Montana Visitor Information Centers

S Montana visitor 725.9 information

ClSmvlc centers 1990

Vol.2

STATF DOCUMENTS _COLLECTION

marl: ₁₉₉₁

MONTANA _{STATE LIBRARY} 1515

E. 6th AVE.

HELENA, MONTANA 59620

Montana Visitor

Information Centers

Technical Appendices

Montana Department of Commerce

MARIS 1998 MONTANA STATE _LIBRARY

S725.9CI emvic1990c.1v.2 Montanavisitorinformation centers/

3 0864

00071661

6

Technical Appendices

A. HB 550

B. Estimate of Potential Economic Impact C. Operating Plan

D. Entrance and Site Selection Process

E. Community Involvement

F. VIC Construction Cost Breakdowns

G. Non-Resident Visitor Comments

H. Letters of Support from Agency Partners

Appendix A

House

^Bill

550

HOUSE BILL NO. 550

INTRODUCED BY VINCENT, HARP, YELLOWTAIL, HALLIGAN, PETERSON, PATTERSON, BISHOP,

NOBLE, WILLIAMS

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF

COMMERCE, ACTING AS LEAD AGENCY IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHERS, TO PRESENT TO THE 52ND LEGISLATURE A PLAN FOR TOURIST WELCOMING AND INFORMATION CENTERS IN MONTANA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

WHEREAS,

^travel

and tourism are among Montana's leading

industries

and

are steadily

and rapidly increasing

in

importance

in the

Montana economy; and

WHEREAS, the competition among

states

and provinces

to attract travelers

and vacationers

to scenic, recreational,

and

historic locations

adds new dimensions

to the efforts

of each

state

and province

to

increase

its

share of

the profits

derived from

this industry;

and

WHEREAS,

^travel

and tourism

detract

nothing from

the attributes

of Montana and the impact on the environment

is

negligible or subject

to

amelioration; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature intended

that

the proceeds of the lodging

facility

use

tax

enacted

in

1987 be dedicated

to the

promotion of Montana's

travel

and tourism

industries;

and

WHEREAS, the Department of Commerce

is

charged with

the responsibility

of administering

the

uses of the proceeds of the lodging

facility

use

tax;

and

WHEREAS,

the

Legislature

finds that

informing

visitorsto

Montana of

the

many points of scenic

interest, historical sites,

and

recreational

opportunities awaiting them under the Big Sky

promises

benefits

not only

for

the

travel

and tourism industry but

also for all

Montanans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section L Department of commerce

to

present plan

for

welcoming and information

centers.

(1)

The department of commerce

shall

develop and present

to

the 52nd

legislature

on or before

the

second

legislative

day a plan

for

a system of

up-to-date,

technologically complete, and

architecturally

appropriate

visitor

welcoming and information

centers to

be located

in

Montana. The Department

shall act as

the lead agency

in

preparing

the plan, in

cooperation with

the

university system

travel

research program, the Department of Highways,

the

Department of

Fish, Wildlife,

and Parks, The Montana

State

University School of Architecture, and other appropriate agencies.

(2)

The plan

for

welcoming and information

centers

must

include:

(a)

designation of

the

most

beneficial

and

cost-effective sites;

(b)

a determination of the land needed

for

the

centers

and

the

estimated

cost

of acquiring

the

land;

(c) architectural

and

artistic

designs

for the centers that are consistent

with

the state

of

the art

and

that

provide

for all

services necessary

to

achieve

the

purposes of

[this act];

(d) qualifications for

persoimel

to staffthe centers;

(e)

suggestions

for

periods during each year when

full

or

partial staffing

and operation of

the centers is

needed; and

(f)

a formal, documented proposal

for

funding the design, construction, maintenance, and

operation of the

centers.

Section

2.

Funding.

(1)

Funding

to

implement (This Act] must be provided from

existing

appropriations

as

follows:

(a)

two-thirds by the university system from the

special

revenue fund

in

15-65- 12

1(1)(B);

and

(b)

one-third by the Department of Highways from

the special

revenue fund.

(2)

Total planning

costs

may not exceed $49,000.

Section

3.

Effective

date.

[This Act]

is effective

on passage and approval.

-End-

Appendix B

Estimates of Potential Economic Impacts

The

followingdiscussionis

meant

toillustratethe potential economicbenefitstobe gainedfromtheconstructionand operationof VisitorInformationCentersatanumtjerof Montanaentrances.

Based

oninformationgatheredby ColoradoState Universityforthe ColoradoTourism Board(Tierneyand Haas, 1988)

and

bythe Virginia Division ofTourism(1987), estimates of additional visitor expendituresattributable to VisitorInformationCenters

may

be made.

Forthisexample,

we

will

assume

thattheVisitor InformationCenterswould remain

open

fortheseasons suggestedintheproposal.

We

^will usetraffic informationfor thesevenproposedentrances. Theprocessusedtocalculate additionalbenefitsisexplainedbelowfollowed bytheactual calculations. Letters arid

numbers

in the text refertospecific stepsinthe calculations that follow.

The

first step istotakethe

number

ofgroupsentering the state (A)and estimate the

number

thatwill actuallystop at theVisitor InformationCenter.

The

state of Michigan hasfound aturn-inpercentageof 10%.

Rgures

fromColoradoindicatea turn-in ofapproximately7%.

These

figures reflectthe percentage ofall traffic (residentand non-resident) turning intothe VisitorInformationCenter. Otherstateshave indicated turn-in percentagesof

15%

fortheir Visitor InformationCenters.

InitsEnvironmental

Assessment

fortheProposed Northern Continental DivideVisitor Center(1988), Glacier National Parkestimatedthat

15%

ofpassingtrafficwould stopat the VisitorCenter, while

19%

oftraffic crossingthe Continental DivideatCrowsnestPassⁱⁿ

Canada

stopat the Frank Slide InterpretiveCenter. Again, that isthe percentage ofall traffic passing that point.

As we

areinterested primarilyⁱⁿnon-residents,

who

are

more

likely toturn intoaVisitorInformation Centerthan are residentgroups,

we

^will

assume

a^turn-inpercentage^of

15%

(B.I).

The

next stepistoestimatethe

number

ofthese^turn-in groups

who

willactuallybeinfluencedtoextendtheirlength of stayin

Montana

as aresultofinformation receivedat theVIC.

