Montana Department of Commerce Director to Present over $2.6 Million in Grants to Hi-Line Projects on Two-Day Tour – – Director to visit Fort Benton, Box Elder, Havre, Harlem & Malta –

Montana Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite will present a total of more than $2.6 million dollars to economic development projects across the Hi-Line during a two-day tour, Monday, October 26th and Tuesday, October 27th. Director Preite will visit Fort Benton, Box Elder, Havre, Harlem and Malta to present grant awards to various Hi-Line projects. More than $1.4 million of these funds are available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB645), which was approved by the 61st Montana Legislature, and implements the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

“The Montana Department of Commerce has a commitment to support economic development projects – of all kinds – across Montana,” said Director Preite. “As a Havre native, it gives me great pride to visit the Hi-Line to see these projects in action. They are helping to retain jobs and put people to work. Many of these projects are the result of the efforts of Paul Tuss and his diligent staff at Bear Paw Development Corporation. I extend my congratulations to the communities and organizations involved in making these projects happen.”

Schedule of Events:

Monday, October 26th

9:30 a.m. @ Fort Benton City Hall, City Council Chambers, 1204 Front Street, Fort Benton

Director Preite will present the Fort Benton School District with a total $59,402.69 in funds from the Quality Schools Facility Grant Program. A portion of the funds ($42,157.69) will be used to provide deferred maintenance activities for the Elementary and High School buildings. The remaining funds ($17,245) were used to perform an energy efficiency audit. These funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).

Director Preite will present the River & Plains Society, Inc. with a $60,000 grant from the Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP) for the Bourgeois House at Old Fort Benton. The funds will be used to reconstruct the two-story head trader’s house on its original site at Old Fort Benton.

11:00 a.m. @ Box Elder Public School, Main Street, Box Elder

Director Preite will present the Box Elder School District with $204,381.45 in funds from the Quality Schools Facility Grant Program. A portion of the funds ($67,724.45) will be used to provide deferred maintenance activities for the Elementary and High School buildings. The remaining funds ($7,960) were used to perform an energy efficiency audit and energy efficiency improvements ($128,697). These funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).

3:30 p.m. @ Bear Paw Development Corporation, Conference Room, 48 Second Ave., Havre

Director Preite will present the Have School District with a total of $303,984.02 in funds from the Quality Schools Facility Grant Program. A portion of the funds ($224,012.02) will be used to provide deferred maintenance activities for the Elementary and High Schools buildings. The remaining funds ($79,972) were used for energy efficiency improvements. These funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).

Director Preite will present the Rudyard Water & Sewer District with a total of $574,200 in funds from the Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) ($319,000) and the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) ($255,200). The funds will be used to provide significant upgrades to the current deficient water and sewer system. The TSEP funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).

Director Preite will present Hill County with $66,667 in Tourism Infrastructure Investment Program (TIIP) with funds for the Hill County Buffalo Jump Preservation Project. The funds will be used to construct five new exhibit houses for Havre’s Buffalo Jump Site.

Director Preite will present Hill County with $300,000 in funds from the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645) for the Montana-Agro Energy Industrial Park. The funds will be used to provide infrastructure to the Agro-Energy Park. The Agro-Energy Park will focus on value-added energy projects.

Tuesday, October 27th

9:00 a.m. @ Harlem Public School, High School, Admin. Board Room, 6101 1st Street SE, Harlem

Director Preite will present the Harlem School District with a total of $122,402.67 in funds from the Quality Schools Facility Program. A portion of the funds ($100,252.67) will be used to provide deferred maintenance activities for the Elementary and High School buildings. The remaining funds were used for an energy efficiency audit. These funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).

11:00 a.m. @ Hi-Line Retirement Center, 801 S 3rd Street E, Malta

Director Preite will present the Hi-Line Retirement Center with a total of $850,000 in funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Development Block Grant-Economic Development (CDBG-ED) programs. The CDBG funds ($400,000) and CDBG-ED funds ($450,000) will be used for renovation of the center and expansion of the nursing home facility. The project is estimated to create five new, full time employees.

Director Preite will present the Malta School District with a total of $112,925.83 in funds from the Quality Schools Facility Program. A portion of the funds ($79,840.83) will be used to provide deferred maintenance activities. The remaining funds were used for an energy efficiency audit ($26,085) and energy efficiency upgrades ($7,000). These funds are made available through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645).