Commerce Announces $170,000 Of Grant Funding To Support Coal-Impacted Communities In Montana

The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that more than $170,000 of grant funding has been awarded to two Montana communities to support vital public development projects in coal-impacted areas. The funding was allocated to these communities by the Montana Coal Board.

“The Montana Department of Commerce is proud to work with the Coal Board in supporting crucial community development projects for Montana’s coal-impacted communities," Commerce Director Scott Osterman said. “The two projects just selected by Coal Board members will help support the safety of Hardin-area residents as well as enhance the learning environment of Colstrip’s public school students,” Osterman added.

During yesterday’s public meeting in Billings, Coal Board members listened intently to grant applicants and the details of their proposals to determine which would be allocated with the available funding. The following communities and projects will receive Coal Board grant funding:

• City of Hardin: $42,950 to purchase a K-9 equipped police vehicle.

• Colstrip Public Schools: $127,112 to replace fluorescent lighting with LED lighting at Colstrip High School.

A total of seven project applications were submitted by four Montana communities requesting more than $1.7 million of funding.

The Montana Coal Board was created by the Legislature in 1975 to provide public services incurred by large-scale development of coal mines. The Board considers applications and awards Coal Board Impact grants to counties, communities, school districts, tribal governments, or other governmental units and is administratively attached to the Montana Department of Commerce. For more information, visit COMDEV.MT.GOV.