Colorado found thatabout

13%

ofturn-insextendedtheirstay

inthe stateas aresult ofinformationobtainedat theVIC, while Virginia reportedthat

11%

stayedtonger. Accordingly,

we

^will

assume

that

12%

ofturn-inswillincreasetheirlengthofstay (B.2).

I^xt

we

needtoestimate

how much

longer thesegroups stayed. Virginiareportedanincreased lengthofstayof1.5 nights,whileColoradoreported2.2days,whichisprobably aboutequivalentto1.5nights. Therefore

we

will

assume

that of thoseturn-ingroupsthat stay longer, theaverageinaeased length of stayis 1.5 nights (B.3).

The

final stepisto multiplythe additionalnightsspentby

theaverage groupexpenditure per^night.

The ITRR

foundin its1988 studyofnon-resident travelin

Montana

that the average groupexpenditureforeachnightspentin

Montana was

$63.13 for

summer

^visitors

and

$67.34 for spring/fall visitors. Inflatingthose 1988dollars to 1990 dollars resultsin thefollowing: $68.93 for

summer

^visitors

and

$73.53 for spring/fall visitors (B.4).

The

abovecalculationswillyieldanestimateof additional visitorexpendituresattributableto increased length ofstay in the state. However, theCotorado study also found^thatgroups

whk^

stopata VIC and donot stayadditional nightsinthe state^stillspend

more money

thangroups which don1stopata VIC.

The

averagedailyexpenditureoverallforVICusers

was 24%

higherthanfornon-users; since

much

ofthatincrease

was

foundto beinthecategoriesofentertainmentandrecreation,

itis probably conservativeto attribute half ofthe

24%

inaeaseⁱⁿoverallspendingtoinformation obtainedat theVIC.

Therefore,additionaleconomicbenefit

may

becalculated forthosegroups stoppingata VIC but not increasingtheir length of stay.

Those

figureswould bederivedinthe following manner.

Ofthegroups whichturnⁱⁿtoa VIC,

we

estimatedttiat 1

2%

woukjstayanadditional1.5nights. Based onthe

discussion above,

we

canexpecttheremaining

88%

tospendan averageof

24% more

money,half ofwhich (12%)

we

^will

attribute to their

VIC

stop (C.I).

Sincetheaveragedailyexpenditurefornon-resident visitorsinthe

summer

^isestimatedtobe$68.93,

we

canexpect an increaseofapproximately$8.27perdayattributableto stoppingata VICfor

summer

visitors(C.2). Likewise, spring/fallvisitorsare estimated tospend

an

average of

$73.53per day,therefore v»«can expect anincreaseof approximately$8.82 perdayattributable to stopping ata VIC

for spring/fall visitors.

The

averagetrip length for highway travelers isapproximately4 nights, therefore

we

^willmultiply theper-day inaease byfourdays(C.3).

These

calculations yieldanestimateof additionalvisitor expendituresattributable to information received ata Visitor InformationCenterforgroupsnotspendingadditional nightsin

thestate. Adding the

above

twosub-totalstogether

(increased expenditijresattributed to increased length ^ofstay plusinaeasedexpenditijresby groupsnotspendingadditional nightsinthe state) yieldsthe total additional visitor

expendituresthatcouldbe expectedtooccur as aresult of operatinga system of VisitorInformationCentersin ttie State.

The

reasonforcalculatingthe additionalexpenditures separatelyfor

summer-season and

off-seasonvisitorsis two-fold. First, averagedaily expenditures are different for

summer

visitors

and

off-seasonvisitors. Second,thetypeof traveler^isdifferentinthe off-season

compared

to the

summer.

Summer

travelersare generally vacationers^with

more

^flexible

travelitineraries,while off-seasonvisitorsare

more

likelytobe txjsiness travelers, pass-tfirougfi travelers, orpeoplevisiting relatives. Tfieseoff-seasonvisitorsarelesslikelytobe influenced tostay tongerorto alterttieirtravel plans ttian

summer

visitors.

Because

off-seasonvisitorsarelesslikelyto beinfluencedby

VIC

information

and

ttiusarelesslikelyto alter tfieirtravelplans, theiradditbnal expenditures,

and

the subsequenteconomk;impact

due

to theVICs,willbe

significantlylessthan their

summer

counterparts. Exactly

how much

lessisnotknown,buttobeconservative

we

^will

assume

thatthe

economic

impact

due

to VICsof

an

off-seasonvisitoris

20%

tliatofa

summer

visitor.

Thus when

calculatbns are

made

foroff-seasonvisitors, only

20%

of that resulting total will be used(DandE).

(A)

Determining non-resident

entries into

Montana

Non-residententries (ingroups) into thestateduring the proposedseasonsofoperationatsevenVICentrances, 1990/1989, (calculated from Departmentof

Highways

traffic figures

and

InstituteforTourism

and

Recreation Research non-resident proportions).

Summer

(May-Sepi)

Off-Season

1-90 West 331,079 165,618

1-15

f^h

96,856 59,127

1-94 113,522 17.906

1-90East 137,829 81,427

1-15South 104.339 21,435

West Yellowstone 361,078 34.629

Highway2East 41,328 6,751

Total entries 1,186,031 386,893

(B)

Determining additbnal

visitor

nights and associated expenditures

lor

summer

visitors

1) 1,186,031 groupsx 0.15

(%

^oftraffic turning intoVIC)= 177,904 turn-ins

2) 177,904X0.12

(%

^of tum-insextending stay) = 21,348

visitorgroupsextending stay

3) 21,348X 1.5 (additional nightsof stay)= 32,022 additional nights

4) 32,022 (additional nights) x$68.93 (averagedaily expenditure) = $2,207,276

$2,207,276 =additional directexpenditures resulting from increased lengthofstayfor

summer

visitors

(C)

Determining additional

daily

expenditures

for

groups not extending stay (summer)

1) 177,904tum-ins x0.88

(%

of turn-insnotextendingstay)

= 156,555visitorgroups

2) 156,555X$8.27 (averageadditionalspending per day)=

$1,294,709

3)$1,294,709X

4

days (average lengthof stay) =

$5,178,836

$5,178,836 =additional directexpenditures resulting from information receivedat VisitorInformationCenters for

summer

visitors

(D) Similar calculatbns

for

off-season

visitors resultin $153,620 inadditional directexpenditures resulting from increased lengthofstay (usingan averagedaily

expenditure of$68.93

and

then taking only

20%

of thattotal)

(E)

Similar calculations

for

off-season

visitorsresult in$360,349 inadditional directexpenditures resultingfrom information receivedat Visitor Information Centersfor those notextendingtheir visit(usingan averageadditional

expenditure per

day

of$8.82

and

thentaking only

20%

^{of that}

total)

Total ofB,C,

D and E

= $7,900,000inadditionaldirect expenditures resultingfrom operationofa systemof Visitor Information Centers

Applyingamultiplierof 2.2,which

was

arrived atbythe Institute forTourism

and

RecreationResearch initsstudyof theeconomicimpactofnon-residenttravel, resultsinan estimate ofthetotal

-

direct, indirect

and

induced

~

_economic impactexpectedtoaccrue to thestateasa result ofoperating a systemof Visitor Infonnation Centers.

