MALTA LODGE PROJECT

At the request of the Phillips County community, we have been working with them on an economic development proposal to create infrastructure to bring tourism revenue to this rural area. This initiative will result in a lodge and learning center that will draw travelers - and travelers' dollars - to the town of Malta and the surrounding communities, thus enhancing this rural area's sustainability. This project will provide a focal point for local entrepreneurs to develop various other tourism-related services such as shuttle services, wildlife watching, or ranch tours.

While the northeastern part of the state has long been a destination for hunters, because of the region’s lack of general (non-hunting) tourism infrastructure, most visitors to the state overlook it. This is unfortunate, because the region is rich in history and experiences. Herds of elk, mule deer, and antelope are scattered throughout the labyrinthine bottoms and coulees of the Missouri River Breaks and Fort Peck Reservoir and across the Little Rockies and the Larb Hills. Some 260 species of birds can be seen at the 15,000-acre Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge. And hidden beneath the prairie lie fossils of dinosaurs that roamed the region some 70 million years ago. It’s the place where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce fought their last, desperate battle as they tried to reach the Canadian border. It’s the place where Kid Curry and his brothers rustled cattle before the Kid went on to become the most feared gunslinger in Butch Cassidy’s’ “Wild Bunch.”

As rural communities across the state look to benefit from the strong appeal of the “Montana brand” among tourists, one of the most crucial obstacles they face is the development and financing of facilities and infrastructure that have an intrinsic appeal of their own. The goal of this project is to help one community - Malta - develop accommodations based on the “lodge” model. During the initial programming phase with area residents, they identified their strong belief that they have a unique story to tell. With this project, we aim to help them do just that. The lodge will provide guests not only with accommodations, but with access to a wide variety of activities and experiences, all aimed at providing the visitor with greater knowledge and appreciation for the geography, ecology, history, culture, and peoples of the Northern Great Plains.

This project will not only establish Malta, Montana as a destination, but will help to open up much of the northeastern part of the state to increased tourism, which will lead to job creation throughout the region.

To date, we have helped the community establish partnerships with professional firms in the areas of tourism, marketing and architecture to begin the programming process. Currently, we are helping them to pursue funding opportunities with economic development organizations and other interests to advance the project.