Tasks Completed July 1999-June 2000

Administration & Communication:

• The Bicentennial Commission office was open and staffed all year; at year-end the office moved next door to gain additional space for new Administrative Assistant
• Rita Cortright was hired in late May as a full time Administrative Assistant/Program Specialist for the Commission
• The Commission's logo was registered in Montana as a trademark in 12 product categories, and with the Federal Trademark Office in one category
• Two "Journal Notes" newsletters were published (October & March; the next newsletter will be published in July, 2000)
• The Commission launched its new intranet web site in late summer
• Two new Commission members were appointed by Governor Racicot (Homer Staves and Marilyn Ryan)
• The first statewide Lewis & Clark Conference was held in late September in Lewistown
• Commission meetings were held in September (Lewistown), in January (Helena), and in June (Fort Benton)
• Partnered with the National Park Service to facilitate the delivery of Challenge Cost Share grant funds to 5 Montana groups currently developing Lewis & Clark-related projects

Financial:

• A $15,000 Challenge Cost Share Grant was secured from the National Park Service for the development of Montana's Bicentennial Master Plan
• Participated in the "Future of the Past Task Force" which met during the year to explore options for securing permanent funding to preserve and restore Montana's historical and cultural heritage
• Funding of $400,000 for the next biennium (FY'2002-FY'2003) was committed by Travel Montana
• Worked to identify and secure additional funding, including:
• A proposed Coal Tax Loan Initiative for historical & cultural purposes
• The inclusion of $100,000 in the Governor's budget for the 2001 Legislative session to be accessed as a match for potential increased federal funding
• Plans to introduce legislation in 2001 to create a special Lewis & Clark license plate
• Working to secure enhanced federal funding with Montana's Congressional Delegation, and through the National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Council and House and Senate Lewis & Clark Caucuses.
• Developed and implemented a new $200,000 Lewis & Clark grants program in partnership with US WEST and the Montana Department of Transportation
• Through the development of the new Bicentennial Master Plan, an overall fund-raising strategy will be identified, including the option of creating product licensing and sponsorship programs

Planning:

• The Regional Bicentennial network grew to 15 county or multi-county groups throughout Montana
• The Commission has coordinated and, as necessary, facilitated the formation and early planning efforts of the Regional Bicentennial Network
• Traveled to Idaho to meet with the Idaho Bicentennial Committee, and have strengthened communications with the new trail state coordinators in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and North Dakota
• Cooperatively sponsored six community planning workshops with Travel Montana
• Attended the first-annual Trail States Coordinating Meeting in Portland, OR in November, and attended the 5th Annual National Lewis & Clark Planning Workshop in Kansas City in April
• Contracted with The Hingston Roach Group to develop Montana's Bicentennial Master Plan
• Worked closely with Travel Montana and the newly formed Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance (MTTA) to initiate more Indian planning efforts in the state

Education & Research:

• The Education Committee of the Commission met six times this past year. Three key projects were identified following an extensive planning process:
• The Commission should continue and enhance its efforts to function as a clearinghouse of L&C-related information (primarily via intranet site)
• Plan for a L&C symposium for 2001 or 2002
• Develop a "L&C 101" training program primarily for front-line employees
• Provided input and comment to the Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research as they conducted both a national interest and awareness/visitation survey and an in-state study. These were initial efforts to build a "Lewis & Clark visitor profile", and visitor estimation numbers
• Provided input and comment on a trail-wide interest and awareness survey funded by numerous trail states
• Facilitated three Lewis & Clark-oriented sessions at the annual Governor's Conference on Tourism & Recreation

Other:

• Facilitated and coordinated on-going planning efforts of the MTRI interagency Bicentennial Focus Team which met quarterly this past year
• Partnered with the MTRI Bicentennial Focus Team to finalize the new statewide Lewis & Clark Interpretive Sign Strategy
• Spoke to numerous groups and agencies regarding statewide, regional and national Bicentennial planning efforts