Flathead Business Watercooler
Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 4 years, 6 months AGO
Several Native American-owned small businesses in the Flathead Valley area have received grant funding through the Tribal Tourism Digital Business Development Grant at the Montana Department of Commerce.
The state awarded $86,500 in funding to support the growth of 14 Native American-owned businesses.
Grant recipients with the Blackfeet Tribe include the Leaning Tree Cafe in Babb and Sunshine Woman Creations in East Glacier. Businesses owned by members of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes include Flathead Raft Company, Polson; Hardup Land, Hot Springs; Keepers of the Seasons, Arlee; and Water People Tours & Kapapa, Elmo.
Each business will receive between $5,500 and $6,250 and must provide matching funds.
“Native-owned and tourism-related businesses were hit especially hard by COVID-19,” Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “As these businesses look ahead to a brighter future, they will be more prepared with the digital resources and tools they need to reach and serve the modern-day traveler.”
The Tribal Tourism Digital Business Development Grant is a competitive grant program to help Native American-owned businesses related to the tourism industry emerge from COVID-19 restrictions better positioned to generate revenue by establishing or strengthening digital distribution or promotion of their products and services. Eligible project categories include professional content development, website development and virtual experiences.