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Museum asks county for $500,000 match, seeks expedited letter of support
Summary
The Carter County Museum and Geological Society presented a multimillion-dollar expansion plan and requested a $500,000 county match to secure a $500,000 Montana Heritage Preservation grant; the museum said it has ~$1.3 million raised and aims to break ground in September 2025, pending funding and bids.
Representatives from the Carter County Museum told commissioners they have raised roughly $1.3 million toward a proposed renovation and expansion and are pursuing a $500,000 Montana Heritage Preservation Grant that would require a county match of $500,000.
The museum presenter (Sabre, Unidentified Speaker 8) said the project will include upgraded lighting and HVAC, additional exhibit and collection space, a planetarium dome, and expanded public programming; she requested a letter of county support and that the county identify the $500,000 match in capital planning. Sabre said the museum expects to break ground in September 2025 if key grants and architect selections go as planned and that an application to a USDA Rural Economic Development program could provide $1 million to $2 million for structure costs in 2026.
Commissioners said they would prepare a letter if the commission can identify funding and asked staff to draft language; staff noted the county already holds roughly $542,000 in the museum capital fund. Museum leadership emphasized that county residents would continue to receive free admission while nonresidents could be charged an estimated $10 to help service loans and maintenance.
Commissioners asked for a dollar figure in the letter and agreed to try to expedite support within the timetable requested (noon the next day). The museum's expansion and requests will be incorporated into the county's Capital Improvement Plan for prioritization and budgeting.
