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Civic Center a community treasure

December 20, 2009 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

Who knows what lies ahead, but the recent trend for the Civic Center — a vital component of economic development — is encouraging. Shows increasingly draw people from throughout southwest Montana, and big shows mean full hotels and restaurants. Nearly 30 percent of ticket sales are made online, and staff members continue to cultivate that broader audience.

Last fiscal year was a good one for the Butte Civic Center. The goal was to have scheduled events 120 days out of the year; the actual was 140 days of use. The goal was to bring in $130,000 in concessions and $105,000 in rent for total revenue of $235,000. Reality surpassed on both counts, with concession sales coming in at $159,908 and rent, $114,055, for a grand total of nearly $274,000.

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2009/12/20/opinion/hjjaihiahhjhhg.txt

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