Baucus, Tester applaud support for redevelopment jobs across Montana

Senators Announce Organizations, Communities Across the State to Receive Resources for Redeveloping Contaminated Properties

(Washington, D.C.) – Montana’s U.S. Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today announced new resources for the city of Kalispell, the Salish Kootenai Tribes and economic development organizations serving dozens of counties across Montana to create jobs cleaning up contaminated properties and redeveloping them to boost local economies.

“This investment will help Montana communities create jobs turning vacant and even dangerous properties into new businesses, public parks and housing that will help attract even more jobs for year to come,” Baucus said.  “This is a smart investment in healthy communities and healthy economies across Montana.”

“These competitive grants are going to mean more good-paying jobs in the area of our state hardest hit by unemployment,” Tester said.  “Beyond the immediate work cleaning up these properties, these resources are going to clear the way for more business development across our state.  It’s an investment in Montana’s economic health.”

The Environmental Protection Agency will invest more than $4 million in competitive grants to boost so-called revitalization properties across Montana. EPA Brownfields grants are directed at properties where the presence of hazardous substances can complicate the properties’ expansion, redevelopment, or reuse. Grant Awardees include:

1.    The City of Kalispell.  According to the EPA projects include: the city anticipates funding up to five projects to advance a revitalization plan that includes redevelopment along abandoned railroad tracks, a park and trail system, affordable housing, and new businesses. Contact: 406-758-7713.

2.    The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation.  According to the EPA projects include: cleanup of the 2,500 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil at the nine-acre Joseph Allotment, along US Highway 93 in Elmo, allowing the tribe to construct much needed housing and support jobs and economic development in the community.  Contact: 406-883-2888.

3.    Bear Paw Development Corporation of Northern Montana, with offices in Havre.  According to the EPA projects include: properties in properties in Hill, Chouteau, Blaine, Liberty, and Phillips Counties, along with the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.  Contact: 406-265-9226.

4.    Northern Rocky Mountain Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc., with offices in Bozeman, and partnered with Snowy Mountain Development Corporation and the Montana Business Assistance Connection.  According to the EPA projects include: an abandoned landfill in Three Forks, which sits near the headwaters of the Missouri River and will be assessed for redevelopment as a community park.  Contact: 406-582-5700.

5.    Great Northern Development Corporation, with offices in Wolf Point, who partners with the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation, Inc., the Southeastern Montana Development Corporation, the Fort Peck Tribal Office of Environmental Protection, and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.  According to the EPA projects include: sites such as the abandoned GTA Feed Plant in Glendive, which community groups hope to transform into a farmers market, restaurant, and micro- brewery. Contact: 406-653-2590.

More information is available from the Environmental Protection Agency HERE.