Kalispell nabs big share of state grant money
Kalispell is receiving $65,300 of the $200,000 in grants being awarded by Montana Office of Tourism’s Special Events Grant Program through the Montana Department of Commerce.
The money will help support 17 different tourism-related events across the state.
The awards for Kalispell include two Kalispell Convention and Visitor Bureau events — $29,300 for the Montana Dragon Boat Festival and $31,000 for the inaugural Pond Hockey Border Showdown in February 2014.
The long-running Glacier Jazz Stampede has secured a $5,000 grant.
Polson will receive $6,900 for the Flathead Cherry Festival.
“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,” Gov. Steve Bullock said. “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 special event grants were approved following recommendations from Department of Commerce staffers, 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.”
The rest of the grants are: Big Sky, Big Sky Classical Music Festival, $7,500; Chinook, Sugarbeet Festival, $8,820; Ekalaka, The Ekalaka Shindig, $8,325; Glasgow, Montana Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament, $10,000; Great Falls, The Russell, $30,000; Great Falls, Montana State Fair & Big Sky Pro Rodeo Roundup, $10,618; Hamilton, Big Sky Classic, $9,452; Hardin, Will James Roundup, $10,000; Helena, Running Amok for Scholarship Bucks, $5,000; Missoula, International Choral Festival, $10,885; Missoula, Celtic Festival, $7,800; Virginia City, Madison Duathlon, Marathon & Triathlon. $6,000; Virginia City: “A Step Back in Time” Grand Ball, $3,400.
The Special Events Grant Program was developed in 2002 to assist communities with economic development through the creation and/or enhancement of annual, ongoing events. Grant money is available for event marketing and promotion outside a 100-mile radius of the event.
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.