Thriving Rural Communities Research
REAL Co-Lab is on a mission to investigate thriving rural communities across the United States. Our hope is to highlight key economic, business, and entrepreneurial factors that can assist rural communities and state policymakers to support thriving communities. Over time, we hope to observe multiple communities in order to identify common factors that can be used as benchmarks by community and state policymakers.
Our first project is underway in Meagher County, Montana and will conclude in Summer 2026.
Currently Recruiting Meagher County, MT Residents!
The Rural Entrepreneurship and Leadership Co-Lab at the University of Montana is proud to launch a new research study focused on business ownership in Meagher County, Montana.
Led by Principal Investigator Morgan Slemberger with Dr. Jennifer Isern and Dr. Banu Ozkazanc-Pan, this study seeks to uncover the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to the town’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. Participants will be asked to complete a short survey and may also opt into a one-on-one interview.
If you are a current or former business owner or member of a business support organization in Meagher County, we invite you to share your experience and help inform future support for rural communities across Montana.
To participate or learn more, please fill out this quick form (mostly so we avoid spam!) and we will email you back with an anonymous survey link.
If you have questions, please email Morgan Slemberger: morgan.slemberger@mso.umt.edu.
Deadline to participate in the online survey is Wednesday, December 11, 2025.
Nominate Your Community!
Have your community join this study. Led by Principal Investigator Morgan Slemberger with Dr. Jennifer Isern and Dr. Banu Ozkazanc-Pan, this study hopes to find at least one, rural community that is thriving against the odds from at least 10 states, if not more.
If you know of a community that we should investigate, please request to join the Thriving Rural Communities research today so we can start a discussion about your community.