Commerce Awards $9.4 Million in Federal Grants to Increase COVID-19 Resiliency in 13 Montana Communities
HELENA – The Montana Department of Commerce announced that 16 projects in 13 Montana communities have been awarded more than $9.4 million in federal grant funding for activities that will help Montana counties, cities, and towns prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.“These grants will help Montana communities respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and will ensure they are better situated for future adverse events,” Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “Additionally, this funding will help increase local resiliency through diverse projects, like the expansion of a food bank to address the increased need for services, and the acquisition of a hotel for non-congregate shelter to reduce the spread of the virus," Osterman added.
The Montana Department of Commerce was allocated this one-time Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for the CDBG Program, all of the allocated projects will benefit lower to middle wage earning Montanans with incomes that are at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The following projects will receive CDBG CARES (CDBG-CV) funding:
- Big Horn County: $1,000,000 to install residential well and septic systems in homes throughout the Crow Reservation.
- Big Horn County: $625,000 to purchase an electronic health record system for the Big Horn County Hospital Association.
- Butte-Silver Bow: $700,000 to renovate the Butte Rescue Mission, a homeless shelter.
- Gallatin County: $430,000 to purchase a hotel for non-congregate shelter in partnership with Human Resource Development Council District IX.
- Hamilton: $1,065,500 to renovate and expand the Supporters of Abuse Free Environments (SAFE), a domestic violence shelter.
- Helena: $607,187 for HVAC improvements and renovations at the YWCA.
- Lewis and Clark County: $1,250,000 to expand Florence Crittenton’s transitional living and childcare services.
- Lincoln County: $24,972 for HVAC improvements at the Trego Community Hall.
- McCone County: $550,000 for HVAC improvements at the McCone County Health Center.
- Missoula County: $256,276 to expand food distribution sites in partnership with the Missoula Food Bank and Community Center.
- Missoula: $850,000 to create a resident owned community in partnership with NeighborWorks Montana.
- Red Lodge: $451,240 to construct new affordable rental units in partnership with the Red Lodge Area Community Foundation.
- Shelby: $350,000 to construct new affordable housing units.
- Superior: $259,310 to install an HVAC system, elevator, and siding at the District XI Human Resource Council.
- Wolf Point: $550,000 to construct two single-family affordable homes.
- Yellowstone County: $500,000 to rehabilitate the Billings Food Bank.
“This grant will, literally, put a roof over our heads so the project can then be worked on during the winter months. Thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Sheryle Shandy, Executive Director of the Billings Food Bank.
All Montana counties, cities, and towns were eligible for CDBG-CV funding. Nonprofits, tribes, and other entities were not eligible to directly apply for CDBG-CV funding, but could in partnership with an eligible local government.
For more information, visit COMDEV.MT.GOV.
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