Gov. Gianforte Uses Bed Tax Funds to Support Flood-Impacted Tourism Regions

• June 24 2022

HELENA, Mont. – As communities recover from the flooding disaster, Governor Greg Gianforte today announced the state is using Bed Tax funds to assist communities which rely heavily on tourism around Yellowstone National Park.

“If folks are reconsidering their trip to Montana this summer, don’t,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Montana is open for business, and your visit will be a direct investment in our local economies and the success of our communities after disaster.”

Gov. Gianfote surveying flooding damage in Red Lodge.

The Montana Department of Commerce’s Brand MT Division awarded emergency grant funding from the Bed Tax, which is collected from guests of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, resorts, and campgrounds, to ten nonprofit tourism groups.

Each group was awarded $15,000 each, with an option to increase that amount if needed.

“These grants will help our tourism partners near Yellowstone National Park welcome visitors and help them safely navigate through the flood-impacted areas near and around the Park,” Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman said.  “Additionally, the grant money will be used to keep our in- and out-of-state guests well-informed on a wide variety of alternate tourism destinations and experiences in Yellowstone Country.”

The following ten Chambers of Commerce Convention Visitor Bureau (CVB) groups in Montana’s Yellowstone Country Tourism Region received funding:

• Belgrade Chamber/CVB
• Big Sky Chamber/CVB
• Bozeman Chamber/CVB
• Cooke City Chamber
• Gardiner Chamber/CVB
• Livingston Chamber/CVB
• Red Lodge Chamber/CVB
• West Yellowstone Chamber/CVB
• Stillwater County Chamber of Commerce
• Sweet Grass County Chamber of Commerce

“These funds are going to help us with additional staff hours helping visitors at our Visitor Information Center, creating and putting up signs and flyers, social media posts, and so much more. Thank you to the Montana Department of Commerce for the quick execution of this program,” Katrina Wiese, President and CEO of Destination Yellowstone, said.

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