Communities to Receive Commerce Funds for Tourism Related Events
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 1:49:59 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
CONTACT:
Sarah Lawlor
Montana Office of Tourism
Montana Department of Commerce
406-841-2893
Marissa Kozel
Communications Director
Montana Department of Commerce
406-841-2772
Montana Communities to Receive Commerce Funds Totaling $200,000 for Tourism Related Events
(HELENA) – The Montana Department of Commerce is awarding a total of $200,000 in grants from the Montana Office of Tourism’s Special Events Grant Program (SEGP) to 12 Montana communities. The funds will help support 17 different tourism-related events across the state.
Montana communities of Big Sky, Chinook, Ekalaka, Glasgow, Great Falls, Hamilton, Hardin, Helena, Kalispell, Missoula, Polson and Virginia City will use the SEGP funds to assist in the marketing and promotion of tourism-related events.
“These 2013 special events grants demonstrate that there is something exciting on the horizon for tourists in every corner of Montana, in communities rural and urban,” said Governor Steve Bullock. “I’m pleased that we can help get the word out and I encourage all Montanans to put some of these great events on their calendars.”
The SEGP grants were approved following recommendations from Department of Commerce staff, Tourism Advisory Council members and representatives of Montana’s public and private businesses.
“The variety of special events supported exemplifies the amazing diversity of experiences available to the 11 million visitors who visit Montana each year,” said Meg O’Leary, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “Through events, visitors can fully engage with our communities. In turn, our small businesses have the opportunity to capture some of the $3 billion these visitors spend annually.”
Communities Receiving 2013 SEGP Awards:
Big Sky: Big Sky Classical Music Festival - $7,500
Sponsor: Arts Council of Big Sky
Chinook: Sugarbeet Festival- $8,820
Sponsor: Chinook Area Chamber of Commerce
Ekalaka: The Ekalaka Shindig- $8,325
Sponsor: Carter County Museum
Glasgow: Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament- $10,000
Sponsor: Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture
Great Falls: The Russell- $30,000
Sponsor: Trigg-CM Russell Foundation
Great Falls: Montana State Fair & Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup- $10,618
Sponsor: Montana Expo Park
Hamilton: Big Sky Classic - $9,452
Sponsor: Montana Reining Horse Association
Hardin: Will James Roundup - $10,000
Sponsor: Will James Roundup
Helena: Running Amok for Scholarship Bucks - $5,000
Sponsor: Student Assistance Foundation
Kalispell: Montana Dragon Boat Festival - $29,300
Sponsor: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce/CVB
Kalispell: Pond Hockey Border Showdown - $31,000
Sponsor: Kalispell Chamber of Commerce/CVB
Kalispell: Glacier Jazz Stampede - $5,000
Sponsor: Flathead Valley Jazz Society
Missoula: International Choral Festival - $10,885
Sponsor: International Choral Festival of Missoula
Missoula: Celtic Festival - $7,800
Sponsor: Montana Diva Foundation
Polson: Flathead Cherry Festival - $6,900
Sponsor: Polson Business Community
Virginia City: Madison Duathlon, Marathon & Triathlon - $6,000
Sponsor: Madison County Economic Development Council
Virginia City: “A Step Back in Time” Grand Ball - $3,400
Sponsor: Virginia City Preservation Alliance
SEGP was developed in 2002 to assist communities with economic development through the creation and/or enhancement of annual, on-going events. Grant funds are available for event marketing and promotion outside a 100-mile radius of the event. To date, the SEGP program has provided $954,500 in grant funding to 106 events in numerous Montana communities.
The deadline for the next round of grant applications will be announced in June 2013. For information, contact the Montana Office of Tourism, 406-841-2870.
###