Montana Tourism Development Grant

D-TOUR

Diversifying Tourism Opportunities & Uses for Resilient Economic Growth

  • Year one will focus on project planning, community coordination, and procurement, including hiring consultants, finalizing designs, and preparing all elements for implementation in subsequent years.

  • Year two will include development of a new community brand and marketing tools, installation of initial wayfinding signage aligned with the brand, and construction of the Kids Pump Track within the Beaverhead Trails network.

  • Year three will continue community-wide wayfinding implementation and advance construction of shovel-ready downtown tourism infrastructure, including an entry arch, lighting, benches, and trash receptacles.

  • Year four will complete all capital improvements, including full installation of wayfinding signage, completion of trail and pump track projects, and final downtown infrastructure construction.

  • The final year will focus on project closeout, including contractor completion, final reporting, payment processing, and verification that all grant requirements have been fully met.

Vision

The vision for the D-TOUR project is to build upon Dillon’s tourism economy by expanding visitation during the spring and fall shoulder seasons through the strategic development and implementation of tourism infrastructure. 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. These pillars are designed to work cohesively to attract travelers from the I-15 corridor and encourage longer stays in Dillon, strengthening a critical sector of the local economy. Together, these investments will convert pass-through traffic into meaningful visitor experiences that support local businesses and community vitality. Simply put, when visitors arrive in Dillon, we want them to easily know where to go, enjoy a welcoming downtown, and access high-quality outdoor recreation that reflects our authentic outdoor heritage.

Why are we an ideal community for the program?

MTDGP funding will enable targeted investments in tourism infrastructure that strengthen Dillon’s identity as a connected, welcoming, and destination-ready community. These efforts build upon several distinct advantages, including:

● Location: Situated along Montana’s I-15 corridor and less than an hour from the I-90 interchange, Dillon is uniquely positioned to capture visitors traveling north–south and east–west through the state, as well as regional drive markets.

● Infrastructure & Wayfinding: Strategic investments in cohesive wayfinding, signage, and visitor amenities will improve first impressions, reduce visitor friction, and encourage travelers to stop, explore, and stay longer. Clear navigation to downtown, trailheads, recreation access points, and services is a proven tool for converting pass-through traffic into overnight visitation and repeat trips.

● Downtown Tourism Revitalization: Enhancements to downtown aesthetics, pedestrian experience, and visitor-oriented spaces will strengthen Dillon’s role as a social and economic hub. These improvements support local businesses, encourage visitor spending, and create a sense of place that complements outdoor recreation.

● Outdoor Recreation & Trail Development: Investment in natural-surface, multi-use trail networks supports shoulder-season tourism. Studies show mountain biking visitors spend an average of $416 per trip, generating significant local economic impact, job creation, and longer stays in rural communities.

Together, these investments position Dillon to evolve from a seasonal stop into a year-round tourism destination.

Our coalition understands that meaningful community engagement, buy-in, and public involvement are essential to the long-term success of this project, which is why this effort began well before the Montana Tourism Development Grant Program was announced.
“We have three different opportunities coming up for you to learn more about the program, our goals, and provide your feedback on what should be our priorities. I hope to see you there!”
— Kristina Abbey - City of Dillon

The Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program is a state-funded opportunity by the Montana Department of Commerce that builds tourism in a manageable, sustainable way that can stimulate and diversify Montana’s local economy, protect and enhance local resources and foster community pride without compromising the qualities that make local communities so special. The program is a 2.75 million dollar grant over five years, that is funded by the lodging facility use tax, commonly known as the bed tax.

The purpose of the PCTGP is to elevate communities across the state, increase their economic vibrancy by improving their appeal as visitor destinations and improve their resilience as a destination by enhancing and diversifying tourism assets and infrastructure. Through this program, communities can cultivate regional visions, identify strategies to harness the power of tourism and develop unique experiences in tourism.

The PCTGP Committee is a collaboration of the City of Dillon, the Beaverhead Chamber of Commerce, Tourism & Development, Dillon Main Street, and various other importance stakeholders all committed to improving our community. The committee’s goals for this grant include:

  • Increasing tourism (visitation numbers) by 10% over the next 5 years.

  • Investing in the look and feel of downtown.

  • Investing in diversifying outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Distribution of Funds over the 5-Year Program