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Montana Communities to Receive Commerce Funds Totaling $200,000 for Tourism Related Events

The Montana Department of Commerce http://commerce.mt.gov/ 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: Montana Reining Horse Association
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.

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