Contact: Carol Crockett
Montana Department of Commerce
Promotion Division
444-9294
SEVEN MONTANA EVENTS
RECEIVE $73,075 FROM
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
FUNDS
Malta, Fort Belknap, Pablo, Livingston, Deer Lodge, Bozeman, Hot Springs
Communities
Awarded
Helena, MT - April _, 2002 –
The City of Malta, Fort Belknap College, Lake County Community Development
Corporation in Pablo, Corporation for the Northern Rockies in Livingston,
Powell County Chamber of Commerce in Deer Lodge, Alcohol and Drug Services of
Gallatin County in Bozeman and Hot Springs Artist Society in Hot Springs have
been awarded a total of $73,075 from Montana Department of Commerce’s Special
Events Grant Program (SEGP) “bed tax” funds to assist in the promotion and
implementation of tourism-related events.
Mark Simonich, Director,
Montana Department of Commerce approved the SEGP funding for the seven events
following recommendations from the Montana Promotion Division and members of
the Governor-appointed Tourism Advisory Council. The seven SEGP recipients were
selected from 35 applications submitted for funding.
“The
state investment in these seven tourism-related events is part of our effort to
enhance Montana’s communities and strengthen the local and state economy,” said
Simonich in approving the SEGP awards. “Each of these events represents an
investment in the local economy as well as adding to Montana’s appeal as a
visitor destination and a great place to live.”
The grants were awarded based on a 3-tier approach that ranks counties on the basis of lowest per capita income, slowest population growth and highest unemployment. In addition, funding levels will be affected by what year the event was established.
The
seven 2002 SEGP awards are:
Tier 1
§
City of Malta: Mustang Stampede- $6,240
2nd Annual Rodeo sponsored by the Trafton Park Arena Committee in Malta. The
-more-
rodeo is sanctioned by the Canadian Cowboy Association and will be held in
cooperation with the Milk River Wagon Train and Saco Fun Days.
§
Fort Belknap College Small Business Development Center:
Fort Belknap Arts & Crafts Fair and Cultural Food and Dance Performance
Festival, - $11,320
The festival will feature cultural dance performances and native food demonstrations from the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine people. The three-day event will be held in conjunction with the Fort Belknap Milk River Indian Days Pow Wow and Parade.
Tier 2
§
Lake County Community Development Corporation: Pablo, MT
- 360 Spring Car Mid-Season National Championship - $21,515
First annual national
championship car race. The race is registered with the Northwest Sprint Car
Racing Association.
§
Corp for the Northern Rockies: Livingston, MT - Sustainability Fair, - $17,300
Fair to promote sustainable products and services. The event will feature a fashion show, demonstration kitchen, music and children's activities.
§
Big Sky Draft Horse Expo: Deer Lodge, MT - Big
Sky Draft Horse Expo - $5,700
The Expo will feature draft horses, mules, and light driving horses competing in various hitch categories involving carts, carriages, wagons and farm implements.
Tier 3
§
Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County:
Bozeman, Montana - Big Sky Soap
Box Derby
- $6,400
Soap Box Derby sanctioned by the All-American Soap Box Derby, Inc.
Tiers 1 and 3
§
Hot Springs Artist Society: Hot Springs, MT - Bitterroot
Summer Music Festival- $4,600
One-week roaming music festival
featuring classical chamber music performed by world-class musicians. The event
will take place in Hot Springs, Plains, Missoula and Whitefish
Deadline
for the next round of grant applications is May 1, 2002. For more information,
contact Montana Promotion Division, 406-444-2654. SEGP application materials
can be downloaded from Montana Promotion Division’s Intranet site:. travelmontana.state.mt.us
***Editors: This release is available for downloading from Travel Montana’s Intranet Site: <travelmontana.state.mt.us> News & Updates Press Release Section***