The Libby Area Chamber of Commerce has been awarded $1.25 million through the Montana Tourism Development Grant Program to support the Visit Libby: Tourism Advancement Initiative. 

The chamber made the announcement in a recent press release. The project will be eligible for up to $2.75 million over the next five years.

The grant, administered by the Montana Department of Commerce, supports rural and under-visited communities through investments in tourism infrastructure, product development and preservation of natural and cultural assets.

“This is a significant investment in Libby’s future,” said Myranda Cravens, Executive Director of the Libby Area Chamber of Commerce. “These funds will allow us to move forward with projects that enhance our downtown, improve the visitor experience, and support long-term economic growth for our community.”

Jacqui Zielinski, Chamber Coordinator, emphasized the importance of making improvements that benefit both residents and visitors. “We hope to make our downtown, which is really our community’s living room, welcoming and enjoyable year-round for those who live here, while also creating a great experience when we have visitors in town,” she said.

The chamber received a thumbs-up at the Dec. 1, 2025, Libby City Council meeting when the municipality approved a letter of support for the chamber’s application to state officials.

According to Dec. 1 meeting minutes, then-Mayor Peggy Williams said the chamber was seeking a grant to replace their current building, located at Fireman’s Memorial Park.

At the time, Libby’s vaunted Heritage Museum, run by volunteers, was also seeking the same grant in an effort to get its old Shay engine running and to build a railway that could transport tourists around the grounds.

Museum officials pulled its application after the city backed the chamber effort.

The chamber has been working with the city in the Mineral Avenue Improvement Project, which would focus on the sidewalk and lighting portion, Williams said.

At the Dec. 1 meeting, Zielinski said the grant would continue the city-chamber partnership effort since 2016 to revitalize and rebrand Mineral Avenue. She also said the first year of the project would be dedicated to development and planning.

When the discussion was opened for public comment at the meeting, Chamber Board of Directors president Devenne Leiss said they investigated combining the chamber and museum grant applications, but the Shay project scored low with stakeholders.

Sherry Turner, board chair of the museum, said at the Dec. 1 meeting that there was enough money for the museum, city and chamber.

Williams also said the chamber put out suggestion boxes where ideas were collected which helped it narrow the proposed projects.

The city also approved a 25-year lease with the chamber for its building at the meeting.

According to the chamber news release, planned efforts include improvements to tourism-related infrastructure, placemaking initiatives, and enhancements that strengthen Libby’s appeal as a destination while maintaining the qualities that make the community unique.

Tourism continues to play a growing role in Libby’s economy, supporting local businesses and contributing to the overall vitality of the region.

The chamber will continue to work alongside an advisory committee and community partners to finalize project plans and begin implementation.