Commerce Announces Six Communities to Receive Planning Grants

Boulder Montana HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that six Montana communities will share more than $211,000 of grant funding to support the planning of critical infrastructure and community development projects in Montana. The funding is through Commerce’s Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG).

“The ability to strategically plan is vital for Montana’s towns, cities and counties to prepare for steady economic growth,” said Scott Osterman, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “The awarded CDBG planning grants will help these communities with more capacity to develop future growth plans, studies and trainings that will help propel crucial infrastructure and community development projects while creating and retaining good paying jobs for Montana workers.”

CDBG Planning Grants are awarded to the following communities:

CDBG Planning Grants have been awarded across Montana and have made an impact in numerous communities. For example, a 2018 CDBG planning grant contributed to the completion of a preliminary architectural report that, in 2020, paved the way for the Petroleum County Community Center in Winnett to receive $450,000 in CDBG Community Facilities grant funding as part of a $5.6 million new construction that serves all residents in the county for community events.

“The community center in Winnett is an incredible asset to our community. The funding provided by the CDBG grant, for planning and construction, was critical to this project,” said Sig Pugrud, Petroleum County Commissioner. “There have been countless gatherings, weddings and family reunions that have taken place here and it’s really reenergized our community. This center was needed more than we knew, and it has far exceeded our expectations. The funding from the Montana Department of Commerce was very helpful!”

CDBG planning grants are available to eligible counties, cities, towns and local governments. Local governments may apply on behalf of special purpose districts, unincorporated areas or on behalf of non-profit organizations. Counties may also apply for planning grants on behalf of tribal utility authorities.
For more information, visit comdev.mt.gov.

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