County developing a growth policy

Carter County has received planning funds from the Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division to update its County Growth Policy. County Commissioners have authorized the Carter County Planning Board to update the Growth Policy on behalf of the County.

A Growth Policy is a means of proactively preparing for change affected by growth or lack of growth. It is a community’s development plan. It evaluates existing community conditions and sets goals for housing, land use, economic development, local services, public facilities, natural resources, recreational access, and other unique characteristics and features of the community.

A Growth Policy is not a regulation or ordinance, but it serves as the legal basis for enacting them. It can be used as a guide for government, private enterprise, and other organizations to refer to in order to understand and respond to the needs of the county.

Citizens of Carter County are encouraged to get involved in the Growth Policy process. Over the next several months the Planning Board, in consultation with Stahly Engineering & Associates, will be seeking comment and working toward preparing a document that is customized to Carter County and meets statutory requirements governing the preparation of a Growth Policy (MCA 76-1-601 through 76-1-606). County Commissioners and the Planning Board invite your questions, concerns, and comments.

A project website is being utilized to provide information and opportunities for comments during the process. The website can be accessed at https://seaeng.wixsite.com/carter or via a link from the County’s web site at https://cartercountymontana.squarespace.com/. The project website includes an online survey related to the content of the Growth Policy. Paper copies of the survey are also available at the County Commissioners’ Office at 214 Park Street in Ekalaka, MT.

Anyone who would like more information or who wants to submit suggestions should contact Carter County Commission Clerk Melissa Schwede at (406) 775-8479 or Robie Culver with Stahly Engineering & Associates at (406) 442-8594.