$7,900,000X 2.2= $17,380,000In Tota/

economic

Impact

Tiemey.Patrickand Glenn Haas.1988.Colorado

WelcomeCentefs: TheirusefsandInfluenceon LengthofStayand Expenditures OepLofRecreationResourcesand Landscape Architecture,ColoradoStateUniversity.59 pp

Virginia Division ofTourism andU.S. Travel

DataCenter.1967. TravelInVirginia:AnEconomic Report 16_pp:

Appendix C

Operating Plan

Executive Summary

This

document

servesastheOperating Planforthe

Montana

VisitorInfomationCenter(VIC) system.

The

VIC systemwould beadministeredbytheTravel

Montana

office.

The

VICs wouldsen/etwo primary functions

-

dissemination of travel information and interpretation of state resources. VICs would bestaffedduringallopenhours,and

staffwould be a primarysourceofinformationtotravelers.

Informationwould beavailableinother formsaswell,such as brochures,maps,andvideo.

A

telecommunicationsnetwork wouldlinkeach VICwithttieTravelMontanaOfficeinHelena.

Interpretivedisplayswould be designedtobeboth educational and inform visitorsaboutrecreational opportunitiesand attractions.

The

keytoasuccessfulVICoperationisafriendly,helpful and informed staff. Paidstaffwould bethe rule at theVICs, alttioughvolunteers coukibeusedtosupplementduringpeak perkjds. Supervisorystaffwould be expectedto have

some

professional background,

and

all staffwoukjpartk:ipate in training.

The

suggestedseasonsofoperationvary fromone VICto the next,but generallyttieseason would beAprilthrough October,orfor

some

tocations,year-round. Annualoperating budgets likewise vary, ranging from $32,000 to $208,000 per VIC.

The

totalannual operatingbudgetfortheVIC systemis estimated at $778,000.

Administration and Training

A

statewide system of Visitor Information Centerswould beadministeredbytheTravel

Montana

office inthe

Departmentof

Commerce.

Travel

Montana

wouldprovidethe state travelinformation to bedistributed at the VICs, and woukJ

make

final

dedsbns

concerningwhatothermaterials would be distributed at theCenters.

Travel

Montana

wouldalsoprovideoverall trainingforVIC

staff. Training sessionssuch asthose heldfortheSuperHost program would beheld forall VICstaff. InorderthatVIC

staffare familiarwith routes, attractions

and

destinations aboutwhichthey^willbe asked byvisitors,

FAM

(familiarization) tourswould be organizedfor VICstaffas part ofthe training.

Information and

Interpretation

Themes, Displays

and Services

As

discussedintheproposal,operationoftheVIC system woukJ serve two primary, interrelated functions

-

the provision of travelinformation

and

services, andinterpretation ofthe natural, culturalandhistorical resourcesoftheregion andthe state. Interpretationwould beprovided through displaysandexhibits,similar tothosefoundinNationalPark Servicevisitorcenters.

To

orient visitorsto the state, alarge, three-dimenswnal

map

ofMontana wouldbe placedⁱⁿeachVIC.

Stateinterpretive materialsandexhibitswould be devetoped bytheappropriatestateagencies(Fish, Wildlifeand Pari<s, State Historical Society), with the cooperation of Federal agencies(ForestService, NationalParkService, BureauofLand

Management,

FishandWildlifeService).

Regk^nalinterpretivematerialsandexhibitswould be developed bythelocaland regbnalorganizations, with theassistanceof thestateagencies.

Informationwould beprovidedtotravelersina

number

of ways. Personaltravelinformationwould beprovidedbythe staffofthe VIC. Forthisreason, staffwould be familiarwith travel routes, attractions anddestinationsthroughout the state. Written literature on specific routes, attractions, destinations,reaeationalopportunitiesand

accommodations wouW

beavailable free ofcharge. Videoclipsproduced bythe stateand byindivkjualtourism countrieswould beavailablefor viewingintheVIC. Interpretivedisplaysandexhibitswould be producedinsuch a

way

astobe asourceofinformationon opportunities, attractions

and

destinationsthroughout the state.

Some

Centersmightincludeareservationsystem for

accommodations ^AllwoukJincludeup-to-date information about roadandweattier conditions,emergency,vehicletowing, and

medcal

informatk)n.

staffing Levels and Qualifications

Staffing levels

were

determined by examining^tfietraffic volumes expectedduringpeal(season,sfiouiderseasons,andoff season,andthe

number

ofhourstheVICs would be open each week.

When

trafficvolumesarehigh,duringthepeakseason, the

number

ofstaff

on

duty increases accordingly.

Two

^full-timesupervisorystaffers

wouU

be hired to

manage

eachVIC. Ifpossible,thesupervisorsshoukjhave a Bachelor'sdegreeintourism and/orreaeation

management

or arelatedfield. Otherstaffers

need

nothave suchdegrees, but would be trainedthroughtheSuperHost program, aswell as theVICtrainingprogramstobe conducted byTravelMontana.

All staffwould participatein at leastone

FAM

(Familiarization) tourinthe spring inorderto betteraquaintthem with

attractions

and

activitiesavailableintheirlocal

and

regional areas.

Season and Hours of Operation and Operating Cost Estimates

Operatingseasons

were

determined

based

primarilyon highwaytrafficcounts

and

acost-benefitanalysisof operating costs andestimatedlabor-incomebenefits.

The

primary objective

was

tomaintainoperations duringmonths

when

the costofoperating the centers

was

lowerthan thelaborincome generated byincreased expenditures. In

some

instances,itis

proposedthatVICs remain

open

during shoulder-seasonor off-season

months when

theestimated labor-incomebenefits arelower than the estimated operating

expenses

forthat month.

