'Dark Days': Heritage Commission Looks to Rejigger Virginia City Contracts

Heritage Commission looks to rejigger Virginia City leases

Wallace Street, Virginia City, Montana's main thoroughfare (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan).An embezzlement case and legislative efforts to remove its funding have complicated the financial picture for the Montana Heritage Commission and called its viability into question, its interim director said late last week, stating they were in “dark days.” As a result, the commission is looking into lease contracts for private businesses …

Under financial pressure, Heritage Commission looks to rejigger Virginia City contracts

An embezzlement case and legislative efforts to remove its funding have complicated the financial picture for the Montana Heritage Commission and called its viability into question, its interim director said late last week, stating they were in “dark days.” As…

Virginia City business owners face steep rent increases from state

Historic concessionaires in Virginia City are grappling with proposed lease agreements that would increase their rent from 3-4% to 15% of gross revenue, threatening the viability of businesses that help bring the old west mining town's history to life.The Montana Heritage Commission, part of the Montana Department of Commerce, terminated existing lease agreements without notice several weeks ago and issued new contracts with significantly higher…