MT after they have been cleaned up by the EPA? Chart: Combined Population of Libby & Troy from ,819 (1990) 4,072 (1999) 3,591 (2013) Added to Superfund List 2002 Citation: Libby, Montana Population:Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts. (2014, April 17). Retrieved September 27, 2015. Stakeholders Who cares about all of this? People of Libby & Troy The State of Montana Tourist Government Organizations Fish Wildlife & Parks Montana Wilderness Association Northwest Wilderness Association Research Plan Phase 1 Desktop Research Research Outdoor Recreation Companies willing to franchise to Libby, MT Focus Group in Libby/Troy 1 focus group with residents of Libby, & 1 in Troy focused on what attractions or businesses tourists are looking for that Libby and Troy are lacking people per group. Phase 2 Conduct Focus Groups in Comparable Towns Seeley Lake, Montana Kellogg, Idaho 2 focus groups, 1 in each town with people who would describe themselves as outdoor vacation seekers people in each group. Phase 3 Compile and report findings of Desktop Research and Focus groups. Phase 1 Focus Group - 1 Residents of Libby and Troy over 5 years Residents Active residents who are constantly looking for the next awe-inspiring outdoor adventure Focus Group - 2 Residents of Similar Towns (Kellogg and Seeley) Residents Active residents who are constantly looking for the next awe-inspiring outdoor adventure Desktop Research Outdoor recreation companies looking to expand into other areas of Montana. What does an organization need to start a business? (Just a business license?) Phase 2 Questions: 1. Do you feel that Libby has a fair amount of outdoor and/or recreational activities to offer? 2. What businesses or activities do you feel that Libby is lacking? 3. What businesses do you think would thrive in Libby that they dont already offer? Questions: 1.What outdoor activities does your town offer that you would consider popular for tourists? 2.What outdoor activities does your town offer that are popular for locals? 3.Do you feel that these activities bring tourists into your town as a destination? Focus Group - Libby/Troy ResidentsFocus Group - Kellogg & Seeley Residents Information collected from Focus Groups will be able to tell us whether or not outdoor recreation is going to be something to build on in Libby. Libby in the press Applied Materials to Close Libby Facility (September 16, 2015)materials-to-close-libby-facility/ Job Growth In Libby (September 22, 2015)a7f0ba8e-613a-11e5-80bb-ef62d4280eaa.html Federal Exit Plan for Libby (May 4, 2014)world/cleanup-of-superfund-town-would-leave- some-asbestos-behind/ A Town Forever Changed (June 1,2015)montana-population-2691-a-town-forever-changed- by-asbestos -Libby Montana has once again been in the press in Including the recent news that Applied Materials Inc. will be closing its doors in Libby,MT. -Libby has been featured in articles addressing how the Federal Government and the EPA plan to leave town in coming months and how Libby plans to lower their local unemployment rates from the staggering 8.7% -Other news sources are focused on the history and the story of Libby. A town that was once thriving to the heartbreaking story we know today. Industry in Libby Males work primarily in blue- collar/manual labor industries. Women work primarily in administrative roles. Citation: Current Libby, Montana Population, Demographics and stats in 2014, (2015, August 1). Retrieved October 2, 2015. Laying the Groundwork - Needs Environment Blue collar town, hard-working individuals who have lived in Libby their whole lives Town has been cleaned of asbestos by the EPA Organization Few competitors in the tourism field Potential for expansion within the town and industry Low-cost of operations due to size of organization Market Adventurous, outdoorsy people between the ages of years old Retirees seeking an outdoor sightseeing tourist experience Businesses that can thrive in Libby, specifically ones that can provide recreational activities. Environment BLUE-COLLAR TOWNSHIP Talking to multiple local residents we kept hearing the same response. Libby prides itself on being a small local community. Most people live their whole lives in Libby and dont leave. Residents are aware that the EPA needed to clean up the town. EPA needed to clean up the town Citation: $250 Million Settlement Over Asbestos Is Announced. (2008, March 