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Appropriations

Appropriated federal funding plays an important role across Montana. These dollars create thousands of good paying jobs in industries from agriculture to highways to scientific research. While these are difficult budget times, I am proud of my work to secure these critically important funds for our great state.

FY2011 Appropriations Requests

Appropriated federal funding plays a critical role in projects across Montana. Appropriation dollars create thousands of good paying jobs in industries from agriculture to highways to scientific research. The information on each project was provided by the organization or group requesting the funding. The specific funding request amounts are not guaranteed, and are likely to change. The information below is provided to ensure transparency thorough the appropriations process.

Click on the link below to view my requests for the subcommittee:

NAMELOCATIONORGANIZATIONAMOUNTDESCRIPTION
Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
Animal Bioscience Research Facility Bozeman, MT Montana State University $10,340,000 Agriculture is the largest basic industry in the Montana economy and the livestock industry is its largest segment. The progressive evolution of animal and range sciences has generated increasingly complex opportunities for research, teaching and outreach. Montana is a global leader in the production of high quality seed stock, resource stewardship and exports resources around the world. The research to be undertaken in this facility will help maintain the efficient production of safe, consistent high quality meat products and add value to the livestock and related industries in Montana.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) Butte, MT National Center for Appropriate Technology $3,000,000 ATTRA helps thousands of farmers, ranchers, and growers from across the country: reduce use of herbicides and pesticides; employ farm practices that help protect our nation’s air, water, and soil resources; grow bio-based energy crops and produce bio-based fuels; reduce energy and water use through conservation and energy efficiency; develop new marketing opportunities by focusing on local foods, farm-to-school, and farmers markets; create rural jobs by growing new farmers; and protect rural jobs by supporting existing farmers, ranchers, and growers. In Montana in 2009, ATTRA provided more than 4,900 responses to technical assistance requests from people in 49 Montana communities and Montanans downloaded over 110,000 publications from the website.
Barley for Rural Development Bozeman, MT Montana State University $600,000 Barley is a public sector crop. With the sale of Westbred, LLC to Monsanto Inc., there are no privately held barley breeding programs that serve the Northern Plains states. The Barley for Rural Development program serves the needs of barley growers in Montana, Idaho and North Dakota. We released winter barley varieties that provide superb yield potential, and spring sown varieties with remarkable yield potential and quality characteristics. Sectors of the private malt barley industry maintain 45 jobs at the MaltEurop malt plant (Great Falls) that demands 300,000 tons of malting barley per year.
Bitterroot River Tributaries Conservation Victor, MT Ravalli County $1,000,000 Bear Creek and Fred Burr Creek serve as vital habitat for endangered Bull Trout. These creeks are both direct tributaries of the historic Bitterroot River. Road crossings of Fred Burr Creek and the two channels of Bear Creek have culvert structures that restrict the passage of native fish. These culverts need replacement, and both Bear Creek and Fred Burr Creek require restoration to improve natural channel and flow patterns. These improvements would enhance environmental health, and increase the ability of the creeks to accommodate high water events.
Brucellosis Vaccines, MT Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 B. abortus is a communicable disease that has already affected Montana’s livestock industry and will continue to pose future threats until improved vaccines are developed. Montana must retain its Brucella-free status to sustain the livestock industry.  Development of novel vaccines and study of livestock and bison immune responses will have a tremendously positive impact for Montana agriculture.
East Fork Dam Fergus County, MT City of Lewistown $435,000 The City of Lewistown owns a major flood control dam on the East Fork of Spring Creek, that protects the safety and welfare of the community and whereas the low level outlet gate is currently inoperable and needs to be repaired. The outlet gate operator has not been functional since 2000 and needs to be repaired so the outlet gate can be opened to drain or release water from the reservoir. Because of the size and importance of the flood protection project, the City of Lewistown needs to fix the gate to meet the requirements of their Dam Safety Operating Permit with the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.
Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee Statewide, with emphasis around Yellowstone Montana Department of Livestock $1,500,000 With the ongoing risk of brucellosis transmission from brucellosis infected elk and bison In the Greater Yellowstone Area, continued efforts are needed for surveillance and to mitigate this risk of transmission to maintain the marketability of Montana's cattle interstate and international. This project implements brucellosis herd management plans, provides resources for fencing and other methods of separation between livestock and potentially infected wildlife. Herd management plans address testing requirements and surveillance. Additionally, this project supports activities by the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks to conduct brucellosis surveillance of elk, study done elk population movements, and the continuation of Bison Quarantine Feasibility Study.
Mobile Biomass Energy Unit for Diseased Timber Harvesting Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,400,000 Forests all across the Rocky Mountain West are being decimated by the onslaughts of bark beetle infestation. In Montana alone, a 2008 survey by the U.S. Forest Service determined that 2.5 million acres of forests are under attack from beetles. Once a tree is attacked, there is little that can be done to prevent the eventual demise of the tree. Once the infected stand is dead, it presents a new risk in the form of dense fuel concentrations that substantially increase the probability of wildfires that burn with greater intensity. This project will demonstrate the deployment of mobile bioenergy units to treatment sites to process residues into useful energy that could then displace fossil fuel utilization by treatment equipment and help defray treatment costs.
Montana Food and Agriculture Center Network Statewide Bear Paw Development Corporation $412,500 This project is critical to ensure the continuation of the Montana Food and Agriculture Center Network (MFACN), which provides technical assistance to food entrepreneurs, value-added agriculture operators and alternative energy projects. The professional business counseling provided through MFACN to assist start-up ventures or expansions to existing businesses, delivered through regional economic development non-profit organizations located in rural Montana, has proven effective in taking good ideas and making them a reality. This network of 5 centers works to assure economic opportunity exists in places that have been plagued by out-migration, business closures, unpredictable commodity prices and economic stagnation.
Add a new Entomologist and Containment Facility Specialist Sidney, MT USDA Northern Plains Agriculture Research Laboratory $500,000 Invasive species (weeds, insects and other pests) cost American taxpayers more than $137 billion per year, or approximately $500 for every individual in the country. These costs are rising as more and more invasive species enter the country and become major problems. Biological control can provide low-cost, environmentally safe, effective and permanent management of these pests and also aids in protecting more than 40% of threatened and endangered plant species whose primary risk arises from exotic organisms.
Rural Montana Local Food Production Center Kalispell, MT Flathead Valley Community College $1,003,500 While agriculture is by far the largest industry in Montana (comprising 36% of Montana’s economy in 2000), the vast majority of food produced in the state must be shipped out of state for processing before being imported back in for sale. One of the primary constraints is that there is only one commercial food production facility in the state open to independent agricultural enterprises. The lack of access to food production facilities is the limiting factor in maximizing Montana’s local food economy. If the state sourced 30% instead of 15% of Montana’s food in-state, an additional $450 million would go directly to state food producers. Further, the state does not have a veterinary technician program, though significant demand exists.
Tri State Predator Control Program State Montana Wool Growers $2,300,000 The funds requested will be evenly divided between the USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services programs in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana to aid their efforts in managing and controlling all predators affecting both the livestock industries in the three states, as well as the states wildlife resources.  In addition, these funds will offset the ever increasing costs and demands upon the Wildlife Services programs in the three states due to the exploding and ever widening populations of federally introduced wolves in the states.
Wheat Stem Sawfly Research, MT Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 Wheat Stem Sawfly is the most destructive insect pest of wheat in Montana, with annual crop losses exceeding $75 million in each of the past two years. Outbreak populations are expanding and causing heavy losses in winter, spring and durum wheat grown throughout the State. Larval feeding in stems reduces grain weight by an average of 20%. Infested stems lodge, causing additional losses that average 15% across sawfly infested areas and also increase costs at harvest. In the cropping environment, stem lodging decreases snow retention and germination of lodged seed which further depletes soil moisture.
Whitmore Ravine Storm Drainage Improvements and Erosion Control Project Cascade County, MT Cascade County Conservation District $11,511,825 The Missouri River water quality is negatively affected by a delta of sediment caused by excessive and unintended erosion of Whitmore Ravine (Over 500,000 tons of sediment has been deposited). Sediment is affecting the PPL Montana hydroelectric plant downstream. Human safety and animals are at risk with the erosion of the slopes causing up to 50 foot vertical drops in some areas. Erosion is taking farmland out of production and is preventing land from holding native plants and wildlife. Collapsing slopes are inching dangerously close to power transmission systems and other infrastructure that would further increase problems. Uncontrolled drainage is threatening recreational trails and ruining the landscape once traveled by the Corps of Discovery.
Yellowstone and Shields Floodplain Restoration and Conservation Project Upper Shields River Valley and Paradise Valley, MT Gallatin Valley Land Trust $2,845,220 The Shields River is an important tributary to the Yellowstone River in the heart of relatively intact, healthy habitat for Montana’s iconic carnivore species like wolves, lynx, and bear, and for Montana’s famed fisheries, including the imperiled Yellowstone cutthroat trout. However, several significant chokepoints exist on the river, impairing fisheries and floodplain hydrology. The Yellowstone and Shields Floodplain Restoration & Conservation Project proposes to protect and restore part of the upper river through three integrated tools: bargain-sale acquisition of private, voluntary conservation easements, reconnecting a portion of the Shields River to its floodplain, and significantly reducing sediment pollution to the River.
Headwaters RC&D Regional Biomass Center Southwest MT Headwaters RC&D $750,000 With federal funding, Headwaters RC&D seeks to create a Regional Biomass center, which will develop consistent demand for biomass off-products of the wood products industry. Currently, biomass is most readily available either from the wood products industry or as a by-product of fire mitigation and forest health projects. This commodity can be utilized as a heat source, for the production of electricity, or to produce pulp and paper products. This project will achieve the twin goals of creating products with value for consumers and taxpayers, while helping to stabilize the wood products industry and small town economies across Western Montana.
Defense
Adaptive Lightweight Materials For Missile Defense Browning, MT Blackfeet Nation $6,450,000 The Department of Defense urgently requires adaptive, lightweight materials together with associated enhanced fabrication, production and manufacturing technologies that can respond to meet the unique needs for lighter weight and stronger components for its missiles, ground, air and space platforms and sensors. There are critical needs for materials that can replace the traditional heavy, logistically constraining, costly, and in many cases, highly toxic metals, particularly for helicopters, airborne sensors, unmanned vehicles, and remotely operated missile defense systems. The Adaptive Lightweight Materials Project provides better and cheaper composite materials for the military that enable our warfighters to have lighter and stronger weapons systems for enhanced battlefield success.
Adelos Program Missoula, MT TerraEchos $5,700,000 The protection of US nuclear facilities, materials, and weapon systems requires an aggressive infrastructure protection road map that includes technology that will provide advanced covert surveillance and intelligence information to detect asymmetric terrorism. Nuclear security experts at the Departments of Defense, Energy, and Homeland Security have unfulfilled requirements for advanced sensor systems designed to secure, protect, and monitor nuclear facilities, materials, and strategic weapons. Early-warning, stand-off, undetectable capabilities provide the security force with the time needed to adequately judge the nature of the threat and respond. The Adelos Sensor Array provides this capability needed to secure our nation’s strategic nuclear assets, materials, and critical infrastructure
Advanced Motion Simulation System Bozeman, MT Square One Systems Design $650,000 Motion simulators allow the Army to expose soldiers to battlefield scenarios within the controlled environment of the laboratory. Improving the fidelity of these simulators will result in deployed warfighters that are more likely to complete their missions successfully and safely. The use of advanced simulators will help the Army identify potential problems with vehicle design before new vehicles go into full scale production. In the same way, the Navy will be able test advanced shipboard systems prior to deployment to the fleet. These improvements will provide significant savings within future defense budgets
Advanced Wearable Power Systems Butte, MT MSE Technology Applications $3,000,000 This project will develop wearable electric power units for the individual soldier thereby significantly reducing battery weight and increasing soldier survivability, effectiveness, mobility and mission flexibility. The electric power will be provided by small fuel cells embedded in the soldier's jacket pockets. The fuel cells will utilize a light-weight, highly energetic, safe fuel. Manufacturing processes for the fuel cell and fuel will be evaluated and optimized. National security interests will require cost-effective, domestic production of these mission-critical items
Approaches to Prevent and Treat Epilepsy in Military Personal Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,000,000 The primary mission of the Montana Neuroscience Institute is to develop therapeutic applications for neurologic conditions. Approximately 20 to 25 percent of patients who suffer a severe brain injury go on to develop post-traumatic epilepsy. This risk is increased 20-fold for military personnel due in part to exposure to blast force energy waves. This project will develop a bimodal approach for treatment that focuses first on acute therapy to prevent or limit the initiation of seizures and, second, on the treatment of patients where chronic seizures have already been established. The goal in this case is the development of therapeutics that are safe, have a large window of efficacy, and can be easily administered by first responder personnel such as paramedics and battlefield medics
Clinical Development of a Norovirus Gastroenteritis Vaccine Bozeman, MT Ligocyte Pharmaceuticals $7,500,000 LigoCyte now leads the world as the only announced company developing a vaccine to Noroviruses for preventing epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis. This vaccine will provide an effective countermeasure to the norovirus outbreaks seen in military operations as documented onboard naval ships, in battlefield action in Iraq and at military recruit training centers. Outbreaks and deaths in VA hospitals and nursing homes have been documented in the scientific press and in the media. LigoCyte’s vaccine will address the significant disease burden of Norovirus where vulnerable populations including children, the elderly and the hospitalized are at risk for serious complications, including death. The monies requested will be used to prepare for and conduct qualifying clinical trials need for FDA approval of our vaccine that has now been tested successfully in an FDA approved Phase I clinical trial
Counterdrug Mission Support Billings, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula, MT Montana National Guard Counterdrug Task Force $1,000,000 The Montana Counterdrug Joint Task Force (CDJTF) supports drug law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in their efforts to reduce the flow of drugs into Montana as well as to educate the youth about the dangers of drug use and abuse. The CDJTF places trained Criminal Analysts in three of the five High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTAs) Great Falls, Missoula and Billings. These Analysts assists LEAs with investigative support on processing drug cases and criminals. The program also provides counterdrug aviation assistance for eradication and reconnaissance missions, and works with drug demand reduction efforts in Kalispell, Great Falls, Helena, Billings, and Missoula
Defense-Critical Languages and Cultures Program Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,500,000 There is an urgent need in the Department of Defense to train key military personnel in the languages and cultures of strategically important region. This project expands a dedicated program that leads to functional proficiency in Arabic and Chinese to include beginning and intermediate instruction in Pashto and Dari, to address needs in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Funding for this project would additionally improve online instruction capabilities, provide additional training for National Guard and Special Forces personnel, and extend scholarship assistance for Reserve Officer Training Students who enroll in intensive language and culture coursework through the program
Demilitarization of HC White Smokes Butte, MT MSE Technology Applications $2,990,000 The United States military has huge inventories of obsolete Hexachloroethane (HC) white smoke canisters and other HC smoke ordnance. These devices are designed to produce very large quantities of small particulate matter which acts as an obscurant in battlefield environments. Because of the particulate production, open burning demilitarization of HC smokes has been prohibited and attempts to demilitarize with other methods have been problematic. MSE has performed initial work on a low-temp, low cost environmentally friendly alternative technology for the demilitarization of the HC smokes. The results of this initial work are highly encouraging. The proposed project will allow refinement of the process, leading to full-scale implementation
Gelled and Metalized Gelled Propellants Production Butte, MT Resodyn Corporation $4,000,000 Resodyn Corporation proposes to work with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) to develop technology to manufacture highly efficient and improved gelled and metallized gelled propellants for both strategic and tactical missile systems. Department of Defense weapons programs are tasked with developing technologically advanced, operationally reliable, and mission flexible weapons systems. For missile-based systems, these requirements are addressed by improvements in warheads, target acquisition and propulsion. Gelled and metalized gelled propellants are particularly well suited for a variety of propulsion systems due to the many benefits they offer the next generation of rocket-propelled weapons
Hyperbaric Oxygen Research Project Missoula, MT Montana Neuroscience Institute $3,000,000 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a safe, FDA-approved treatment that is used for a number of indications, ranging from carbon monoxide poisoning to skin infections. In 2008 the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense determined that case reports on the use of hyperbaric oxygen to treat traumatic brain injury were compelling enough to mandate expedited research trials. Funding is needed to participate in this important research and enable Montana’s military personnel and veterans to have access to hyperbaric oxygen therapy. With federal support, the Montana Neuroscience Institute will be able to purchase hyperbaric oxygen chambers for treatment and research purposes; retrofit the Institute space so that the chambers can be utilized properly; and purchase medical-grade trailers so that the chambers can travel to rural areas across the State for patient use
Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad - Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator Helena, MT Western Computer Services (WESCO) $4,000,000 There is currently no simulator that can replicate the area occupied by the Infantry in transport vehicles. This includes, Mine Resistant Armor Protected (MRAP), Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV), and the entire spectrum of wheeled and helo borne assets in the USMC inventory. Funding for this Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator project will meet this need by simulating conditions to assess communications, human factors, and fighting capability in a simulator that can replicate any transport vehicle. This simulator will support the efforts of the vehicle Program Managers in the Marine Corps, and could be reproduced to meet the unique needs of other service branches
Materials Technology for LED Lighting Applications Bozeman, MT Federal Technology Group $3,000,000 There is a national need to reduce power consumption at all levels, and this program will enable the use of LED technology in industrial, residential and commercial lighting to reduce energy consumption by a staggering 80 percent. This project will enable the use of LED lighting, and the environmental and cost benefits that come with it, for military and industrial applications. This initiative also will have a rapid and substantial impact on the development of new electronics platforms for communications and life-saving equipment, which in turn will lead to improved troop safety. This will enhance the existing program mission and capabilities at the Army Research Lab to meet force requirements
Metamorphose/i3 Data Conversion, Integration and Support Butte, MT Synesis7 $13,500,000 Current data formats cause higher costs in data management, updating, and delivery to the end-user the way they need to see it. It causes higher logistics, operational and training costs, and causes degraded asset maintenance, reliability, availability, and operational performance. And it does not support cross systems and operations interoperability - a goal for both the Department of Defense and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). The Metamorphose/i3 process saves the government 25-60% in conversion costs of maintenance manuals from paper to a highly structured electronic format with built-in data intelligence. Additionally, this effort will save the government 50-70% in ongoing data management and sustainment costs, saving NAVAIR alone an estimated $134,000,000 annually once all data is converted
MilTech Extension — Transitioning Innovative Technology to the US Military Bozeman, MT Montana State University $2,000,000 The Department of Defense has a critical need to transition new technology to the US warfighter in order to help save lives and improve effectiveness. MilTech is addressing this need through a partnership between TechLink and the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). MMEC and its counterparts in other states are working closely with TechLink to assist innovative companies that are commercializing new defense-related technology. MilTech helps innovative small companies to overcome key technical, manufacturing, and procurement hurdles that stand in the way of delivery of new technology to the US military, thereby accelerating the transition of critically needed new technology to the US military
Montana Institute for Simulation Technologies Butte, MT Montana Tech of The University of Montana $2,000,000 The High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) works to build computing capabilities in the U.S. to support data-intensive missions such as persistent surveillance, missile defense, hypersonics and propulsion, materials design, medical, and genomic and bioinformatics data analysis. The Department of Defense computational demands greatly exceed the HPCMP office annual capacity. This project will create advanced computing, modeling, simulations, and visualization research capability within the Montana University System and will enable our leading research institutions to participate more fully in Department of Defense missions resulting in increased research funding and private economic development for Montana
Network Centric Airborne Defense Element (NCADE) Kalispell, MT Sonju Industrial $8,000,000 According to the Missile Defense Agency, there are approximately 5,900 ballistic missiles in the hands of countries other than NATO, China, Russia, or the United States. Of these, 93% have ranges less thank 1,000 km; 6% have ranges between 1,000-3,000km; and less than 1% have ranges over 3,000 km. These numbers show that short- and medium-range ballistic missiles pose a significant threat to the US, the Armed Forces and America's allies around the world. This program will improve technology capable of intercepting these dangerous short- and medium-range ballistic missiles
New Technologies For Missile Defense Bozeman, MT Montana State University $2,000,000 The Missile Defense Agency is responsible for developing, testing and fielding ballistic missile defense that can defend deployed forces and allies against theatre threats, protect the US against rouge nations missiles and continue to protect against a major ballistic missile attack. Montana State University has a singular capability for the study of chemical reactions relevant to space vehicle signatures and space-based lasers. The appropriation will use MSU’s in-house technology to enhance a Center that has already become an invaluable resource for the Air Force and the Missile Defense Agency by providing the critical data needed by those agencies to utilize plumes as signatures to understand potential missile threats
Next Generation Simulation Training for Air Force Special Operations Command Pararescue Forces Butte, MT National Center for Health Care Informatics $6,406,400 Preparing the US Air Force (USAF) pararescuemen (PJ) to treat/rescue casualties in a battlefield is complex and time intensive. Current training can not replicate the visual, tactile, technical, emotional, and communication skills required to execute the PJ’s medical/rescue missions. The USAF is seeking next generation, virtual-world training that can depict the treatment/rescue of wounded personnel in a real-world battlefield environment. This program is developing next generation simulation training, including a prototype of a battlefield trauma care procedure. Federal funding will be used to develop additional trauma care and rescue specific scenarios, integrate these simulations into existing and future USAF simulation trainers, and support the development of the Simulation Training and Rescue Center
Non-Lethal Force Protection Technology Development Butte, MT MSE Technology Applications $3,400,000 The objective of this project is to develop Non-Lethal Force Protection technologies focusing on Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems. The U.S. Navy currently lacks non-lethal means to stop potential terrorist attacks against its assets. When entering U.S. or foreign ports, Navy ships are subject to approach by small craft, which can pose a significant threat. If warnings to keep their distance are not heeded, the current option is to exercise force, which may not be acceptable. Non-Lethal DEWs provide the Navy with the ability to keep these crafts at a safe distance while preventing friendly-fire losses. The same technologies have application to the other armed services engaged in land based scenarios
Reconfigurable MEMS Positioning Module Bozeman, MT Square One Systems Design $870,000 Integrated Microsystems have been identified by the DoD as the key to revolutionizing the performance of future military systems. The core functionality of Microelectrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices is their ability to sense, process and act on battlespace data thus providing the US warfighter with powerful advantages. These technological advantages are especially important when confronting the unconventional biological, chemical and nuclear threats of the Global War on Terror. The proposed Reconfigurable MEMS Positioning Module is a game changing technology that has the potential to greatly enhance our Nation’s security
Regenerative Therapeutics for Combat Wound Healing Butte, MT Resodyn Corporation $5,000,000 Resodyn Corporation proposes to work with Department of Defense medical research partners (Combat Casualty Care Research) to develop bone and tissue engineering technologies for regenerative medicine applications. Applications for these technologies include bone and tissue regeneration for human tissue damage related to military battlefield wounds, particularly Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks and other catastrophic injuries. The technologies and therapies developed will improve the quality of life for the injured warfighter and help restore their lives to normalcy. An additional benefit for the warfighter, as well as for the nation, is restoration of their physical well being and function will help them integrate back into society
SCALE/i3-Based Automated Logistics Environment (ALE) Solution Butte, MT Synesis7 $9,800,000 Integrated logistics is crucial to effectively sustain a continuing high war operations tempo and an increasing global military operations footprint. The need for dynamic flexibility in operations and resource deployment is essential in a growing global environment of uncertainty and a shifting military paradigm. Integrated logistics planning, design, operations and execution is essential to making this possible. SCALE/i3-Based Automated Logistics Environment (ALE) assists in providing this. And a SCALE/i3-Based ALE will save the Naval Air Systems Command an estimated $326,000,000 annually. Requested funding will enable NAVAIR to complete the implementation of the ALE solution
Special Operations Command Visual Augmentation System Hand Held Imagers – Long Range (SOVAS HHI-LR) Bozeman, MT FLIR Systems, Inc $5,000,000 SOVAS HHI-LR is an electro-optical/infrared sensor that provides portable long-range surveillance, identification, detection and tracking capabilities in all viewing and weather conditions; at ranges beyond which the operator would normally not be able to see the target. With the ability to detect and identify targets at distances that exceed 5 kilometers, SOVAS HHI-LR allows special operations forces to conduct critical reconnaissance, surveillance, detection and recognition at safe and maximum ranges from positions of relative safety
Special Operations Command Visual Augmentation System Hand Held Imagers – Medium Range (SOVAS HHI-MR) Bozeman, MT FLIR Systems, Inc $5,000,000 SOVAS HHI-MR is an electro-optical/infrared sensor that provides portable long-range surveillance, identification, detection and tracking capabilities in all viewing and weather conditions; at ranges beyond which the operator would normally not be able to see the target. With the ability to detect and identify targets at distances that exceed 2 kilometers, SOVAS HHI-MR allows special operations forces to conduct critical reconnaissance, surveillance, detection and recognition at safe and maximum ranges from positions of relative safety
Spin-Torque Effect Research for MRAM Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,000,000 Because of the many advantages of Magnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM), the Navy is investigating it for use in satellite and other military systems. Additional research is needed to increase storage density and reduce data writing power demands. The most promising avenue of research is using the recently discovered spin-torque effect. The University of Montana is a national leader in this field and this project will support collaborative research between the University of Montana and the Naval Research Lab to work on second generation MRAM for military applications
Submarine Automated Acoustic Intercept Technology Bozeman, MT Advanced Acoustic Concepts $6,000,000 Current DoD submarine platform protection and self defense operational requirements (OR) include the need to passively detect, localize, track and classify surface and undersea threats. To address the existing OR, through a SBIR program, the US Navy developed a new submarine acoustic sensor (SPVA) that integrates seamlessly within ARCI and maintains life cycle cost goals. This SBIR (Acoustic Intercept Improvement Initiative, N98-106) transitioned from Phase II to Phase III with fleet introduction underway. This program significantly improves AI system sensitivity, bearing accuracy and target ranging capabilities, while supporting “situational awareness and collision avoidance” operations during submarine surfacing maneuvers
Therapeutic Infection Preventant for Military Wounds Bozeman, MT Microbion Corporation $5,971,000 Casualties associated with the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are frequently characterized by orthopedic injuries, often complicated by bacterial infections resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs. This project supports the critical FDA regulatory development of a topical anti-infective product for immediate field and hospital use in military wounds, and in civilian acute/chronic wound patient populations. The technology in development is proven against antibiotic-resistant wound pathogens and against microbial biofilms. This topical drug product is anticipated to significantly improve clinical outcomes in military and civilian personnel with contaminated wounds, thereby reducing current rates of mortality, morbidity, and amputation
Thermal Interface and Thermal Management Materials/Systems for Missile and Aviation Electronics Butte, MT Montana Tech of The University of Montana $2,400,000 Montana Tech’s Center for Advanced Minerals and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP) requests funding to support applied research, testing, education and commercialization in the area of Thermal Interface Materials (TIM) and Thermal Management Materials. Utilizing CAMP’s extensive knowledge of metallurgy, these efforts will create solution for removing heat from constrained electronics packages such as found in composite missiles and aviation electronics. In addition, the funding will assist with the expansion of our state-of-the-art materials testing laboratory and capabilities. The application of these new technologies will create local jobs and bring increased economic development to Montana
Titanium Extraction, Mining and Process Engineering Research Butte, MT Universal Technical Resource Services $10,000,000 The Titanium Extraction, Mining, and Process Engineering Research (TEMPER) program has successfully manufactured liquid titanium in Universal Technical Resources' laboratory using a prototype furnace designed and developed by Montana scientists. The furnace reactor has subsequently manufactured diverse titanium alloys using various types of titanium ores, not only proving that the technology is successful, but strengthening the prospect of successfully adapting the technology for commercial-grade reactors. Scaling up the successful laboratory process will provide the U.S. government with a new source for this highly desired metal and its alloys, thus reducing substantial and costly lead times and dependence on foreign producers. Titanium is lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, presenting numerous possible applications in military environments
Ultrawideband Active Detection of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) Bozeman, MT S2 Corporation $7,800,000 Current technologies are inadequate to protect our warfighters from improvised explosive devices (IEDs), threats that continue to injure or kill American soldiers on foreign soil and can be anticipated to threaten civilian population centers in the future. The S2 technology has been demonstrated as a full-spectrum and real-time radio frequency (RF) signal processing device in working hardware. This project will use this hardware to enable a new sensor capability for ground looking RF detection and real-time discrimination of IEDs. This innovation will be configured with ultra-wideband antennas for the specific goal of active RF IED detection. Plans include mature hardware and an aggressive field testing effort to demonstrate technology capability for ultimate transition and fielding
United Service Organization (USO) Programs Arlington, VA United Service Organizations (USO) Continued support During Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, the United Service Organizations (USO) has mobilized at a rate not seen since the Vietnam War. To meet the ongoing challenges posed by these conflicts, the USO is adding facilities and expanding programs to address the most immediate requirements of America's troops and their families. Additional funding will enable the USO to continue to support our men and women in uniform, and their families, through these and other activities and initiatives.
