Montana Governor Schweitzer signs bill to promote job growth

After touring the new Bresnan Communications regional operations center in Billings on Thursday, Gov. Brian Schweitzer signed a bill that he believes will bring new jobs and development to Montana.

House Bill 249 creates the Big Sky Economic Development Fund, a plan to use interest earnings from the Coal Severance Tax Trust Fund to invest in economic development projects.

"This bill gives Montana the tools to be competitive with other states for economic development," Schweitzer said during a brief signing ceremony outside Bresnan’s new building on Monad Road.

Rep. Monica Lindeen, D-Huntley, the bill’s primary sponsor, joined Schweitzer at the table, which was surrounded by local legislators and business leaders.

Lindeen said the Big Sky Economic Development Fund, a new trust fund within the coal tax fund, will generate up to $4 million a year for economic development projects at the start. As the trust fund grows, it will generate as much as $10 million a year, she said.

By TOM HOWARD
Of The Gazette Staff

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/05/06/build/state/60-gov-job.inc