Lodging Figures Up In Region
Gross lodging tax revenue continues to steadily increase for Missouri River Country locations, according to figures from the State of Montana.
The region of Missouri River Country includes the counties of Daniels, Garfield, McCone, Roosevelt, Richland, Phillips, Sheridan and Valley.
Carla Hunsley, executive director for Missouri River Country, said the lodging figures were up by 5 percent in 2023 and so far up 3 percent for 2024. Fourth quarter figures have yet to be released.
“Hopefully, we can stay on this track,” Hunsley said.
She explained the organization has been conducting additional marketing campaigns. The state is also making an effort to help eastern Montana tourism.
Hunsley said strong areas for lodging have included Valley County, Richland County and Sheridan County.
“Roosevelt is holding its own,” Hunsley said. “McCone and Garfield are doing OK.”
She shared that it was recently announced that Jordan was a recipient of a pilot community grant. The five-year grant should benefit the community.
The tax revenue, which is 4 percent of lodging price, was $201,114 for the third quarter for Missouri River County. The third quarter runs from July 1 through Sept. 30. The figure was a 3 percent increase over the same quarter of 2023. Past third quarter figures included $140,918 in 2020, $174,147 in 2021, $181,767 in 2022 and $195,237 in 2023.
Tax revenue for the second quarter, April 1-June 30, was $164,629 in 2024, which was just above the 2023 figure of $163,911. Other year totals included $159,681 in 2022, $146,394 in 2021 and $85,638 in 2000.
The figure for the first quarter, Jan. 1 through March 31, in 2024 was $100,398, which was 8 percent higher than the 2023 total of $95,765. Other first quarter numbers were $90,992 in 2022, $77,945 in 2021 and $76,509 in 2020.
For the entire state of Montana, there was a 3 percent increase during the third quarter to $26,009,688 and a 6 percent increase in the second quarter to $15,946,174.