UV Personal Dosimeter with Intelligent Warning Communication for Field Application Missoula, MT Aquilavision Corporation $2,710,000 Intense, acute and recurrent ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure can be extremely hazardous to US fighting men and women deployed in the areas of high levels of solar UVR such as are encountered in the Middle East and South Asia. The project will build and test a ruggedized personal and portable UV dosimeter with advanced evaluation and communications systems for field use by US military, homeland security, and law enforcement personnel. It will expand the uses of cutting-edge tracking, decision-making, and communications technology to better monitor and ensure the safety and well-being of troops in the field
V-22/S7 CABO/i3 Integration, Implementation and Automated Logistics Environment (ALE) Support Butte, MT Synesis7 $8,700,000 This project will integrate and implement automated logistics environment (ALE) manuals to replace costly and difficult-to-update paper manuals for maintenance on Department of Defense and Naval Air Systems Command vehicles and weapons. This project presents an opportunity for cost savings in the military, with the replacement of manuals for the V-22 and H-1 programs estimated to save $243,000,000 over a 20-year lifespan. Additionally, upon successful implementation, Naval Air Systems Command can treat the ALE environments as "enterprise solutions" and adapt the technology to meet the needs of additional military platforms, which will increase savings to the Department of Defense and American taxpayers.
Energy & Water Development
Biomass to SNG Commercialization Project Missoula, MT University of Montana $5,000,000 The purpose of this request is to research energy feed stocks in order to optimize production and determine the feasibility of a biomass to synthetic natural gas (SNG) pilot/demonstrationplant to be located in Montana. The ultimate goal is to accelerate the commercialization of emerging new technologies to utilize biomass in the production of pipeline grade SNG. SNG from biomass would generate new revenue for struggling Montana forest products mills, and expand the use of local renewable energy sources.
Cartersville Fish Passage Project Yellowstone River Basin, MT The Nature Conservancy $300,000 The Cartersville project addresses warm water fish problems in the lower Yellowstone River. Irrigation diversions have prevented pallid sturgeon (an endangered species) from passing dams and spawning, and have contributed to the decline of other warm water fish species. Constructing a fish passage at Cartersville diversion would immediately improve the survival prospect for pallid sturgeon and increase habitat for other species. In addition it would strengthen and extend the life of the Cartersville irrigation district's diversion, a part of Montana's agriculture infrastructure that is aged and in need of rehabilitation. The project would be a win-win situation for environment and irrigators.
Center for Zero Emissions Research & Technology Bozeman, MT Montana State University $10,000,000 Carbon sequestration remains the principal means for ensuring that the United States' and Montana's coal reserves can be used in an environmentally friendly manner to help meet domestic energy needs. In particular, this project will study emerging clean coal technologies and continue testing on carbon sequestration techniques and effectiveness.
Clark Fork River Revitalization Project Missoula, MT City of Missoula $5,000,000 Many of the River’s banks in downtown Missoula are in poor condition from a century of neglect and use of ad hoc stabilization such as concrete and asphalt, car bodies, and logs. This downtown Missoula project will restore degraded riverbanks, address flood concerns, and provide public recreation and trails amenities. It is a model project for redevelopment of an urban brownfields.
Dawson County/City of Glendive Floodplain Project Glendive, MT City of Glendive and Dawson County $900,000 During the 1960's Interstate 94 was constructed and closed off, or dammed up, a natural bypass chute on the Yellowstone River. In turn this changed the hydrology of the existing flood plain and made the existing flood levee non compliant. This previously compliant levee protects 30% of the geographic area of the City of Glendive. These studies are needed as they are the first step toward resolving this problem. This is the most important issue facing Dawson County and the City of Glendive. The flood plain problem must be resolved to ensure public safety and the economic survival of the City.
Efficient Use of Renewable Energy Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 The development of advance storage and load technologies is critical to the enhanced utilization of renewable resources. If these challenges can be overcome, renewable energy, especially from wind and solar, can be even more significant in contributing even more to energy independence, reduced greenhouse emissions, and possibly lower energy costs. This project will focus on the use of hybrid battery technology and load control to address the issues of variability of power output, current underuse of energy during peak production and related issues.
Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System Poplar, MT Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority $60,975,000 For construction of Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System as authorized by PL 106-382: FY2011 work plan to finance ongoing contract for construction of water treatment plant and construction of treated water pipelines from the water treatment plan to Poplar and Wolf Point needed to deliver treated water on the For Peck Indian Reservation and for construction of branch lines in the Dry Prairie Project. The project will stimulate the economy with the addition of jobs in construction, contract administration and operation, maintenance and replacement of facilities.
Headwaters Wind Power Exploration Southwest MT Headwaters RC&D $100,000 Based on generic wind maps and local anecdotal information, there is potential for wind energy development on a ranch or community level throughout western Montana. Without site specific data, investing in wind energy is speculative. This project will purchase up to four towers and anemometers to loan to interested parties to collect the necessary site wind data as a basis for investment. The towers and anemometers are re-useable and would be made available to no less than seven western Montana counties with possible availability to others. The interest to explore wind energy development has been demonstrated, but many ranches and small communities cannot afford the cost of data collection necessary to support grant or loan requests.
Industrial Oil Products Derived from Camelina Oil Havre, MT Montana State University - Northern $2,500,000 Camelina oil exhibits great potential for a variety of industrial applications because of its unique fatty acid profile. Vegetable oils are attractive alternative base oils for the production of functional fluids due to its high viscosity index, high lubricity, high flash point, low evaporative loss, excellent biodegradability, low toxicity and renewability. However, poor cold-flow properties and low resistant to oxidation make the utilization of vegetable oils as functional fluids problematic. Hence, further chemical modifications of vegetable oils are necessary to achieve the desirable physico-chemical properties for various applications by exploiting the different functional groups in vegetable oil.
Intake Fish Passage Project Yellowstone River Basin, MT The Nature Conservancy $20,000,000 The Intake project will address three needs: (1) It will construct a fish passage past Intake diversion for pallid sturgeon (a federally listed endangered species) and other warm water fish to reconnect habitat not accessible to pallid sturgeon due to the barrier Intake diversion dam. (2) The emplacement of screens at the headworks will prevent downstream bound fish from being entrained into the irrigation system, which presently diverts several hundred thousand fish per year into the irrigation system. (3) The project will replace the present irrigation headworks and diversion dam, improving an infrastructure over a century old, which is comprised of wood cribs filled with rock, and which regularly is damaged by winter ice.
Miles City Flood Mitigation and Prevention Study Miles City, MT City of Miles City $250,000 Miles City has a substantial exposure to flood damage. Ten major flood events occurred between 1882 and 1974. Under FEMA's new DFIRM, the Special Flood Hazard Area (1% flood risk) for the Miles City area doubled to nearly 70% of the City's incorporated area. A commensurate increase in NFIP premiums will create economic stress at the community and individual level. USACE estimates that 3,100 structures would incur $30 million of damage from a 1% flood. USACE estimates that flood mitigation techniques could largely prevent future damage for a cost of $10 to 20 million. A study is required to select the most feasible and effective approach.
Milk River Project/St. Mary Diversion Rehabilitation Glacier County, MT St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group and State of Montana $19,900,000 Funding for this project will jump-start the rehabilitation and construction of the St. Mary Diversion & Conveyance Works in Glacier County MT. The project is critical to the economy of north-central Montana and to the management of water in the St. Mary and Milk rivers under Article VI of the Boundary Waters Treaty (1909). In addition, the project is integral to settlement of federal reserved water rights with the Blackfeet Tribe and the Ft. Belknap Indian Community in Montana.
Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee Missouri River Basin St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group $250,000 The Assistant Secretary of the Army – Civil Works, Corps of Engineers (COE) established the Missouri River Recovery Implementation Committee (Committee) as authorized by Section 5018 of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) to make recommendations and provide guidance on a study of the Missouri River and its tributaries and on the existing Missouri River recovery and mitigation plan. The Committee provides a collaborative forum for the basin to come together and develop a shared vision and comprehensive plan for Missouri River recovery. The Committee helps guide the prioritization, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation of recovery actions. The Committee includes tribal, state, and broad stakeholder representation.
Montana Algal BioDiesel Project Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 Reducing reliance on foreign energy sources, securing a larger portion of our nation’s energy needs from alternative fuels and reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuel use are all parts of US energy and environmental policy. This project will help to accomplish all three goals. Harvesting emissions from coal-burning plants improves energy production efficiency and reduces emissions, thereby extending the effective utilization of fossil fuels. This is especially important in coal-producing states such as MT and in ensuring that fossil fuels will be environmentally friendly in the next several decades during which they must play an important role in US energy supplies. These emissions will then be used to grow algae to produce biodiesel,
Montana State Camelina Consortium Bozeman, MT TechRanch $1,500,000 Montana leads the U.S. in the production of camelina, a near-term second generation biofuel feedstock. Between 2007-2009, camelina was farmed on 9,000-23,00 acres in Montana, with the potential to be grown on more than one million acres in Montana alone. Camelina is nearing commercial scale development, and other states including Missouri, Washington and New Mexico are competing in camelina research. Montana should remain the leader in camelina production, due to its favorable geography and climate. This proposal will help the camelina industry reach commercial scale in Montana, adding millions of dollars to the State economy and creating thousands of new agricultural jobs while increasing our domestically produced fuel supply.
North Central Montana Renewable Energy Stabilization Project Shelby, MT City of Shelby $250,000 This project is needed to continue the development of wind energy in north central Montana and the rural United States. While transmission capacity issues are being addressed in north central Montana (an area of exceptional wind power potential), the issue of stabilizing intermittent renewable power is becoming critical to the continued development of wind energy in the immediate region as well as the rural U.S. in general. According to industry experts, additional needed transmission cannot be justified nor proceed to fruition if it is only carrying intermittently produced electricity. This effort is necessary for future development of the large number of similar geologic settings that occur in northern Montana and other parts of the nation.
Rocky Boy's/North Central Montana Regional Water System Rocky Boy's Reservation/North Central Montana North Central Montana Regional Water Authority $84,050,068 The need for the Rocky Boy's/North Central Montana Regional Water System is established on the basis of poor quality drinking water, major water supply constraints and high costs for compliance with federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations. Funding for this project will build on previous federal investment to expand the core and non-core pipeline system components to bring drinking water to small, rural Montana communities.
Tri-County Biomass Energy Pilot Project Helena, MT Lewis and Clark County $800,000 The Tri-County Biomass Energy Pilot Project includes piloting three technologies for utilizing local woody biomass supply. The project will determine which technologies are feasible and sustainable considering the local fuel supply, energy needs, and climate, including air shed considerations. This project is necessary because there are 350,000 ton of excess biomass produced annually in the project area and currently no viable market for disposal of the product. Finding ways to use the product locally instead of shipping it out of the community is preferred, especially if it can be used for production of energy and/or another usable product.
Yellowstone River Corridor Comprehensive Study Yellowstone River Basin, MT Yellowstone River Conservation District Council $750,000 The Yellowstone River Conservation District Council requests $750,000 in the General Investigations account to assess cumulative effects and develop best conservation management practices on 716,800 acres in the Yellowstone River Valley, encompassing parts of 13 counties in Montana and North Dakota. Project authority General Investigation, Yellowstone River Corridor Comprehensive Study, WRDA 1999, Section 43.
Fort Peck Cabin Conveyances Fort Peck, MT Fort Peck Cabin Owners Assn. $1,369,000 The Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge Act of 2000 authorizes The USACE in concurrence with the USFWS to transfer 392 lots into private ownership, with the proceeds of the lot sales to be used to acquire land inside and adjacent to the CMR National Wildlife Refuge. This funding will go towards functions the Corps must perform prior to selling this land to current lessees. These activities include surveys, sanitation review, and appraisals to render the sites suitable for transfer.
Rural Montana, MT Statewide Municipalities and Local Water/Wastewater Districts $15,000,000 This project provides funding through the US Army Corps of Engineers to address critical water and wastewater infrastructure needs in communities across Montana.
Energy Recovery Project for the Water Reclamation Facility Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman $2,600,000 Energy Recovery at the City's Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) will support smart energy technology that will recycle an average of 175kW of electricity and 974,000 BTU/hour of thermal output using a generator powered with digester gas, saving rate payers an average of $230,000 per year. With the highest water and sewer rates for medium and large cities in Montana and a planned sewer rate increase of 38% over the next three years, Bozeman rate payers need these energy savings. The energy consumed at the WRF generates approximately 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year. The proposed project would cut these emissions by at least 40%, reduce city-wide energy use by 10%, and allow us to take an important step towards energy independence.
Financial Services and General Government
Downtown Whitehall Fire Recovery Project Whitehall, MT Jefferson Local Development Corporation $250,000 In March of 2009, a fire caused extensive damage to downtown Whitehall, Montana. Five buildings were lost in the downtown area, and nine businesses were impacted directly by the fire. Following the fire, a lack of traffic downtown caused the closure of two additional businesses directly adjacent to the fire site. The Jefferson Local Development Corporation is seeking federal assistance for a revolving loan fund to help rebuild small businesses and ensure that this disaster does not compound the effects of the national economic slowdown and cause a downward spiral for the Whitehall economy. Funds will be used to rebuild the businesses and invigorate the local economy.
Financial Preparation for Postsecondary Education Helena, MT Student Assistance Foundation $500,000 The current economy places a premium on solid financial understanding, and this pilot demonstration for Grad Ready student financial software will address that need by providing students with improved financial education. This project supports the Federal TRiO Student Support Services requirement to provide financial literacy information and support, and assists young students in becoming good stewards of their finances. For college students, improved financial literacy results in fewer delinquencies and defaults on student loans as they move into the professional world after graduation.
Government Contractor Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Billings, MT Big Sky Economic Development Authority $2,000,000 Access to short-term dollars is critically important for small Montana contractors working on and competing for government contracts. Contractors who work on a government project often find themselves financing the project for the government for at least 30 days (and sometimes longer) waiting for progress payment. Particularly in the current economy, the upfront expense of starting a contract is burdensome on Montana businesses. The objective of this project is to create a revolving loan fund, operated by Big Sky Economic Development Authority, to provide small Montana government contractors with access to short-term capital.
High Plains Financial IRP Loan Fund Equity Great Falls, MT High Plains Financial, Inc. $125,000 The High Plains Financial Intermediary Loan Fund is owned by High Plains Financial and managed by the Great Falls Development Authority. This request is for funding to be used as equity by the fund, to provide revolving loans and gap financing options to small businesses. Increased equity in the fund would not only strengthen the balance sheet and allow the fund to help additional Montana businesses, but would assist High Plains Financial in becoming permanently certified as a Certified Development Company through the Small Business Association. The funds would be available to provide gap financing to projects within Cascade, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, and Toole Counties.
HTAP: High-Technology Assistance Program for Micro and Nano-Technologies Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 Created in 2004, the Montana Microfabrication Facility provides the unique capability in Montana for microfabrication for high-tech companies and academic researchers. The facility was expanded and improved in 2007 for work on nanotechnology and allows local Montana companies to work side-by-side with Montana State University researchers to develop innovative technologies and devices that expand Montana’s innovation economy. Funding for this project will increase access to the facility for local, state and regional companies; improve training in micro- and nano-technology; provide technical assistance to users; and upgrade equipment to ensure the facility continues to meet the need of Montana State University faculty and students as well as Montana high-tech small businesses.
Montana Indian Equity Fund Statewide Montana Department of Commerce $550,000 In Montana Native American communities, access to capital is extremely limited. In the early stages of business it is essential that the Indian business owner/entrepreneur has access to funding. Studies by Harvard and the Kauffman Foundation show that the entrepreneur starts with very little equity, less than $10,000, but with this capital he is able to leverage his funds with community lenders. Providing equity for the Indian Equity Revolving Loan Fund will ensure that Native American Entrepreneurs have the opportunity to compete for those leveraging funds and pursue business development opportunities in their home communities and across the State of Montana.
Montana International Competitiveness Initiative Billings, MT Montana State University: Billings $500,000 Montana’s economic growth has been historical stable, but is not immune to global forces. When the recession subsides and the economic situation stabilizes, there will be an opportunity for Montana entrepreneurs to succeed in a global marketplace and grow their businesses. To help these companies expand, it is critical to provide them with current information related to the international business arena and to assure them an adequately prepared workforce. This Montana State University – Billings initiative will help the school’s College of Business to present its third International Business Conference, to bring Montana companies together and disseminate information and technical assistance on growing their businesses overseas, and to develop a website to assist those companies in their efforts to compete internationally.
Homeland Security
Emergency Operations Center and Equipment Butte, MT City-County of Butte-Silver Bow, MT $2,000,000 This funding would go towards a new Emergency Operations Center for the joint City-County government of Butte-Silver Bow. This area is vulnerable to a variety of potential disasters originating from natural and human-caused hazards, including wildfires (a risk increased by the level of tree mortality in surrounding forests due to bark beetle infestation) and potential hazardous materials incidents on major rail lines and 2 Interstates that pass through the area. A joint Emergency Operations Center capable of coordinating the response and recovery to such events is a critical asset to protect public safety.
Missoula Emergency Operations and Training Center Missoula, MT Missoula County, MT $2,000,000 No agency of local or state government in Missoula has space or technology to provide adequate emergency operations capabilities. The current Emergency Operations Center is housed in two small rooms in the basement of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex. One room is a conference room capable of accommodating only 10 people, and the other is a radio room equipped with three workstations. Funding for this project would go towards a new Emergency Operations Center for Missoula County that has sufficient size to allow for group activities in the events of drills and disaster; equipment to meet management needs for various agencies that participate in incident management (including law enforcement, fire, and medical/public health services); and an advanced communications and data network to help with emergency response.
