Mower County is a community which has characteristics similar to other rural counties in this geographic region.

Sunday, March 28, 1999

Mower County is a community which has characteristics similar to other rural counties in this geographic region. We have an agricultural-based economy which is reflected in the types of businesses located here, make up of community members and ultimately reflected in the services provided by the local government.

Mower County, as well as other rural communities, has been experiencing a "change" in the community as the face of agriculture has changed over the years. This is not something that is a recent occurrence. We also need to realize that the rural landscape will continue to change. As a result of these changes, we have seen less people working on the family farm, resulting in our younger community seeking their future in other areas.

We are also in the technology age. People can be mobile in their careers and will relocate to "quality of life" geographic regions. To many, quality of life means waking up to see the Rocky Mountains every day. This has created an influx of non-traditional people in the Montana area, which results in new challenges to its citizens.

To others, quality of life means relocating to a geographic region with community values and community services similar to those in Mower County and other counties in Minnesota. The state of Minnesota is a service rich state which is generally viewed as having a quality of life second to none in terms of family values. It’s a good place to live and raise a family.

In Mower County we have seen some resulting changes to our community makeup and expect to see more. These changes result in challenges and opportunities to everyone in the community including the