Arts Foundation gets $25,000 – Five other groups also receive economic development money

The Butte-Silver Bow Arts Foundation has captured more than a third of the county economic development dollars available for 2005.

The Council of Commissioners recently approved $25,000 for the foundation to use to lease the YMCA building on Park Street for one year.

The money was part of $65,000 — generated annually by a special mill levy — that the council distributed to six local groups with projects intended to bolster Butte’s economy.

“This is kind of money that jump-starts some projects and hopefully they become self-sustained,” Commissioner Charlie O’Leary said Wednesday. “We contract with all of these people and they have to report back to us.” The foundation will use the money to lease the YMCA building, and will meanwhile fund-raise to buy the property when the lease expires, director Glenn Bodish said.

By Erin Nicholes of The Montana Standard

Full Story: http://www.mtstandard.com/articles/2005/11/18/newsbutte_top/newsbutte_top.txt