Park County Emergency Operations Center Cooke City, MT Park County, MT $129,000 Cooke City & Silver Gate are detached from the rest of Park County by Yellowstone National Park, and Deputy response time is, at best, 1.5 to 2.5 hours. Currently, the Search & Rescue (SAR) stores its equipment in old, unsecured buildings that do not allow for expansion of the SAR program to accommodate new equipment; do not allow for a comfortable environment for a victims; and do not allow for secure procession of computer or phone data regarding law enforcement issues. People die each year because of the lack of emergency facilities and, because of the response time, officers cannot respond effectively to enforcement problems. Funding for construction of a new Emergency Operations Center in Cooke City would address this critical issue. Additionally, if funding is provided for this facility, the U.S. Forest has expressed in interest in using the facility and contributing the land.
Sanders County Emergency Operations Center Plains, MT Sanders County, MT $1,640,625 This project will replace a building on the Sanders County Fairgrounds that is currently used by the County as an Emergency Operations Center in emergency situations, including wildfires and human-caused incidents. The existing structure is 80 years old and was built on a foundation of railroad ties, which have deteriorated. The building has reached the end of its useful life, and funding for a replacement is critical to ensuring adequate local government response in emergency situations and evacuations.
Commerce Justice Science and Related Agenciess
Academic & Workforce Development Program at the Montana Women’s Prison Billings, MT Montana State University: Billings $500,000 Montana State University Billings requests continued funding of $500,000 to further develop a pilot project for an academic development program targeted to inmates at the Montana Women’s Prison in Billings. The program offers inmates general education coursework toward certificate or Associate of Applied Science degrees while at the same time providing them with college and/or life skills. The program is designed to help prisoners become productive citizens upon release, thereby ensuring that they do not return to prison.
Big Sky Consortium Public Safety Interoperable Radio System Expansion Big Horn, Rosebud, Treasure, and Yellowstone Counties, MT Interoperability Montana Project $2,895,000 This project would extend interoperable radio capabilities to 4 rural Southeast Montana counties and 2 Indian Reservations. This project will ensure basic, reliable communications as well as full regional public safety radio coverage in keeping with upcoming federal mandates that require VHF narrow banding by January 1, 2013.
Billings Police Equipment Billings, MT City of Billings, MT $283,750 Funding for purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and additional radar units is critically important for law enforcement personnel in Billings, MT. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is necessary in order to operate in an area contaminated with hazardous materials or toxic gas. Currently, the Billings Police Department has no equipment that would allow officers to operate in such an environment. New radar equipment would replace outdated units and would interface with in-car digital camera systems.
Community Crisis Center - Operations Billings, MT RiverStone Health $500,000 The Community Crisis Center provides care for individuals with mental illness and/or substance abuse issues. The services provided at the Center are critical for the community, and reduce the number of admissions to the Montana State Hospital from Yellowstone County. Funding for this project will allow the Center to continue providing psychosocial evaluations, chemical dependency evaluations, case management, short-term stabilization (not longer than 24 hours), and to offer crisis intervention training for law enforcement officers.
Dawson County Law Enforcement Equipment Glendive, MT Dawson County Sheriffs Office $172,000 Dawson County Sheriffs Office requests funding to address needs for up-to-date equipment and technology that is critical for law enforcement efforts in the community. These equipment needs include radio upgrades, training equipment, and special situation equipment such as ballistic shields. This equipment is important for maintaining day-to-day operations as well as ensuring adequate training and emergency response capabilities.
Emergency Generator Replacement at the Police Department Great Falls, MT City of Great Falls, MT $150,000 The emergency generators at the City/County 911 Communication Center do not meet the needs of the center and the exhaust from the gasoline powered system is hazardous. Purchase and installation of a new emergency generator will ensure the safety of workers in the 911 Communications Center and improve local law enforcement's ability to provide emergency services during power outages or other adverse circumstances.
Emergency Response and Justice Center Great Falls, MT City of Great Falls, MT $2,000,000 This funding would construct a new Emergency Response and Justice Center for the City of Great Falls, MT. The current facility is deficient security controls, technological infrastructure, square footage for general operations, evidence storage and retrieval, emergency electrical services, and ventilation. The proposed new facility would address these shortcomings and provide improved facilities for emergency responders and law enforcement.
Gallatin County Mobile Data Improvement Program Bozeman, MT Gallatin County Sheriffs Office $927,000 This project would provide mobile data computers to equip Gallatin County's law enforcement fleet. These computers would provide a critical connection to the statewide emergency systems mobile data backbone with access to secure, interoperable and vital dispatch information. On the ground, this project would mean more effective information reaching law enforcement officers during emergency situations, and would improve coordination between emergency responders.
Helena Regional Armored Response/Rescue Vehicle Helena, MT Helena Police Department $520,000 The Helena Police Department has identified a need to purchase a Specialized Response/Rescue Vehicle. The type of vehicle needed would be capable of deploying bomb, HAZMAT, and special weapons personnel. The vehicle is also equipped to detect chemical, biological, and radiological materials as well as explosive gases. This vehicle’s armor properties will protect personnel from explosions and hits from multiple projectiles. With recent trends in domestic and foreign terroristic/ criminal acts (heavily armed subjects, bomb threats, etc), the need for an armored/detection vehicle to respond to these incidents has been mandatory. Local governmental tactical law enforcement is the primary resource for these responses.
Jumpstart of Life-Skills Programs for At-Risk Transitional Age Youth Billings, MT Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch $700,000 Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch is seeking a federal investment to jumpstart life-skills programs for at-risk transitional age youth. These programs will partner with Montana State University, and social service organizations that target Native Americans to provide mentoring, education, vocational training, life skills training, and living assistance to young adults as they age out of child and adolescent programs and mature into adulthood. With the support provided by these services, these young adults will be well on their way to becoming productive members of society.
Law Enforcement Training Facility Butte, MT City-County of Butte-Silver Bow, MT $1,750,000 Recently, the City and County of Butte-Silver Bow received a congressional appropriation in the amount of $800,000 to construct a new emergency operations center. We would like to expand upon this project and co-locate the emergency operations center with a multi-disciplinary training facility for emergency responders. A training facility is crucial for the continued proficiency of Butte-Silver Bow law enforcement officers.
Missoula YWCA Battered Women and Children's Shelter Missoula, MT Missoula YWCA $1,000,000 The Missoula YWCA provides essential services to women and families in crisis who are escaping domestic violence and/or are homeless due to domestic violence. It is designed to provide for the basic needs of victims of violence as well as address the barriers preventing them from establishing violence-free lives. With federal funding, the Missoula YWCA plans to: 1) provide shelter and transitional housing to domestic violence victims and their families; 2) promote a racial justice social marketing campaign across western MT; and 3) expand on a girls leadership education program in western Montana schools, and particularly on the Flathead Indian Reservation.
Montana Drug Courts Helena, MT Montana Supreme Court $990,074 This proposal requests funding to sustain, enhance, and expand Montana drug courts, which are serving 22 counties throughout the state. Drug courts continue to work well in Montana. According to a 2009 University of Montana report, employment levels for drug court participants increased 30%; educational levels increased as well. Nearly 80% of adult participants were attending self-help meetings at discharge. Most importantly, the recidivism rate for drug court graduates was a low 9.8%. Moreover, studies conducted of the 8th Judicial District (Cascade County) Adult Drug Court, 13th Judicial District (Yellowstone County) Family Drug Treatment Court, and Billings Adult Drug Court found that local and state governments realized significant cost savings or cost avoidance through operation of their courts compared to traditional methods of handling drug or alcohol dependent offenders.
Montana Meth Project Missoula, MT Montana Meth Project $1,000,000 The Montana Meth Project is active in three areas: l) public service messaging, 2) public policy, and 3) community action. It sustains a campaign of research-based paid public service messaging - including advertising, public relations, and Web sites - to effect attitude changes regarding methamphetamine use among Montana's youth. At the core of the Montana Meth Project effort is an ongoing, research-based marketing campaign that graphically communicates the risks of Meth use. In September 2005, the Montana Meth Project initiated large-scale prevention advertising across Montana, targeting Montana youths ages 12-17, reaching an estimated 70 -90% of them three times a week with Meth prevention messaging. The goal of the Montana Meth Project advertising is to "unsell" Meth, equipping the youth of Montana with the facts about methamphetamine so they can make better informed consumption decisions.
Montana Offender Notification and Tracking System (MONTS) Missoula, MT Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC) $1,347,000 Montana Offender Notification and Tracking system (MONTS) is a collaboration between the Montana Technology Enterprise Center, the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association and AquilaVision Corporation. This project will allow many categories of criminal offenders to be closely monitored with state of the art GPS tracking equipment and alcohol monitoring systems. If geographic based probation or parole violations occur while being electronically monitored, immediate voice notification will be sent to law enforcement personnel. Even while Public Safety is enhanced, this project will help alleviate the very expensive problem of jail and prison overcrowding.
Montana Safe Schools Center - Trauma Informed Communities Missoula, MT University of Montana $850,000 Childhood trauma, or PTSD, is the driving engine of intergenerational poverty with well established correlations to early morbidity and mortality. Research is clear: if left untreated, childhood trauma can lead to criminal behavior, drug/alcohol abuse, violence and shorter lives. In Montana, its prevalence is greatly elevated in economically challenged regions, reservation communities and among military families where a parent or sibling has been deployed. This FY11 request extends diagnostic and treatment services to military children and continues services to Tribes and school districts.
Public Safety Radio System Replacement Billings, MT City of Billings, MT $2,896,500 The City of Billings is the largest and only municipal community that currently operates on an 800 MHz radio system. The existing 800 MHz system is comprised of dated technology and the service life and availability of parts and a qualified service provider is projected to be nonexistent after June of 2011. Radio system interoperability between essential public services including fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency medical services is vital for the overall safety of first responders and the citizens that are served by these emergency organizations. This project will replace aging technology with new, interoperable radios that will facilitate better communication between emergency responders.
READI Montana: Moving Beyond GIS & Standard Analytics Using Cloud Supercomputing Services Butte, MT Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Center $2,582,000 Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Center (RMSC) has created the comprehensive project “READI Montana” supporting the Montana Disaster & Emergency Services agency and the Montana National Guard desire to develop a disaster response training, simulation, and coordination model using supercomputers and geographic information systems (GIS). This funding will be used to create and sustain a flexible and accessible “READI Montana” Intelligent Framework using RMSC's cloud-based, on-demand supercomputing services. These services can deliver delivering high-fidelity real-time simulations, visualizations, scenario training, planning and information sharing that goes beyond the standard analytics of state emergency response agencies.
Regional Justice and Detention Center Architecture and Engineering Study Livingston, MT Park County, MT $476,750 The current facility was built in 1976 and does not meet national standards for corrections security or prisoner safety. The facility is used by the Park County Sheriffs Department, Livingston Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, and other various state and federal agencies. Funding for an architecture and engineering study will allow Park County to pursue construction of a replacement justice and detention center, to meet the community's need for updated justice facilities and increased detention space.
Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center Helena, MT Helena Regional Airport Authority $1,000,000 A structural fire trainer will elevate the RMESTC and Helena to the highest level of fire services training, providing the best possible training for emergency and first responder providers available in the northwest. In addition to local volunteer and professional fire departments, ambulance services, and law enforcement agencies, Helena is the home to the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and the Fort William Henry Harrison Training Support Center. Helena’s central location in the northwest region of the US makes it an attractive and affordable destination for emergency response training.
UM STEM Education Physics Lab Missoula University of Montana $1,000,000 This project will put in place technology infrastructure upgrades for the University's introductory physics and astronomy laboratories that can additionally serve as research support facilities. The impact of this project is three-fold: 1) to increase student understanding of the connection between theory, observation, and experiment through active engagement in all three areas through diverse media; 2) to add to the knowledge base of best practices for integrating various technologies in post-secondary science and engineering education; and 3) to enhance the capabilities and deliverables of students with access to state of the art research support facilities.
Upgrade Inter-Agency Firearms Range and Tactical Training Facility Livingston, MT Park County, MT $20,500 This project will improve on the existing Sheriff's Office Firearms Range/Training facility for the use of Sheriff's Department personnel, Livingston Police Department, Montana Highway Patrol, Montana Department of Livestock, Probation and Parole and other agencies in need of the facility. Project funds would include a 10x12 shed (with power), 2-100 yard shooting benches, material for backstops and target frames (including lumber and metal), 6 simunition hand guns, and a shoot-house for tactical training and live fire scenarios. Current facilities are inadequate to provide high-level training to local law enforcement.
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
Augusta Wastewater System Improvements Augusta, MT Augusta Water and Sewer District $145,500 This funding will go towards critically needed wastewater infrastructure improvements in Augusta, MT. The Water and Sewer District operates a wastewater system originally constructed in the early 1960s. A recent inspection of the wastewater collection system noted numerous deficiencies including cracked and broken pipe, collapsing sections of line, and some areas with inadequate slope and sags in the pipe. These deficiencies have resulted in backups of raw sewage into adjacent homes. These mains need to be replaced immediately to address the public health and safety risk.
Big Hole Grayling Recovery and Drought Mitigation Project Big Hole Watershed, SW Montana Big Hole Watershed Committe $1,952,500 This decade-long project addresses water management and habitat enhancement efforts among citizens and agencies that will result in recovery of a critically imperiled species and will demonstrate successful water management practices that improve habitat conditions, recreation opportunities and agriculture production.
Birch Creek Demonstration Forest Kalispell, MT The Conservation Fund $1,650,000 The U.S. Forest Service budget includes a request for a $1.65 million Forest Legacy grant to the State of Montana to establish the Birch Creek Demonstration Forest. The proposed demonstration forest would ensure continued recreational opportunities on the Foys-to-Blacktail trail and help provide information to local landowners to manage lands for timber production and fire suppres-sion. By acquiring 320 acres from The Conservation Fund, these funds would help provide a buffer for adjacent protected lands in one of the most rapidly developing areas of the state. If funding is secured, the State of Montana would hold title to the property with Flathead Valley Community College managing education and research to benefit landowners and timber industry.
Chain-of-Lakes Recreation Management Area Lewis and Clark County, MT The Conservation Fund $1,000,000 Acquisition of the McMaster Ranch property will enable the Bureau of Land Management to conserve 1,120 acres of scenic private land to provide permanent access for hiking, biking, horseback riding and other recreation opportunities for residents of Helena and surrounding communities. Full-funding of the Fiscal Year 2011 President's Budget of $1,000,000 would enable the BLM to complete Phase IV of the McMaster Ranch project, which is surrounded by public lands and within the Chain-of-Lakes Recreation Management Area/Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. Protection of the Ranch’s natural and historic resources will preserve the ranching traditions of the landscape, provide recreation access, and enhance the local economy
City of Troy Water Project Troy, MT City of Troy $350,000 Troy will need to continue replacing leaking transmission and distribution lines even though many of the lines have been replaced. Nothing had been done to maintain the water lines until recently when Troy started a complete revamping of the system and started replacing and updating the worn and leaking system. Troy is still experiencing a loss of approximately 17,000,000 gallons of water that is not going through the system. Continuing replacement of the mainlines will cut the loss of water, decrease the amount of power used to generate that amount of water, and decrease the strain on the pumps and system in supplying water to residents.
Clearwater Lands Project Missoula County, MT The Nature Conservancy $5,900,000 As part of the ongoing Montana Legacy Project, this appropriation through the U.S. Forest Service's, Forest Legacy program will allow the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks to acquire 3,821 acres in the Clearwater river drainage near Seeley Lake. The Clearwater Lands Project contains some of the most biologically important, but unprotected, fish and wildlife habitat in Montana. The area is entirely timbered and located less than five miles from one of Montana's last family-owned timber mills. The lands are at extreme risk of conversion to non-forest uses including resort and residential development. With this appropriation, MFWP will acquire a portion of the Clearwater Lands Project and protect its traditional use and biological significance.
Comprehensive Transboundary Conservation Management Plan North Fork Flathead River Basin, MT Flathead Ecosystem Science Partnership $650,000 February 18, 2010, British Columbia (BC) and Montana (MT) signed an MOU to prohibit coal mining, coal bed methane extraction, and gas and oil exploration and development in the transboundary North Fork of the Flathead River Basin. The MOU calls for collaboration on environmental assessment and fish and wildlife management. The Flathead Ecosystem Science Partnership proposes to develop a water- and land-use management plan in cooperation with Provincial, State, Federal and Tribal agencies to fulfill this next step to assure the long-term health of the North Fork and the greater Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.
Crow Agency Wastewater Infrastructure Technical Correction Crow Agency, MT Crow Tribe Language This request will allow funding secured in fiscal year 2009 for the wastewater lagoon component of the Crow Agency Wastewater Improvements project to be used for improvements on other aspects of the Tribe's wastewater infrastructure.
Crow Agency Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Crow Agency, MT Crow Tribe $2,300,000 The Crow tribe requests funds to improve the wastewater collection system and to construct a new drinking water treatment plant in Crow Agency. The purpose of the new system is to replace old facilities and expand service to include new homes and businesses, while providing adequate quantities of water that meets safe drinking water standards. This request is to begin the fourth and final construction phase of this project.
Historic Downtown Whitehall Fire Recovery Whitehall, MT Jefferson Local Development Corporation $150,000 In March of 2009, a fire caused extensive damage to downtown Whitehall, Montana. Five buildings were lost in the downtown area, and nine businesses were impacted directly by the fire. Following the fire, a lack of traffic downtown caused the closure of two additional businesses directly adjacent to the fire site. The Jefferson Local Development Corporation is seeking federal assistance for a historic inventory of downtown Whitehall and for assistance in rebuilding to historic preservation standards.
Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements Helena, MT City of Helena $1,000,000 This funding will be used by the City of Helena for physical improvements to its existing drinking water system transmission, conveyance, distribution and storage facilities. The overall purpose is to increase the amount of water left in Tenmile Creek. Funds will be used for planning, design, engineering and construction of various water system improvements to continue the process of converting the Missouri River Treatment Plant from summer-use to year-round use. This change over is essential for reducing Tenmile Creek withdrawals during critical water shortage periods.
Fort Missoula Post Headquarters Purchase and Remodel Missoula, MT Historical Museum at Fort Missoula $480,000 The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula has a very serious space shortage for public education events, archives and collections, and administrative offices. Almost 60,000 members of the public and 3,000 school children learn about our western heritage each year, as well as serving as a major cultural tourism site. Purchase and remodeling of the historic Post Headquarters provides vital expansion space and preserves a unique WWII historic building on the National Historic Register.Total cost for purchase and remodeling is $1,000,000, with $480,000 purchase from the U.S. Forest Service. Grants, pledges and a capitol campaign raised $191,000 and $224,000 is pending in grant requests. $480,000 is requested, providing a 1 to 1 match for funds raised.
Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System Operation and Maintenance Funding Poplar, MT Fort Peck Tribes $635,433 This funding is necessary for the operation, maintenance of the Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System, authorized by P.L. 106-382. This funding will over the operating and maintenance costs of the in-take system, including the sludge lagoons, the water treatment facility, and water delivery to Fort Kipp from Culbertson.
Gallatin National Forest Trail System Improvements Gallatin National Forest, MT Gallatin Valley Land Trust $200,000 As one of the closest access points to the Gallatin National Forest from the Community of Bozeman, the Sourdough Canyon Trailhead receives thousands of user visits each week. The trailhead is popular in the summertime for hiking and biking, and is groomed in winter months for Nordic skiing. However, the trailhead is currently chaotic and unsafe, and Bozeman's drinking water supply is jeopardized by runoff from the poorly designed road and parking area. This project will expand the existing parking lot to hold 55 to 60 vehicles, install a safe turn-around to accommodate large vehciles and emergency services, and install a vault toilet and user information kiosk.
Historic Resources Inventory Update Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman $350,000 Bozeman's primary database of historic buildings is a 25-year-old Historic Resources Inventory. This document is too dated to be an effective planning reference tool. In the quarter century since the inventory was undertaken, many additional Bozeman buildings have reached an age where their potential historic significance should be evaluated. Only a paper copy of the current Inventory is available and information gaps limit its usefulness. The completion of a full update to Bozeman's Inventory is a major, complex undertaking, requiring a substantial financial investment. Bozeman has conscientiously worked to preserve our historic resources. To continue this legacy, assistance is needed to effectively protect these resources from development pressures.
Holland Ranch - Selway Drainage Final Phase Beaverhead County, MT American Land Conservancy $1,280,000 The purchase of 320 acres owned by the Holland Ranch Company would meet several landowner, stakeholder group and U.S. Forest Service objectives. The Holland Ranch acquisition would complete a four-phased multi-year riparian habitat and cultural resource conservation effort and prevent the subdivision and trophy home development of a key property on the Nez Perce Trail. Mr. Todd Holland seeks a sale of the property to the Forest Service and a grazing leaseback agreement to allow his multi-generational ranch in southwest Montana to continue.
Montana Bio-mass Initiative (MBI) Billings, MT Native American Development Corporation $670,200 The Montana Biomass Initiative provides a new way to generate affordable, green power on Native American land in the State of Montana. The project's goal is to identify and coordinate the establishment of two (2) major bio-power facilities, each generating approximately 50 Mega Watts of power. Not only does each facility provide immediate construction employment (˜400 jobs) and direct operating and maintenance employment (˜100 jobs), this green power generation capability provides the catalyst to attract new industry to Indian Country and the State of Montana by furnishing local, cost efficient, and readily responsive power to newly relocating businesses. This project falls within the high priority goals of President Obama's Administration.
Montana Legacy Project Completion Missoula County, MT The Nature Conservancy $10,000,000 The Montana Legacy Project (MLP) is the purchase of over 310,000 acres of timberland by The Nature Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land from Plum Creek Timber Company in Western Montana. Final disposition of MLP lands to the U.S. Forest Service presents an unprecedented opportunity to avoid dispersed residential development, to protect crucial wildlife habitat, to provide for much-needed forest restoration and proper forest management and to maintain public access for recreational use. The project area contains some of the most biologically important, but unprotected, fish and wildlife habitat in Montana and the lands are at extreme risk of conversion to non-forest uses including resort and residential development.
Museum of the Plains Indian Browning, MT Friends of the Museum of the Plains Indian $250,000 The USDI Indian Arts and Crafts Board Museum of the Plains Indian needs sufficient staff and operating funds to maintain and enhance a 12-month museum with its international array of visitors, amidst the Blackfeet Reservation with museum collections derived from more than 20 tribes. Its FY10 budget was $180,600. The Museum needs adequate curatorial, cultural preservation, education, traditional art support, and tourism programs with an FTE increase to 4. With an estimate of staff benefits, salary and operating expenses plus a contribution to the backlogged maintenance needs total $250,000 specifically for the MPI within the USDI IACB budget (FY10: $1.201M, which should be increased to $1.5M).
National Conservational Legacy Education Center Missoula, MT National Museum of Forest Service History $4,500,000 There has never been one central repository where the artifacts and records of the Forest Service could be collected, preserved and made available for exhibition, study and commemoration. There has not been one central exhibit hall with a sustained interpretative and education program dedicated to sharing this conservation legacy and the lessons learned. And there has not been one central monument where the leaders, partners, and people whose stories are our history could be recognized, honored and shared with current and future generations. The National Conservation Legacy Education Center will serve as a national repository and sustain a national interpretive and education program on the conservation legacy created by the Forest Service and its cooperators.
Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge Beaverhead County, MT The Nature Conservancy $3,000,000 The richness of the Centennial Valley’s wildlife is directly linked to the presence of the 49,905-acre USFWS Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area (Refuge). The Elisabeth Grazing Association (EGA) sits astride Red Rock Creek, the headwaters of the Refuge. The Centennial Valley and Red Rock Creek are threatened by climate change, residential and commercial development, invasive species, water diversion, inappropriate grazing, and off-road vehicle use. This appropriation will allow the USFWS to acquire 670 acres from EGA. The addition of these EGA lands to the Refuge will reduce the threats and and help maintain the biological integrity of the Centennial Valley.
Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area Glacier, Teton, Pondera, and Lewis & Clark Counties, MT The Nature Conservancy $7,895,000 This easement program is necessary because it 1) proactively protects critical habitat – for “listed” species including grizzly bear, Canada lynx, bull trout, piping plover, gray wolf, and slenderleaf moonwort, 2) supports climate change and conservation objectives, and 3) preserves rural agriculture and cultural heritage. This project enjoys support by many stakeholders – and current demand for easements outstrips our sole ability to satisfy it, in the face of mounting development risk and poor cattle markets. Of all western landscapes, this program offers conservation at a fraction of the price, creating the greatest purchasing power in the entire Rocky Mountain West. Private donations exceeding $31 million match LWCF dollars in excess of four-to-one.
Silver Bow Creek Restoration Butte, MT Butte-Silver Bow Government $6,000,000 As a result of environmental injuries from decades of mining, Silver Bow Creek is essentially a dead stream, devoid of natural resource values and incapable of providing any direct or indirect services to the public. The restoration of the stream corridor and the development of the Silver Bow Creek Greenway corridor will offer an opportunity to teach people about management practices that will protect natural resources and serve the public as an outdoor classroom, offering first-hand opportunities to observe wildlife and plant species in their native element and to interpret human impact on its natural systems. The Restoration of Silver Bow Creek is imperative to the economic and community development of BSB.
Small Public Water System Technology Assistance Program Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 Small public water systems are highly regulated, and new regulations come into force every year. Montana has more than 1900 public water utilities, and those who manage and operate them are challenged at every turn. Furthermore, approaches developed for urban water utilities do not serve systems with small rate bases, minimal staff and long distances to sources of help. In Montana and other rural states it is common for public water systems to be managed by community volunteers and staffed by part-time operators who turn over frequently. Few personnel have formal education in water science or public health. This program provides training and support for small systems operators.
Storm Water Improvements - East End Industrial Area Billings, MT City of Billings $3,520,000 The City of Billings has experienced many overflow problems with the storm drain trunk mains serving the East End Industrial Area during significant storm events for several years. The current storm drain system is significantly undersized for the urban run-off area. The East Billings trunk main serves an area extending from Rocky Mountain College in northwest Billings to the railroad tracks south of Central Avenue. In total, the trunk main collects storm water run-off from 2,812 acres or 4.4 square miles of heavily developed urban area. The current drainage needs to be replaced to meet capacity demands.
Tenderfoot Acquisition Meagher County, MT Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $4,000,000 The Bair Ranch Foundation is offering 8200 acres of private lands for public acquisition. The lands are currently in a checkerboard ownership intermingled with Lewis and Clark National Forest lands which has made management difficult for both parties. Public acquisition of these lands would enhance land management opportunities, provide important public access, provide new opportunities for fish and wildlife enhancement and provide for a variety of recreational uses such as hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling and horseback riding.
Upper Madison River Special Recreation Management Area Madison County, MT The Nature Conservancy $1,000,000 This project will allow the Bureau of Land Management to acquire 320 acres of land in the Madison valley contiguous to other BLM holdings. The parcel will provide public access to 881 acres of public land on the Madison river. Further, the tract is important winter habitat for one of the largest elk herds in greater Yellowstone area.
Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Kalispell, MT City of Kalispell $1,400,000 This project will fund ongoing improvements to the City of Kalispell's wastewater infrastructure. Planned improvements to the new wastewater treatment facility, which was constructed from 2007 to 2009, include improving its ability to remove Phosphorus and Nitrogen ($800,000), replacing digester lids that control the plant’s methane output ($1.4 million), and installing a new wastewater collection interceptor ($6.21 million). Federal assistance for this project will serve one of the fastest-growing areas of Montana. The Kalispell area currently has some of the highest unemployment rates in Montana, and federal assistance is needed to help keep local project costs low.
Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Great Falls, MT City of Great Falls $3,300,000 This project would replace the main electrical gear at the pump station, modify, and replace service pumps. Improvements in the electrical gear would be configured to power the plant from two separate sources, and have the ability to switch the entire burden of powering the plant from one source to the other. These improvements would ensure that the drinking water treatment plant runs in an energy-efficient manner, reducing costs for the local ratepayer, and give the plant the ability to continue basic operations in the event of a power outage. This project is important to ensuring that these critical facilities can continue to address the needs of the community.
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
Academic Programs Libby, MT Libby High School District #4 $1,000,000 This funding would go to offset construction costs for a new elementary school. The current school, Asa Wood Elementary School, was constructed using asbestos-containing vermiculate insulation in the hollow cavity of the cement block walls. During snow removal in February 2008, a three-inch hole leaking asbestos was discovered at Asa Wood, which resulted in children’s exposure to the asbestos during recess. It is imperative for student safety that a new school be built.
American Indian Academic Achievement Initiative Billings, MT Billings Public Schools $500,000 The American Indian Academic Achievement Initiative will address dropout issues, foster academic achievement, and create a positive culturally sensitive learning environment for American Indian students and teachers with a focus on American Indian students in grades 7-12. This initiative focuses on American Indian students throughout the Billings Public Schools system, supporting them through personalized learning diagnostics and lesson plans
At-Risk Youth Substance Abuse and Behavioral Continuum of Care Billings, MT Youth Dynamics $350,000 This project builds on a pilot project Youth Dynamics initiated on its own treating substance abuse and mental health concurrently with remarkable results. This project will offer treatment and recovery serving the needs of at risk youth utilizing a continuum of care approach. It will focus on the under-served region of eastern Montana that includes communities near American Indian reservations.
Center for Healthcare Education and Simulated Hospital Training Great Falls, MT Montana State University-Great Falls College of Technology $750,000 MSU-Great Falls College of Technology has been developing education facilities using simulation technology. The college plans eight simulations rooms: Emergency, Emergency Exam, Ambulance, Intensive Care, Radiology, Operating Room, Sterile Scrub, Exam room and a Patient room. These simulation rooms will be support by audio-visual equipment and laundry. With simulation capability, the college will be able to better train students to meet the demands of the healthcare workforce
College Outreach for the 21st Century project Helena, MT Student Assistance Foundation $100,000 Student Assistance Foundation is seeking funds to enhance and expand existing college access initiatives through the use of technology to reach more Montana students, especially in rural areas. Based on a successful demonstration project with College Goal Sunday, utilizing electronic resources in a sustainable, accessible, and reliable way should allow more low and middle-income Montanans to advance to postsecondary education
Development of a Simulation, Training, and Research Center for Rural Healthcare Providers Butte, MT National Center for Healthcare Informatics $5,633,000 Simulation improves the acquisition/retention of knowledge/skills and has applications at all levels of clinical education. Since rural healthcare practitioners are often more involved than their urban counterparts in higher level assessment and emergency care, the scope of knowledge/skills required by these workers increases with remoteness, and a critical need exists for ongoing training. Access to and cost of such simulation training is a challenge. A “one-stop” healthcare simulation center providing the broad range of simulation experiences would effectively address this cost/access issue
Education for Life! Helena, MT Jobs for Montana's Graduates Foundation $590,000 These funds will go to supporting a job-skills training program that enrolls students who are identified as being at-risk of dropping out. The training program keeps the student in school while providing them with education in areas that are critical for success in the workplace in industries such as the energy industry or green building/construction industry
Equipment Upgrades at Marias Medical Center Skilled Nursing Facility Shelby, MT Toole County and Marias Medical Center $523,000 Due to a commitment to serve the disadvantaged, Marias Medical Center does not have reserve funds for essential equipment replacements and basic site improvements. This project will purchase diagnostic equipment so that patients’ medical conditions can be diagnosed locally instead of sending them 90 miles away for similar services. MMC is an accredited Skilled Nursing Facility, an establishment that cares for chronically ill, usually elderly patients, and provides long-term nursing care, rehabilitation, and other services
Expansion of the Civil Engineering program Helena, MT Carroll College $750,000 Carroll College seeks to expand and improve its environmental engineering and science laboratory facilities to support increasing enrollment and a more diverse teaching and research experience for students and faculty. In addition to addressing a national priority for increasing the number of U.S. citizens with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, this initiative will increase the number of professionals that can support Montana's need to address issues related to aging national infrastructure, environmental protection efforts, and energy resource development
Facilities and equipment for chronic care Butte, MT St. James Hospital $5,000,000 St. James Healthcare is a hospital that serves as the central healthcare facility for an area including several counties in southwestern Montana. The hospital lacks sufficient space and resources for education, clinical training, chronic care facilities, and physician recruitment. There is an urgent need to expand dialysis facilities. This appropriations request addresses these needs, expands and enhances the facilities and equipment available to care-givers and patients for chronic diseases, particularly diabetes.
Facilities and equipment for the Montana Pediatric Project Billings, MT St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation $950,000 St. Vincent Healthcare established the only pediatric intensive care (PICU) program in Montana/Wyoming on October 1, 2008. This program will establish additional sub-specialist practices at the hospital to care for children throughout the region. Key focal points will be in pediatric neurology, pediatric emergency care, pediatric surgery/neurosurgery and pediatric oncology. Further, education, training and outreach to regional tertiary and critical access hospitals will be a focus of the project so that children can be stabilized at home hospitals
Facilities and equipment upgrades Libby, MT St. John's Hospital $500,000 St. John’s Lutheran Hospital is a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital in Libby, Montana—isolated, hard-hit economically, and with many residents who are suffering from chronic diseases including asbestos related disease. The current 58-year old building is no longer adequate to serve the local population. The Hospital has developed a plan to finance construction of a new facility using a variety of local, state, and federal finances. Funding raised through this request would purchase equipment for the inpatient wing of the new hospital
Facilities and equipment upgrades Missoula, MT Partnership Health Center $200,000 This project will fund facilities improvements as Partnership Health Center (PHC) moves to a new building where it will increase the number of patients served annually from 12,000 to 20,000. This new building will be renovated to accommodate increasing patient activity and to provide adequate facilities for staff and healthcare providers to offer optimal care services
Facilities and equipment upgrades Columbus, MT Stillwater Community Hospital $500,000 Stillwater Community Hospital has outgrown its existing medical campus and is developing plans to enhance services offered to our patients. Plans are being developed to construct a new medical campus and equipment replacement will be necessary in the new facility to bring state-of-the-art care to the Columbus area. Stillwater Community Hospital is requesting $500,000 to supplement existing funding to purchase and install new equipment.
Facilities and equipment upgrades Superior, MT Mineral Community Hospital $1,500,000 Mineral Community Hospital is in need of equipment and technology upgrades to meet the demand of its patients. There are over 800 visits to the hospital per month for care, it is the number one trauma center for critical access hospitals in MT, and Mineral County has one of the highest poverty rates in the state. Currently over two million visitors annually pass through Mineral County and over Lookout Pass via Interstate 90.
Facilities and equipment upgrades Roundup, MT Roundup Memorial Healthcare $260,000 Roundup Memorial Healthcare (RMH) is in danger of being shut down if it doesn’t replace its 55-year-old coal-fired boiler. RMH was verbally notified in early June 2009 by its insurance provider that the boiler must be replaced or it will fail the next inspection, but the facility has no funds to do so. This facility provides critically important healthcare to a highly rural area, and it is imperative that the hospital remain operational
Facilities and equipment upgrades Livingston, MT Livingston Healthcare Foundation $500,000 Livingston Healthcare is requesting funds to offset the cost of a much needed new facility. Funding will go towards equipment for the new facility, including items for radiology, laboratory, and physical therapy equipment. When complete, this project will provide a broad spectrum of healthcare services in a single, convenient location
Facilities and equipment upgrades Fort Benton, MT Missouri River Medical Center $10,000,000 The Missouri River Medical Center is seeking funds to construction a new 7 bed critical access hospital, 45 bed nursing home and a clinic for four providers. MRMC hired CTA to complete a Master Planning Report. The report showed that the departments are substantially undersized and do not provide efficiency of services
Facilities and equipment upgrades Anaconda, MT Community Hospital of Anaconda $495,000 Community Hospital of Anaconda requests funds for facilities and equipment upgrades to their surgical area. CHA offers general and orthopedic surgery, obstetric and gynecological surgical services, ophthalmological surgical services and a weekly gastroenterology clinic. In addition, CHA is home to the only neurosurgeon in a five-county area, whose practice draws surgical patients from around the state of Montana. At the current time, CHA has two surgical suites, constructed in 1981, which are facing increasing scheduling demand, much needed renovation and equipment update.
Facilities and equipment upgrades Kalispell, MT Kalispell Regional Medical Center $3,000,000 Funding is requested for new construction and remodeling to build-out a permanent, dedicated 10-Bed Regional Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nursing unit, offering NICU specialty care, including an infant abduction system, security, as well as providing for special acoustical, lighting, and observation camera requirements per crib. Additional equipment needs include: Monitors, Medfusion 3500 syringe pump, giraffe omni bed, Dash 5000 Monitor and SIPAP infant flow. This project gives rural, frontier patients who live and work in northwest and north central Montana immediate access to convenient, affordable regional and specialty newborn intensive care and comprehensive intensive care nursing services for newborns
Facilities and equipment, including cardiac care improvements Helena, MT St. Peter's Hospital $255,000 The current Picture Archive Communication System (PACS ) for life-saving cardiology services provided at St. Peter’s Hospital does not work with other imaging systems at the hospital or at community clinics (MRI, CT, Ultrasound, X-ray, Nuclear Medicine, etc.). Cardiac images are only available on three, dedicated cardiac monitors in the hospital. They are not integrated into patients’ electronic medical record, as are other imaging data, and are not available at other care sites. This project will install a new, integrated system
Facilities and equipment, including Electronic Health Records technology Bozeman, MT Bozeman Deaconess Hospital $2,750,000 This project plans to match federal funding dollar-for-dollar to purchase $5.5 million in vital technology additions. Specifically, Bozeman Deaconess seeks funding to help with purchase of a Linear Accelerator, a Computerized Physician Order Entry program, and Electronic Health Records equipment and software for the Emergency Department. This technology will help to reduce errors, shorten the length of hospital stays, and ensure that healthcare providers spend more time with patients and less time with paperwork
Facilities and equipment, including Electronic Health Records technology Whitefish, MT North Valley Hospital $3,500,000 North Valley Hospital supports a rural community ranging from Eureka, MT to Glacier National Park, roughly the size of Connecticut, with a significant additional year round tourist population in addition to local residents. The hospital provides Laboratory, Imaging Services and Physical Therapy in Columbia Falls, an urgent care clinic on Whitefish Mountain during ski season, and a primary care clinic at the north end of the primary service area in Eureka in addition to the medical facility in Whitefish. Implementation of an electronic health records system will help ensure a high quality continuum of care
Facilities and equipment, including equipment for the Infant and Child Security Modernization Initiative Missoula, MT Community Medical Center $750,000 CMC’s Infant and Child Security Modernization Initiative will provide critical service upgrades and replacement of an outdated Women and Infant Care Center. CMC is the state’s primary provider of comprehensive high-risk pediatric and newborn services, benefitting a diverse rural population which includes many of the state’s Medicaid recipients. Funding will allow CMC to acquire up-to-standard equipment that is comparable to infant care units nationwide
Facilities and equipment, including for a Metabolism and Endocrinology Center Billings, MT Billings Clinic $750,000 The Metabolism and Endocrinology Center will further develop Billings Clinic’s multi-specialty approach to caring for patients with metabolic disorders. The program will include prevention programs to educate our patients about the dangers of heightened metabolic risk factors and will allow Billings Clinic to bring endocrinologists and bariatric and metabolic surgeons together to provide better outcomes for our patients. The center will also include Clinical Care Nurse Navigators, Certified Diabetic Educators and dieticians to provide our patients a single location to treat and prevent the onset of metabolic and endocrine disease
Facilities and equipment, including Information Technology upgrades Libby, MT Center for Asbestos Related Disease $295,000 Funding will be used to update and expand CARD's Information Technology equipment, including purchase of equipment and hiring of an information technology specialist. This project is critically important to improving patient care, providing accuracy and quality assurance of patient prescriptions, allowing for long-term data management and integration with CARD’s database on the epidemiological effects of the Libby asbestos amphibole, and ensuring better coordination and outreach for patient care with other providers
Facilities and equipment, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and X-Ray technology upgrades Dillon, MT Barrett Hospital $1,075,000 Barrett Hospital is requesting $1,075,000 to purchase a $825,000 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Unit (MRI) and a $250,000 Computerized Radiographic Quantum Imaging System (Computerized X-Ray). The hospital does not currently own; rather they share in a mobile MRI service that passes through Dillon only 1.5 days per week. This service experiences numerous mechanical problems and must be systematically calibrated prior to use because of rough Montana roads, and is far from ideal. The x-ray machines owned by the hospital are antiquated, and are burdensome to repair
Facilities and equipment, including purchase of a backup power generator Hardin, MT Big Horn Hospital Association $700,000 This project will purchase a new generator, and is necessary due to the aging status of the current equipment. The current generator is 28 years old and does not have the capacity to address all the emergency electrical needs of the hospital physical plant. Current generator parts are not accessible; subsequently replacement parts are individually manufactured which is expensive and causes delays in operation of the generator
Facilities and equipment, including the Cancer Genetics program Helena, MT Shodair Childrens Hospital $4,406,000 The Montana Medical Genetics Program, housed at Shodair Hospital, currently provides basic laboratory and clinical genetics services for cancer. The facility provides a unique service for Montana patients. However, the field of cancer genetics is expanding rapidly, as is the patient population seeking cancer genetic s analysis. Funding for this project will purchase new and additional laboratory equipment and renovate and expand clinical space to meet the demand for service
Health Information Technology for Critical Access Hospitals Great Falls, MT Benefis Health System $500,000 Funds will provide clinic-based electronic health records (EHR) at the point of care and hospital-based “meaningful use” health information technology (HIT) hardware and software in two Critical Access Hospitals located in Chouteau County
Hot Springs Clinic facilities and equipment upgrades Hot Springs, MT Sanders Community Development Corporation $745,000 The Hot Springs Medical Clinic is in very poor structural condition. The floors of the building slope in various directions requiring that anyone in a wheelchair be secured to prevent them from rolling into a wall or other obstruction. There is not enough space to adequately serve the patient population of approximately 1200 people in the community of Hot Springs and the surrounding Flathead Indian Reservation. A new building will provide much needed space for additional examination rooms, medical labs, rest rooms, larger physical therapy facilities, increased storage for medical records and a larger waiting room.
Montana Energy Training Center Havre, MT Montana State University - Northern $1,000,000 Montana State University - Northern requests funding to create a regional energy training center to develop the workforce needed by Montana’s emerging energy sector. The funding will continue to train and retrain skilled workers who can fill high-priority jobs, as defined by industry and labor partners in various energy sectors. A combination of delivery modes will be utilized, including classroom, on-line instruction, on-site training and others, so that expertise from campuses throughout the Montana University system can be shared
Montana Remote STEM Curriculum Development program Missoula, MT Montana Digital Academy $1,381,000 This project will develop a system for Montana students statewide that will provide them with academic skills through participation in an online learning environment. Students working with this system will learn through an interactive virtual environment that has been adapted through cooperation with teachers and software designers to provide a standards-based learning framework
Reach Higher Montana Adult Learning Project Billings, MT Montana State University - Billings $300,000 Montana State University Billings proposes to address the issue of adult high school dropouts and adults without high school degrees by offering education programs leading to GEDs and service development for adult learners. This proposal will not only provide adults currently in the workforce opportunities to improve their educational attainment, but will give former high school drop-outs an opportunity to access higher education
Rehabilitation of the tribal wellness center Billings, MT Montana Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council $250,000 There is currently a major need for culturally appropriate residential substance abuse treatment and recovery services for Native Americans in Montana. The Montana/Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council has undertaken the task of responding to that need by establishing the Inter-Tribal Wellness Center as a facility that serves American Indians in need of treatment and recovery. Funding will go to improvements of facilities and equipment to bring the facility online to serve tribes in the two-state region
Rural Healthcare Careers Center project Kalispell, MT Flathead Valley Community College $1,495,000 The demand for nurses is growing 54% faster in northwestern Montana than the nation as a whole. Flathead Valley Community College is pursuing accreditation for a two-year-registered nursing program, and this project will help the college to expand healthcare career training. The main goals of the project are: (1) purchase of advanced simulators and other technology to meet the demands for clinical space; (2) offer courses in the existing practical nursing program to students in Browning, MT, to assist the Blackfeet Nation to meet its local healthcare workforce need; (3) expand its present licensed practical nurse (LPN) program
SKC Nursing Program curriculum and classroom improvements Pablo, MT Salish Kootenai College $392,000 The current nurse training facility is over 20 years old. The structure is wood framed with inefficient windows, siding, insulation and heating and cooling system. The expenditures on energy for this facility are significant and with improved efficiency will allow the school to utilize saved funds to expand the nursing program and graduate more nurses and dental assistants. This project would fund installation of more energy efficient equipment to make the space more economical to use and more comfortable for nursing students
Suicide Intervention Access and Outreach Program Bozeman, MT The Help Center - 211 $259,000 This project would be used to enhance areas of service acknowledged by the updated Montana Strategic Suicide Prevention Plan. Specifically, this project will enhance the existing 211 call center infrastructure and coordinate resource and crisis service delivery for suicide intervention
Tribal Dialysis Unit facilities and equipment Poplar, MT Fort Peck Tribes $1,900,000 This funding is necessary to expand the current dialysis unit from a 10 station facility to an 18 station facility, which will be required to serve the needs of the growing dialysis patients in Northeast Montana. Currently the facility keeps 33 residents from having to travel over 150 miles one-way for dialysis. The service population is expected to double in the next 5 to 10 years
Tribal Youth Wellness Programs Box Elder, MT Rocky Boy's Chippewa Cree Tribe $275,000 This project will support the implementation of youth programs on the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. The tribe has a very high rate of juvenile delinquency, youth suicide and youth substance abuse. In order to combat these trends a Youth Program will be implemented by the Rocky Boy Health Board's Wellness Center. Funding will support various physical fitness activities, intensive substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention and intervention, and healthy alternatives to juvenile delinquency
Western Montana Homeless Shelter Missoula, MT Poverello Center $1,000,000 The State of Montana’s largest emergency homeless shelter and soup kitchen, located in the heart of downtown Missoula, is an outdated, inadequate, and deficient facility badly in need of an alternative. Currently, hundreds of vulnerable, homeless, sick, mentally and physically disabled, and elderly individuals, families, and veterans are turned away each week throughout Western Montana. This funding will convert an adjacent building to the current shelter into an appropriate and handicap accessible public facility that will provide emergency shelter, medical care, supportive services, and food to 7,000 Montanans each year
Western Montana Outpatient Mental Health Network Missoula, MT St. Patrick Hospital $800,000 An increasing number of patients in western Montana are seeking treatment for their psychiatric or chemical dependency problems in acute care emergency rooms. This is straining hospitals in the region and driving up costs to the health care system. To assist with mental health crises across the region, St. Patrick Hospital is proposing establishing a new outpatient network that will assist regional hospitals in managing behavioral health patients seeking treatment. Funding will go towards information technology and salaries, including a new psychiatrist position.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Construct Physical Fitness Center, Phase II Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB $10,000,000 This project will construct Phase II of a fitness center including indoor swimming pool, group exercise area, Health and Wellness Center, administrative offices, and racquetball courts. This center is vital at Malmstrom AFB for the health, morale, and welfare of the servicemen and women as well as to maintain a fitness level necessary for optimal performance during military operations.