The

ratnnalebehind those instancesisthatthe operatwnoftheVICsshouldbe viewednot exclusivelyin

short-termeconomic-benefit terms,butalsoasanextensionof the state'spromotionaleffort. Remaining

open

duringshoulder seasonmonthsaltowsthe statetocontactvisitors

who

otherwisemightnotbecontacted,andthesevisitors

may

decide tolaterreturn to the stateforvacation.

The

goalwould beto extendthetourismseasoninMontana andtherebyenhance economic impact Also,even thoughoperating costsincertain off-season

months may

exceedlabor-incomebenefits,two pointsshouldbenoted: ₁₎operationoftheVICsduringthe

summer

seasonwill

more

than

make

upfortfierelativelysmall operatinglosses incunred during off-season operations;and2) labor-incomebenefitsisavery consen/ative estimatorof economicbenefits;in effect,itisequivalentofusing only

25%

of thetotal

economic

impactasthe benefit coefficientinthe cost-benefit analysis.

Interstate

90 West

Suggested

Season -

year-round

Hours

-

3

AM

to8

PM

Memorial

Day weekend

toLabor

Day

8

AM

to5

PM

duringshoulderseasons

Staffing^• 3 Peopleat

one

time

(PAOT)

inpeak season(2ⁱⁿ evenings)= 6

FTE

2

PAOT

ⁱⁿshoukJerseasons =

3i FTE

1

PAOT

inoff-season=₂

FTE

Budget

Salary

- _$2204/week

inpeakseason(15weeks) $33,060

$1320/weekinshoulderseasons(13weeks) $17,200

$792/week

inoff-season (24weeks) $19,000

Literature

and

Supplies $115,740

Training

$

3,000

Building

and Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $20,000

Total $208,000

^JtJTj*'-'*>"'-••'[-

Interstate15 North

Suggested

Season -

^Aprilthrough

December

Hours

-

₈

AM

to8

PM

Memorial

Day weekend

toLabor

Day

8

AM

to5

PM

during shoulderseasons

Staffing^- 2

PAOT

inpeak season^{(1 inevenings)}-3.5to

4 FTE

1

PAOT

inshoukjerseasons =1.5 to2

FTE

Budget

Salary^--

$1500/week

inpeak season(15weeks)

$22,500

$792/weekⁱⁿshoulderseasons(25weeks) $19,800

Literature

and

Supplies $31,700

Training $2,000

Buildingand

Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $13,000

Total $89,000

Interstate

94

Suggested

Season

^{-- April} throughOctober

Hours

-

₈

AM

to8

PM

Memorial

Day weekend

toLabor

Day

8

AM

to5

PM

during shoulderseasons

Staffing^- 2

PAOT

inpeak season (1 inevenings) = 3.5to4 FTE; 1

PAOT

ⁱⁿshoulderseasons =1.5 to2

FTE

Budget

Salary^--

$l500/week

inpeak season(15weeks)

$22,500

$792/weekⁱⁿshoulderseasons(17weeks)

$13,500

Literature

and

Supplies $40,000

Training

$2,000

Buildingand

Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $11,000

Total $89,000

^y ^/

Interstate

90

East

Suggested

Season -

year-round

Hours

-

8

AM

to8

PM

Memorial

Day weekend

toLabor

Day

8

AM

to5

PM

^duringshoulderseasons

Staffing^- 2

PAOT

inpeak season(1 inevenings) ^3.5to4 FTE; 1

PAOTinshoukJerseasons

=

1Jto2FTE

Budget

Salary^--

$1500/week

inpeak season(15weeks) $22,500

$792/weekinshoulderseasons(7weeks) $ 5,600

$396/week

inoff-season (30 weeks) $11,900

Literature

and

Supplies $ 67,000

Training $ 2,000

Buildingand

Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $25,000

Total $134,000

Interstate15Soutti

Suggested

Season ~

_Aprilthrough Octot)er

Hours

~

8

AM

to

6 PM

Staffing^- 2

PAOT

inJuly

and

August =3.5 to4

FTE

1

PAOT

remainderof

summer

⁼2

FTE Budget

Salary

- $l500/week

in

peak

season(9weeks) $13,500

$792/weekinshoulderseasons(23weeks) $18,300

Literature

and

Supplies $32,200

Training $ 2,000

Building

and Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $1 ,000

Total

$76,000

Highway

191/287

Suggested

Season -

year-round

Hours^--8

AM

^to8

PM May

15toSeptemtjer30

8

AM

to5

PM

Mon.-Fri.from Oct.1 toNov.30

and

April1 to

May

15

Winterhours (Dec. 1 to

March

31^): 8

AM

to5

PM Monday

^-

Friday; 9

AM

to4

PM

Sat.and Sun.

Staffing^- 3

PAOT

inpeai<season(2ⁱⁿevenings)»6

FTE

(Stateonlypays2); ¹

PAOT

remainderofyear= 1 to 1.5

FTE

Budget

Salary^--$792/weel( inpeak season (20weeks) _$15,900

$160/weekinoff-season (32weeks) $5,200

Literature

and

Supplies

$59,900

Training $ 2,000

Buildingand

Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities $42,000

Total $125,000

Highway 2

East

Suggested

Season

^--April through Octotier

Hours

-

₈

AM

to5

PM

Staffing ^- 1

FTE

^for

32 weeks

Budget

Salary

~ _$396/week

_{(32 weeks)}

Literature

and

Supplies Training

Buildingand

Grounds

Maintenance/Utilities

Total

$12,700

$16,300

$ 500

$2,500

$32,000

'*"y± ^''.•v

3

^{*2S;^}

^

^{\^}

1^1

C7 ^IT"

Appendix D

Entrance and Site Selection Process

Entrance Location

Criteria

Inordertoassessthe

many

potentialVIClocations objectively,the technical steeringcommittee developedthe following aiteriato rate VIC locations.

These

ratingswere based oninformationcollectedthroughcommunitycontacts, mail surveysandexisting data:theywere used tonarrowthe

number

oflocationstobeconsidered. Finalselectionswere based on on-siteinspectionsby apaneloftechnical steeringcommittee members.

(1) Non-residenttrafficvolume

-

totalannual

number

of non-residentgroupsenteringttiroughaparticularpoint Since onegoalofa VIC^istocontactthegreatest

number

of out-of-statevisitorsas possible, itis desirableto locate VIC's inlocations

where

non-residenttrafficvolumeishighest.

