East Helena Looks Ahead with WeCAN & Community Planning

WRDC Extension Program Manager, Amber Smyer, participated in the Growing East Helena: Your Thoughts, Your Community event, a community review process conducted March 9-11, 2026, in partnership with the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN), the Montana Economic Developers Association, and the Montana Business Assistance Connection.

The WeCAN Community Review process has a proven track record, having served scores of rural communities across Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming since 1999. The current three-phase framework, built around listening, learning, and launching action plans, was refined in 2018 to place greater emphasis on leadership capacity building and community-driven implementation.

East Helena, a city of approximately 1,700 residents situated just six miles from the state capital of Helena, is facing a period of anticipated significant growth. Local leaders and community members have expressed a clear desire to approach that growth with intention, making this a pivotal moment for a structured community assessment process.

During Phase 1 in East Helena, 489 residents completed surveys, 109 community members participated across eight listening sessions, and 19 local sector representatives committed to serving on a planning team. A Town Hall meeting brought findings together, allowing residents to vote on three priority focus areas to carry into the second phase. The strong turnout and engagement, including 60 residents signing up to stay involved, spoke to the community’s investment in shaping its future.

Phase 2 is planned for Summer 2026, where community working groups will convene to develop action plans and strategies around the selected focus areas. Phase 3 will consist of community coaching, technical assistance, or mini-grants, to help the community reach goals outlined in the action plans.

To learn more about the WeCAN Community Review process, visit https://www.westerncan.org/community-assessments