Construct Tactical Response Force Facility Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB $10,000,000 This project will construct a new 25000 square foot Tactical Response Alert Facility adjacent to the base flight line. This facility is an integral part of weapons security and would address current shortcomings including storage, sleeping quarters for 17 Security Forces personnel and four helicopter crews; tactical operations control with TSIPR NRET capabilities, briefing room, an armory with an issue area, and classrooms.
Fort Harrison Fire Station Fort Harrison, MT Montana National Guard $1,750,000 This project would allow for the Montana Army National Guard to provide adequate bays for new fire trucks and appropriately store firefighting equipment. With funding, an addition would be constructed to accommodate new larger vehicles, and firefighters would be able to store and maintain equipment at mission readiness.
Reconstruct Miles City Readiness Center Miles City Armory, MT Montana Army National Guard $14,330,000 This project will construct a Readiness Center to replace the existing facility which was constructed in 1957. The current facility was originally constructed for an Armored Cavalry Unit, and is improperly designed and grossly undersized for the 260th Engineer Company that is the current occupant.
Replace Military Working Dog Kennel Malmstrom Air Force Base, MT 341st Missile Wing, Malmstrom AFB $2,500,000 This project will construct a new support and administration building, a new kennel facility, and demolish the old facility. The new buildings will account for all phases of dog training for patrol and detection that takes place on the grounds and includes storage requirements for equipment connected to training, mobility, contingencies, and VIP protection. This project replaces a 55-year old facility which suffers from concerns about structural integrity. The kennels were condemned by the Army Veterinarian in 2003.
State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs
Vietnam Education and Exchange Initiative Missoula, MT University of Montana Language The relationship between the U.S. and Vietnam remains in its nascent stages, but shows considerable potential for growth in the areas of trade and education. Deepening U.S. engagement with Vietnam is crucial for the advancement of both U.S. economic and foreign policy interests. Funding for a Comprehensive Vietnamese Education and Exchange program would put the University of Montana and the state of Montana in a position of leadership as we re-engage an increasingly prosperous, dynamic and young society economically and politically. It also presents an opportunity to stem the trend of waning U.S. influence in Southeast Asia while constructively off-setting China’s growing sway in the area.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
21st Century Facility Improvements Missoula, MT Opportunity Resources, Inc. $800,000 Opportunity Resources, Inc. (ORI) is entering into its 56th year of serving individuals with disabilities.  The organization has several major facility and infrastructure needs that must be addressed.  If funded, ORI would be able to improve services for more than 400 individuals served daily.  Opportunity Resources receives annual funding from the state of Montana for services, however there is little left for facility improvements or for modernizing transportation needs.  This request includes funding for vehicle replacements and group home and work site improvements.
Bench Boulevard Improvements Billings, MT Montana Department of Transportation $10,000,000 This request will fund ongoing construction on Bench Boulevard in Billings.  Bench Boulevard parallels a street with one of the highest daily traffic volumes of any street or highway in Montana, and further improvements on Bench Blvd will help to alleviate traffic congestion on that street.  This project will serve the City of Billings, the largest city in Montana.  Montana Dept. of Transportation, the City of Billings, and Yellowstone County have worked cooperatively to advance this project for over a decade.
Children's Home Renovation and Expansion Helena, MT Intermountain $1,000,000 Over the past 12 years, demand for Intermountain services has grown exponentially and our facilities have become outdated. Additionally, regulatory requirements relative to facilities have become more stringent and now present a barrier to providing additional types of care. To meet these challenges, Intermountain is launching a comprehensive campaign to generate $4.5 million for the construction of new facilities and the renovation of existing ones. Intermountain is seeking a $1 million federal appropriation to fund a portion of these renovation costs.
Community Land Trust Butte, MT Headwaters RC&D $200,000 This funding will be used to add capacity to the Headwaters RC&D staff with the specific intent of establishing a regional community land trust for the Headwaters Region consisting of Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson, Silver Bow, Deer Lodge, Powell and Granite Counties.
Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes Food Distribution Program Pablo, MT Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes $1,100,000 The project will provide for construction of a state-of-the-art building that will provide a store atmosphere that allows participants to shop and select food products.  This project will also allow the program to provide an enhance home delivery system.  Currently the program has one one-ton unrefrigerated truck to deliver commodities to seven locations in the 1.25 million acres of the Reservation.
Cregg Lane/Wyoming Street Connector Missoula, MT City of Missoula $7,000,000 The funding for this project will fund a critical east/west connector street south of the Clark Fork River, connecting two major north/south arterials, Orange and Russell Streets through a low income neighborhood and build a 14.5 acre park to serve the area. This is a central city brownfields that was industrial and is now low and moderate income residential with remnant industrial uses, vacant and underutilized property. This park and critical piece of infrastructure will create the opportunity to redevelop the 45 acre sawmill site, reduce cut through traffic in existing neighborhoods, reduce traffic on S. Third Street, provide adequate access to the new civic stadium. Additionally, the City is obligated to rebuild an aging railroad bridge in order to gain a permanent right-of-way under the trestle. Full funding for this project would allow that work to move forward.
East Belgrade I-90 Interchange Belgrade, MT Montana Department of Transportation $10,000,000 The purpose of this project is to provide an additional Interstate 90 interchange east of Belgrade, Montana to facilitate critical intermodal connectivity with Gallatin Field Airport and improve regional travel.  A new interchange in East Belgrade will also reduce congestion on State Secondary 205 between Belgrade and Bozeman, reduce congestion at the existing Belgrade Interchange and improve regional and local mobility.
East Helena Industrial Park East Helena, MT Montana Business Assistance Connection $1,500,000 East Helena was the home of the Asarco Lead Smelter from 1888 to February 2001. In 2005, Asarco, which owns approximately 2000 acres near East Helena, declared bankruptcy. That land has since been turned over to a Custodial Trustee for reclamation.  Development of an industrial park on portions of this land will bring jobs and a substantial tax base back to the city and county.
Emma Park Neighborhood Center Butte, MT Human Resources Council, Region XIII $1,000,000 The proposed Center will support improvement of housing conditions and ultimately help revitalize the Emma Park Neighborhood—a severely blighted and high poverty section of Butte. As the anchor project for the overall revitalization effort, the Center will include a housing and financial counseling office that will help low-income residents in the neighborhood become and remain homeowners, a carpentry shop on site that will allow for classes on home rehabilitation, and a tool library that will support citizen-initiated home rehabilitation work. Other services will include Low Income Energy Assistance, Youth Employment and Training, health services, after school programs and training on the use of renewable energy technologies in home renovations.
Glacier Discovery Square Columbia Falls, MT First Best Place $1,200,000  Columbia Falls lacks large public facilities that offer space for educational and other programming.  This project meets that need and brings world-class programs to a rural community.   Currently there is no secure repository in Northwest Montana to adequately house  historic  documents, photographs, and art of this region, including the national  treasures of the Glacier National Park Archives.  The project will be the foundation for economic growth in the community, creating new business and job opportunities, directly and indirectly as a catalyst for business development in the area. The campus will be anchored by a modern community library and will provide multiple educational, job training, and cultural opportunities through direct curriculum offerings and partnerships with several participating agencies and institutions.
Great Falls Agri-Tech Park Great Falls, MT Great Falls Development Authority $1,500,000 These funds will be used to further extend the infrastructure and utilities into the new Great Falls Agri-Tech Park which will be embarking on Phase 1 in the construction season of 2010.  This request will allow Great Falls Development Authority and its public/private partners to continue the momentum that has begun on securing a rail-based heavy industrial site for Great Falls.   The primary objective for this project continues to be positioning Great Falls to take advantage of pent up market opportunities by addressing a weaknesses -- one of which is the lack of "shovel ready" rail-based heavy industrial sites for potential expansion and attractions. 
Great Falls Transit Bus Purchase Great Falls, MT Great Falls Transit District $1,200,000 The Great Falls Transit District operates fixed route service with 20 buses. A majority of the fleet is made up of 1991 Gillig buses, which reached their useful life in 2003. The funding received via earmarks in FY 2008 and FY 2009, along with the ARRA funding, the Great Falls Transit District still has four 1991 buses which desperately need to be replaced. Current funding structure is insufficient to allow purchase of new vehicles, and this federal funding request would provide the necessary capital for bus replacements.
Highway 2 - Swamp Creek Libby, MT Montana Department of Transportation $10,000,000 This request will complete the US 2 Swamp Creek project located south of Libby on US Highway 2.  The project will improve US 2 from a roadway that has no shoulders and 10-foot lanes to a two-lane roadway with 12-foot lanes and 4-foot shoulders.  The project runs through a narrow rural valley consisting of flat swampy bottomlands and steep, timber-covered valley walls.  There is a high volume of truck and bus traffic using this section of US 2, which is a concern considering the poor condition and geometrics of the roadway.  When completed, the project will improve a substandard road that was constructed in the 1930’s, provide safety enhancements to the corridor, and address the existing roadway's high crash rate, which is 2.5 higher than the state average. 
Highway 93 and Kalispell Bypass Kalispell, MT Montana Department of Transportation $10,000,000  This request will be used to for continued construction, right of way acquisition, and intersection improvements along US Highway 93, including the Kalispell Bypass project.  US 93 carries a significant amount of intrastate, interstate, and international travel.  This highway has the highest volume of non-Interstate traffic in Montana.  In addition, the proposed bypass project will serve a county that is experiencing one of the highest growth rates in the state.  For over two decades MDT, the City of Kalispell, and Flathead County have worked cooperatively to advance the Kalispell Bypass.
I-15 Custer Avenue Interchange Helena, MT Montana Department of Transportation $10,000,000 This project will accelerate the continued development and construction of the Custer Avenue Interchange and the Montana Rail Link Overpass Structures.  The interchange is a recommended improvement in the Helena I-15 Corridor EIS. If fully funded, the money will complete right-of-way acquisition in a rapidly developing area, will complete design, and fund the construction phase.
Logan Lane/Pine Hollow Road Safety Improvements Ravalli County, MT Ravalli County $1,700,000 The Logan Lane / Pine Hollow corridor is a valuable, heavily used route in the Stevensville area that serves to reduce congestion in the Stevensville downtown area, thus improving the overall air quality of downtown Stevensville.  Presently, deteriorated pavement surfacing and inadequate shoulder widths significantly detract from the safety of this important route.  Inadequately sized and constructed culverts restrict the flow of runoff in the drainages along this route, resulting in several areas of pavement undercutting and damage to adjacent properties. This project will address the public safety and environmental health issues associated with the current condition of the roadway by reconstructing the roadway surface and replacing culverts. 
Medical Corridor Parking Facility Billings, MT Billings Clinic $5,000,000 It is estimated that over 1.5 million people visit the medical corridor each year for health care services. Parking availability for the hospital campus and surrounding businesses, including Dehler Park, has not paced the growth of the area and available land must be used strategically to accommodate current and future capacity for the millions of patrons in this area. Billings Clinic requests $5 million to construct a parking structure on its’ campus in Billings’ medical corridor and designed to accommodate off-street parking for approximately 230 vehicles.
Mill Creek Highway Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, MT Anaconda-Deer Lodge County $5,000,000 Highway 274 is the main transportation link between the north and south ends of the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County (ADLC) crossing the Continental Divide.  Highway 274 is a treacherous 26 mile winding road which connects the ranching and tourist economy of the Big Hole River Valley on the south end of the county to the more populous northern half.  Over 50% of ADLC is publicly owned and much of it is accessed through the Big Hole Valley. 
North Central Montana Transit (NCMT) Harlem, MT Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $900,000 The Fort Belknap Indian Community Council is requesting funding to increase access and efficiency of fixed-route public transit services between isolated rural communities and two Indian reservations, and metropolitan services in Montana's Hi-Line region. The North Central Montana Transit regional rural transit system supports job creation and retention. Additionally, public transportation provides a key component of community development in rural North Central Montana.
Patient and Family Lodging Billings, MT Billings Clinic $500,000 In the vast rural and frontier region, patients often travel considerable distances with their families to Billings Clinic to undergo medical treatment.  For patients, the unreimbursed cost of lodging creates a significant barrier to their medical care. This project would address that need by providing housing for patient families while they receive medical care.
Paving of Loop Road Sweet Grass, MT Toole County $500,000 The proposed project will pave 1/2 mile of Loop Road, which is located on the southern edge of Sweet Grass, an unincorporated community under the jurisdiction of Toole County.  In August 2008, the Enforcement Division of the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) documented significant dust conditions that need to be remedied.   Paving a ½ mile portion of Loop Road will address Particulate Matter (PM)10 air quality issues and mitigate potential hazards to human life, as pavement will alleviate dust churned up by heavy truck traffic to/from several commercial outlets located on or adjacent to Loop Road in Sweet Grass, Montana.
Redevelopment in East Billings Urban Renewal District Billings, MT Big Sky Economic Development Authority $1,500,000 The East Billings Urban Renewal District redevelopment project is necessary in order to stimulate economic renewal by continuing development activities in the East Downtown Billings Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD).  This endeavor will lead to improvements in outdated or non-existent infrastructure, and assemblage of land to facilitate mixed use development between the downtown core and MetraPark, a 10,000-seat exposition and entertainment center that draws patrons from a multi-state region surrounding Billings, Montana. 
Regional Innovation Partnerships Bozeman, MT TechRanch $1,600,000 This project will help to create high paying jobs and economic diversification across Montana.  TechRanch is solely focused on job creation in Montana, and by setting up new partnerships across Montana, they can 1) develop stronger programs for key economic clusters, 2) spread costs and 3) generate fees to ensure sustainability. The regional partnership model will create stronger companies and many more jobs in Montana's knowledge based economy.
Shelby Intermodal Hub Shelby, MT City of Shelby $3,400,000 This project is necessary to create 32 direct jobs and 300 secondary jobs in Montana and reduce transportation costs for the businesses in the 400 square mile catchment area, which includes 28 of Montana's 56 counties. A centralized freight facility (Intermodal Hub) will increase the volume and variety of goods that Montana ships and receives each year, reduce costs on those shipments, and make Montana a better place to work, live, and raise a family.
Sheridan Hall Transitional Living Center Helena, MT Helena Indian Alliance $600,000 Sheridan Hall is a well-kept facility rich with history. However, its outdated electrical and mechanical systems and non-compliance with fire safety and handicap accessibility codes render it unusable as a residential center for the homeless, including homeless Montana veterans. The services proposed for the Transitional Living Center are both needed and operationally viable, but the building cannot accommodate them without extensive rehabilitation. Funding will be used to address these deficiencies and ensure that the facility can provide vital services.
Solid Waste Transfer Station Lame Deer, MT Northern Cheyenne Tribe $1,200,000 Solid waste is a cause for major concern on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, with only 3 open solid waste transfer stations serving 5 communities and no curb-side trash collection for the 1,868 housing residents. To address this problem, the Northern Cheyenne Tribe gathered funds to build an enclosed Solid Waste Transfer Facility, completed in the spring of 2008.  Unfortunately, the original funding was insufficient to cover both the cost of construction and the purchase of equipment to collect and transport waste.  Requested funds would allow the Tribe to purchase equipment necessary to make the Facility fully operational.
Transfer Center Rehabilitation Missoula, MT Mountain Line $300,000 The Mountain Line Transfer Center in downtown Missoula is now 10 years old and needs repairs to the exterior concrete work and furnishings.  In addition, improvements to the interior of the building would allow a more efficient use of office space. Sidewalks and pavement need to be repaired and replaced on the bus mall.  Signage, benches, and other street furnishings need to be repaired or replaced.  Exterior solar powered lighting would increase the energy efficiency of the facility.  This project contributes to the livability of Missoula by enhancing a safe, reliable, and economical transportation option that also helps reduce congestion and improve air quality. Mountain Line provides an economical and efficient way to get people to and from work in Missoula. 
West College Street Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Street Improvements Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman $3,400,000 West College Street is a 2-lane street with no curb, limited sidewalks, access congestion, intersection backups, limited capacity, and an open irrigation canal to the north side that floods nearby mobile home parks and other lands.  This is the primary route for traffic going to the University from the west, and it provides access to a majority of the University’s student housing as well as several businesses.  Funding will be used to reconstruct College Street and turn it into a five-lane urban arterial roadway from Main Street east to 19th Avenue. A minimum of two travel lanes in each direction, bike lanes on each side, curb and gutter, piped irrigation canal, boulevard, sidewalk , and a raised median will be required.

FY2010 Appropriations Requests

Appropriated federal funding plays a critical role in projects across Montana. Appropriation dollars create thousands of good paying jobs in industries from agriculture to highways to scientific research. The information on each project was provided by the organization or group requesting the funding. The specific funding request amounts are not guaranteed, and are likely to change. The information below is provided to ensure transparency thorough the appropriations process.

Click on the link below to view my requests for the subcommittee:

NAMELOCATIONREQUESTORAMOUNTDESCRIPTION
Agriculture and Rural Development
Animal Biosciences Research Facility Bozeman, MT Montana State University $16,000,000 Agriculture is the largest basic industry in the Montana economy and the livestock industry is its largest segment. The progressive evolution of animal and range sciences has generated increasingly complex opportunities for research, teaching and outreach. The proposed research facility will use the bovine genome sequence to identify ways to improve economic and environmental sustainability in the production of safe, high quality and consistent beef products by: identifying genes and their function; developing tools to control disease; improving nutrient utilization, management and production efficiency; and enhancing the nutrient composition of a safe supply of beef for the consumers in the United States and abroad. The livestock industry would benefit from work enabled by the facility.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas Butte, MT National Center for Appropriate Technology $3,000,000 ATTRA is the national sustainable agriculture information service, which offers technical information and assistance to farmers, ranchers and agricultural information providers from all 50 states who are interested in sustainable agriculture technologies and in marketing methods which improve farm sustainability. Authorized in the 1985 and 2008 Farm Bills, this national project offers its clients improved access to scientifically sound, understandable, and practical information. Responses are furnished to clients through mailed responses and publications, email and electronic information dissemination. In Montana last year, NCAT received 3,091 requests for technical assistance from constituents in 72 communities across the state and farmers and ranchers downloaded 44,896 publications off our ATTRA website. Nationally, our website received 3.8 million unique visitors and 4.3 million publications were downloaded, we responded to over 45,600 technical requests, and we reached farmers, ranchers, and others from 48 states through in-person education.
Barley for Rural Development Bozeman, MT Montana State University $600,000 Rainfed (not irrigated) barley varieties suitable for growing in this region can be used for malt, feed, fructose ethanol and food. Improved varieties suitable for dryland areas could result in increased income for barley growers and contribute to the development or expansion of value added industries from malting to ethanol production. Funds will be used for further development of quality varieties to meet these potential uses.
Bighorn Sheep and Domestic Sheep Disease Conflict Research Helena, MT Montana Department of Livestock $200,000 This multi-state project involves collaborative research by unbiased livestock and wildlife researchers. Research is needed on the bacterial, viral (and other microbiologic agents), nutritional (micro and macro-nutrient), stress factors, parasites, and other etiology of Bighorn Sheep die offs. Research collaborators and project designs would be sought by the state veterinarians and wildlife veterinarians in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and the funding would be distributed through the livestock agency in each state in collaboration with USDA/ARS to help determine the causes of Bighorn Sheep pneumonia outbreaks.
Brucellosis Vaccines for Livestock and Bison Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 B. abortus is a communicable disease that has already affected Montana’s livestock industry and will continue to pose future threats until improved vaccines are developed. Montana must retain its Brucella-free status to sustain the livestock industry.  Development of novel vaccines and study of livestock and bison immune responses will have a tremendously positive impact for Montana agriculture.
Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee Helena, MT Montana Department of Livestock $2,250,000 This multi-state project will implement brucellosis herd management plans; conduct brucellosis prevention, surveillance, control and eradication activities in MT and the Greater Yellowstone Area, and to provide funds for the MT Dept. of Fish Wildlife & Parks for wildlife surveillance and elk/cattle mitigation.
Integrated and Biochemically-Based Management of Wheat Stem Sawfly Bozeman, MT Montana State University $600,000 The wheat stem sawfly causes severe economic losses in Montana and in other impacted areas. Previous research from this project has shown that endemic natural enemies effectively suppress wheat stem sawfly at impacted locations. Federal and state funds have supported mass rearing and redistribution of these enemies to reduce sawfly damage. These findings support expansion of large-scale, statewide parasitoid redistribution. Complementary outreach efforts will focus on cultural practices incorporating minimal disturbance to enhance and sustain a grower-favorable ecological balance between crop production and natural enemy conservation. Collectively, these approaches are the basis for an evolving integrated management strategy against the sawfly in Montana directed at the $100M losses and additional regional impacts.
Mobile Biomass Energy Unit for Diseased Timber Harvesting Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,400,000 This initiative proposes to assist with developing management practices to cope with pine beetle damage to forests on public lands. The University of Montana has developed and built a portable bioenergy electrical generator for a demonstration and outreach project. Forest thinning eventually will be used to combat the pine beetle epidemic and preserve healthy tree stands, and also to control fire and health threats and salvage resource value. This project will develop proof of concept for deploying improved mobile bioenergy production units to thinning sites to process residues into useful energy. In this way, a bioenergy unit could add value by putting power directly onto the grid and by minimizing the transportation costs of hauling the waste material long distances.
Montana Food and Agriculture Innovation Center Network Ronan, MT Community Giving Assistance Towards Employment $3,102,000 This appropriation invests in the development of Montana entrepreneurs’ capacity to rebuild our food system, explore opportunities to otherwise add value to our agricultural production and to build successful, income-generating businesses employing Montana citizens. Supporting this resurgent entrepreneurial culture requires up-to-date, appropriate technical assistance and business incubation badly needed by our community-based food and agriculture enterprises. Funding would enable technical outreach and training for agricultural producers and food entrepreneurs.
Sustainable Beef Supply Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 Sustainable beef production requires an integrated system partnership. Beef producers document best management practices in raising and marketing age- and source-verified calves for which consumers are seeking and are willing to pay a premium. Specifically, MBN provides beef quality assurance (BQA) certification, implements and documents bio-security plans on ranches, and provides educational outreach on topics such as brucellosis management and cow nutrition. MBN, using a “supply-chain” management approach, is driven by customer requirements for quality assurance by documenting accountability, understanding customer preferences, and educating producers on globalization and the comparative advantages of Montana beef.
Montana Sheep Institute Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 This project will develop grazing systems to control non-native invasive plants as well as the animal care, use, management and marketing systems necessary for a sustained sheep and goat industry. Currently, non-native plants infest millions of acres of farm and public land in 26 northern states. This problem is not just an agricultural issue, it is a societal issue. It represents the single most serious threat to natural habitats. Noxious weed invasion reduces the ecological integrity of land and waters, alters ecosystems, impacts wildlife habitat and threatens the survival of native plants. In many cases, the cost of traditional weed control methods (e.g., herbicides) actually exceeds the land value. Previous MSU research indicates that small ruminant production can provide land managers an alternate tool to pesticides.
Tri State Predator Control Program Helena, MT Montana Wool Growers $2,300,000 The funds requested will be evenly divided between the USDA/APHIS/Wildlife Services programs in Wyoming, Idaho and Montana to aid their efforts in managing and controlling all predators affecting both the livestock industries in the three states, as well as the states wildlife resources. In addition, these funds will offset the ever increasing costs and demands upon the Wildlife Services programs in the three states due to the exploding and ever widening populations of federally introduced wolves in the states.
