The City of Polson was awarded a $30,000 tourism grant from the Montana Department of Commerce on Thursday, July 30, to finalize its wayfinding signage project. 

The City’s Special Project Manager, Tyler Leslie, applied for the Rural Tourism Asset Grant in March, hoping to use the funding to complete the final phase of the project. Leslie explained that the project had been underway in the city long before her time and that the wayfinding study, permitting, engineering review and fabrication of the signs were all completed before applying for the grant. 

In March, Leslie presented three signpost options to the Polson City Commission. During the meeting, Leslie recommended a decorative iron post at a cost of $15,000 for its longevity and visual appeal. The commission voted in favor of this option.

Leslie explained that this grant will allow them to purchase the posts and either install them themselves or hire a contractor to complete the installation. She noted that the installation cost is not cheap.

In total, there will be 21 signs throughout the city. Leslie said there are some wayfinding signs already in the city, but these will be replaced with the new signs to create a cohesive look. 

Leslie noted that Polson is one of seven cities that received this grant for wayfinding signage, which speaks to the importance of this addition to the city. The Department of Commerce issued twelve tourism grants across Montana. 

“We're a tourist town. We welcome thousands of visitors every year to enjoy our quiet lake, our parks, Main Street, our local events like the Cherry Festival,” she said. “So having this new wayfinding system helps people find those destinations more easily.”

“I love that these little grant opportunities are helping finish a project that has been in the works for years,” she added.