Grant to fund study for Polson event center
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News from Lake County Community Development Corporation
RONAN – Lake County Community Development Corporation recently received $10,800 from the State of Montana, Department of Commerce, Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Planning Grant program to assist Lake County and Polson Fairgrounds, Inc. with a feasibility study.
The group is hoping to construct a multi-use expo event center at the Polson Fairgrounds. The event center would be a destination event center large enough to host large conventions and concerts as well as rodeo events, livestock, sporting, automobile and recreational vehicle shows.
Rich in agricultural history, home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and being a “gateway to Glacier Country,” make this Lake County community a perfect place to “stay and play” along the way.
“A potential multi-use center, as envisioned, would act as an economic driver and a public resource for the local community, hosting a variety of both local and non-local events and activities,” Lake County Commissioner Ann Brower said. “An important goal of the facility would be to attract and accommodate events, participants and attendees to the area that presently cannot be accommodated by existing community facilities – some of which would be expected to generate new visitation, hotel room nights and related economic impact for Lake County businesses.”
Polson Fairgrounds, Inc. President David Graham said it has been a long-time goal of the Lake County Commissioners and the Polson Fairgrounds Board of Directors and residents of our rural Montana community to have a multi-use event center located at the Polson Fairgrounds and Rodeo property. A public hearing, held in January of 2016, further confirmed this, when the commissioners indicated it was a priority project for 2016.
“It’s important to note that the three collaborative partners in this project are showcasing the ability to leverage federal, county, and private funding. We believe this project is an excellent opportunity to help a rural Montana community to realize a long-time goal, while at the same time show the commitment of community partners to leverage resources for larger-scale community development,” said Gypsy Ray, Executive Director of LCCDC.
The Lake County Commissioners will play a lead role for the project while the Polson Fairgrounds, Inc Board of Directors will play a supportive role. Lake County Community Development will serve as the Grant Administrator. The contractor for the Feasibility Study was awarded to Billie Lee Project Consulting in partnership with Lambson Design, LLC and Jackola Engineering & Architecture, PC.
The contractor will report directly to the County Commissioners on the project, according to Ray.
For additional information on the grant or lending programs and application information please contact the LCCDC offices at 406-676-5901, or visit the website
