Trail development and maintenance comes from several different funding sources. The main sources the city of Billings uses to develop trails and bike lanes are from programs at either the Federal, state or local level, or a combination of all three; plus- most often, matching funds for these grants provided by Billings TrailNet.

The main trail funding sources the city of Billings uses are listed below.

Federal

Transportation Alternatives (TA) Program can build pedestrian and bicycle facilities, recreational trails, and safe routes to school initiatives. In Montana, the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) administers these funds.

In Billings, the Transportation Alternatives grant paid for:

1. the Broadwater Trail (2017)
2. safety projects in Lockwood (2023)
3. the Stagecoach Trail (2023)

• This grant requires a 13.42% match from the community for the total cost of the project.

Recreational Trails Program (RTP) can build and maintain all types of trails: from snowmobile grooming to hard surface, multiusetrails. The money comes into the Federal Highway Trust Fund from the fuel tax collected from nonhighway recreational fuel use, such as that by snowmobiles and off-highway vehicles. The program is administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).

In Billings, RTP has funded $673,000 in new trails and trail improvements:

2002: $35,000 to City of Billings for Jim Dutcher Trail Downtown Bike Connector
2005: $35,000 to City of Billings for Swords Park Phase 1
2006: $20,000 to City of Billings for Stewart Park Trail
2009: $20,000 to City of Billings for Lampman Strip Park
2009: $23,000 to City of Billings for Bannister Drain Trail
2010: $42,000 to City of Billings for Main St. Underpass & Earl Guss Park
2011: $28,000 to City of Billings for Swords Park Phase 2
2012: $21,374 to City of Billings for Trail along Broadwater
2015: $27,000 to City of Billings for Aronson Bypass
2021: $44,335 to City of Billings for BBWA Canal connection
2022: $28,500 to City of Billings for Torgerson Trail Link & Old Washington Street Trailhead
2023: $100,000 to City of Billings for the Rose Park Trail: Phase I
2023: $100,000 to Billings TrailNet for Revitalizing and Restoring Arnold Drain Trail
2024: $84,000 to Billings TrailNet to connect a new neighborhood to the Big Ditch Trail
2024: $50,000 to City of Billings to extend the trail through Rose Park

In 2025, the city applied for $100,000 to repair a portion of the trails at Riverfront Park.

Also in 2025, Billings TrailNet applied for $59,000 to add directional signs to trails between Coulson Park to Alkali Creek Trail.

• RTP grants require a 20% match from the community for the total cost of the project.
• Billings TrailNet has covered the 20% matching cost of most of these projects.

Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Funds administered by agencies like the U.S. Department of Transportation.

In 2024, the city of Billings was awarded $ 3,557,923 in 2023 to identify and develop safe routes to school.

Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) can be used to “improve transportation infrastructure that will have a significant local or regional impact,” such as trails to improve both motorized or non-motorized travelers from safety risks, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create good-paying jobs from modernizing transportation infrastructure making them safer, more accessible, more affordable, and more sustainable.  

In 2021, the city of Billings was awarded $11.6 million in 2021 to  build the Inner Belt Loop (now called Skyway Drive and the adjacent trail) and Skyline Trail.

• BUILD grants require a 20% match from the community for the total cost of the project.
• The city provided $7 million in local funds (arterial and gas tax funds for the Inner Belt Loop) and Billings TrailNet provided $80,000 for match plus $261,000 to engineer the trail and build a small section in 2018.

State

Trail Stewardship Grant Program (TSP)  for projects benefiting communities and backcountry landscapes. Funding for TSP comes from a portion of Montana’s $9.00 light vehicle registration fee and tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales.

The TSP was established by the Montana Legislature in 2019 through Senate Bill 24 and generates approximately $950,000 every year.  Communities across Montana have been awarded a total of $5.6 million since 2021-2024 for 140 different trail access and improvement projects statewide. 

In Billings, TSP funded $100,000 for the Stagecoach Trail in 2024. 

In 2025, the city applied for $100,000 to repair the rest of the trails at Riverfront Park

Also in 2025, Billings TrailNet applied for $43,000 to repair the cracks at Black Otter Trail.

• TSP grants require a 20% match from the community for the total cost of the project.
• Billings TrailNet committed $100,000 for the Stagecoach Trail
• Billings City Council approved to spend $600,000 for the Stagecoach Trail