Montana Department of Commerce Director to Present Nearly $1.9 Million to Lincoln County Projects on Monday in Libby

Montana Department of Commerce Director Anthony Preite will present a total of nearly $1.9 million in grants to Lincoln County schools and local governments on Monday, September 14th, outside the Lincoln County Courthouse, in Libby, at 10:00 a.m.

Director Preite will present a total of $838,427 in Quick Start Program funds to Lincoln County school districts for energy efficiency audits and improvements, and a total of $346,635 in Local Government Grant Program funds to area local governments for infrastructure projects. Both programs were approved by the 61st Montana Legislature through the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645), and implement the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009.

“Through these funds, we are putting people to work, reinvesting in our economy, improving efficiency, increasing public safety, and making a cleaner, healthier Montana,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I applaud Lincoln County schools and local governments for their efforts to improve their communities and I look forward to seeing the results of these projects.”

“The Quick Start and Local Government Grant Programs are a valuable resource to many Montana communities,” said Director Preite. “The Montana Department of Commerce is committed to helping improve our economy through the Montana Reinvestment Act in the most thorough and efficient ways possible.”

Quick Start Energy Efficiency Project Awards

Libby School District #44

Energy Audit: $58,699

Project: $161,500 – For window improvements

Total: $220,199

Eureka Elementary School

Energy Audit: $67,500

Project: $353,516 – For lighting and double pane window improvements

Total: $421,016

Troy Elementary & High School

Energy Audit: $16,400

Project: 180,812 – Replace single pane window improvements

Total: $197,212

Quick Start Total: $838,427

The Montana Department of Commerce Quick Start Program is designed to assist schools with conducting energy audits and completing energy efficiency projects that provide long-term, cost-effective benefits to K-12 school facilities.

To date, the Quick Start Program has completed its funding awards. Montana’s Quick Start awards total $14,950,000 to 176 Montana school districts. All funds for the Quick Start Program have been awarded. Quick Start is not accepting any additional applications for funds.

Local Government Grant Project Awards

City of Libby

$52,395.41 – Sewer main extension to Cabinet Heights

Lincoln County

$247,058 – Improvements to Tobacco Valley Industrial Park and Kootenai Business Park

Town of Eureka

$24,303 – Repair main arterial road

City of Troy

$22,879 – Restoration of City Hall

Local Government Grant Award Total: $346,635

Total to Lincoln County: $1,185,062

The Local Government Grant Program is providing a total of $20 million for infrastructure grants for Montana counties cities and towns. Counties will receive a total of $10 million in grants. Cities and towns will receive a total of $10 million in grants. The 61st Montana Legislature determined the award amounts for each local government in the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB645).

Local Government Grant Program funds may be used only for project costs directly related to construction, including architectural or engineering design, purchase of equipment or materials, and construction expenses, including labor.

WHO: Montana Department of Commerce

WHAT: Present Grant Awards to Lincoln County Schools & Local Governments

WHEN: Monday, September 14, 2009 @ 10:00 AM

WHERE: Lincoln County Courthouse, Libby