Libby 'wayfinding' sign projects gets $85,355 state tourism grant

A wayfinding signage project spearheaded by the City of Libby recently got a much-anticipated boost from the state.

Libby Mayor Brent Teske announced the awarding of the $85,355 grant at the start of the Jan. 16 City Council meeting.

The monies were awarded through the Tourism Grant Program at the Montana Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism and Business Development.

Wayfinding signs are intended and designed to help people with no local knowledge of an area to easily locate attractions and services.

Tina Oliphant, who in her role as executive director of the Kootenai River Development Council wrote the project detail and grant, said the award is “a perfect opportunity to illustrate the power and absolute necessity of collaborative efforts and capacity to manage the long-term processes for community development in rural towns.”

Oliphant submitted the grant application in Sept. 2017 with an estimated project cost of $128,032.50. The city will cover the balance.

The next step is to begin work with the Montana Department of Transportation and review the estimates and development plan for final approval, Oliphant said.

Libby was among 27 communities in Montana to receive a grant to strengthen tourism, according to a Jan. 19 news release from Gov. Steve Bullock’s office.