Pam Clark is the Economic Development Director for the City of Hardin, population 3,300, in south-central Montana. Pam is one of our many graduates of Helping Small Towns Succeed who chose to continue their training by participating in Skill-Building for Stronger Communities.

Recently, we visited with Pam to check up on her professional and personal progress. Last summer Pam experienced a serious back injury and has been homebound ever since. But that hasn’t stopped her from pursuing her community goals. In fact, it seems to have barely slowed her down! With a new power plant being built outside of town, a 16-lot housing development underway, the recruitment of a major department store chain and the private renovation of the historic courthouse, it’s full speed ahead for Pam Clark and Hardin, Montana!

“As long as I have my phone, my fax, my computer and the internet,” she says, “I’ll keep working.” Congratulations and get well soon, Pam! Thank you for sharing your thoughts about our annual Jackson Hole Institutes.

Peer learning is key to
“Skill-Building for Stronger Communities”

An interview with Pam Clark

After participating in Helping Small Towns Succeed, why did you follow-up with Skill-Building for Stronger Communities?

I believe the difference between Heartland Center programs and other courses I have attended is that Heartland has formulated their training around networking, allowing for this much needed support to be used as a training tool.

I was interested in the Skill-Building course because we would be dealing with actual projects we were involved in. It is not uncommon to reach a point in a project that it is hard to figure out where to go next or how to get past the obstacles. There were many times during this conference that completely different projects were having the same problems. Often these were dealing with personality conflicts or political conflicts. By discussing these issues the groups helped pinpoint the problem areas so they could be dealt with. In the same fashion as with Helping Small Towns Succeed, there were common areas that, by yourself, seemed impassable, but with the help of others gave us all new hope at overcoming them.

What did you learn that you found particularly useful?

I learned more about human nature and the need for support than anything else. We often feel alone in project development because there is always a constant battle of wills to deal with. The ability to relate to someone in the same situation is priceless.

How have you utilized what you learned?

I have used what I have learned as a tool to reinforce my desire for groups to work together. Sometimes it has given me the tools to put in simple language things I was not able to in the past. More often it has allowed me to show the people I work with that there are guidelines to follow and that we are not alone in our struggle for survival. This has proven to be most effective when dealing with the “why bother when we know we can’t succeed” people.

What has been your biggest challenge and your greatest achievement in the last couple years?

I believe my biggest challenge has been the restoration of a BN/SF railroad depot to serve as a welcome center/community center and the home of the Chamber of Commerce. Between dealing with BN/SF on the lease, acquiring funding, working out the City/Chamber lease agreements and organizing the 100% volunteer construction crews, it has been difficult to say the least. I also believe that it has been one of my greatest achievements. It has brought the schools, chamber, local businesses, city government and a majority of the local non-profits together for the first time. It has truly shown that our community is committed to its own survival.