Guest Column by Montana Department of Commerce Director Tara Rice

Governor Steve Bullock today announced that communities and school districts impacted by the growth or decline of natural resource development can now apply for a portion of $21.5 million in funds for needed infrastructure investments.

Fourteen Montana communities will share nearly $6.5 million in federal funds through the Montana Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant Program for local infrastructure, housing development, and job creation projects. 

A new infrastructure program created by the 2019 Legislature and signed by the governor will support Montana communities impacted by natural resource development. The Delivering Local Assistance Program will award grants to local governments and schools to address needed facility and community infrastructure investments.

On the eve of Infrastructure Week, Governor Steve Bullock today signed a comprehensive suite of infrastructure bills to support the economic vitality of communities across the state and create good-paying jobs.

Six Montana communities will share $2.6 million of federal grant funding through the Department of Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to support the financing of critical infrastructure and community development projects in Montana.

Two Montana public schools have been awarded state match funds to pay for special construction charges for broadband upgrades, increasing Internet access for their students.

Sixty-three Montana communities will share $900,000 in infrastructure planning grants through the Montana Department of Commerce’s Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) to assist with the financing of public facilities projects.