DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Friday, June 17, 2011

                Victor Bjornberg

                Montana Department of Commerce

                Montana Office of Tourism

                406-841-2795

 

                Marissa Kozel

                Communications Director

                Montana Department of Commerce

                406-841-2772

 

 

(HELENA) –The Montana Department of Commerce has a total of $530,000 in state lodging tax funds available for tourism-related facility improvement projects through the 2011 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP).

 

Non-profit organizations, local and tribal governments are encouraged to apply for TIIP grants as part of the funding packages they use to improve Montana’s visitor attractions and facilities. The deadline for the 2011 TIIP grant applications is Wednesday, August 3, 2011

 

“Over the competitive grant program’s 16 year history, TIIP Grants have leveraged $11 in additional funds for every $1 invested,” said Dore Schwinden, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “The successful applicants for our TIIP Grant funds will be adding value to their communities and strengthening their ability to provide memorable experiences and services for our visitors and all Montanans.”

 

Since the program’s creation in 1995, TIIP grants have invested over $3.6 million in tourism funds into 82 projects in 45 Montana communities. This investment has helped create over $42 million in new or improved tourism facilities.

 

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 www.travelmontana.mt.gov/forms or you can contact Victor Bjornberg at the Montana Office of Tourism, 406-841-2795, vbjornberg@mt.gov.

 

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