Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Program

Program Overview In 2025, the passage of  Senate Bill 409 revised laws related to the Montana Department of Commerce and the lodging facility use tax, commonly known as the bed tax. The bill updates SB 540, which passed in 2023, restructuring the allocation of bed tax revenue, specifying how Commerce can use these funds for purposes like tourism promotion and grants. The Montana Emergency Tourism Assistance Grant Program is a state-funded opportunity. Beginning July 1, 2023 there is an appropriated $500,000 from the Lodging Facility Tax fund to Commerce to distribute grant awards for tourism-related emergency service projects in rural areas. Commerce's Community MT Division will administer the METAP in accordance with these Guidelines. To the extent these Guidelines conflict with SB 540, the terms of SB 540 control. Definitions Consistent with Section 1(4) of SB 540, Commerce has adopted the following definitions: Emergency Services: Emergency services, as defined by 10-4-101(6), MCA, are services provided by a public or private safety agency, including law or medical services. Rural: For purposes of the METAP grant, a Rural area is defined as any area that is not "Urban,” as defined below. Urban: Urban places are defined as either: 1) a census urban area with a population at or exceeding 30,000 people according to the most recent United States census; or 2) an incorporated city/town within 10 miles of one of those large urban areas. Areas in Montana that meet this definition currently include Falls, East and Whitefish. Eligible Applicants Eligible Projects Ineligible Projects Allocations Application Awards Eligible Applicants Eligible entities, as defined by SB 409, must be in or serve a rural area. Applicants may use this map to determine rural eligibility. The following entities are eligible to apply for a METAP grant: A rural incorporated city or town A rural county government A rural consolidated government A rural tribal government A waiver of sovereign immunity likely will be required for a tribal government to receive funding. Any entity that provides emergency services or response units to a rural area Eligible Projects Eligible applicants may use SB 409 funds to purchase or provide tourism-related emergency services. Funding recipients generally may use METAP grant funds for the following activities: Ambulances Police vehicles Firefighting vehicles or equipment Hospital or emergency response equipment Search and rescue team supplies or equipment A project related to tourism-related emergency services other than those listed above also may be approved by Commerce. Please contact Community MT Division staff prior to submitting an application for additional guidance. Ineligible Projects METAP grant funds generally cannot be used to pay for the following activities: Operation and maintenance of costs or expenses Grant administration and management expenses Research or other grant opportunities Financial expenses, including but not limited to interest expense, bond issuance costs or any other debt related costs or expenses Any otherwise eligible project costs incurred prior to the date of announcement of the grant award by Commerce A project related to tourism-related emergency services other than those listed above also may be approved by Commerce. Please contact Community MT Division staff prior to submitting an application for additional guidance. Allocations The maximum amount that will be awarded for a METAP grant is $50,000. Applicants may apply for one METAP grant per funding cycle. Applicants with an open METAP grant generally are ineligible to apply for an additional grant until their current project is completed and closed out, unless approved in writing in advance by Commerce. Application