Commerce, Justice, Science
Academic and Workforce Development Program at the Montana Women's Prison Billings, MT MSU-Billings $350,000 This project will serve a diverse female population, many of whom are high-risk students, under-prepared for college or typically do not consider further education as an alternative. The age of the inmates ranges from 16 to over 60, with 37% over the age of 40. That puts the majority between the ages of 18 and 39, or an age where workforce skills can be best put to work to keep them out of jail upon release. This appropriation will allow MSU-Billings to hire a coordinator and educators for the program as well as provide tuition subsidies for students and provide the necessary equipment for coursework. The inmates will be taught basic study skills and reading courses; and MSU-Billings staff would also work in conjunction with existing School District #2 personnel to transition inmates from the GED preparation to college-level work and workforce development skills. The MSU-Billings College of Technology would also be able to hire faculty to provide basic skill instruction through formalized courses, seminars and workshops.
Bair Science Center Billings, MT Rocky Mountain College $5,500,000 The Bair Science Center at Rocky Mountain College houses the chemistry, biology, physics, geology, and mathematics departments, and is in need of renovation and repair. To meet immediate need, the College plans to renovate the existing building and annex, make the building ADA accessible, and add state of the art laboratory equipment to improve science education capabilities. This will positively impact student recruitment, retention, and ultimately will improve scientific contributions to the community.
Billings Clinic Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Billings, MT Billings Clinic $250,000 The requested funding will be utilized to cover the increasing costs of administering the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program for the course of five years. The funding will be allocated to equipment maintenance of key forensic evidence collection devices, annual training for Billings Clinic nurses to attain and maintain SANE certification and programmatic costs associated with staffing the on-call protocols of providing this service to our region. These forensic nurses provide a delicate balance between patient care and evidence collection. They play a critical role in treating and investigating cases of abuse, neglect, violence and traumatic accidents. Forensic nurses provide services such as direct patient care, case documentation, evidence collection, case consultation, expert witness testimony and community education.
Broadwater County Rural Fire District Building Expansion Townsend, MT Broadwater County Rural Fire District $909,444 Broadwater County Rural Fire District is a public service, all volunteer organization, funded solely by county taxes and contributions. The too small Duck Creek Substation must be replaced this year. Also needed is a new building in Winston to protect the growing population
Butte-Silver Bow Youth Project Butte, MT Montana Second Judicial District - Juvenile Probation Office $250,000 The Butte-Silver Bow Youth Project is a comprehensive project specifically designed to help at risk children. The project programs can function as stand-alone programs, but the Youth Project seeks to offer comprehensive services, using community partners, that extend far beyond discharge from detention or inpatient therapy. The Butte-Silver Bow Youth Project will address serious needs of troubled youth and at the same time maintaining and promoting the well-adjusted and productive youth in our community. Program partners include AWARE, Inc. (mental health, therapeutic services and case management); Butte-Silver Bow Juvenile Probation (monitoring and accountability services); Butte School District #1 (curriculum assistance); Butte-Silver Bow Chemical Dependency (Addictive Disorders Counseling); and Community Counseling and Correctional Services (accountability).
Chippewa Cree Juvenile Detention Box Elder, MT Chippewa Cree Tribe $300,000 The Tribe is requesting funding to cover the increased construction costs for the renovation of the juvenile detention facility, including costs for electronic monitoring systems. The funds will be used to continue updating the outdated existing detention facility. This renovation project will greatly enhance the law enforcement capabilities on the reservation as well as provide budgetary relief from having to detain juveniles off the reservation at a high cost to the Tribe.
Corrections/Detention Facility Equipment Harlem, MT Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $2,000,000 Fort Belknap council requests funding for staffing the detention facility, with a total staff need of 18: which includes 1 supervisor, 4 lead corrections, and 13 corrections officers. Personnel is needed to manage, for a control center, the booking/release area, male/female cell blocks. Each staff member must be Academy certified, within a year of permanent status. Current funding through the Bureau of Indian Affairs is insufficient. Supplies for inmates are needed, as well as office equipment and officer uniforms.
County Treatment Court Expansion Bozeman, MT Gallatin County $184,000 The Gallatin County Treatment Court has been operational since 1999 through a combination of federal implementation grants, local County funding, and funding appropriated through the Montana Legislature. While the program has been incredibly effective at dealing with offenders suffering from chemical dependency, demand far exceeds the capacity, and enrollment is limited in a program with a proven track record of success. This request for additional funding will expand the program capacity by adding case management, mental health access, treatment access, and housing and education assistance for program participants willing to seriously address their chemical dependency issues.
Crisis Response Program Columbus, MT Stillwater County Combined Law Enforcement $270,328 Stillwater County, Montana has approximately 1800 square miles, containing a population of 9,000 people and borders the largest population center in the State (Billings and Yellowstone County). There are 5 full time Sheriff Deputies, an Undersheriff and Sheriff, along with one city police department with 4 Officers. This equates to the lowest number of per capita law enforcement officers in the State of Montana. In order to support the law enforcement officers on duty a Crisis Response Team made up of Sheriff’s Deputies, Reserve, and City Police is being created to respond and reinforce in cases where high risk operations such as serving felony warrants or responding to violent incidents. This request is to provide equipment to meet the needs of the CRT to provide a safer environment for both the officers and the entire population.
Eureka Justice Center Eureka, MT Town of Eureka $900,000 The Town of Eureka is still in the process of developing a new Eureka Justice Center. The current Town Hall houses the courtroom, judges’ quarters, municipal offices, dispatch center, Lincoln County Sheriff Department, Montana Highway Patrolman, Town Police, and other agencies. The current building is too small for this level of usage and does not have the proper security to ensure the safety of our law enforcement nor the other employees, especially the lone dispatch officer at night. This project will go towards addressing Eureka’s needs as they prepare to upgrade their facilities.
Flathead County Jail Expansion Kalispell, MT Flathead County $12,729,680 The jail expansion project is a first phase of the larger $33 million justice center expansion project. The jail expansion is the top priority need in this overall proposed construction project due to overcrowding. All of the county’s public safety, legal and court services are in the existing justice center building that we have outgrown due to the major population growth in recent years. Architectural and engineering design work is complete, and the project could move to the bid and construction phase very quickly with all the preliminary work that has been completed. Studies verify the need for the 100 bed addition to service the needs of Flathead County.
Fort Belknap Tribal Courts Upgrades Harlem, MT Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $376,613 The Fort Belknap Tribal Courts do not have sufficient funding to operate all areas of the Court. The key to maintaining Tribal courts is providing adequate funding. Tribal Courts currently receive funding to staff 1) a full-time Chief Judge; 2) a full-time Prosecutor and 3) a full-time Family/Civil Court Clerk and 4) a full-time Criminal Court Clerk. Additional staff positions and adequate computer equipment are a vital part of the unmet need within the Tribal Court System.
Helena Regional Armored Response/Rescue Vehicle Helena, MT Helena Police Department $495,000 The Helena Police Department has identified a need to purchase a Specialized Response/Rescue Vehicle. The type of vehicle needed would be capable of deploying bomb, HAZMAT, and special weapons personnel. The vehicle is also equipped to detect chemical, biological, and radiological materials as well as explosive gases. This vehicle’s armor properties will protect personnel from explosions and hits from multiple projectiles. With recent trends in domestic and foreign terroristic/ criminal acts (heavily armed subjects, bomb threats, etc), the need for an armored/detection vehicle to respond to these incidents has been mandatory. Local governmental tactical law enforcement is the primary resource for these responses.
McLaughlin Research Institute Expansion Great Falls, MT McLaughlin Institute $3,000,000 McLaughlin Research Institute has a fifty-year history of conducting biomedical research and education that is important to improving healthcare for everyone. Currently, we are expanding and renovating our mouse facility to provide laboratory space for two new faculty members. The project we are proposing would complete the shelled space and immediately keep or create jobs in construction and in manufacturing of building materials and equipment. Additionally, it would enhance research infrastructure for additional research teams, thus creating good paying research positions that would remain long after the construction phase is complete.
Missoula Police Headquarters Facility Missoula, MT City of Missoula $7,500,000 Missoula struggles to support the needs of law enforcement in providing for the safety of the community and working to combat the effects of drugs and violence on western Montana in a small city situated on crossroads of national and international significance. Two decades of dramatic growth has hampered the community’s ability to maintain adequate infrastructure and the impact of crime and disorder has spurred increases in the size of the police force, creating need for state and federal assistance to protect the community better. The present Police facility is grossly crowded, lacks energy efficiency and causes inefficient operations, which are taking further toll on the ability to deliver police services. A new police headquarters will correct those deficiencies and improve handling of criminal investigations, house task force efforts for Internet Crimes Against Children and other cyber-crime investigations, including computer forensic services in a state-of-the-art facility.
Missoula Public Safety and Operations Training Center Missoula, MT Missoula County $1,000,000 Missoula County, in partnership with local law enforcement, fire, and public health agencies, intends to build a new Public Safety Operations and Training Center. The new facility is proposed to house the Missoula County’s Office of Emergency Services and the EOC (Emergency Operations Center);Missoula County’s 9-1-1 Dispatch Center; new regional, multidisciplinary training center for law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services and public health; and the Missoula County Sheriff’s Department. Missoula County has reserved $4,000,000 in base funding for the Center.
Montana Meth Project Missoula, MT Montana Meth Project $600,000 The Montana Meth Project is active in three areas: l) public service messaging, 2) public policy, and 3) community action. It sustains a campaign of research-based paid public service messaging - including advertising, public relations, and Web sites - to effect attitude changes regarding methamphetamine use among Montana's youth. At the core of the Montana Meth Project effort is an ongoing, research-based marketing campaign that graphically communicates the risks of Meth use. In September 2005, the Montana Meth Project initiated large-scale prevention advertising across Montana, targeting Montana youths ages 12-17, reaching an estimated 70 -90% of them three times a week with Meth prevention messaging. The goal of the Montana Meth Project advertising is to "unsell" Meth, equipping the youth of Montana with the facts about methamphetamine so they can make better informed consumption decisions.
Montana Offender Notification Tracking System - Juvenile Justice System Helena, MT Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association $600,000 This project will assist in decreasing the recidivism rate among Montana youths in the Juvenile Justice System and increase the capabilities of the probation and parole officers to successfully divert youth from incarceration. It will help keep these same youth in the education system and improve their chances to successfully complete a rehabilitation program. Electronic monitoring makes it much more likely for the youth to remain in contact with family members, support groups, and keep in touch with local cultural and religious practices. All of these factors combine to reduce the dramatically reduce the recidivism rate for youths.
Montana Safe Schools Center Missoula, MT University of Montana $850,000 The Montana Safe Schools Center at University of Montana is prepared to work with schools, state agencies, and tribes on the interrelated issues of childhood trauma and victimization, suicide prevention, threat assessment, behavioral health and bullying. The University of Montana hosts the most qualified personnel and organization in the state for such an initiative. Objectives for this project are to assist schools and law enforcement to treat physical and psychological symptoms of trauma, suicide, and targeted violence using evidence based protocols, increase awareness and train staff in proven suicide prevention and student support, decrease bullying and cyber bullying among students, and train schools to assist childhood victims of domestic violence.
Rocky Mountain Emergency Services Training Center Structural Fire Trainer Helena, MT Heena Regional Airport $2,125,000 A structural fire trainer will elevate the RMESTC and Helena to the highest level of fire services training, providing the best possible training for emergency and first responder providers available in the northwest. In addition to local volunteer and professional fire departments, ambulance services, and law enforcement agencies, Helena is the home to the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and the Fort William Henry Harrison Training Support Center. Law enforcement and fire service/EMS, civilian, state and federal personnel will benefit from this state-of-the-art training. The building will be outfitted with “burn rooms” which will utilize propane for the simulated fire scenarios, and there will also be some non-burn rooms for rescue and/or SWAT team training.
Roy Ambulance and Building Project Roy, MT Roy Ambulance Service $265, 315 To improve the emergency services available to residents in the northeastern corner of Fergus County and southern Phillips County, funds are requested to support the Roy Ambulance Service. This project will provide emergency service through the Ambulance and Fire departments so that emergency personnel can better protect property and save lives. Specifically, this funding will support the purchase of new vehicles and equipment, as well as enable the Service to prepare for construction of a new facility.
Southeastern Montana Public Safety Communications and Radio Acquisition Helena, MT Interoperability Montana $3,190,000 Much of the wireless communications infrastructure in eastern Montana is between 10 and 30 years old and uses technology that is often unreliable and costly to maintain. The Interoperability Montana (IM) Project is successfully addressing these challenges using a cooperative, grassroots approach to improve radio interoperability for local, state, tribal and federal public safety organizations, including law enforcement, fire services, emergency medical services (EMS), and others. The goal is to establish a statewide communications network using the P25 technology standard endorsed by the federal government. The network will be connected with a high-capacity digital microwave backbone, which will improve radio coverage, quality and dependability.
Yellowstone County Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office Improvements Billings, MT Yellowstone County $1,700,000 Yellowstone County seeks federal funding to perform critically needed upgrades on the Sheriffs Offices and the Detention Facility. The current spaces are in need of renovation to increase energy efficiency, ensure safety and health for workers, and ensure the longevity of the existing facilities. Upgrades to be performed with federal funding include HVAC improvements in both the Sheriff's office and the detention center, replacement of the boiler and hot water systems at the Detention Center, and retrofitting of lighting equipment at the detention center.
Financial Services and General Government
Accelerated Entrepreneur Program Bozeman, MT Prospera $989,500 The Montana Accelerated Entrepreneur “AcE” Program is an economic development resource providing specialized business technical assistance (business consulting) and training to Montana entrepreneurs and companies having the greatest capacity and potential for high growth and job creation. The program delivers tailored, high-quality expertise in financial, legal, managerial and marketing matters which are typically not available through the existing federally funded business assistance resources in Montana. The program has leveraged existing resources (rather than duplicating or competing with them) to have a significant impact on Montana’s entrepreneur-driven economic growth, including: more than $33.4 million in new financing and angel investment for growth companies; more than 363 new “quality” jobs created; and more than 88 companies assisted from 2004 through 2008.
Central Montana Growth Fund Great Falls, MT Great Falls Development Authority $1,000,000 The Central Montana Growth Fund will provide vital loan capital to help meet the growing need for our gap financing products to assist small business. In the current economic environment it has become increasingly difficult for entrepreneurs and small business to access lines of credit for such uses as working capital and real estate financing through traditional means. This has increased the need for the types of finance products traditionally offered by economic development finance institutions such as Great Falls Development Authority.
High Technology Assistance Program for Micro and Nano-technologies Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 The Montana Microfabrication Facility (MMF) is a shared-use cleanroom facility housing the specialized equipment used to make the microstructured materials and devices used in sensors, optoelectronics, genomics and pharmaceuticals development and alternative energy technologies such as solar and fuel cells. This equipment is expensive, but by making it centrally located and maintained and shared by many users, even small Montana companies and individual university researchers can have access to cutting edge equipment with which to advance regional and national nanotechnology capabilities. In all, 31 people from 9 Montana companies have used the MMF to advance their competitiveness. Still, the majority of Montana high-technology companies do not have the training or available technical personnel to effectively use the MMF to adopt new technologies. Specifically, this program would provide the necessary training and technical assistant to use the MMF, helping companies expand this business and create new jobs.
Log Yard Salvage for Small Forest Product Companies Missoula, MT Missoula Area Economic Development Foundation $24,300,000 In the current economic crisis, forest products operations have been hit hard by the collapse of the housing market, drastic slowing in other construction, and the deepening global recession. During this uncertain time, companies have been resilient in exploring new markets for products, and in utilizing opportunities to cut production costs. One such opportunity lies in the paving of log yards. Multiple acres of these facilities are unpaved yard. During production, residual wood waste materials are scattered in these yards, mixing with dirt and gravel. Currently, companies must pay for this contaminated wood waste to be hauled to and dumped in local landfills, which greatly decreases the lifespan of the landfill, an expensive community resource. If, however, the log yards were paved, companies could either use the gravel and dirt free wood waste themselves for the production of on-site co-generation energy, or sell the residuals to operations such as pulp and paper mills, or other producers of bio-fuel or co-generation energy. The project would fund 100.8 acres of paved space at $240,000 per acre.
Next Step Bozeman, MT TechRanch $2,500,000 TechRanch plans to expand its reach into clean and renewable energy start ups across the state; expand its very successful Bootstrapping Program (Loans and Education) in smaller rural communities; expand its programs and networks for all Montana companies seeking investment capital (payroll) and will launch a new Quick Start program to stimulate job creation in the high tech sector. TechRanch will hire a marketing professional, an outreach coordinator, a clean tech advisor and a development director to help its clients launch quickly and create more jobs in shorter time frames. These programs serve companies across the state that employee over 2,000 people; and, if funded, TechRanch will strive to create another 1,000 jobs in Montana in the next 24 months.
State-Foreign Ops
Global Education: Mandarin Project Kalispell, MT Flathead Valley Community College $500,000 Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) was awarded a Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence grant for a Chinese language faculty member for the 2008-2009 academic year. The Fulbright scholar will have provided language classes and cultural lectures to over 2,000 students and community members, increasing understanding and providing opportunities to explore business and educational partnerships with China during the year. This project will provide funding to continue the program launched by the Fulbright grant and put a permanent Chinese language program in place at FVCC. The FVCC language program will be articulated with The University of Montana’s Chinese language program for seamless transfer of credits. The project will also partner with the Confucius Institute at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center at The University of Montana to bring Chinese language to K-12 schools in northwest Montana.
Vietnamese Affairs Program Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,500,000 The University of Montana seeks to create a comprehensive Vietnamese Affairs Program. The Program, would provide UM the resources to create a new curriculum devoted to the Vietnam war and contemporary Vietnamese affairs; participate in student and faculty exchanges with Vietnam; to provide degree and non-degree training to Vietnamese faculty; and to organize programming on Vietnam and U.S.-Vietnamese relations ranging from trade and health care to contemporary strategic issues, the environment, human rights and legal reform.
Defense
Adaptive Lightweight Material Technology for Missile Defense Browning, MT Blackfeet Nation $5,170,000 Blackfeet Nation and teammate Radiance Technologies, Inc., with program coordination and oversight by the U.S. Army’s Space and Missile Defense Command conducts research, development, test and demonstration of novel adaptive lightweight materials (ALM) technology for missile defense on the Blackfeet Nation reservation in Browning, Montana. The primary focus of this advanced technology effort is to improve the design, testing, and manufacturing processes leading to higher performance light-weight materials at significantly reduced costs.
Adelos Program: Nuclear Security Sensor System Missoula, MT TerraEchos $3,500,000 The Adelos Program expands the testing and evaluation of an advanced fiber optic sensor system design to provide intelligence and surveillance information of highly secure nuclear facilities. The program activity will occur in collaboration with the US Navy Strategic System Program office, US Navy Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), and the Adelos Test Center at the Idaho National Laboratory. The Adelos Team seeks to advance the classification of digital acoustic information coming from the fiber optic sensor array and develop the effective, real-time distribution of signal intelligence (SIGINT) through advanced geospatial software applications.
Adjuvants that Enhance Natural Resistance Against Mucosal Pathogens Bozeman, MT Montana State University $2,000,000 Biowarfare and bioterrorist acts represent serious threats to the war fighter and the public. New approaches to counteract these biowarfare agents are needed. This research is designed to identify new classes of drugs that enhance natural host defense mechanisms and thereby, repel a number of infectious agents. MSU has already developed a number of novel adjuvants, but needs to expand its efforts in the preclinical evaluation of these compounds in preparation to move them to clinical development. This initiative will also benefit Montana economically by enhancing the research capability of MSU and LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals, and by the research personnel it will employ.
Advanced Materials for Personnel and Infrastructure Protection Bozeman, MT Federal Technology Group $3,000,000 Currently, there is a strong need to develop blast- and fragment-protection solutions for uses in various military and commercial land- and sea-based applications. For many terrorist organizations, bombs and improvised explosive devices are ideal choices for a mode of attack, if they are available, because they are cheap, relatively accessible, and easy to transport. The U.S. is still a significant target of interest to terrorist groups and rogue nations. Superior armor performance is needed not only by the U.S. military, but also by the U.S. State Department in overhead, building and structure protection. The proposed is a versatile solution that can evolve into infrastructure reinforcement and personnel protection for judge benches, jury boxes, convenience stores, bank teller areas, safe rooms, storm shelters, bridges and tunnels.
Clinical Development of a Norovirus Gastroenteritis Vaccine Bozeman, MT LigoCyte $4,500,000 LigoCyte now leads the world as the only announced company developing a vaccine to Noroviruses for preventing epidemic outbreaks of gastroenteritis. This vaccine will provide an effective countermeasure to the norovirus outbreaks seen in military operations as documented onboard naval ships, in battlefield action in Iraq and at military recruit training centers. Outbreaks and deaths in VA hospitals and nursing homes have been documented in the scientific press and in the media. LigoCyte’s vaccine will address the significant disease burden of Norovirus where vulnerable populations including children, the elderly and the hospitalized are at risk for serious complications, including death. The monies requested will be used to prepare for and conduct qualifying clinical trials need for FDA approval of our vaccine that has now been tested successfully in an FDA approved Phase I clinical trial.
Cryofracture/Plasma Arc Demilitarization Program Butte, MT MSE $8,000,000 MSE, in conjunction with General Atomics, is designing and building a mobile cryoplasma demilitarization system that will freeze, crush and destroy obsolete and hazardous munitions in a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally acceptable process. The combination of the cryofracture and plasma technologies will provide a unique demilitarization capability suitable for a wide range of difficult to handle small munitions, explosive components and energetic materials. The mobile platform will provide a national capability to address specific demilitarization issues where they exist without the cost and safety concerns associated with shipping munitions to centralized facilities. The elimination of these munitions frees existing storage capacity, reduces safety concerns, and removes potential terrorist targets.
Defense-Critical Languages and Cultures Program Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,500,000 A white paper produced by a February 2004 conference convened by the Department of Defense called for a massive national foreign language and culture initiative. This program expands a dedicated program leading to functional proficiency in Chinese and adding capacity in Arabic and Persian. It creates new capacity – at a modest cost – that supplements Defense and related federal programs that are now operating at or beyond capacity. Additionally, a portion of the funding will be used for scholarship assistance for Reserve Officer Training Students who enroll in a national pilot program in intensive Arabic or Chinese.
DEPUTEE High Powered Microwave Non-Lethal Weapon Butte, MT MSE $4,600,000 This project will demonstrate High-Power Microwave (HPM) technology for non-lethal offensive and defensive weapon applications against vessels, land vehicles, aircraft, and command and control installations. Neither the U.S. military nor law enforcement agencies have this capability. Investigation will be done to test HPM technology against unfriendly forces using small boats against U.S. Naval forces or in piracy against civilian shipping, as well as for the pre-detonation of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
Development of an Advanced Helicopter Landing Aid for Brownout Conditions Bozeman, MT Bridger Photonics $800,000 Brownout conditions are the number one cause of downed rotorcraft and have claimed more helicopters in recent military operations than all other threats combined. The loss of pilot visibility due to swirling sand and dust has resulted in considerable loss of life and an estimated >$100M/year in lost equipment. Concerted efforts are underway in all military branches to solve this problem, but traditional imaging technologies lack (1) the ability to see small obstacles (hanging cables, wires), (2) the ability to sense through dense obscurations (blowing sand or haze), and (3) the low cost, small footprint, and robust nature for insertion and operation in demanding flight conditions. Bridger Photonics is developing a breakthrough 3D imaging system that will overcome these limitations and provide pilots with accurate real-time displays of obscured landing zones.
