Supporting tourism infrastructure in the Choteau and Bynum area through dedicated grant funding.
Funds provided by the Montana Department of Commerce and supported by the Choteau Area Port AuthorityProgram Overview
Mission: Choteau Community Tourism's mission is to grow sustainable, year-round tourism in the Choteau area by improving shared infrastructure, strengthening partnerships, and highlighting the assets that make our community special.
Background
The Choteau Area Community Tourism Grant is funded by Montana Senate Bill 540 (SB-540), passed by the Montana Legislature and signed into law. SB-540 authorized the Montana Department of Commerce to establish the Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program (PCTGP) — a state-funded initiative designed to help Montana communities increase economic vibrancy, strengthen tourism infrastructure, and develop sustainable regional tourism strategies.
The PCTGP was created to give communities the resources to enhance tourism-related assets, support local businesses, and foster the cross-sector collaboration needed to promote long-term economic growth — not just for visitors, but for the people who live and work here year-round.
In 2025, the Choteau Area Port Authority (CAPA) applied for PCTGP funding and was awarded a $2.75 million grant spanning five fiscal years from June 2025 through May 2030. The project is formally titled Choteau: Celebrating our Heritage, Cultivating our Future.
To administer the grant, CAPA established Choteau Community Tourism as the program's Steering Committee. Made up of local stakeholders, the committee oversees project implementation, community outreach, and fiscal management across the Choteau and Bynum areas.
Funding Data
The charts below reflect the planned allocation of grant funds across years and projects. Figures are updated as information is confirmed.
Funded Initiatives
Three major projects are supported through this grant program, each contributing to the region's tourism and cultural infrastructure.
The Weatherbeater fairgrounds are being upgraded into a year-round event destination — hosting livestock and equitation events, 4-H programs, winter concerts, holiday and seasonal programs, vendor fairs, and community gatherings that benefit residents and overnight visitors alike.
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The Old Trail Museum is building a new multi-purpose facility to house the Rocky Mountain Front Interpretive Center — a multidisciplinary space developed with MT FWP, scientists, and outdoor recreation experts to exhibit the natural history, ecology, and diverse wildlife of the Rocky Mountain Front.
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The Montana Dinosaur Center is expanding its gallery to display a seismosaurus model and specimens currently in storage, while providing a unique venue for guest speakers, educational events, and traveling exhibits.
View Project Details →Community Impact
In addition to the major funded initiatives, the grant program supports community amenity projects that serve both residents and visitors.
Installation of electric vehicle charging stations to support sustainable travel and attract EV-driving visitors to the Choteau and Bynum area.
The Choteau Public Schools have installed a Garaventa X3 Inclined Platform Lift in the School Auditorium, making the facility fully accessible for the first time. The Auditorium is used not only for school events but for community concerts and programs that draw visitors from the area.
"Our school has this incredible resource in the form of our beautiful auditorium. It is an incredible asset to bring people together and to our town. Now, with the addition of this wheelchair lift, our auditorium can be fully appreciated by any visitor, and they can take part in our programming in the front row!" — Will Dewey, Choteau Public Schools
Grant funding helped cover the cost of sandblasting and repainting the pool, extending the life of this beloved community recreation facility.
Get in Touch
Reach out with questions about the grant program, to sign up for meeting notifications, or — if you represent a local nonprofit — to be notified when new community grants become available.