Carter County awarded $1.25M grant for Ekalaka museum and tourism projects

Anybody who's been to Carter County, tucked into Montana's southeastern corner, can tell you it's one of the shining gems of the state. But now they're looking to get the word out.

The county has has been awarded a $1,250,000 Montana Tourism Development Grant from the Montana Department of Commerce — one of only seven grants awarded statewide — marking a significant investment in the Carter County Museum’s expansion and Carter County’s growing role as a destination for heritage and paleontology tourism.

The award supports an initial two-year phase of the project, with the potential for expanded funding up to $2,750,000 over five years based on progress.

This funding comes at a pivotal moment for the Carter County Museum, which has seen rapid growth in visitation, educational programming and national recognition. The planned expansion will grow the museum to approximately three times its current size, enhancing exhibition space, visitor amenities and behind the scenes museum operations. The project is designed to elevate the museum experience while supporting increased tourism and economic development across Carter County, Eastern Montana and beyond.

“This investment from the Montana Department of Commerce is transformative, not just for our museum, but for our entire region,” said Dr. Sabre Moore, the Carter County Museum's executive director. “We are preserving globally significant history right here in Ekalaka, and this grant helps ensure we can share that story at a scale that matches its importance. With expanded space and enhanced visitor experiences, we will be ready to welcome more visitors from across Montana and around the country.”

The Carter County Museum, Montana’s first county museum and a recognized leader in paleontology and regional history, welcomed more than 150,000 people through visits, programs and outreach in 2025 alone — a more than 500% increase over the past decade.

The tourism grant reinforces the broader vision of the museum’s capital campaign, which aims to position Carter County as a premier destination along Montana’s Dinosaur Trail while fostering sustainable, community-driven economic growth.

In the coming weeks, the Carter County Museum will publicly unveil final renderings of the new facility, offering a first look at the future of the museum. Groundbreaking is anticipated later this year.