Montana tourism grants send $8.75 million to seven groups

MONTANA— The Montana Department of Commerce allocated $8.75 million through its Montana Tourism Development Grant Program, according to a broadcast report. The funding was assigned to seven local organizations.

Each organization received $1.25 million, according to the report. The text provided did not name the seven groups.

The report described the funding as news related to the local tourism scene. The Department of Commerce connected the money to tourism development in Montana.

The report included a statement from the Department of Commerce director about the program.

"developing tourism in a sustainable and manageable manner boosts montana's rural and under-visited communities by diversifying local economies... fostering community pride and creating tourism destinations that represent the qualities that make rural communities special," the director said.

The Department of Commerce statement said the program centered on tourism growth in rural and under-visited communities. It also said the grants were tied to local economies, community pride and destination development.