Hardin will receive a check for $45,000 this month, as a result of a tourism grant that the Chamber of Commerce applied for and won.
The money from Montana’s Department of Commerce is designated to upgrade infrastructure at the Hardin Depot, in order to ultimately boost tourism. The chamber rents the depot for a reasonable cost annually and they hold meetings there.
Board members met last week for their regular meeting where Hardin Mayor Joe Purcell shared the good news. The Chamber will decide how to spend the money, but the City will need to approve the decisions because of how the groups applied for the grant.
The BHCN has not yet obtained documentation from the Chamber, but members at the meeting said they have earmarked needs such as boiler repair and a new roof.
The City rents the property from BNSF, but Purcell said he is confident that any upgrades made to the historical building will benefit Hardin directly, and also that he doesn’t foresee the railroad asking for the property back, as the Hardin community saved it for historical preservation.
Also at the meeting, the group talked with Purcell about modernizing some of the Chamber’s processes and also simplifying the reporting process of the Chamber’s processes to the City.
Due to low funds, the Chamber moved to table or postpone the annual community banquet, which normally caters food and honors community members and local businesses. Instead, the board will plan to host an open house in the near future for chamber members to greet over coffee and simple snacks.
They will also invite the community with the goal of encouraging participation and dialogue.
The board discussed possible new board members as three members’ terms will soon end.
Gregory Lloyd was present as someone interested in joining the board. He actively discussed with the board at the meeting, and he already begun collaborating with them.
One initiative that Lloyd taken upon himself is to create a working and fresh list of local businesses for multiple reasons; first, to better communication and the board’s ability to operate on their collective behalf. But also, the City has recently been awarded $35,000 for a way-finding grant that will pay for signage and other directional guides for visitors. Lloyd hopes to designate businesses and to then offer more information about those businesses with a QR code. People scan QR codes with their cell phone that links to a website page.
Additionally, the board moved to register for a free accounting website, and they also plan to share financial documents online in order to streamline the processes. They reported recent financial successes such as at a recent bazaar and the Christmas Stroll.
About 80 businesses currently claim membership in Hardin’s Chamber.
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