he Montana Department of Commerce announced that more than $1.8 million in grant funding has been awarded to six Montana communities to support critical public safety and infrastructure projects in coal-impacted areas. The funding comes from the Montana Coal Board, which assists local governments and schools in addressing the impacts of coal development and energy use.
“Commerce is proud to support the people who live in Montana’s coal country,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “In the last five years, more than $14 million of Coal Board grant funding has been awarded to seven counties, eight school districts, seven cities or towns, and one tribe.”
The latest round of Coal Board Impact Grants includes:
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City of Colstrip – $120,000 for cemetery paving.
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Forsyth Public Schools – $247,096 for heating system upgrades and repairs.
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Musselshell County – $250,000 for the purchase of a road grader.
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Pryor Public Schools – $500,000 for a school building improvement project.
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City of Roundup – $500,000 for wastewater system improvements.
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Treasure County – $250,000 for the purchase of a road grader.
The Coal Board awards grants to counties, cities, towns, school districts, tribal governments, and other local entities that experience impacts—positive or negative—from changes in coal production or energy consumption.
In June, the Board also awarded $50,000 to Hardin Public Schools to resurface and update six tennis courts. Hardin Public Schools Superintendent Tobin Novasio said the project will benefit both students and the broader community.
“Hardin Public Schools are extremely thankful to the Coal Board for their investment in our community,” Novasio said. “The remodel allowed us to secure the MHSA Class A State Championship each of the next two years, which will have a positive economic impact on Hardin this spring and next.”
Established by the Montana Legislature in 1975, the Coal Board is administratively attached to the Department of Commerce.
By: DNU staff