Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Master Plan topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission authorizes Main Street grant application, signs on to 2026 Main Street participation
Summary
The commission authorized Snowy Mountain Development Corporation to submit a Main Street grant for a downtown master plan and authorized the city manager to sign the 2026 Main Street participation agreement; both moves are intended to align downtown planning with the TIF district boundaries and unlock potential project grants.
The Lewistown City Commission moved to support a Main Street grant application and to authorize City Manager Holly Phelps to sign the city’s 2026 Main Street participation agreement.
City Manager Holly Phelps explained the grant would fund a downtown master plan and noted the Downtown Association and Snowy Mountain Development Corporation are partnering on the application. She recommended using the city’s tax-increment financing (TIF) district boundaries for the downtown plan, which would simplify reporting to the Department of Commerce. Phelps said the grant program requires a 20% local match and that the city need only commit an obligation to apply rather than having all funds in hand at submission.
Commissioners asked about boundary options and the amount the city might need to commit as the 20% match. The commission agreed the TIF district boundary was a reasonable default and that the commission would review funding commitments as the application progressed.
On the participation agreement, Phelps described the city's role in quarterly reporting—documenting events, hours, private and public investments and project permits—and confirmed city staff would submit required quarterly reports to the Department of Commerce if the city remains a Main Street participant. The motion to authorize signature of the 2026 Main Street participation/member agreement passed by roll call (all commissioners voting "Aye").
Both approvals were framed as steps to advance downtown revitalization and position the city to apply for competitive project grants if selected by the state Main Street program.