Development of Next Generation Simulation Training for AFSOC Pararescue Forces Butte, MT National Center for Healthcare Informatics $7,674,193 A critical need exists for “next generation” simulated medical training for the elite US Air Force Pararescuemen (PJs) which would realistically depict environments and challenges, greatly enhance the USAF’s ability to get PJs “team ready,” and dramatically decrease overall training costs. The NCHCI, a Center of Excellence for the Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Centers (RMSC), is leading an effort to plan for, design, and build a world-class simulation training center in Butte, Montana underpinned by the state-of-the-art virtual-world design capabilities of Neogence Enterprises and NuMedia Productions of Raleigh, NC and the availability of a supercomputer operated by RMSC. Within three years, the center will evolve to include the training of rural healthcare providers, emergency workers, and first responders, and the NCHCI estimates that the Simulation Center could train thousands annually and employ 150 people with an estimated annual payroll of $10 million within five years.
Dual-Use Optical Sensors for Advanced Military Applications Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,600,000 Montana State University-Bozeman (MSU) requests funding to deploy combined active and passive optical remote sensing systems to characterize the effects of the atmosphere (clouds, water vapor, etc) on polarization signatures that are being explored for advanced military sensing to identify camouflaged targets. The proposed research program will combine MSU expertise in optical sensors and atmospheric optics with local optics industry expertise in compact hyperspectral imagers to provide data and measurement capabilities of dramatic significance to the Department of Defense. This dual-use effort will draw on sophisticated environmental sensors to quantify the effects of a variable atmosphere on advanced military sensing applications.
Improving Mission Preparedness Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,500,000 The objectives of this proposal are to integrating novel approaches to training of these elite warfighters. Numerous programs attempt to enhance the technology of equipment provided to the combat controllers and other special forces. Unfortunately, this adds undue complexity to the job and increases the required load carriage. This proposal focuses directly on improving the capabilities of the human weapon system, with emphasis on early identification of biomarkers that may provide insight into improving the physical preparation of successful candidates.
Integrated Tourniquet System Research Bozeman, MT BlackHawk $4,500,000 In its current deployable condition, the BLACKHAWK! I.T.S. already meets and exceeds this most current recommendation by the committee without the potential for tourniquet failure due to placement over an intact uniform. In addition the BLACKHAWK! ITS, is prepositioned in the most anatomical proximal and effective position on the extremity. The BLACKHAWK! Integrated Tourniquet System (ITS) integrates four life saving tourniquets in the pants and four tourniquets in the shirt of the standard uniform. The tourniquets are correctly positioned and oriented to the upper and lower extremities for immediate access under existing gear and can be operated by the wearer, a team member, or a medic. ITS benefits are significant and life saving including single handed application; activation in seconds; safe and secure lock down; complete occlusion of blood; and the system’s combined weight is less than a single traditional tourniquet.
Low Acoustic and Thermal Signature Battlefield Power Source Butte, MT Montana Tech $4,000,000 In support of growing Defense applications, Montana Tech proposes continued funding for a joint program to combine research, development, and construction of a reliable, durable, low acoustic, and low thermal signature battlefield power source. At the Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing (CAMP), a comprehensive fuel cell research and development initiative is being implemented that will result in the establishment of a national center of excellence. A key thrust of the center will be to focus on technologies suitable for hydrocarbon reforming and fuel cell based power sources. Facilities at Montana Tech include materials testing facilities, analytical testing resources, rapid prototyping capabilities, and a sophisticated precision fabrication center.
MARIAH Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Development Program Butte, MT MSE $9,500,000 The Mariah Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Development Program is the nation’s only program to develop the wind tunnel technology required to test and evaluate a new generation of missiles, space access vehicles, and high-speed aircraft utilizing ramjet and scramjet propulsion technology. Scramjet propulsion technology is critical to the nation’s defense against the new high-speed cruise missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles currently being developed and deployed by Russia, China, and other nations. Additionally, scramjet propulsion is the key enabling technology for affordable space access and global-reach systems. MSE Technology Applications, Inc. is serving as the Army’s Prime Integrating Contractor for the program.
Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator Helena, Mt WESCO $4,500,000 The Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS) – Reconfigurable Vehicle Simulator (RVS) will incorporate communications, C2, Human Factors, and fighting capability. More importantly, the MERS-RVS can be reconfigured to replicate any of the transport vehicles that are in service today and are envisioned for the near term. It will allow for easy removal and repositioning of seating, communications and C2 links, sensor inputs, visibility and will accommodate changes with a minimum of tools and systems.
MEMS and Liquid Crystal Polymer Microsystems Bozeman, MT DAQ Systems $8,000,000 Addressing unique military threats is driving the need for more Precision Strike Munitions and Autonomous Ground Vehicles. At the heart of the guidance systems enabling these smart weapons are sensors and actuators such as accelerometers, gyroscopes and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Achieving mission goals of precision, lethality, no collateral damage, and economical cost demand system miniaturization via advanced design, packaging and integration. Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Printed Circuit Board (PCB)-Based MEMS devices with signal conditioning electronics are a novel approach to meet these needs. DAQ Systems is at the forefront of developing this critical technology, and seeks federal funding to continue this development and move towards the manufacture of highly integrated LCP PCB Based MEMS Sensors.
Metalized Gelled Propellants Production Butte, MT Resodyn $4,000,000 Resodyn Corporation proposes to work with the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) to develop technology to manufacture highly efficient and improved gelled propellants for both strategic and tactical missile systems. Additionally, these fuels are significantly more desirable from the environmental perspective providing for more efficient storage and cleanup of spills. Additionally, the secondary impact of products developed through this research will fill voids in commercial markets including the following industries: chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and others.
Metamorphose/i3 Data Conversion and NAVAIR Standard Viewer Support Butte, MT Synesis7 $12,000,000 This ongoing data conversion initiative is essential to cross-organization and systems interoperability and delivering focused data to the actual point of use, anywhere, to better support the day-to-day activities of military personnel. Most of NAVAIR’s technical and maintenance data is still in paper or “static” PDF format. This causes operational and training inefficiencies, higher maintenance error rates, and higher than necessary total life-cycle costs. Poor access to the most current and accurate data causes degraded maintenance, safety, operational performance, and asset availability. It threatens overall aircraft readiness and availability to perform critical missions. This continuing initiative, which began in FY2007, supports the Navy’s need for more integrated and efficient operations, training, and process management, driving desired reductions in operational, maintenance, training, and data management costs. NAVAIR stands to gain annual data management and sustainment cost savings of $134,000,000 as a result of this initiative.
MilTech Extension Bozeman, MT Montana State University $2,000,000 The Department of Defense has a critical need to transition new technology to the US warfighter in order to help save lives and improve effectiveness. MilTech is addressing this need through a partnership between TechLink and the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). MMEC and its counterparts in other states are working closely with TechLink to assist innovative companies that are commercializing new defense-related technology. Miltech providers key technical, manufacturing, business and procurement support to small innovative companies so that they can meet DoD requirements and deliver products to DoD in a timely and satisfactory manner
Network Centric Airborne Defense Element Kalispell, MT Raytheon/Sonju Industrial $8,000,000 The President's budget request for the Network Centric Airborne Defense Element risk reduction program does not provide funding to complete the validation of the NCADE system concept to enable a near-term, low cost (<$1M per unit), air-launched boost/ascent phase ballistic missile intercept capability that addresses the asymmetric threat and short to intermediate range ballistic missiles, nor transition it to a development program that could provide a contingency capability to the war-fighter by the 2013 time frame. This project is an air launched interceptor of short to intermediate range ballistic missiles, which leverages the capabilities of USAF/USN aircraft. It has received $21 million in funding over the past three years, including $3 million pending in FY09.
Neuroprotective Agent to Prevent Loss and Damage Missoula, MT University of Montana $3,500,000 Military personnel are often exposed to conditions such as hypovolemic shock, blast force energy waves and concussive injuries. These types of injuries lead to neuronal loss and damage and are often associated with cognitive deficits and epilepsy. There currently are no FDA approved drugs that can be used as neuroprotective agents that limit or prevent the the neuronal loss and damage associated with these types of injuries. This project wil research a stable and effective therapeutic that is easy to administer under adverse conditions.
P5CTS Equipment and Integration into the Montana Joint Training environment Great Falls, MT Cubic Corporation $3,000,000 The P5 Combat Training System (P5CTS), the next-generation Air Combat Training System is planned to be fielded in ’09 at Great Falls, MT ANG base. P5CTS is the common USAF/US Navy’s current program of record and will field systems at over 30 sites in the U.S. Currently eleven sites have been completed. The Initial–Home Station Instrumentation System (I-HITS) is also planned to be fielded at Helena for use dual-use Army National Guard Training and first responder tracking. The two systems are being integrated to provide for some of the most advanced training capabilities for Joint air ground combat training anywhere in the world, as well as a blue force tracking capability available for Military and Incident Management/First Responder personnel capable of supporting Homeland Security initiatives. Further enhancements such as integration of tactical Link-16 data into the COP have been made possible through the adaptation and implementation of the standard architectures already developed for I-HITS and P5CTS systems.
Regenerative Therapeutics for Combat Wound Healing Butte, MT Resodyn $5,000,000 Resodyn Corporation proposes to work with Department of Defense medical research partners (Combat Casualty Care Research) to develop bone and tissue engineering technologies for regenerative medicine applications using stem cells. Applications for these technologies include bone and tissue regeneration for human tissue damage related to military battlefield wounds particularly IED attacks and other catastrophic injuries that are inflicted on the warfighter. Furthermore, technologies developed through this research can be partnered with hundreds of U.S. companies, hospitals and clinics for development of new health care procedures.
Special Operations Visual Augmentation Systems Handheld Imager/Long Range Bozeman, MT FLIR Systems $9,000,000 SOVAS-HHI/Long Range is a thermal camera that can be hand held or mounted on the rear of a vehicle on an inflatable, retractable mast. With the ability to detect and identify targets at >5 kilometers, it allows special operations forces to conduct critical reconnaissance, surveillance, detection and recognition at safe and maximum ranges from positions of relative safety. These systems provide a combat multiplier by allowing SOF to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all climate and battlefield conditions. SOCOM has identified SOVAS-HHI/Long Range as an item of “high military value” with a validated inventory objective of more than 2600 systems.
Therapeutic Product for Prevention of Infection/Microbial Biofilm in Acute and Chronic Wounds Bozeman, MT Microbion $5,925,000 The current environment with respect to the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is truly an expanding global crisis. Wounds acquired in military and natural disaster environments are particularly susceptible to microbial contamination. Military wounds are predisposed to infection because they are typically associated with tissue damage, tend to be extensive and deep, may introduce foreign bodies and interfere with local blood supply, may be associated with fractures and burns, and may lead to shock and compromised immune defenses. Microbion is focused on the elimination of these life-threatening infections through the development, and regulatory approval of new forms of therapeutic products.
Titanium Extraction, Mining and Process Engineering Research (TEMPER) Butte, MT UTRS $10,000,000 The Titanium Extraction, Mining, and Process Engineering Research program will deliver lightweight weapons at an affordable cost for the Army (and DOD), enhancing lethality and performance while reducing cost. This program will use a revolutionary new process to extract titanium alloys. TEMPER is a key component of the Army’s roadmap to low-cost titanium and is essential to the continued delivery of affordable titanium components for Stryker, Abrams, Joint Lightweight Howitzer, and other Army systems.
Ultra-wideband Radio Frequency Receiver Bozeman, MT S2 Corporation $1,600,000 S2 seeks funding to assure continued development, testing and deployment of Ultra-wideband Radio Frequency Receiver technology. This technology provides passive sensing capabilities that are critically needed for total spectral awareness for unmet defense and national security applications, which builds upon on prior company success with design, building and testing of our photonic radar signal processor hardware.
US Army Vascular Graft Research Project Missoula, MT International Heart Institute $2,100,000 US Army researchers recognize the urgent need for a readily-available, sterile, freeze-dried vascular graft made from animal tissue for the management of traumatic vascular injuries. The International Heart Institute (a joint venture with Saint Patrick Hospital and the University of Montana) is working with the US Army to develop such a graft that will enable reconstructive surgery to occur quickly and safely right at the front line. While early research findings show that the International Heart Institute graft is far superior to grafts currently in use, additional funding is needed in FY 2010 to complete this research work.
US Marine Corps Helicopter Navigation Thermal Imaging System Bozeman, MT FLIR Systems $5,000,000 The U.S. Marine Corps is conducting an upgrade program to provide additional capability and significantly improve the performance of the AN/AAQ-22 Navigation Thermal Imaging Systems (NTIS) currently in use on their fleet of UH-1N helicopters. This upgrade permits USMC aircrews to detect, recognize, identify and designate targets for precision-guided munitions. This is a fully mature product developed by FLIR Systems. If successful, all funds will go to the purchase and integration of BRITE Star thermal imaging systems on Marine Corps UH-1N Helicopters.
V-22/S7 CABO/i3 Development and ALE Support within SCALE/i3 Development Framework Butte, MT Synesis7 $4,500,000 The Navy/Marine Corps aviation (and DoD wide) logistics and technical data management and sustainment community is currently hampered by having to use a variety of non-standard, non-integrated, incompatible high-cost proprietary authoring and data sustainment systems and multiple proprietary databases to develop and sustain all aircraft platform-specific technical, logistics, and maintenance data. There are associated excessive development costs, high sustainment costs, and virtually no data re-use opportunities across aircraft platforms developing similar data. By investing in CABO/i3 the monetary benefits on just two Navy/Marine Corps aircraft programs (V-22 Osprey and H-1 helicopter) include annual data sustainment and management cost savings of $12,150,000 for 20 years. This creates a CABO/i3 investment payback period from these two programs of 1.12 years. CABO/i3 will be used throughout the Navy and other DoD programs. The potential cumulative cost savings across the Navy and the DoD are very significant
Whitmore Ravine Erosion Control and Stabilization Great Falls, MT USAF Operations/Maint. $6,885,000 Over the last several decades, stormwater runoff from Malmstrom Air Force Base has caused significant erosion to two forks of Whitmore Ravine, which sits on private lands between the base boundary and the Missouri River. In addition to the loss of valuable agricultural lands once adjacent to the ravine, the erosion has delivered an estimated 470,000 tons of sediment to the river between Rainbow and Morony Dams (a 303d listed reach of the Missouri) and caused regular damage to the Rivers Edge Trail.
Homeland Security
Lockwood Rural Fire Station Lockwood Lockwood Rural Fire District $4,747,987 Funding for this project would assist Lockwood Rural Fire District with construction of a new station house to adequately accommodate equipment and personnel. The current station lacks sufficient space and does not meet safety standards. Lockwood Fire District's current station also acts as a substation for the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office. This fire station would greatly enhance the LRFD’s ability to safely and more efficiently provide services to the residents of the district, Yellowstone County, the region and Montana in times of severe wildland fire conditions, other disasters or significant incidents.
Ryegate Fire Department Center Ryegate Ryegate Fire Department $250,000 Funding for this project would assist Ryegate Fire Department, which provides emergency services across Golden Valley County, in constructing a new Department Station. This station would provide space for equipment and personnel, and would assist the county in meeting the needs of rural county residents during emergency situations such as wildfires and severe winter storms.
West End Community Emergency Center and Medical Outreach Facility DeBorgia, MT West End Quick Response Unit $493,000 The West End of Mineral County is composed of the towns and areas of Cabin City, Henderson, De Borgia, Haugan, Saltese, Taft, and Lookout Pass. This remote area along the Interstate-90 corridor does not have a community emergency operations center. Additionally, the 30-member all-volunteer emergency medical, fire, and rescue organization does not have a maintenance facility for their ambulance, rescue and fire vehicles, nor do they have proper training or alert facilities. Over 90% of the emergency medical, crash/rescue, search & rescue, hazmat and fire calls relate to the impact of federal land or facilities, including the Lolo National Forest and the 32 miles of the I-90 corridor for which the West End supplies emergency medical, hazmat, crash/rescue, and traffic control services.
Interior and Environment
Airborne Optical Detection of Invasive Species at Yellowstone Lake Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,500,000 The Yellowstone ecosystem is being seriously threatened by invasive lake trout that eat the prized native cutthroat trout, thereby eliminating the principal protein source for Grizzly bears, Pelicans, Otters, and other vital species in Yellowstone National Park. The National Park Service is conducting an aggressive program to locate and eradicate invasive species from Yellowstone Lake. To enhance these efforts, Montana State University (MSU) researchers recently demonstrated the ability of airborne laser radar (lidar) to locate pockets of invasive lake trout in Yellowstone Lake. This proposed project is to develop and deploy compact optical sensor systems on small aircraft to respond to a time-critical need for advanced detection and mapping of invasive fish species in Yellowstone Lake.
Big Hole Grayling Recovery and Drought Mitigation Project Butte, MT Big Hole Watershed Committee $1,984,000 This decade-long grassroots project addresses water management and ecological enhancement efforts among agencies and citizens that will result in recovery of a critically imperiled species and will demonstrate successful water management that responds to climate change. The Big Hole River is located in southwestern Montana. The Big Hole is the last place in the United States that still sustains a self-reproducing population of fluvial Arctic grayling. This species was once abundant in the entire Missouri headwaters region and in rivers in other northern states. If the grayling disappears from the Big Hole River, they disappear in the United States. This request is part of a decade-long species preservation effort that is beginning to show success. It is critical that momentum be maintained.
Big Hole Inholding Acquisition Beaverhead County American Land Conservancy $1,300,000 The Holland Ranch inholding comprises 320 acres deep within the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest in southwest Montana. This property is at critical risk for development, and offers important wildlife habitat and recreational usage. This project has ranked highly in previous US Forest Service Land and Water Conservation Fund aquisition rankings.
Birch Creek Demonstration Forest Flathead County The Conservation Fund $3,500,000 If approved, this request of $3.5 million from the federal Forest Legacy Program would allow the State of Montana to conserve 2 tracts totaling 700 acres in the Birch Creek Demonstration Forest along the Foys-to-Blacktail trail at Herron Park. The acquisition would ensure continued outdoor recreational opportunities on the popular Foys-to-Blacktail trail, as well as serve as a demonstration forest to help local landowners manage lands for timber production, research, and fire suppression. The project would also advance Forest Legacy goals by providing a buffer to adjacent USFS lands, which would prevent development in one of the most rapidly developing areas of the state.
Blackfoot Community Project (Nora Gulch) Helena, MT The Nature Conservancy $1,600,000 This request would allow the purchase of 1522 acres of undeveloped land in three isolated parcels (Nora Gulch: 760 acres, Glen’s Gulch: 440 acres and Sucker Creek: 322 acres) by the U.S. Forest Service. The parcels are adjacent to existing Forest Service land. Acquisition of the parcels will help protect the important natural resource values of the area. Residential subdivision of agricultural lands and second home development are the most significant threats throughout the Blackfoot River Valley. Protection of these lands is critical for enhancing the existing federal investment in the project area, including wildlife habitat for grizzly bears, wolves, elk, and threatened trout species.
Blackfoot River (Murray-Douglas Creek) Acquisition Helena, MT The Nature Conservancy $3,000,000 This request would allow the purchase of conservation easements on 9,594 acres of undeveloped land that is adjacent to the largest block of Bureau of Land Management land in Western Montana. Acquisition of conservation easements in the project area helps to maintain a rural agricultural economy while protecting important natural resource values. Residential subdivision of agricultural lands and second home development are the most significant threats throughout the Blackfoot River Valley. Increased investments in purchase of conservation easements for private lands offer ranchers and farmers an alternative to subdivision of their lands.
Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area Helena, MT The Nature Conservancy $5,300,000 This particular request would allow the transfer of 5421.56 acres to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), consolidating the BLM’s checkerboard holdings in the Garnet Mountains. Public acquisition of these lands is critical for protecting the federal investment in the project area, ensuring permanent public access to these and surrounding BLM lands, and preserving important wildlife habitat for grizzly bears, wolves, elk, lynx, and threatened trout species. Residential subdivision and second home development are the most significant threats throughout the Blackfoot River Valley. In the many community meetings held by the Blackfoot Challenge as part of this project, the public has consistently voiced strong support for BLM ownership of these lands.
Chronic Wasting Disease Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 Scientists at MSU, in collaboration with scientists at South Dakota State University, have developed a small deer model (~10 kg) for Chronic Wasting Disease that can provide an opportunity to study the disease in the new state-funded Johnson Family Livestock Facility at MSU. This containment facility will permit MSU scientists to investigate the pathways of disease dissemination and neuroinvasion within a cervid, and from an infected deer to a susceptible deer. These studies can directly address the ability of the disease to spread at the cellular level, and ultimately, lead to improved surveillance of the disease and development of management approaches to contain disease spread. This is important in order to protect both animal health and economic interests at the state and national level.
ClimateScape Bozeman, MT Yellowstone Ecological Research Center $1,000,000 ClimateScape creates a virtual research and applications center (via a web portal) that allows scientists, governmental agencies, and the public transparent, real time access to a wide range of region-wide ecological geospatial data for monitoring changes in the global environment and decision support for energy, climate, and water challenges. ClimateScape creates an end-to-end solution tying field sensors (for ecological maps, energy grid performance, more); to data routing instruments and infrastructure (including satellite uplinks); to data analysis and sharing operations driven by NASA models and hosted by the new supercomputer in Butte. ClimateScape, with initial deployment on the Crow Reservation, on the Hi-Line, and in the Flathead, is based on a unique public-private partnership (UM, IBM, NASA, YERC, and Cisco), with each group providing expertise, best practices, and in-kind donations. ClimateScape will apply directly to multiple business sectors, including energy, defense, agriculture, recreation, maritime, distance learning, and remote medical consultation.
Cooke City Mining Claims Cooke City, MT Trust for Public Land $4,000,000 Available for acquisition within the GYE in FY 2010 are 1,470 acres of mining claims located near Cooke City just outside Yellowstone National Park in Montana. The Cooke City claims are located in a fragile, alpine environment, surrounded by National Forest System lands within and near the Absarokee-Beartooth Wilderness and just two miles from the northeast corner of Yellowstone National Park. The mountain streams and lakes that drain out of this area provide critical habitat for Yellowstone cutthroat trout and serve as important headwater tributaries to the Yellowstone and Stillwater Rivers. The area also provides important habitat for numerous wildlife species, including grizzly bear, mountain goats, gray wolves, Canada lynx, wolverine, bighorn sheep, elk, moose and mule deer. And finally, the area is a popular backcountry recreation destination, providing excellent hiking, camping, horseback riding, hunting and fishing opportunities.
Crow Agency Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements Crow Agency, MT Crow Tribe $12,000,000 The Crow tribe requests funds to improve the wastewater collection system and to construct a new drinking water treatment plant in Crow Agency. The purpose of the new system is to replace old facilities and expand service to include new homes and businesses, while providing adequate quantities of water that meets safe drinking water standards. This project is a four phase effort to improve currently insufficient infrastructure.
Flathead Basin Baseline Ecological Health Study Bigfork, MT Flathead Lake Biological Station of the University of Montana $4,000,000 The proposed Lodgepole/Foisey Creek Mine in Canada, coupled with mining of the Lillyburt and Sage Creek deposits could potentially result in over 100 years of coal mining at the edge of Glacier National Park, with coal mine seepage draining into Park waters, through a National Wild and Scenic River that is home to bull trout, to Flathead Lake. To protect the interests of the United States, a thorough Environmental Assessment, including collection of baseline water quality, air quality, and wildlife population data, needs to be performed, so that the nature and breadth of the threat of upstream mining activity can be fully understood.
