Welcome!
Destination Fort Benton (DFB) is a 501c3 non-profit organization formed for the purpose of seeking grant funding for the purpose of advancing tourism in Fort Benton. The committee formed in 2024 to apply for the Montana Department of Commerce Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program, a $2.75 million grant opportunity designed to support under visited communities in Montana in their efforts to increase tourism. We are proud to announce that Fort Benton was awarded this grant as part of the Cohort 2 cycle of funding!
We encourage you to review this slide presentation that introduces our organization and plans for the Pilot grant funding. DFB also has plans beyond the Pilot Tourism grant. We will continue to actively seek additional grant funding that will help support the tourism projects identified in the Fort Benton City Growth Policy. We have also recently applied for membership to the Montana Main Street Program.
Click here to view our PROJECT PORTAL and SIGN UP for project communication and committees.
Our 2025 Sub-Grant Applications have closed. Stay tuned for new sub-grant opportunities coming this fall.
Destination Fort Benton Meeting Schedule
The DFB Steering Committee meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Grand Union Hotel.
May 5, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
May 27, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
June 9, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
June 23, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
July 14, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
July 28, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
August 11, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
September 8, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
October 13, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
October 27, 2025 6 pm at Grand Union, in conjunction with our first annual “State of the Summer” event”
November 10, 2025 AGENDA | MINUTES
Next Meeting: December 8, 2025, 7 pm at Grand Union AGENDA
January 12, 2026, 7 pm at the Grand Union
February 9, 2026, 7 pm at the Grand Union
March 9, 2026, 7 pm at the Grand Union
April 13, 2026, 7 pm at the Grand Union
Destination Development Tourism Assessment (May 12, 2025)
View the Slides
Roger Brooks shares 80 ideas to improve tourism in Fort Benton!
Watch the Full Presentation
This 2.5 hour presentation is worth the watch!
Steering Committee Members
DFB was set up to represent a broad variety of organizations and businesses within our community who have an invested interested in tourism activities. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact us using the form below.
Shannon Walden—President
Ani Gonzalez—Co-Vice President (representing GFWC Fort Benton’s Women’s Club)
Karyn Giles—Co-Vice President (representing River and Plains Society, Women’s Club, Lions Club)
Colette Longin—Secretary/Treasurer (representing hospitality business)
Jenice Fugere—Grant Accounting (representing recreation business, Chouteau County Performing Arts, Fort Benton Trails)
Joellyn Clark—Grant Administration (representing Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce, Fort Benton Schools)
Lanny Walker—City Mayor
Corey Embleton—City Council
Jayna Romine—representing Fort Benton Community Improvement Association, Fort Benton Summer Celebration
Raymond Gonzalez—representing Lions Club, Signal Point Golf Club, Chamber of Commerce, Fort Benton Recycles
Thomas Valencia—BLM
JC Lindeman—Chouteau County Fairgrounds Manager
Jessica Salazar—Chouteau County Fine Arts Council
Laurie Rettig—Fort Benton Trails Committee
Nicolle Fugere—representing Dedman Foundation, recreation business
Contact Us
this grant is provided by montana department of commerce pilot community tourism grant program