Montana News

'Custer Country' now called 'Southeast Montana'

Posted: Feb 8, 2012 8:08 AM by Angela Douglas - Q2 News
Updated: Feb 8, 2012 8:08 AM

BILLINGS - Eastern Montana's "Custer Country" tourism region is now known as "Southeast Montana."

According to Southeast Montana Marketing Manager Nick Mann, formerly Custer County Marketing Manager, the decision to change the name was made by the Custer Country board of directors on Monday, but it was officially recognized by the state's Tourism Advisory Council on Tuesday.

The name is effective immediately.

Last year the Montana Department of Commerce asked Custer Country to reconsider its name for sensitivity reasons. In an effort to find the best possible name for the tourism region, Custer Country hired MercuryCSC of Bozeman to conduct research. Now, six months later, they have decided on Southeast Montana. Mann says the new name fits the tourism region on a broader level.

"We understand it may seem kind of bland," admits Mann. "But it's more relevant to a wider audience and we will be able to spice it up for different events."

With that said, Mann also adds that the Little Big Horn National Monument is the third most visited site in Montana and it's still a significant part of the Southeast Montana tourism region.

Southeast Montana consists of 13 counties and two Native American reservations.