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Butte-Silver Bow grant recipients report tourism, technology and workforce gains
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Summary
Seven recipients of fiscal-year 24–25 economic development mill levy grants reported outcomes: Motherlode Theater cited increased attendance and out-of-area visitors; the World Museum of Mining upgraded servers and preserved 12,000 photos; Prosperity Training certified 68 CNAs and placed many graduates locally.
At the Committee of the Whole meeting, seven recipients of the fiscal-year 24–25 economic development mill levy grants gave updates on how county grants were used and the local impacts.
Jocelyn Dodge of the Butte Center for Performing Arts said the $7,500 marketing grant helped Motherlode Theater expand its season from 17 to 25 events and grow the reach of patrons from 19 Montana cities to 50. "We've gone from 19 cities to 50 cities across Montana," Dodge said, adding that the grant was leveraged with other regional funding and KECI/NBC Montana advertising to attract out-of-area visitors.
Jeanette Koff of the World Museum of Mining reported that a $5,500 award funded infrastructure upgrades: retiring an outdated server, moving thousands of photos toward a PastPerfect online archive, upgrading the phone system and workstations, and improving day-to-day operations and guest services.
Bruce Shuelke of Young Musicians Club described how a $4,183 grant supported instructor pay, instrument maintenance and outreach. He reported 65 students in the fall semester and 62 in spring, described a fee-waiver policy for families in need and said the program leveraged donated instruments and volunteer instructors.
Sherry Anderson, RN program director for Prosperity Training Center, described using a $3,000 grant for partial scholarships and student supports; the center opened Sept. 29, 2025, and has trained and certified 68 CNAs who have passed the state exam, with 24 graduates currently employed at Continental Care. "Because of this, they have been able to eliminate all travelers and agency entirely out of their system," Anderson said, describing declines in infection rates and improved continuity of care at facilities employing graduates.
Jessica Picker from Miss Montana said the council's grant will underwrite housing for pageant candidates during the May 27–30 event; she expects 16 candidates and said the event will bring visiting families and judges who are likely to stay and spend in Butte.
Shanna Adams described a wayfinding package funded in part by a $3,500 mill-levy award that expanded into a 19-sign bid package (pedestrian signs, map kiosks and parking markers); she said MDT encroachment permits have been obtained and the package will go to bid soon, while vehicular signs remain unfunded.
Dave Hutchins of Bike Lab said a $3,500 grant bought liability insurance and supplies that helped the volunteer-run shop provide bikes, repairs and a bike-rodeo giveaway (50–100 bikes) and that the shop will reopen on Earth Day at 711 South Wyoming.
Commissioners praised the projects, noting local economic development, workforce training and cultural vibrancy. The council will continue to hear the remaining mill-levy recipients on April 15 and 22.
