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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96)">May
6, 2020<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96)">Missoula
Media<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><br></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%;color:rgb(0,32,96)">MISSOULA DOWNTOWN FOUNDATION BEGINS
DISBURSING FUNDS <span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%;color:rgb(0,32,96)">TO DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES IMPACTED
BY CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC <span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;text-align:center;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"" align="center"><b><span style="font-size:13pt;line-height:115%;color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span> </span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span style="color:rgb(0,32,96)"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Missoula Downtown Foundation (MDF) established a
Downtown Missoula Business Support Fund to assist businesses and organizations
negatively impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">As the fundraising arm of the Downtown Missoula Partnership,
the MDF has the mission to support and promote the spirit and heritage of
Missoula through cultural, historical and <u>economic enhancement of Downtown
Missoula</u>, now and for future generations. In an effort to help rebuild the
economy and vibrancy of Downtown, the MDF has been fundraising and seeking
support from individuals, businesses not impacted by the crisis, and partner
organizations to raise and distribute a minimum of $100,000 in 2020. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Since the creation of the fund two weeks ago, the MDF has
received numerous applications for financial support and will be disbursing the
first round of checks to local businesses this week. The foundation and its
board of directors will continue to review applications and provide downtown
businesses with financial help every week until funds are depleted.<span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">We can enjoy Missoula’s unique downtown in large part due to
the presence of small, locally-owned businesses and organizations. These
businesses and organizations are not immune to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has
resulted in shuttered store fronts, job losses, and supply chain interruptions.
<span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span> </span>“Supporting and
maintaining a strong and vital small business presence in downtown Missoula is
how we keep our authenticity. Preserving our culture and uniqueness in Missoula
can only be done if small businesses thrive downtown. The MDF is committed to
doing what it can to ensure this outcome," said Alan Newell, MDF board member
<span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The MDF contributed $25,000 to the Support Fund, and pivoted
its spring fundraising campaign from street décor to this urgent issue. The
Downtown Business Improvement District contributed $10,000 from its business
development budget to the fund. As of May 6th, Clearwater Credit Union, First
Interstate Bank, First Interstate Bank, Stockman Bank, Missoula Broadcasters Association,
TrailWest Bank, and Montana Scotch Whisky Society have each contributed to the
fund, which as of today totals $83,000. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The Foundation started an online fundraising campaign last
week to provide an opportunity to individuals or entities to support Downtown
businesses and organizations through the Missoula Downtown Business Support
Fund. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">“In working with the groups that promote Downtown over the
years, the thing that has impressed me the most is the willingness of Downtown
folks to selflessly contribute their time and money for the betterment of
Downtown and the entire Missoula community.  The Downtown Business Support
Fund is another sterling example of that willingness.  Many businesses and
individuals have made extremely generous contributions to the fund to help
those negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.  As a Board member of
the MDF, I am proud and humbled to have a part in the Downtown Business Support
Fund,” said Dan Cederberg, MDF board member<span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Individuals and businesses interested in contributing the
Downtown Missoula Business Support Fund can send a check, payable to the
Missoula Downtown Foundation, to 218 East Main Street, Missoula, MT 59802.
Donors can also contribute through the Foundation’s GoFundMe Campaign <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><span style="color:blue">https://www.gofundme.com/f/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund</span></a>.
The MDF is a qualified charitable organization, and all donations are
deductible to the full extent allowed by law. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span> </span>“Downtown Missoula
has always been based on the businesses that operate there.  Everything we
love about our Downtown can be traced back to the people who do business there.
 Helping our Downtown businesses is helping ourselves,” said Geoff
Badenoch, MDF board member.<span>  </span><span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">The MDF is receiving applications from affected businesses
every day. Applicants must have a City of Missoula Business License or an IRS
Determination Letter, operate in the Downtown Business Improvement District, and/or
service the community in Downtown Missoula. Downtown businesses and
organizations in need of support shall complete a simple online application
located at <a href="https://www.missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund/" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><span style="color:blue">https://www.missouladowntown.com/missoula-downtown-foundation/downtown-missoula-business-support-fund/</span></a><span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">Applications will be reviewed and approved by the MDF staff
and board members, and disbursement of funds shall be in the form of one-time
checks distributed by the Downtown Missoula Partnership. <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"">For more information, visit <a href="http://www.missouladowntown.com" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline">www.missouladowntown.com</a> or contact
the Downtown Missoula Partnership office via phone (406-543-4238) or email (<a href="mailto:info@missouladowntown.com" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline">info@missouladowntown.com</a>). <span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:115%;font-size:11pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif""><span> </span></p>





</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><p style="margin:0px"><font size="4" face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><b>Bram Moore</b></font></p><p style="margin:0px"><b><span style="font-size:13px"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">Operations Coordinator</font></span></b></p><p style="font-size:13px;margin:0px"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">Downtown Missoula Partnership </font></p><p style="font-size:13px;margin:0px"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif">218 E Main | Missoula, MT </font></p><p style="font-size:13px;margin:0px"><font face="trebuchet ms, sans-serif"><a value="+14065434238" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">406.543.4238 | </a><a href="http://www.missouladowntown.com/" title="http://www.missouladowntown.com/" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">missouladowntown.com</a></font></p><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>