BEFORE THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

 

In the matter of the adoption of NEW RULE I pertaining to the administration of the Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program

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NOTICE OF ADOPTION

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

           1. On December 22, 2023, the Department of Commerce published MAR Notice No. 8-119-207 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed adoption of the above-stated rule at page 1775 of the 2023 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 24.

 

2.  The department has adopted the above-stated rule as proposed in the original notice but with a change in the proposed rule number:

 

NEW RULE I (8.99.1201) INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF RULES GOVERNING THE GUIDELINES FOR THE PILOT COMMUNITY TOURISM GRANT PROGRAM  (1) through (3) remain as proposed.

 

3. The department has thoroughly considered the comments and testimony received. A summary of the comments received and the department's responses are as follows:

 

Comment 1: A comment stated that the guidelines and map provide contradictory information on an urban community's eligibility for funding.

 

Response 1: The department reviewed these documents and determined that the information provided is not contradictory and accurately reflects an urban community's eligibility for funding.  Section III of the Guidelines identifies eligible applicants and establishes that urban communities are eligible to apply for funding if they partner with a rural and/or under-visited community.

 

Comment 2: A commenter asked if urban or over-visited communities are eligible applicants.

 

Response 2: As established in Section III of the Guidelines, urban and over-visited communities located in Montana are ineligible to apply for program funds as standalone applicants.  Urban and over-visited communities are eligible for program funds when they partner with a rural or under-visited community, however.

 

Comment 3: A comment stated that the intake form implies that communities in urban and over-visited areas are eligible for program funds as standalone applicants but would not realize the maximum point value when ranked. 

 

Response 3: The language "up to" accurately reflects the point value ranking for eligible applicants.  Urban and over-visited communities located in Montana can receive points if they are partnered with a rural or under-visited community.  Additionally, the intake form does not establish applicant eligibility; applicant eligibility is established by Section III of the Guidelines.

 

 

/s/ John Semmens                                       /s/ Mandy Rambo

John Semmens                                            Mandy Rambo

Rule Reviewer                                              Deputy Director

                                                                     Department of Commerce

 

Certified to the Secretary of State January 30, 2024.