Non-residenttrafficvolumefigures used ⁱⁿ thisprocess

were

determinedusingthebestavailable knowledgeat the time, which included 1988/89 traffic figuresfrom the Department of

Highways

and 1988 non-resident traffic proportions collectedbytheInstitute forTourismand RecreationResearch.

Rating Scale: greater than200,000 groupsperyear =

4

160,000to 200,000 groups = 3

140,000 to 159,000groups = 2 100,000 to 139,000groups = 1

lessthan 100,000groups =

(2) Proximityto state

boundary -

Willtt)e VICintercept travelersbeforetheybeginto disperseacross thestate?

Providing informationto visitors as soon aspossibleafterthey crosstheborderinto

Montana

isadvantageous,therefore locatingtheVIC'snearthe statelineisdesired.

Rating Scale: if noprimary turn-offs betweenstate line

and

thatparticular town = 3

If a turn-off exists:

1 to 16milesfromstateline= 3 17to35miles=2

35to65miles= 1

more

than65miles=

(3)

Commitment

to volunteerstaffing

-

isthere

enough

interestfromcommunities and/or otheragencies tostaffthe centerifvolunteers are

needed

foroperation?

One method

otherstateshave usedtokeepoperating costsofVIC's k)wis to staffthemwithvolunteers,oftenseniorcitizens.

An

attempt

was made

toassessthe potentialfortowns

and

agenciesto provide volunteersto staffthe center.

Rating Scale: Probable

commitment

= 2 Possible

commitment

= 1

isk)commitment =

(4) Potentialfor jointfunding

-

_{are there} local, state, or federalagencieswilling toshare thecost of constnjcting arxPor operatingthecenter?

Some

communities

may

havethe potentialtosharethecostsofaVIC;also,

some

locations

may

beofinterestto state or federalland

managing

agenciesin

temisofsharinga ^{VisitorCenter.}

Rating Scale: jointfundingproposalisavailable= 3

jointfunding proposalisprobable = 2 jointfundingproposalispossible = 1

nojointfundingproposalisavailable =

(5) Willlandand/or

an

existing structure (that

meet

the necessaryspecifications)be

made

available for thecenter

by

the

community

or

by

anotherlocal, state, orfederal

agency?

At

some

kxationsland

owned

bythecommunityorbyanagency

may

beavailable atno cost

Rating Scale: landor existing structureisavailable= 3 landor structurewoukjprobablybe

made

available= 2 landor structuremight possiblybe

made

available=1

landorstmcturewouldprobably notbe

made

available =

(6)

Does

the

amount

ofwinternon-residenttrafficjustify keepingthecenter

open

year-round? ^Itwould bedesirableto

beabletokeepthecenteropenyear-roundifthe

amount

of traffic were heavy

enough

to justify^it. (Ratings arebased on

traffic for the winterquarter, January through March.)

Rating Scale: greaterthan 15,000 groupsinwinter =₂

8000

^to 15,000groups = 1

lessthan

8000

groups =

(7) Isthere

an

existingorplanned highwayrestareaat

an

appropriate location? Ifarestareaisalreadyinplaceoris

planned foraparticular location,theVICcould possiblybebuilt inconjunction with that^facility.

Rating Scale: existing restarea = 1

plannedornorestarea=

(8)

Community

interest

-

willthe

community

supporta VIC? ForaVisitor InformationCentertobesuccessful, the communityinwhichitislocatedmust besupportiveofthe facility. Since thiscriterion isdifficultto objectively

and

accuratelymeasure,ratingswillsimplybeplus, t)lankorminus.

Rating Scale: interestperceivedtobevery high = + interestperceivedtobehigh=blank

interestperceivedto be moderatelyhigh= ^-

Site

Location

Criteria

Once

theentrancetothe state

was

identified, the following specificcriteria

were

usedto locatea potential tract ofland for the center.

1) availat}ilityofland-islandavailableinasuitablelocation?

wouldthelandneedtobe purchased?

2) sizeofsite^-isthesitelarge

enough

tohold thebuilding, parking,

and

other functions?

3) sitetopography^-does thesite lenditselftoconstmction of acenter,withparking

and

picnicarea?

4)availatiilityofutilities

how

easilycanwater,

sewage and

electricity be provided?

5)easeof

highway

access^-isthesiteadjacenttoornearthe highway?

6)easeofaccess

by

travelers willtravelersbeabletoeasily find the center?

7) safety

and

securityconsiderations wouldthesitebe secure

when

thecenterisclosed?

8)aesthetics

and

scenic views^-isthesiteanaesthetically pleasinglocation?

Entrance Evaluations

The

initialevaluationprocessinvolvedtheSteering Committeeidentifying potentialentrances,

an

initial

questionnaire senttoeach community,

and

furtherevaluationby theCommittee. Ina

number

ofcasesquestionnairesmailedto communities werenot returned;therefore,informationisnot completeforallentrances.

Haugan-

1-90

West

Haugan

isasmallcommunitylocated along1-90andtiie

SLRegisriver 16miles eastoftheIdahostateline. About

200

yards from theInterstate isanexisting U.S. Forest Sen/ice facility

known

asthe

Savenac

treenursery.

Many

ofthe buildings,althoughin

good

shape, arenolongerused byti^e

Forest Service.

A VIC

could

be

incorporated into thisfacility.

Interestinajointlyoperated

VIC

atthe

Savenac

sitehas been expressed bytheForest Service.

Visitorsentering the state atthispointare often passing thoughthestate(56%),

and

areonvacation(48%) and/or visiting family or friends(26%). About 9 percent are on businessorattendingaconvention, whileabout1 1 percentof vacatranersareheretoattendaspecialevent.

The

typical lengthofstayis 1 to2nights.

Many

^visitors

come

from Washington_(37%),

and

alsoCalifornia(8%)

and

Idaho (5%).

r

r

Criteria Status Rating

Year-round

Non-residenttraffic

volume 399,000

groups

4

Proximity to state boundary 16miles 3

Volunteers to staff center probable 2

Potential for joint funding deflnite 3

i.andor structureavailable definite 3

Winter non-residenttraffic

volume

31,000 groups

2

Existing/proposed highway restarea proposed

Community

interest

and

support

TOTAL

LTknown

17

SL

Regis^-1-90

West

SL

Regisisasmallcommunitylocatedatthejunction of 1-90 and

Highway

135 ontheSt.Regisriver34miles eastof theIdahostateline. Highway 135 windsalongtheClar1<Fork river,andisthefirstturn-offfrom 1-90 to

Rathead

Lakeand Glacier NationalPaik. (Seediscussionabout Haugan.)

