Baucus, Tester announce millions in funding for Eastern Montana

Resources for roads, water, tribes, health care included in funding bill

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today outlined several Eastern Montana projects that are slated to receive millions of dollars in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2009.

The projects, which create jobs and boost Montana’s economy, are part of an overall appropriations bill that funds the federal government.

“Jon and I worked hard to get these worthwhile projects the funding they deserve because they create good-paying jobs and make Eastern Montana a better place to live, do business and raise a family,” Baucus said.  “These are all projects that will move our economy forward and we’re proud to fight for them in the U.S. Senate.”

“These projects are all smart investments for Eastern Montana because they will put folks to work now, and they will help us rebuild our economy for the long haul,” said Tester, a new member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal discretionary spending.  “Max and I are proud of these projects because they will help get our economy back on track.”

Baucus and Tester detailed the following projects for Eastern Montana:

• $2.85 million to pave a section of road (Montana Secondary Highway 323) between Ekalaka and Alzada.
• $1.5 million to help the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sell cabins and land on Fort Peck Lake.
• $430,000 examine the best land and water management practices along the Yellowstone River, which includes 13 counties in Montana.
• $300,000 for tribal court upgrades at the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, which will improve law enforcement in the community.
• $300,000 to upgrade the failing sewer system in Crow Agency.
• $250,000 to build a juvenile detention facility and to educate juvenile inmates on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.
• $100,000 to fund the 911 call center on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation.  The call center is the only 911 call center serving Roosevelt County and the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes.
• $95,000 for Miles Community College to expand its Pathways to Careers in Health Care initiative, which provides health care to people in rural Montana.
• $95,000 for Sidney Health Center to upgrade its facilities and equipment.

Baucus and Tester will announce federal funding for other Montana-specific projects for Fiscal Year 2010 later this year.