Montana Infrastructure Coalition launches campaign.

After over a year of informal discussions following the 2015 Legislative Session, representatives from over 50 industry, labor, and trade associations, local governments and business entities formalized the Montana Infrastructure Coalition (MIC). The MIC will help drive constructive dialogue in Montana about the importance of investment in public infrastructure.

Every Montanan can look around their community and see roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems that need attention. According to a 2015 report issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Montana’s infrastructure is approaching a critical state of disrepair. (see: http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-Report-Card-for-Montanas-Infrastructure.pdf). As Montanans compete in the regional economic market, the ability to provide sound transportation, clean water and safe communities can be paramount in tipping the scales to our advantage.

The Coalition recognizes not just the faltering physical state of our infrastructure, but also the challenges inherent within current funding formulas which will continue to fall short of addressing even basic health and safety needs.

"We’ve got work to do," said Webb Brown, of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and newly-elected President of the Coalition. "We want to chart a new course for infrastructure investment that will spur additional growth and reinvestment in communities across Montana."

"Municipal project financing is very complex," said Coalition Vice President, Tim Burton of the Montana League of Cities and Towns. "There is no silver bullet in addressing our overall funding deficit. We’re interested in facilitating an inclusive dialogue in a non-partisan forum that may help develop new ways to fund our most critical infrastructure needs."

The Coalition will develop funding and financing options for infrastructure investment to meet ongoing construction and maintenance needs, to meet increasing health and safety standards, and to accommodate growth. "Talking about infrastructure investment in broad terms is not very alluring to most people," said newly appointed Executive Director, Darryl James. "but we’re intent on helping Montanans make the connection between sound infrastructure and a safe, healthy and vibrant place to do business and raise a family. "

About the Montana Infrastructure Coalition: The Montana Infrastructure Coalition (MIC) was formally established in the spring of 2016 as an informational non-profit organization. The long-term intent is to lobby the legislature to prioritize infrastructure investment and make long-term modification in financing structures to foster sustainable investments in our most critical infrastructure. Current Board Members include: Webb Brown (Montana Chamber of Commerce), Tim Burton (Montana League of Cities and Towns), Jon Metropoulos (Montana Association of Oil, Gas and Coal Counties), Cary Hegreberg (Montana Contractors Association), Chris Cavazos (Montana AFL-CIO), Jason Rittal (Montana Economic Developers Association), Jay Skoog (Montana Chapter – American Council of Engineering Companies).

For more information, please contact Executive Director, Darryl James, at 406.441.9100, or via email at [email protected]