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic

volume 399,000

groups

4

Proximity to state boundary

34

^miles noprimary turn-offs

3

Volunteers to staffcenter possible 1

Potential for jointfunding irknown

Landor stnjcture available too small

Winter non-resident traffic

volume

31,000 groups

2

Existing/proposed highway restarea none

Community

interestandsupport high

TOTAL 10+

Hardin^-1-90East

Hardinisa

community

ofabout

3200

people locatedabout 58miles northofthe

Wyoming

statelineand about 39miles southofBillingsalong 1-90.

The

BighornCountyHistorical

Museum

islocatedinHardin. BighornCountyiswilling todonate

fiveacresoflandnearthe

Museum

forconstructionofaV.I.C.

Staffing oftheV.I.C.coukjbe accomplishedjointlywith the Museun.

Visitorsentering the state atthispointare mostoften

on

vacation (54%), although39percent are passing through.

About 32percent are alsovisitingfamily or friends,and about 14percent areonbusiness or attendingaconvention. About15 percentofvacationers are heretofish,while20percent are heretoattendaspecialevent.

The

typicallengthofstayis

about2nights,andvisitorstendto

come

from Washington (12%).Colorado(11%), Michiganand

Wyoming (7%

each).

Criteria

Non-resident trafficvolume

Proximity to state boundary

Status Rating

165,000 3

groups

56miles 3

Volunteers to staffcenter

Potential for jointfunding

Land

or structure available

noprimary turn-offs

probable

definite

definite

Winternon-resident traffic

volume

18,000 groups

Existing/proposed highwayrestarea none

Community

interestandsupport veryhigh

TOTAL

+

16+

Sweetgrass

^•1-15North

Sweetgrassisasmallcommunitylocated immediately south ofthe Albertalineon 1-15.

A

U.S.

Customs

stationislocatedat thebordercrossing,and asmallhighwayrestareaislocated nearby. 1-15isthemajorentry pointinto

Montana

fromCanada.

Mostvisitorsentering the state atthispointare

on

vacation (58%), although

43

percent are passing through. Only about 9percent arevisitingfamily or friends,whileonlyabout3 percent are

on

businessorattendingaconvention. About15 percentofvacationersareheretoattendaspecialevent.

The

typicallength ofstayis1 to2nights,and most^visitors

come

from eitherAlberta (62%) or Ontario (6%).

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic

volume

162,000 groups 3

Proximity to state boundary adjacenttoboundary 3

Volunteers to staff center improbable

Potential for joint funding liiknoMn

Land

or stnjcture available definite 3

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 16,000 groups 2

Existing/proposedhighway rest area

restarea

present 1

Community

interestandsupport inknown

TOTAL

12

Shelby -MS

North

Shelbyisa communityofabout 3100people located

35

milessouthoftheAlbertalineat the junction of 1-15

and Highway

2. Itisthefirstrelativelylargetown encountered by peopletravelingsouth

on

^1-15fromCanada. (Seepreviouspage for profile of visitors).

Existingorproposed highway

restarea none

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

162,000 groups 3

Proximityto state boundary 35miles

2

Volunteers to staff center possible 1

Potential for joint funding possible 1

Land

^orstmcture available definite

3

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 16,000 groups 2

Existingorproposed highway

rest area

lUB

Community

interest

and

support high

TOTAL

12

Wibaux

^•1-94East

Wibaux

isasmallcommunityofabout800people located9 mileswestofthe NorthDakotalineon1-94.

Wibaux now

operatesavisitorcentereach

summer,

usingonepaidstaffer and a

number

ofseniorcitizenvolunteers.

Mostvisitorsentering thestate at thispointare passing through (62%),and 52percent are onvacation. About 28 percent arevisitingfamilyor friends, and 5percent areon businessorattendingaconvention.

The

typicallengthofstayis 1 to2nights,andvisitorstendto

come

from Minnesota(17%), California(12%),Washington (9%), NorthDakota

and

Wisconsin

(8%

^each).

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic

volume

130,000 groups 1

Proximityto state boundary 9miles

3

Volunteers to staff center probable 2

Potential forjoint funding possible 1

Landor structure available definite

3

Community

interest

and

support very high

TOTAL

+

11+

Glendlve^-1-94East

Glendiveis

a

communityofabout6000people located about

35

miles eastoftheNorth Dakotaline atthejunction of 1-94

and Highway

16. Itisthefirstlargetown encountered by peopletravelingwest

on

1-94from North Dakota. Makoshika StatePar1<islocatedabout 3milessoutheastofGlendive.

(See

Wibaux

discussion).

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

150,000 2

(l-94+Hwy 16) groups

Proximityto state boundary 35miles 2

Volunteersto staffcenter probable 2

Potential for jointfunding possible 1

Landor stoictureavailable definite 3

Winter non-residenttraffic vol. 12,500 groups 1

Existingorproposedhighway

restarea none

Community

interestandsupport very high +

TOTAL

11+

Winter non-resident traffic vol.

9000

groups

Mies

City'1-94 East

Miles Cityisa

community

otatMut

9600

people located about 105mileswestofttieNorttiDakotalineatttiejunction of 1-94and

Highway

12.

Criteria Status

Non-resident traffic

volume

150,000 groups

Rating

2

Proximity to state twundary 105miles

Volunteersto staff center prot}able 2

Potential for joint funding irknoMn

Landor structure availatile possit)le 1

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 12,500 groups 1

Existing/proposedhighway

restarea none

Community

interestandsupport

TOTAL 6

West

Yellowstone^-

Highway 287

West

Yellowstoneisasmall,tourism-orientedcommunity of atx}ut700people locatedatthewesttx}undaryof YellowstoneNational Park.

The

localChamtierof

Commerce

currentlyoperatesasmall visitorinformationcenter intown, thoughitiswidely recognizedthatalargerfacilityisneeded.

The

nearest NationalParkServicevisitorcenter is

30

^miles

intoYellowstoneParkatOldFaithful.

