Tester Secures $2.25 Million for Tribal Irrigation and Power Projects

Funding will come from Senator’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced that the state of Montana will receive $2.25 million for Tribal irrigation and power projects as part of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The funds will go toward water infrastructure and power projects on the Fort Peck and Flathead Indian Reservations.

Tester negotiated the IIJA and helped pass it into law last year, and he was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to support the bipartisan legislation.

“Water and power are the lifeblood of Montana’s economy,” said Tester. “It’s critical that we maintain top-notch irrigation systems and power plants on Tribal lands, where these projects boost agricultural production and help spur job growth in Indian Country.”

A breakdown of the projects is below:

Fort Peck Irrigation Project, Fort Peck Indian Reservation – $1.25 million

• Will modernize water infrastructure used for agricultural purposes

Mission Valley Power, Flathead Indian Reservation – $1 million

• Will repair and upgrade several power substations

Tester worked across the aisle for months to negotiate his bipartisan package with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House, and he was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to vote for it. Tester’s law is projected to create more than 800,000 American jobs and lower costs for businesses by making targeted investments that will strengthen our nation without raising taxes on working families.

Tester secured significant wins for Montana in the legislation, including $2.82 billion for Montana’s roads, highways and bridges; $2.5 billion to complete all authorized Indian water rights settlements; $42.45 billion for broadband deployment to low-connectivity areas across the country; and $3.37 billion to reduce wildfire risk nationwide, among others. In April, Tester announced IIJA funding for six Montana irrigation projects.

Tester also worked to ensure that all iron, steel, and construction materials used for these projects must be made in America.