Montana Dept. of Commerce grant hopes to boost 'shoulder season' tourism in Dillon

Luring them sooner and keeping them longer.

The Montana Department of Commerce announced Tuesday that Butte-based Headwaters Resource, Conservation and Development will receive $1.25 million in funding from the department’s Montana Tourism Development Grant Program.

The state money will support Headwaters’ D-TOUR project, which is designed to bolster Dillon’s tourism economy during the spring and fall shoulder seasons through the development of tourism infrastructure.

Kelly Sullivan, executive director of Headwaters RC&D, described the program.

“Guided by extensive public engagement and a community-led coalition, the project is built around three pillars that support sustainable tourism growth: enhanced tourism navigation through wayfinding, expanded downtown tourism opportunities through thoughtful design and beautification and diversified outdoor recreation through trail network expansion,” she said in an email.

Sullivan said the grant funds will be reimbursable, disbursed in regular draws initiated by Headwaters as phases of the project are completed.

“The Headwaters team and board of directors are thrilled to have received this award and are grateful to the Montana Department of Commerce for recognizing both the immediate and long-term benefits of this project,” she said.

“This award will serve as a catalyst for further investment and economic development in our region and provide long-term impact for all residents of Beaverhead County,” Sullivan added.

Headwaters RC&D describes itself as a non-profit focused on improving the economic and social well-being of southwest Montana through conservation, development and appropriate use of natural and human resources. It serves five counties, Powell, Granite, Jefferson, Beaverhead and Madison, and two city-county governments, Anaconda-Deer Lodge and Butte-Silver Bow.

The Montana Tourism Development Grant Program was authorized by a bill sponsored in 2023 by Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings. Tapping revenue from the bed tax, “it supports rural and under-visited communities through improvements to tourism infrastructure, tourism product development and preservation of natural and cultural heritage,” according to the Department of Commerce.