The

nearest U.S. Forest Servicevisitorcenterisatwut28miles awrayat

Quake

Lake.

Neitherofthese visitorcenters interpretsthe Greater YellowstoneEcosystem,andneitherprovkJes

much

infonnation onadditional recreatkjnalopportunitiesintheecosystemorin

Montana as awhole.

Much

opportunity existsin

West

Yeltowstoneforajointventurewith thetown, the

Chamtwr

of

Commerce,

theForestService

and

theParkService.

A

parcel oflandhasalreadybeen

made

availat)le foravisitorcenter,and agreatdeal ofcoordination t)etween thedifferent entities involvedhasalreadytakenplace.

Mostvisitorsenteringthe state atthispointare

on

vacation(77%)and/orvisiting family or friends(30%). Only about21 percent are passing through,and about 7percent are onbusinessorattendingaconvention. Almostone-third of vacationers are heretofish,while 15 percent are heretoattend aspecialevent.

The

typicallengthofstayis2to3nights,and mostvisitorstend to

come

fromCalifornia(23%), Utah

and Waho (9%

^each),and Washington(7%).

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

154,000 groups 2

Proximityto state boundary 3miles 3

Volunteers to staff center definite 2

Potential for jointfunding definite

3

Land

or stnjcture available definite 3

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 8,000 groups 1

Existing/proposed highway

restarea none

Community

interest

and

support very high +

TOTAL

¹⁴⁺

Gardiner^•

Highway

89

South

Gardinerisasmallcommunitylocatedjust north of the boundaryofYellowstone NattonalParkonHighway89.

Gardinerisabout 5milesnorth of

Mammoth

Hot Springsin Yeltowstone.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic volume 94,000 groups

Proximity to state boundary 3miles 3

Volunteers to staff center probable 2

Potential for joint funding possible 1

Land

or structure available probable 2

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 8,000 groups ¹

Existing/proposed highway

rest area none

Community

interest

and

support high

TOTAL

9

Dillon

-MS South

Dillonisa

community

ofabout

4000

people located

64

milesnorttiof theIdafio line

on

1-15. 1-15is ttiemajorentrypoint into

Montana

from souttiemIdatx), Utati,andttiesouttiwest U.S.

Dillonis ttielargesttownin ttieBeavertiead/Bigholeareaof souttiwest Montana,

an

areawittitremendousoutdoor

recreation potential. Opportunityexists forjointoperationofa V.I.C.inDillonwittithe U.S. Forest Service

and

Western MontanaCollege.

Mostvisitorsentering thestate atthis pointare

on

vacation (57%), although

many

visitors(48%)arepassing through. Atwut28percent arevisiting familyorfriends,

and

atjout8percent areontxjsiness orattendingaconvention.

Atjoutoneintenvacationersishereto fish,whilealjout12 percent areheretoattendaspecial

event The

typicallength ofstayis 1 night,and

most

visitors

come

from eittierCalifornia (24%),Utah (14%), IdahoorWashington

(12%

each).

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic

volume

120,000 groups

Proximityto state Ixjundary

64

miles nomajor turn-offs

Volunteers to staff center protiable

Potential for joint funding prot}at}le

Land

orstructure availat}le prot}able

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 8,500 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

restarea none

2

2

2

1

+

11+

Community

interest

and

support very high

TOTAL

Bridger-

Highway

310/72

Bridgerisasmall

community

located 21 milesnorth of the

Wyoming

line southwestof Billings.

A

largeproportionof non-resident traffic passing through Bridger consistsof

Wyoming

residentstravelingto Billings.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

86,000 groups

Volunteers to staff center uiknown

Potential for joint funding uikncwn

Land

orstnjcture availatile u1<nown

Winternon-resident traffic vol. 7,000 groups

Existing/proposed highway

restarea north oftown 1

Community

interest

and

support unknown

TOTAL

Troy

^•

Highway

2

West

Troyisa communityofatx)ut1100 peoplelocatedabout15 miles eastoftheIdaholine

on

Highway 2innorthwestMontana.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

85,000 groups

Proximityto state boundary 15 miles 3

no

primary turn-off

Volunteers to staff center possible 1

Potential for joint funding possible 1

Land

or structureavailable probable 2

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 6,300 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

restarea proposed

Community

interest

and

support

TOTAL

high

7

Proximityto state boundary 21 miles

3

no

primary turn-offs

St Mary -Highway

89 North

Babb- Highway

89 North

SL

Mary^isasmalltourism-orientedcommunitylocated19 milessouthof

Canada

onHighway89. St.Maryislocatedatone ofthetwomajorentrancestoGlacierNational Park. Travel Alt)ertahasindicated

some

interestinapossiblejointV.I.C.in St. Mary.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic volume 76,000 groups

Proximity to state twundary 19miles 3

no

primary turn-offs

Volunteers to staff center LTknoMn

Potential forjoint funding possiblyw/

Travel Alberta 1

l-andor structure available {Midtwn

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 2,300 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

rest area nCTB

Community

interest

and

support unknown

TOTAL

Babb

^isasmallcommunitylocated 10 milessouthof

Canada

onHighway89.

Babb

isjusteastoftheentrancetothe

Many

Glaciervalley ofGlacier NationalPari<.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

76,000 groups

Proximityto state boundary 10miles 3 no primary turn-offs

Volunteersto staff center irknown

Potential for joint funding unknoMn

Land

or structure available unknown

Winter non-residenttraffic vol. 2,300 groups

Existing/proposed highway

restarea none

Community

interest

and

support unknown

TOTAL

3

Lok)-

Highway

12

West

Loloisasmallcommunitylocatedabout33miles eastofthe Idaholineat the junction ofHighways12and93,and about 8 milessouthofMissoula.

A GVW Weigh

station^islocated3miles north of LoloonHighway93.

The

U.S. Forest Service maintains avisitorcenteratLolo

Pass

on

Highway

12.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident trafficvolume 44,000 groups

Proximity to state boundary 33miles 3

no

primary turn-offs

Volunteers to staff center ixiknown

Potential for jointfunding LTknoMn

Land

orstructureavailable irknown

Winternon-resident traffic vol. 4,500 groups

Existing/proposed highway

restarea none

Community

interestand support irknown

TOTAL

Falrview^-

Highway

200 East Bainville^•

Highway 2

East

Fairviewis

a community

of aix)ut1400 peoplelocated about3mileswestoftheNorthDakotalineon

Highway

200.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

45,000 groups

Proximity to state boundary

amies 3

Volunteers to staff center LTknoMn

Potential forjoint funding mknoMin

Land

or stnjcture available

liWxMn

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 4,300 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

rest area none

Community

interest

and

support iTknoMn

TOTAL 3

Bainvilleisasmallcommunitylocated8mileswestof the NorthDakotaline

on Highway

2.

