Contact: Victor Bjornberg
Montana Commerce Department
406-841-2795
Montana Commerce Department Tourism Grants Offering $350,000 for Events, Attractions and Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Projects in 2003-2004
Helena – July 10, 2003 – The Montana Commerce Department’s Promotion Division is providing $350,000 in tourism “bed tax” funds for three tourism development grant programs offered in 2003 and 2004. The grant programs include the Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP), Special Events Grant Program (SEGP), and the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission’s 2003/2004 grant programs. Funding for the Montana Commerce Department’s tourism grants comes from revenue generated by a 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax levied on room rates of lodging across Montana.
The 2003 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP) will have a $200,000 grant pool, up $50,000 from the last three years. The TIIP grants help finance the creation, expansion, protection and improvement of tourism-related attractions across Montana. Eligibility requirements for TIIP Grants include: non-profit sponsor, minimum grant request of $20,000, sponsor hard match of $1 for every $2 in grant funds provided, project completed within 18 months of TIIP grant award, completed application into Travel Montana’s office by 5 p.m. August 1, 2003. Since 1995, TIIP Grants have invested over $1.66 million in “bed tax” funds into 35 projects in 26 Montana communities. Total value of these tourism-related projects is over $21 million. TIIP applications are available at http://travelmontana.state.mt.us or by contacting Victor Bjornberg, Montana Commerce Department, 406-841-2795, victor@visitmt.com.
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The 2004 Special Events Grant Program (SEGP) funding pool is $100,000, up $49,000 from 2003. The SEGP was developed in 2002 to assist communities with economic development through the creation and/or enhancement of new annual, on-going events. Special event categories include cultural and heritage events, sporting events, and attendance events. Grant funds are available for event marketing, equipment rental, insurance, performer fees, security and mailings. To date, the SEGP program has provided $151,000 in tourism “bed tax” funds to 19 events in 17 Montana communities. Applications for the 2004 SEGP funds will be available in October 2003 and the submission deadline will be mid-January 2004. For more information, contact Carol Crockett, Montana Commerce Department, 406-841-2796, ccrockett@state.mt.us.
The Montana Commerce Department will also be providing $50,000 for the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission’s 2003/2004 grant programs. Commission Executive Director Clint Blackwood says other funds are being solicited for their grant programs. Applications for the Commission’s Lewis & Clark project grants will be available in mid-October 2003. The application deadline is mid-December with the grant awards made in February 2004. For more information about the program contact the Montana Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commission, 406-443-2109.
Tourism is one of Montana’s basic industries. In 2002, 9.7 million non-residents visitors traveled and vacationed in Montana, spending $1.8 during their stay. Montana’s Tourism and Recreation businesses support 33,500 Montana jobs and provide a payroll of $506.5 million.
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