This story was originally published by Daily Montanan.
Daily Montanan Staff
Daily Montanan
The Montana Department of Commerce announced two Montana tribal governments will share $100,000 of grant funding to develop, expand and strengthen local tribal tourism assets and economies.
The grant funding is provided through Commerce’s Tribal Tourism Grant Program, according to a news release that named the following recipients:
- Blackfeet Nation will receive $50,000 for repairs and upgrades to tribally owned campgrounds in multiple locations.
- Fort Belknap Indian Community will receive $50,000 for repairs, mobility improvements and upgrades to the Milk River Indian Days arbor site in Fort Belknap Agency.
“Commerce’s Tribal Tourism Grants support the development and improvement of shovel-ready tourism industry tribal projects such as niche product development, visitor facilities and venue upgrades and construction,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio in a statement.
In 2024, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes received $50,000 in tribal tourism funding for critical repairs and improvements to The Bison on Flathead Lake vacation rental property, the news release said.
In a statement, CSKT Planning Director Janet Camel said the funds and administrative support were important from the tribal tourism program.
“This funding allowed us to make critical repairs at our vacation rental property on Flathead Lake, including a new roof, windows, heater and stairway that provides easier access to the shore,” Camel said. “Commerce’s Tribal Tourism staff were readily available to assist us throughout the project.”
The program operates on a reimbursement system with a 50 percent tribal matching requirement, the news release said. It said eligible projects must be shovel-ready and demonstrate a long-lasting investment on the part of the state and tribe.