Business Mini-Grant Program
The City of Hardin was awarded the Pilot Community Tourism Grant (PCTG) in February 2025.
The Big Horn Tourism Breakthrough Project (BHTBP) Business Mini-Grant Program is offered by the City of Hardin to sub-grantees to support tourism-related business efforts in Big Horn County.
Business Mini-Grant Program Application Guidelines
Visitor Information Center
The Visitor Information Center Project serves as a welcoming threshold to the wonders of Big Horn County, a place where stories, landscapes, and cultures intertwine. It is both a gateway and a gathering place, celebrating the area’s deep history, diverse people, and enduring connection to the land. Every element of its design reflects a spirit of belonging, curiosity, and pride of place.
The intent is to create a living archive and active hub, where visitors can orient themselves to the landscape, explore local heritage, and engage directly with the community.
The center becomes more than an informational stop, it’s a launchpad for exploration, an amplifier of local voices, and a celebration of everyday beauty in Big Horn County
Sustainable Tourism Management Plan (STMP)
The Sustainable Tourism Management Plan will attract and retain visitors by showcasing Big Horn County’s rich cultural, historical, and natural assets. This plan will guide our communities in developing coordinated promotions, improving the visitor experience, and building a sustainable tourism economy that supports local businesses and honors our shared values.
To lead this important work, we’ve partnered with DestinationiQ, a nationally recognized tourism marketing and destination management firm. With over 30 years of experience, DestinationiQ has a strong track record of helping rural communities thrive through smart, inclusive tourism planning.
Take the Big Horn County Tourism Survey HERE
Why participate?
Your insights are crucial, from understanding community needs to exploring tourism opportunities. Your input helps shape a sustainable and vibrant future for our region.
The Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program is a state-funded opportunity building tourism in a manageable, sustainable way that can stimulate and diversify Montana’s local economy, protect and enhance local resources and foster community pride without compromising the qualities that make local communities so special.
Steering Committee
- Alexandria Edwards, City of Hardin Project Manager, Committee Chair
- Drew Lehr, City of Hardin Finance Officer/City Clerk, Committee Grant Manager & Treasurer
- Tina Toyne, City of Hardin Economic Development Director, Committee Secretary
- Gayle Lammers, State Senator SD 21 & Business Owner
- Michael Hurff, City of Hardin Public Works Director, Northern Cheyenne Tribe Representation
- Jim Real Bird, Business Owner, Crow Tribe of Indians Representation
- Rhonda Lehr, Business Owner
- Katie Steele, Business Owner
- Katie Jeno, Montana State University Extension Office - Big Horn County
- Larry Vandersloot, Big Horn County Commissioner
- Riley Ramsey, City of Hardin Mayor
- Quincy Dabney, Mayor of Lodge Grass