News
Apr 14 2010
County to study best uses of ExpoPark
Cascade County has received a $50,000 federal grant for a marketing and demographic study to find out the best use of Montana ExpoPark, the county's multi-use facility.
The county also is planning to contribute $50,000, bringing the total cost of the study to $100,000, said Joe Briggs, chairman of the Cascade County Commission.
County commissioners will vote this morning to accept the grant from the Economic Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce and solicit bids nationally from companies interested in conducting the study.
The county frequently receives suggestions from members of the public on changes they would like to see at the facilities, Briggs said.
Building a new concert hall or equestrian center are just two examples, he said.
The study, scheduled for completion by August 2011, will target what kind of events and facilities the market will sustain, Briggs said.
"This study will chart a pathway for us to market the facility more cost effectively and increase utilization," Briggs said.
Several old barns recently were knocked down at ExpoPark.
The county wants to be cautious in deciding what kind of facilities should be constructed in the future, Briggs said.
The county owns and manages ExpoPark, which hosts agricultural shows, basketball tournaments, concerts and the Montana State Fair.