Gianforte talks about $1.25M tourism grant in Havre

Gov. Greg Gianforte met with community representatives this morning to talk about a $1.25 million two-year grant awarded to Havre Tourism Enhancement Project to increase tourism and revitalize downtown Havre.

Gianforte told the group that the main thing is the Havre community has to decide how to implement the grant.

"I'm not here to tell you what to do," he said.

The first year's disbursement, $250,000, is to be used exclusively for planning, Bear Paw Development Corp. Executive Director Paul Tuss said at a meeting last week.

Bear Paw is administering the funds.

It ties into work by several groups, such as the Downtown Havre Matters!, the Hi-Line Arts Council and Havre Trails, which already have been working to revitalize the area and increase tourism.

A Downtown Master Plan was completed and approved by the city last year, which was credited both with helping Havre receive the grant - a total of 7 communities were awarded $1.25 million each in the first round of the grant funding - and with giving it a leg up on the planning stage.

Tuss said this morning that people have great hopes for what will happen with the grant.

"We're excited about this," he said. "There's some real energy here."

Watch for more on this in the July 18 edition of Havre Weekly Chronicle.