2025 Impact Report

This year was full of growth, change, and renewed energy for SMART. We’ve accomplished a great deal in 2025, and we are excited to continue building the momentum in 2026.

SMART began the year by collaborating with the Town of Plevna to hold the first Plevna Jamboree. We applied for funding through the Red Ants Pants Foundation and were awarded $1,500. The Jamboree was a fun-filled day jam-packed with different events. The Jamboree offered mechanical bull rides, food vendors, a crosscutting competition, heritage demonstrations, and live music from Cody Joe Hedges. The event was a success, and we are excited to help with the 2026 Jamboree.

In late January, SMART was invited to the State Capitol in Helena by the Montana Nonprofit Association to help represent the nonprofit sector during a legislative session. We were joined by nearly 200 other nonprofit leaders from around the State to discuss with legislators the vital role that nonprofits play.

Early in the year, SMART hosted another Nonprofit Happy Hour and a series of community meetings to explore interest in a movie theatre project. We secured funds for a preliminary architect review (PAR) of two potential locations for a movie theatre in Baker. The PAR has been completed and is ready for a hand-off to motivated interested parties for the next steps.

SMART also hosted a Valentine’s Day Cookie Fundraiser to support the Community Theatre. The fundraiser was a success, and proceeds went toward the Seusical performance. Staff worked diligently on organizing the Art Walk, casting for the Seusical, and fundraisers to assist the Arts & Culture Council initiative. By early spring, it was decided that the Arts & Culture Council could be self-sustaining. Our organizations are now separate, and the Council held a successful production of the Seusical Musical, and we are proud to see them operating independently.

In April, SMART awarded the Local Business Impact Award to Thee Garage & Bar, honoring the business for its contributions to the local economy and community. Thee Garage hosted numerous community events, including live music, community gatherings, and fundraisers. The award was created to shine a spotlight on extraordinary businesses that strengthen the local economy and go above and beyond in fostering connection within the community.

Governor Greg Gianforte came to visit SMART in his 56-county tour, stopping to see the progress in the Visitor Center, L. Price Park, and the historic Baker State Bank Building. The L. Price Park completed Phase 3 this fall. The park began as a vacant, overgrown lot and was an eyesore on Baker’s Main Street. SMART acquired the property and, thanks to generous donations and funding, has transformed it into a green space open to the public. The next planned phases will include more features to create an inviting public space to showcase the culture and history of Fallon County. Meanwhile, the Visitor Center has been freshly remodeled and is on its way to becoming a hub of information and resources for visitors. An expansion is planned to include a gift shop, flyers and menus for local businesses, and pamphlets for other visitor centers to promote tourism in Fallon County. The Governor showed a real interest in the Historic Baker State Bank building, and wants to see the upstairs restored. SMART is working with the Plevna Schools to develop a curriculum for the students to gain hands-on, real-life skills in the renovation project. Our hope is to give Plevna students the opportunity to assist construction projects, to develop trade skills, and to foster a deeper connection with the community. SMART is looking for a wide variety of funding, including donations, to fund this project.

Our website, visitbakermontana.com, has been completely revamped. The website showcases local businesses and recreation to promote Fallon County, and Southeastern Montana, to potential visitors. This is a part of a larger effort to promote tourism and create tourism infrastructure in the region. SMART is collaborating with the Baker Chamber of Commerce and Eastern Plain Economic Development Corporation (EPEDC) to apply for a 2.75 million dollar grant spanning five years to create tourism infrastructure and boost the local economy. Public meetings and surveys were utilized to gather community input on what initiatives should be funded under the grant, if awarded, to create the greatest positive impact.

This fall, SMART hosted two events to bring the community together for some fun. The Kiss-the-Cow Fundraiser was held at the Fall Festival, where one lucky winner locked lips with Pickles the calf. This year also saw the return of the Escape Room in October, this time with a haunted circus theme. Participants of all ages gathered together to test their wits to see if they could crack the code. Ultimately, no one was able to decipher the code in its entirety. Thankfully, our volunteers let the contestants escape and return home.

As we look forward to next year, we have ambitious projects on the horizon. The MSU Extension and SMART worked together on two applications for the L. Price Park garden. Baker Chamber and SMART have also partnered on the Baker Downtown Master Plan project, submitting applications to various organizations and successfully funding some of the costs already.

We are truly grateful for all of the community support in 2025. None of this work would be possible without our community.

Click here to download the PDF of the 2025 Impact Report