Montana Department of Commerce Grant Offers $300,000 for Tourism Infrastructure Projects August 3, 2009 Application Deadline

Montana Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite announces that $300,000 in tourism funds are available for tourism-related projects through the 2009 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP). The deadline for TIIP grant applications is Monday, August 3, 2009.

“This year’s TIIP grants will join with the job stimulus money already at work around Montana to create and sustain jobs. These grants are a resource to help our community tourism attractions be bigger, better and more successful,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer.

Since the program’s creation in 1995, TIIP grants have invested over $3 million in tourism funds into 69 projects in 42 Montana communities. This investment has helped create over $39 million in new or improved tourism facilities.

“We invite non-profit organizations along with local and tribal governments from across the state to use our TIIP grants as part of the funding package they put together to improve Montana’s visitor attractions and facilities,” said Director Preite.

The Commerce Department’s TIIP grants are for tourism-related “brick and mortar” projects sponsored and operated by non-profit organizations or local and tribal governments. Information about eligible projects, program guidelines and application forms are available on the Montana Office of Tourism’s Intranet site http://www.travelmontana.mt.gov/forms or you can contact Victor Bjornberg at the Montana Office of Tourism, 406-841-2795, FAX 406-841-2871, [email protected].

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Marissa P. Kozel

Communications Director, Director’s Office

Montana Department of Commerce

406-841-2772 (o)

406-465-7208 (c)

[email protected]