Contact: Carol Crockett

Montana Department of Commerce
     MT Promotion Division
406-841-2870

SPECIAL EVENTS GRANT PROGRAM FUNDS AVAILABLE

Helena, MT – December 9, 2004  Montana communities, organizations and tribal governments sponsoring or planning ongoing annual events are invited to apply for $50,000 in state tourism “bed tax” grant funds available from the Montana Department of Commerce, Promotion Division's Special Events Grant Program (SEGP). The SEGP application deadline is January 14, 2005.

Events established prior to May 30, 2002 are not eligible for funding under the program. Grants will be awarded based on a 3-tier approach that ranks counties on the basis of lowest per capita income, slowest population growth and highest unemployment. The grants are designed to be matching funds for non-profit organizations involved in developing new annual ongoing events.

For more information about the SEGP, or to request an application, contact Carol Crockett at 406-841-2796 or e-mail: ccrockett@state.mt.us. SEGP application materials can be downloaded from the Intranet: www.travelmontana.state.mt.us.

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