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Montana Department of Commerce to Collect Public Comment on New Quality Schools Facility Grant Program

The Montana Department of Commerce will hold public hearings to consider the adoption of proposed rules for the new Quality Schools Facility Grant Program, December 15-18, in Helena, Missoula, Havre, Poplar and Billings. The hearings will focus on the program’s School Facility and Technology Project Grants.

"The Quality Schools Facility Grant Program will provide Montana schools with additional resources for school facilities," said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. "This program will assist schools in addressing major deferred maintenance, energy efficiency, critical infrastructure needs, emergency facility needs, and technology improvements into the future."

Public hearings will be held at the following locations:

Helena
– Tuesday, December 15, 8:30 AM, room 226, 301 S Park, Helena

Missoula
– Tuesday, December 15, 2:30 PM, Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation Building, 1121 E Broadway, Missoula, MT

Havre
– Wednesday, December 16, 1:00 PM, Administration Building, Havre Schools, 425 6th St, Havre, MT

Poplar
– Thursday, December 17, 9:00 AM, Central Office Board Room, Poplar School, 400 4th Avenue W, Poplar, MT

Billings
– Friday, December 18, 8:30 AM, Billings Public Schools Board Room, 415 N 30th, Billings, MT

The program will provide approximately $10 million in competitive grants to Montana public school districts for grants to fund construction of a new school; major repairs or deferred maintenance to an existing school; major improvements or enhancements to an existing school; or information technology infrastructure, including installations, upgrades, or improvements, to an existing school. The Quality Schools Facility Grant program was approved by the 2009 Legislature through HB 152, and signed into law by Governor Brian Schweitzer on April 28, 2009. The Department of Commerce will review and rank grant applications based on the criteria set forth in HB 152.

The funds for Quality Schools Facility Program Grants come from the timber harvest on common school trust lands, mineral royalties transferred from the guarantee account in 20-9-622, MCA, and rental income received from power site leases as provided in 77-4-208, MCA, deposited into the school facility and technology account.

The Department is currently accepting planning grant applications from public school districts on the web at http://commerce.mt.gov/QualitySchools. Planning awards will be made on an on-going, first-come, first serve basis.

For more information on the Quality Schools Facility Grant Program please contact the Quality Schools Program Team at 406-841-2800 or visit the website at http://commerce.mt.gov/QualitySchools/.

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