MT Tourism grant provides $22,000 toward indoor event center at fairground
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Several years ago this 100 by 200 foot building was acquired by the Blaine County from the federal government. The new metal building had never been erected. Members of the recently created Blaine County Fair Foundation are in the process of erecting the surplus building as an indoor event center. The building is currently stored at the county gravel pit south of Chinook.
The Blaine County Fair Foundation was notified last week that it was awarded a $22,000 Montana Tourism grant to be used toward construction of a proposed indoor event center at the county fairgrounds. Each year the Montana Office of Tourism awards about $750,000 through a competitive process "to develop and enhance tourism and recreation." This year 27 grant applications were funded. Tourism is a major economic force in the state and according to tourism officials, generates about $3 billion in revenue each year to Montana's economy.
The tourism grant program is funded through Montana's 4% Lodging Facility Use Tax. Commonly known as the "bed tax," the fee is collected from guests of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, guest ranches, resorts and campgrounds across the state. The fees produce about $29 million each year for the state coffers. In Blaine County, in 2016, the bed tax generated $16,000. That figure has been as high as $22,000 in past years.
The recently awarded grant requires the Fair Foundation to match the grant amount with "hard" dollars. The "cash match is $1 grantee (Fair Foundation): $2 state. In-kind services are not considered a qualified match." The Foundation has raised funds to meet the grant requirement.
An update on the indoor event center project
The Blaine County Fair Foundation was created last year to provide a way to raise outside funds to support projects at the fairgrounds. Donations through the Fair Foundation are tax deductible and a donors can specify a project they want to support . Backers of the indoor event center created the tax exempt organization, separate from the Fair Board, to be able to apply for certain grants and designate how funds they raise can be spent.
Several years ago the county acquired a surplus 100 by 200 feet metal building from Malmstrom Air Force Base. The building had never been erected. Members of the Fair Foundation say they have estimates of "about $150,000 to prepare the site for the building and erect the building." The building will be erected in a space at the east end of the existing George Ortner Rodeo Arena. This will allow access to the indoor facility from both the rodeo pens and the existing stock barns in the area.
The Foundation has already begun raising funds for the center. In addition to the recent Montana Tourism grant, the Foundation was awarded grants from Triangle Communication and Northwest Farm Credit Services. The Chinook Area Chamber also donated proceeds from last December's Festival of Trees auction. Last fall an anonymous donor gave a $1,000 challenge grant, and that grant has been matched with an additional $2,000 toward the project.
The Montana Tourism grant will fund the next step for the indoor center
Laura Kleinjan, the Treasurer for the Fair Foundation and an advocate for the indoor event center, prepared the application for the state tourism grant. The application was accompanied by letters of support from both the chairman of the Blaine County Fair Board and the County Commissioners, who noted, "This facility would be the host of many events throughout the year and bring much needed tourism monies to our small community."
The need for such an indoor center has been recognized by other segments of the community as well. It was identified as early as 2010 as one of the "10 Most-important" items, by the Chinook Chamber, to involve farmers and ranchers in community projects. More recently, Fair Foundation and Fair Board members met with county commissioners to discuss the project and include it in the Community Improvement Plan (CIP)-a planning document required for most public grant applications.
As to the next step, Laura Kleinjan explained, "We first have to prepare the site where the new building will be erected. The site, including an appropriate apron surrounding it, has been 'flagged.' Dan Moxley is ready to do the dirt work as soon as the weather allows." Most of the Montana Tourism grant money will go toward site preparation and other initial construction costs with the Fair Foundation providing matching funds as required.
What's next?
Backers of the indoor event center believe once the site preparation work begins people will start getting excited about the potential for the center. Dennis and Laura Kleinjan, both members of the Fair Foundation, are also looking at new grant sources and other ways to raise the necessary funds to complete the center. They said recently, "There are some other potential donors that have talked to us about financially supporting the center. If those work out, it will significantly help move the center toward completion." Foundation members are also looking at employer programs that match certain types of donations by employees. Laura said, "If folks would let us know if their employer has a matching gift program, we'll explore how the Foundation can be a part of it."
Donors can make a tax deductible contribution any time to help erect the new indoor event center. Make checks payable to the Blaine Country Fair Foundation and note if you want the money to be used toward the indoor event center project. Mail to the Fair Board Foundation at Box 1207, Chinook, Montana 59523. Call 945-1118 for information about making a gift or helping with the efforts to secure the new indoor facility.