Highway

2isa majorroutefor travelerscrossing northern

Montana

toGlacier Park.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-residenttraffic

volume

37,000 groups

Proximityto state boundary

SmOes 3

Volunteers to staffcenter irknown

Potential for jointfunding urikriovMi

Land

orstructure available uikncMn

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 3,200 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

restarea proposed

Community

interest

and

support irknown

TOTAL 3

Sidney^~

Highway

200 East

Sidneyisa

community

ofabout 5700people located8miles westoftheNorthDakotaline atthejunction of

Highways

200 and16.

Criteria Status Rating

Non-resident traffic

volume

12,000 groups

Proximityto state boundary 8miles

3

Volunteers to staffcenter possible 1

Potential for jointfunding unlikely

Land

orstnjctureavailable possible 1

Winter non-resident traffic vol. 1,000groups

Existing/proposed highway

restarea

lUU

Community

interest

and

support very high +

TOTAL 5+

Culbertson^•

Highway

2 East

Culbertsonisa

community

ofabout850people located23 mileswestofthe NorthDakotalineat the junction ofHighways 2 and 16 (coming

down

from Canada).

Criteria

Non-residenttraffic

volume

Proximityto state boundary

Volunteers to staffcenter

Potential forjointfunding

Land

orstnjcture available

Status Rating

37,000 groups

23miles 3

no

primary turn-offs

probable

probable

definite

Winter non-residenttraffic vol. 3,200 groups

Existing/proposedhighway

restarea none

Community

interest

and

support very high

TOTAL

2

2

3

+

10+

Appendix E

Community Involvement

A

detailed survey regardingpotential

community

involvementinthedevelopment andoperationof Visitor InformationCenters

was

senttoeachofthe sevenparticipating communities(theU.S. Forest ServiceⁱⁿthecaseofHaugan.)

A

copyof thatsurveyisincludedin thisAppendix.

Each

community'sresponsestothesurvey aresummarized asfollows.

Letters of Intent

were

collected fromeachcommunityto formalizetheirvariouscommitments;these arealso included.

Shelby: Liindwould be

made

availableunder along-term lease.

The

leasewould beⁱⁿthe

amount

of$201/year;the Shelby

Chamber

of

Commerce

would pay$200/year,leaving the statetopayonly $i/year.

The

cityand orcountywouldassist withsitepreparation,waterhookup andlandscaping. The

Chamber

of

Commerce

wouldprovideanysuppiemental volunteerstaffingas needed.

Wibaux:Land would be donatedfree ofchargetothe state.The cityand/orcountywouldassist withsite preparation, waterand sewer hookups, andlandscaping. The

Chamber

of

Commerce

woukjprovide

some

volunteerstaffingandlight

maintenancework.

West

Yellowstone:Land^willbe

made

available; detailsare notyetfinalized.

The Chamber

of

Commerce

wouldprovidelight maintenance.

Dillon:Land woukJ be

made

available; specificsitelocation isnotyetfinalized.

The

U.S. Forest Servicewouldassist with interpretive displays, visitorinformation,

and some

^staffing.

Western

Montana

Collegewouk)provide

some

studentstaffing and assist withcomputeroperations. Localcivicorganizations woukJassistwithlandscaping.

Hardin:Land would be donated^{to the}state free of charge. Big Horn countywouldassist withsitepreparation.

BigHornCountyHistorical

Museum

wouldprovide

some

supplemental volunteerstaffingasneeded.

Haugan;

The

U.S. Forest Servicewouldprovide landand buildingsunder aspecialusepermiL

They may

beableto provide

some

capitalinvestment

money

^{forbuildingrenovation}

and/orroad work.

The

Forest Servicewould providesite maintenance,andcoordinate

some

volunteerstaffingas needed.

Culbertson:

Space

^willbe

made

availableinthelobbyarea oftheir

museum.

The

Museum

willberesponsiblefor

administration,aswellas maintenance andutilities.

uMTVEmrry

"MOHTANA

1 ^*<>' _{OUllSlll dlKI} \ _\

_Science

_Complex

_{428. UniversityofMontana, Missoula. Montana}

₅₉₈₁₂

^pi:

(406)243-5406

^creation ——

Research

^|||{

November?, 1989 i

^'

Chamber of Commerce Sl Regis, MT 59866

Good Day:

As you may be aware, the 1989 Montana Legislature passed HB 550, which mandated a

feasibility

study of Visitor Information Centers for Montana. HB 550 ^requires

that a plan be submitted to the 1991 Legislature. The plan should

detail

recommended

locations, costs, operating procedures, and designs. The

Institute

for Tourism and Recreation Research,

in

conjunction with Travel Montana,

is

now

initiating this

study.

One of the primary components of the study

isto

identify the six most effective and

beneficial locations for these Visitor Information Centers. We are currentiy developing

criteria

to help guide selection of the

six

locations, and would

^like

to collect information from a number of communities concerning

their

perceptions about locational

criteria

and

local support for a Center.

Would you please take a few minutes to answer the questions on the attached page and return

it

to the

Institutein

the enclosed envelope? Thank you for your prompt attention to

this

matter.

Sincerely,

Stephen F. McCool

Director

II

NOTE: This ±1111:131 survey was sent: t:o approxlmat:ely 20

coiii]iiunlt:les which were chosen by the Steering Coiniiilt:t:ee for

further consideration.

1

,1

i

1.

What

^criteria

would you suggest

to

use

in

evaluating the various highway entrances into

Montana for

their suitability

for a Visitor Information Center?

2.

Could you please summarize what you

feel is

the level of community

interest

and support

in

a Visitor Information Center

in

or near your community? What are some

indicators of

thisinterest

and support?

3.

What

is

the population of your community? Do you

feel

your community has a large

enough population base

to staff

a Visitor Information Center? What

is

the potential for staffing such a Center with volunteers from your community?

4.

What

is

the potential

for

your community making land available for a Center? What

is

the potential for your community helping

to

jointly fund construction and/or operation of

such a Center?