2026 Missoula County Rural Impact Grant: The December 2025 Wind Storm blew several trees down in the 9 & 6 Mile Valleys - to include several that crashed through the roof of our beloved pavilion and squashed a portion of our fence! We were very fortunate it was not worse - as the center is surrounded by large pines! We soon learned our pavilion was not covered by insurance and began looking for fundraisers or ways to fund the repair in the spring. Of course, we immediately called all volunteers to help with tree clean-up prior to our annual Christmas Eve event. And boy, did volunteers come - those still without power from the storm were on-site 2 days after the wind event, and volunteers from Dixon and beyond came out to help - people of all ages were present, we could not be more thankful. We held our Christmas Eve event - alongside our damaged pavilion. Shortly thereafter we became aware of the Missoula County Impact Grant! However, we couldn't apply that to the pavilion repair, as that repair needed to be completed prior to the period in which the grant money could be used. So, we turned our focus on what we needed to be done to prevent similar or worse catastrophic events in the future and any high-priority projects that were delayed due to funds being used for pavilion repair. That is when we decided to apply for tree removal and replacement of our very old hot water heater - both issues of which could result in loss or very expensive repairs to the historic schoolhouse, church, and/or pavilion and/or injury to our guests - we applied, and we were awarded $4,000! We truly did not understand the relief that this grant would give us until we experienced several more wind events - some of which resulted in more tree loss on neighboring properties! We then learned upon replacement of the hot water heater there were several leaks discovered from the old and worn valves!! We all breathe much easier now :-) We started the project in early May completed the project in July 2026. Total days for completion of all the projects was an amazing 5 days. That tree portion created a seemingly impossible clean-up for 4 days of work, including a day of tree felling! There is still some remaining clean-up resulting from the initial project and repair on the fencing. Join us September 26, 2026, 9-Noon, for our Fall Clean-up! We are also being good stewards of the materials and are milling several of the trees for future community center projects - see below for details in our Missoula County Parks and Rec Grant and Montana Historical Foundation Grant - both in-work/awarded prior to our December Wind Storm! Wood not claimed for milling purposes will be donated to the community for firewood. The funding of $4,000 by the county ensures the priceless value of the Nine Mile Community Center as the heart of the 9 and 6 Mile Communities. We are so thankful!