11). Retrieved September 28, 2015. Organization ROOM TO GROW Small number of business suppliers. Easy starting and renewing of business licenses. Possibility to bring in new businesses to aid in tourism attractions. Citation: Welcome to Libby, Montana. (2015, September 1). Retrieved October 7, 2015. market ADVENTURE, OUTDOORS, FUN Libby and Troy themselves take pride in their location and the vast amount of outdoor activities they have to offer. Cityoflibby.com list of activities from home page:ityoflibby.com Skiing (less than 2 hours away) Fishing or swimming in lakes and rivers Hiking and wildlife viewing Camping Citation: Welcome to Libby, Montana. (2015, September 1). Retrieved October 7, 2015. Montana Tourism Data Montana is blessed with some of the best tourism attraction in the world due to its natural beauty. The state of Montana relies heavily upon attracting non-residential consumers to the state to supply the economy with funds. So far efforts have been successful in attracting people to Montana. Citation: 2014 Economic Impact. (2014, August 1). Retrieved October 4, 2015 Insights PerceptionAuthenticity Similar Cities Who Would Relocate? Health concerns related to asbestos Outdoor activities are in abundance Annual Libby Logger Days Nordicfest Kellogg, ID Seeley, MT It will be hard to get people to move here, efforts should be focused towards getting people to come visit. Barriers to Overcomehttps://twitter.com/search?q=libby%20montana&src=typd Negative Word of Mouth Most of Libbys press is regarding how it is a superfund site. Theres a stigma that Libby wont ever be completely clean. Clean up social media sites, Libby and Troy searches should be about: Beautiful scenery Kootenai River Swinging bridge pictures Right now, majority of the search results consist of asbestos or a public health emergency. Authenticity Annual Libby Logger Days Many tourists come to learn about the forestry culture. Competitors engage in logging games. Nordicfest Community-wide celebration of the area's Scandinavian heritage. Fun, food, and events for all ages. Kellogg, Idaho Silver, lead, and zinc mining town blanketed with lead. Became a superfund site in In the late 90s, it was one of the poorest and most polluted cities in the area. It has become a resort and recreation destination. What helped turn things around: Silver Mountain Resort featuring ski hills, an indoor water park, a golf course, river rafting and the worlds longest gondola. Minus the worlds longest gondola, Libby has all of these things. A Similar Superfund Site Our Hypothesis Focus efforts on tourism and growth of the outdoor recreational market in Libby. Libby & Troy offer a vast array of activities that cater to adventurers lifestyles. Fun is waiting to be had Turner Mountain Ski Resort is only 22 miles from the town of Libby. Has 20+ runs as well as a full service lodge. Savage Lake Pristine lake that provides both boating and fishing to the public. Kootenai River Beautiful river stretching across Northwestern MT. Offers scenic drives and cabin rentals to view natural beauty. Kootenai Falls The rivers falls can be seen from the swinging bridge that overhangs for a breathtaking view. The Small Towns OF nORTHWESTERN mONTANA What Are The Towns? Libby, MT Troy, MT Eureka, MT Yaak, MT What Will They Do? Libby, MT Logger Days Nordic Fest Troy, MT Swinging Bridge Annual 4th of July Festival - Great Experience Eureka, MT Scenic Lake Views Rock Climbing at Stone Hill Yaak, MT - The Yaak Fishing on the Yaak River Yaak Falls between Yaak and Troy Citation: Eureka - Fortine. (2008, August 17). Retrieved October 12, 2015. Thank You Baylee Bergman, Raegan Lindsey, Hayleigh Scott, Lee Mueller, & Matthew Bowman References Current Libby, Montana Population, Demographics and stats in 2014, (2015, August 1). Retrieved October 2, City of Troy, Montana. (2015, October 1). Retrieved October 1, 2014 Economic Impact. (2014, August 1). Retrieved October 4, Welcome to Libby, Montana. (2015, September 1). Retrieved October 7, $250 Million Settlement Over Asbestos Is Announced. (2008, March 11). Retrieved September 28, Norris, M. (2008, January 4). Idaho's Silver Valley Sheds Its Polluted Past. Retrieved October 2, Libby, Montana Population:Census 2010 and 2000 Interactive Map, Demographics, Statistics, Quick Facts. (2014, April 17). Retrieved September 27, Eureka - Fortine. (2008, August 17). Retrieved October 12, 2015.