Western Legacy Center Shooting For Memorial Day Soft Opening

The Western Legacy Center (WLC) announced its plan to create a viable, vibrant tourism-based enterprise to generate economic and cultural value for Jefferson County. The Western Legacy Center will celebrate Montana's cowboy, cowgirl and rodeo culture and feature other historical themes including railroad, mining, mountain men, and Native American culture. The Center is expected to be in operation by May 2022 in time for the busy tourist season.

"The WLC will offer a one-of-a-kind visitor experience," said Jefferson County Commissioner Leonard Wortman. "Located in the very heart of Montana, it's the perfect time and place for an exciting, inclusive visitor experience that will showcase the dynamic appeal of the Treasure State."

As a historical and cultural visitor center, the WLC will house local and statewide entrepreneurs who sell unique Made in Montana products onsite, coupled with an e-commerce component to drive year-round sales and increase visitation. Many vendors are already positioned to take advantage of this unique business incubation opportunity. A win-win for everyone - an enhanced visitor experience to accelerate local business growth, job creation, and overall economic development, especially for those most impacted by the pandemic.

"This will be huge for me and the entire community," says Pamela Polachi, a Jefferson County-based small business owner who will run the retail portion of the Center.

An exciting development is the partnership between the WLC and the Montana Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame (MPRHWF). Designed to amplify a key aspect of the Center's mission, this serves as a model for other key relationships soon to be announced. The MPRHWF should NOT be confused with the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, which has a sordid past in Big Timber and Great Falls. The two entities are completely separate.

Leveraging the support of MPRHWF and other partners and sponsors, the WLC will have unique hands-on displays and exhibitors employing state-of-the-art technology that appeals to all ages.

"There's literally nothing else quite like the Western Legacy Center," enthused the Center's Executive Director Jay Linderman, who is well known with the MPRHWF. "It's a first for Montana, and we're proud to be a part of it."

Fundraising efforts for the Center have officially begun.

"The goal amount of funds for the Western Legacy Center is $2M in a grant and $1.5M in fund raising," said Tom Harrington of Jefferson Local Development Corporation, who is spearheading the project with the county.