Hockaday Museum of Art Expansion Kalispell, MT City of Kalispell $500,000 In 2008 over 18,500 visitors of all ages experienced the artistic legacy of Montana, the Blackfeet Indian Nation, and Glacier National Park through the Hockaday Museum of Art exhibitions and programs. The Hockaday Museum’s growing permanent collection and exhibition and education programs now stretch the limits of its historic Carnegie Library facility. If the museum is to fulfill their mission “to enrich the cultural life of our community and region and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park” it is imperative that the facility be expanded and improved.
Lodgepole Hall Historic Renovation Project Harlem, MT Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $337,810 This project would renovate the historic Lodgepole Hall on the Fort Belknap reservation. The Lodgepole Hall was eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places because it has been associated with the events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of the local history. The building is the last example of a number of dance halls built on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation. The New Deal Programs of the 1930’s provided construction of the Community Hall. Different historical accounts account for construction on the hall, however this seems to of have been a team effort undertaken by the old Works Program Administration (WPA), Public Works Administration (PWA and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936.
Meeteetse Spires ACEC Carbon and Yellowstone Counties Montana Conservation Fund $1,500,000 In partnership with the BLM, The Conservation Fund has reached an agreement to acquire a 560-acre private inholding from a willing seller within the ACEC with the goal of conveying the property to the BLM through an appropriation of $1.5 million in FY 2010, completing Phase II of two phases. Local residents and visitors would benefit from the increased access to public land for outdoor recreation. The area features outstanding opportunities for hiking, hunting, camping, skiing and other forms of outdoor activities. In addition to their scenic value, the Meeteetse Spires features a diversity of habitat as a result of the rain shadow effects caused by the dramatic elevation changes associated with the Spires. In 1998, BLM designated the ACEC to conserve critical ecological habitat for the Shoshonea pulvinata, a federally-listed rare plant known to exist in only 3 locations in Montana and fewer than 12 locations globally.
Metro Wastewater Facility Upgrade Butte, MT City of Butte $4,000,000 The current nutrient levels of effluent puts fisheries and restoration efforts in Silver Bow Creek at risk. The nutrients exceed the amounts allowed by environmental regulations. Upgrades to the sewer treatment plant will eliminate the environmental threat and bring Butte-Silver Bow into regulatory compliance. Butte-Silver Bow participates in a Voluntary Nutrient Reduction Program (VNRP) to meet the in-stream nutrient and algae targets of the watershed. The project has preliminary engineering complete and will need final engineering and construction.
Missouri River Water Treatment Plant Reconstruction Helena, MT City of Helena $2,000,000 The City of Helena has two primary sources of drinking water, the Tenmile Water Treatment Plant and the Missouri River Water Treatment Plant (MRTP). The 49 year old MRTP is an aging conventional treatment plant that is in need of rehabilitation. This ongoing renovation of that facility will bring the treatment plant up to date and ensure a reliable source of safe drinking water for the city.
Museum of the Plains Indian Browning, MT Friends of the Museum of the Plains Indian $254,000 The Museum of the Plains Indian, owned by the Department of the Interior, needs adequate staff and operating funds to maintain a 12-month museum on the edge of Glacier National Park with its international array of visitors, amidst the Blackfeet Reservation with museum collections derived from more than 20 tribes. There need to be adequate curatorial, cultural preservation, education, traditional art support, and tourism programs at the Museum but the current FTE (2) supports only two permanent positions: Acting Curator and Maintenance Worker. The long-term goal is to have adequate professional staffing of the Museum to support a full range of educational, curatorial, cultural preservation, and community liaison services—which is a minimum goal for a Museum of this significance.
Nanomaterials Testing Center Missoula, MT University of Montana $2,000,000 While the development of nanoparticles (NP) is very important to the national economy, it should not be done without simultaneously understanding potential effects on human health. For example, carbon nanotubes have been shown to produce lung granulomas at levels consistent with predicted occupational exposures and carcinogenic potential has also been suggested. Additionally, a highly promising NP has been demonstrated to produce health effects similar to asbestos fibers. To address this need for research on NP health effects, the University of Montana will expand existing research capabilities in the areas of NP testing. The goals of the research program will be to provide validated and comprehensive in vitro and whole animal testing to protect human health.
National Mining Sustainability Program Butte, MT MSE $2,600,000 The National Mining Sustainability Program will address the effective application of available resources to mitigate the impact of coal and metal mining wastes. The Program will be instrumental in the development of cost-effective technologies to ensure that mining activities, which are so vital to meet the needs of the United States, have minimal environmental impact. The Program incorporates a cohesive group of state and federal agencies, industry, researchers, academia, environmental entities, and technology providers. The synergy of this collective participation results in a comprehensive understanding of the issues and how best to cost effectively address mining wastes to positively impact the sustainability of mining in Montana and the entire United States.
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Missoula, MT Historical Museum at Fort Missoula $1,000,000 The purchase and restoration of the historic Fort Missoula Post Headquarters is projected to be a $1.5 million project. This request for $1 million in federal funds will be matched by grant funds and local support. The funds will allow for the 12,000 square foot building to be acquired from the United States Forest Service by Missoula County and renovated for use by the Missoula County Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.
Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area Helena, MT The Nature Conservancy $5,000,000 Montana’s Rocky Mountain Front easement program 1) proactively protects critical habitat – for “listed” species including grizzly bear, Canada lynx, bull trout, piping plover, gray wolf, and slenderleaf moonwort, 2) supports climate change and conservation objectives, and 3) preserves rural agriculture and cultural heritage economies of Front communities. The project is actively negotiating conservation easement projects for 2009 on approximately 50,000 acres. For the conservation success of the Rocky Mountain Front, necessary LWCF dollars activate matching funds required to move these projects forward. Private donations exceeding $25 million include a $15 million dollar matching grant from the Richard K. Mellon foundation, which is interested in public funding to leverage private donations - the current match is $5.05 non-federal for every $1 federal.
Seeley Lake Water and Sewer District Improvements Seeley Lake, MT Seeley Sewer District $4,250,000 In order to meet its growing needs, the community of Seeley Lake has developed the Water Treatment Facilities Construction and Improvement Project. Project funds will be used to construct improvements to the drinking water treatment and distribution system in Seeley and to construct a wastewater treatment and collection facility. Planned improvements include: construction of a wastewater treatment and disposal facility; construction of collection lines and connection of homes and businesses; construction of facilities to allow better chemical treatment of drinking water; construction of a water storage tank sized to meet demands and fire suppression supply needs; construction of a pump station; upgrades to currently undersized water mains.
Technical Assistance Center for Small Water Systems Bozeman, MT Montana State University $4,000,000 This project provides crucial training that allows small water systems managers to develop the skills necessary to operate their systems in a safe and effective manner and in compliance with all rules and regulations. This training prevents the spread of disease, protects local water supplies and keeps water costs down. This project disseminates water regulations to water system personnel and provides access to training for developing budgets, evaluating the relative risks of alternative actions, assessing infrastructure and managing water systems.
Tenderfoot Acquisition Helena, MT Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation $4,000,000 This project would block up 8200 acres of land owned by the Bair Foundation into Forest Service ownership. The land is checkerboarded with Forest Service lands. The Tenderfoot Creek is a vitally important tributary of the Smith River, a state and nationally popular fishing and floating river. The project will provide significant access for hunting fishing and a wide variety of recreation as well as protecting and enhancing important fish and wildlife habitat. Management efficiency would be enhanced
Water Treatment Plant Backup Power Billings, MT City of Billings $660,000 This project provides for purchase of 4-5 large portable generators to provide emergency power to critical water facilities, and place Billings in compliance with Federally mandated water system vulnerability standards. Existing equipment is antiquated, and has insufficient capacity to provide needed backup power when the local power grid is interrupted. Significantly at risk is the ability to provide water for fire fighting and water to supply two large regional hospitals.
Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman $5,000,000 The City’s Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is over 20 years old and needs to be replaced with a larger capacity plant. Many of the plant’s key components, especially the mechanized equipment and building structure, are nearing the end of their useful lives and cannot be replaced. The direct filtration treatment process is marginal when raw water turbidity is high, which results in the need to do frequent filter backwashes dropping the plant efficiency as low as 70%, reducing effective capacity from 15 to 10.5 Million Gallons per Day. Rapid population growth and a more stringent regulatory environment have resulted in water demands that are already at the current WTP capacity during peak use, which is apparent in the early summer when high water turbidity periods overlap with high consumer demand. Bozeman has practiced fiscal responsibility by saving Water Impact Fees since 1995 to accumulate approximately $11 million for the project.
Whirling Disease Management Research Bozeman, MT Whirling Disease Foundation $500,000 These funds will support continued development of critical tools to manage the threat of whirling disease to Montana’s and the nation's wild and native trout and salmonid resources. Whirling disease, a parasitic infection of trout and salmon, has caused declines in trout populations in many of Montana’s rivers, and new information presented at the recent Whirling Disease Symposium in February 2009, demonstrates that whirling disease is an emerging threat impacting native Cutthroat and Mountain Whitefish populations in Montana and many western states. The whirling disease infection has been identified in the Yellowstone River below Gardiner, Montana and threatens the river’s native Yellowstone cutthroat trout populations and is a compounding threat to Yellowstone Lake cutthroat trout populations in Yellowstone National Park which have declined by over 90%.
Working Lands Stewardship Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 Private agricultural lands are the cornerstone for Montana’s $2 billion per year agricultural industry, and agricultural landscapes provide many of the amenities that make Montana a special place – open space, abundant wildlife, clean water, and scenic beauty. Private agricultural lands also contain many of Montana’s most significant historical sites. As the catalyst for cooperative conservation across Montana, Working Lands Stewardship will enable landowners, agricultural groups, conservation organizations, and government agencies to work together to sustain Montana’s rural economy, culture, history, and natural resources.
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Beartooth Hospital Digital Mammography Red Lodge, MT Beartooth Hospital $338,600 Beartooth Hospital seeks to use federal funding to purchase digital mammography equipment. Beartooth Hospital currently utilizes film screen (X-ray) technology for mammography. This technology, used since the 1960s, compresses breast tissue through two plates, then uses specialized film to "photograph" the breast tissue. The films are then hand-carried to a radiologist in Billings, resulting in a diagnostic waiting period of several days. Digital mammography has been shown to provide better detection of cancerous breast lesions, particularly those types of cancers that require early detection in order to save lives.
Billings Clinic Billings, MT Billings Clinic $3,500,000 Facilities and equipment for the Billings Clinic will go towards care for patients as part of ongoing initiatives at the hospital, including health information technology improvements, safeguarding of critical facility access, clinical translational research, and advanced diagnostic imaging.
Bioenergy Education Action for Eastern Montana (BEAM) Miles City, MT Miles Community College $803,250 To provide training for the emerging green energy workforce in Montana, Miles Community College requests funding for the Bioenergy Education Action for Montana (BEAM) project. The goals of the project are to: develop energy sector workforce training programs, expand bioenergy programming, and increase Eastern Montana public awareness of green energy options. Funding for the BEAM project will provide qualified technicians to meet green energy workforce demands of the future, expand opportunities for oilseed and ethanol production, increase awareness of green energy in our region, as well as serve as a catalyst for economic development of eastern Montana. The project provides expanded options, electives, and added career pathways for students in biofuels and other renewable energy occupations.
Bozeman Deaconess Hospital Technology Bozeman, MT Bozeman Deacones Foundation $3,250,000 Costly technologies, along with other enormous increases in expenditures, create significant financial hardship for nonprofit health care providers faced with constantly reduced reimbursement options. This project will purchase and install vital technological additions (Linear Accelerator, Computerized Physician Order Entry, Emergency Department Electronic Health Record) for Bozeman Deaconess Hospital (BDH) that will be available to serve the more than 100,000 residents of Southwest Montana.
Browning High School Browning, MT Browning School District 9 $11,500,000 This request would fund the remainder of the construction and equipping of a new high school in Browning, MT. Prior funding was sufficient to provide classrooms, cafeteria, Administrative offices, site utilities, interior rough graded roadway and parking, a gymnasium and Montana Department of Transportation required Highway 89 Turning Lane upgrade. Items that are not currently funded include: a shop complex (wood, metal, automotive and welding), an auditorium, seating for 2,500 for the gymnasium, finish of the south (visitor) locker rooms, technologies, communication and security, furnishings and equipment complete inside building, sidewalks, asphalt roadways and parking, interior water system pressure upgrades (needed since filter plant is not online as scheduled), irrigation, topsoil, seeding and landscaping. All these additional items would be used not only by the School District but also the community of the Blackfeet Nation, since these items are not currently available on the reservation.
Cancer Genetics in Montana Helena, MT Shodair Children's Hospital $4,503,350 The Montana Medical Genetics Program, housed at Shodair Hospital, currently provides basic laboratory and clinical genetics services for cancer. Testing in the genetics laboratory is offered to help with diagnosis and identification of appropriate treatment for a variety of cancers, while clinical genetics staff sees patients with a personal or family history of cancer to discuss their risks for developing cancer, how it might be prevented, and whether genetic testing is appropriate. Funding is requested to expand laboratory and clinical services to appropriately meet the needs of cancer patients and their families.
CARD Research Infrastructure Development Program Libby, MT CARD Clinic $823,580 CARD has been recognized locally and nationally as the conduit for issues related to population screening, health effects and availability to cutting edge research regarding the Libby asbestos amphibole. The CARD Research Infrastructure Development Program is a capacity building project to develop the infrastructure needed to expand research activities that may ultimately find treatments and/or cures for Asbestos Related Disease. CARD is a central focal point for data collection related to its patient population. This data, along with other organizations’ historical or point-in-time data, is vital to clinical and epidemiological research. In 2007, the EPA assisted CARD to develop a database repository to drive epidemiology studies and research. The CARD database is a comprehensive database that is owned, housed and managed by CARD and will be made available to researchers and research institutions.
Career Opportunities through Retraining and Education (CORE) Kalispell, MT Flathead Valley Community College $3,200,000 The FVCC Career Opportunities through Retraining and Education (CORE) project will provide dislocated workers with immediate opportunities to retrain and learn new skills that are aligned with economic stimulus projects to put them back to work. The CORE project will increase capacity, expand curriculum and training and develop new opportunities in Heavy Equipment Operation, Commercial Truck Driving, Welding and Fabrication, and Diesel Mechanics.
Carroll College Civil Engineering Helena, MT Carroll College $500,000 With this appropriation request, Carroll College seeks to expand and improve its environmental engineering and science laboratory facilities to allow for increasing enrollment and a more diverse teaching and research experience for students and faculty. In addition to responding to the national priority to increase the number of U.S. citizens with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, this initiative will increase the number of professionals that can support Montana’s need to address issues related to an aging infrastructure; environmental protection and restoration; protecting and improving public health; developing renewable energy resources; and accommodating population growth and development. This project is the second phase in the development of the College’s Civil Engineering program.
Chemical Dependency Center at Fort Belknap Harlem, MT Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $182,000 The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is located in North Central Montana, approximately 50 miles from Havre, Mt and 50 miles from Malta, Mt. The Fort Belknap Community Council manages a CARF accredited outpatient Chemical Dependency Treatment program which serves approximately 200-300 individuals and families per year. Drug and alcohol addiction on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and crimes directly relating to drug and alcohol use have risen significantly within the last three years. Chemical Dependency treatment for individuals and families will reduce crime, social problems, truancy and health issues related to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction.
City-County Health Department: Building Capacity Helena, MT Lewis & Clark County $500,000 The Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department has outgrown its current facility, and plans to purchase, remodel and move into an old grocery store in the center of Helena, Montana. The Department currently provides health care, dental care, mental health services, case management, immunizations, communicable disease control, emergency preparedness, and health education to 10,000 people every year, on a sliding fee scale. This funding will help equip the department to double the number of people it serves, to 20,000, in the next 5 years.
Community Hospital of Anaconda Hospital Campus Expansion Anaconda, MT Community Hospital of Anaconda $1,000,000 In the past several years, we have been adding outreach specialist clinics and surgical specialists, alleviating the practical challenges of traveling distances to receive quality medical care. As a result of adding outreach specialist clinics and surgical specialists to meet the medical demands of the area, Anaconda Hospital has outgrown the current building configuration and is in dire need of a facility expansion. Recently, non-clinical functions such as materials management and laundry have been moved offsite to accommodate expansion of the Emergency Room, laboratory, and patient admitting/waiting area. The architectural work for further expansion of our facility has been completed; however, construction plans have been placed on hold due to the recent economic crisis and constriction of the financing markets. This funding will go towards upgrades on existing facilities and equipment.
Community Medical Center Facility and Equipment Modernization Missoula, MT Community Medical Center $825,000 The Community Medical Center’s (CMC) Facility and Equipment Modernization Initiative will provide critical service upgrades and replacement of an outdated Women and Infant Care Center. CMC is the state’s primary provider of comprehensive high-risk pediatric and newborn services, benefitting a diverse rural population which includes many of the state’s Medicaid recipients. However, inadequate patient area space to meet state and federal guidelines and equipment close to obsolescence hinder CMC’s ability to meet the rapidly increasing demand for obstetrical and pediatric services. Funding will allow CMC to acquire up-to-standard equipment that is comparable to infant care units nationwide.
Education for Life! Helena, MT Jobs for Montana Graduates Foundation $534,500 In Montana, 15 out of every 100 high school students and 37 out of 100 Native American students leave high school without earning a diploma. Dropouts are more likely than peers who graduate to be unemployed, living in poverty, and receiving public assistance. Jobs for Montana's Graduates will serve students to prevent them from dropping out of school and to help them prepare for careers by gaining the skills and experiences critical to workplace success.
Electronic Medical Records Implementation Helena, MT St. Peter's Hospital $469,200 St. Peter's Hospital seeks funding for enhancement of thei electronic medical records system. These enhancements will improve the quality and efficiency of medical care. Physicians and other healthcare providers will have appropriate, succinct, and up-to-date patient health information available at the point of care.
Electronic Medical Records Project Helena, MT Lewis & Clark County $170,000 The Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department and the Cooperative Health Center have active medical records of 20,000 patients. These records are currently in paper form and converting the paper medical records to electronic improves the ability for all in the health care team to coordinate care, which equates to better care for patients.
Energy Workforce Training Center Billings, MT MSU - Billings $650,000 MSU-Billings continues to field requests by business and industry to create certificate and degree programs to support the needs of the rapidly expanding energy sector. Programs and coursework will focus on areas of light industrial equipment operation, safety training, mining certifications, permitting, environmental issues and the challenges of substance abuse in the workplace.
Expansion and Renovation of Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center Madison County Madison County $1,712,542 Madison County, the owner-operator of the Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center (TRMCC), a nursing home located in Sheridan, MT, is proposing major renovations to the facility to bring it into compliance with current regulations and make it a modern facility offering not only excellent care, but also high-quality physical surroundings for its residents. The demand for TRMCC’s services is continually growing and it finds itself overcrowded and in the position of turning people in need away. Nursing homes are essential for the care of our elderly and disabled and in order to have viable communities we must ensure that they provide physical conditions that enable staff to provide the highest quality care possible. This project addresses the physical facility deficiencies at TRMCC and will ensure that its residents have safe and comfortable living conditions.
Facilities and Equipment for St. John’s Lutheran Hospital Libby, MT St. John's Lutheran Hospital $2,000,000 Libby, Montana is “ground zero” for asbestos disease impact; a national spotlight is focused on thousands of people suffering from various illnesses resulting from decades of corporate and government negligence. At the center of this healthcare struggle is St. John’s Lutheran Hospital, a 25-bed critical access provider with a 1952 building that doesn’t meet code, is bursting at the seams, and cannot feasibly be expanded any further. To keep meeting the needs of asbestos victims and an aging population, St. John’s desperately needs a new hospital facility. Requested funding will go towards new equipment and technology upgrades.
Flathead County Library Main Branch Kalispell, MT Flathead County $1,000,000 To rectify a growing inability to adequately serve the constituents of Flathead County and surrounding areas of northwest Montana, the FCLS seeks to replace an antiquated, inefficient facility with a new Main Library of 55,000 square feet. Based on a 2003 space needs assessment (updated 2006), the new facility will benefit all the communities in Flathead County by providing materials, early literacy programs, teen programs, and computer access.
Community Health Integration Demonstration Project Statewide Montana Hospital Association $800,000 This demonstration project was conceived by critical access hospitals (CAH) in Montana to address trends that threaten their ability to continue to meet the health care needs of the residents in their communities. The project is aimed at the smallest, low-volume facilities in Montana’s sparsely-populated communities. The goal is to develop and test new models for providing health care services to ensure continued access to these services and better integrate acute care, extended care and other essential services. This project was authorized in the 2008 Medicare bill.
Gallatin/Park County Child and Family Behavioral Health and Crisis Facility Bozeman, MT Youth Dynamics $500,000 In southwest Montana, no behavioral health treatment facility exists to serve both boys and girls, and their families. Nor are there crisis services for children. In November 2008, a legislative mental health study was released. In the study, Montana residents, including those from Gallatin and Park Counties, identified needed behavioral services for children and youth. The top two were crisis intervention, and early identification and treatment. This facility, to be constructed in Bozeman, will provide 24/7 in-patient and outpatient services to children and families in Gallatin and Park counties. The project specifically addresses needs identified in the legislative study. Funding will go towards facilities, equipment needs, training for staff, and other critical needs for this program.
Health Care Informatics Education and Workforce Development Butte, MT Montana Tech $1,250,000 The adoption of Health Information Technology (HIT) will be accelerated and improved by expanding academic health information systems education and training programs as part of the economic stimulus package. As an institution, Montana Tech is increasing its emphasis on Health Care generally, by expanding its nursing programs and also through a near-term plan to renovate its former Petroleum Engineering Building and create a new Health Sciences Building. This emphasis is also driving Montana Tech's HCI Department, which has one of the most mature undergraduate degree programs in the Nation and is well-positioned to help meet the demand for HIT professionals. Montana Tech has shown early leadership in this area, providing graduates who work for all the major hospital and clinic systems across the state of Montana and beyond. Virtually all HCI graduates from Montana Tech are employed in HIT.
Health Care Pathway Billings, MT MSU - Billings $350,000 This project fills the need of training health care providers at a time when the shortage of health care workers is a national trend, driven by a growing demand for health services, an increasingly aging population and a shrinking supply of workers. The industry is unable to meet all these demand for health care in a time when medical technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Funding will support curriculum/program development, purchase of necessary software/hardware and medical equipment; program staffing and employment; program startup and development costs; and facilities modification/renovation to accommodate applied experiential work at cooperative training facilities at the College of Technology/local hospitals including audio-visual, on-line conferencing capacity.
Health Information Technology for Critical Access Hospitals Great Falls, MT Benefis $500,000 Funds will provide clinic-based Electronic Health Records (EHR) and hospital-based Health Information Technology (HIT) hardware and software in rural facilities throughout Northcentral Montana, including Big Sandy, Lewistown, Shelby, Fort Benton, White Sulphur Springs, Malta, Choteau, and Chester.
Hi Line Retirement Center Renovation and Expansion Malta, MT Hi Line Retirement Center $500,000 The purpose of this project is to address deficiencies in the center's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and the Nurse Call System (NCS). The project will construct an assisted living unit, kitchen facilities, expand the dining and activities area, and install new HVAC and Nurse Call systems. The estimated cost of this project, which will serve 72 long-term care, assisted living, and independent living residents, is $5,073,076. The project is a justifiable use of taxpayer funds because it will enable a critical community facility to comply with current codes while maintaining its ability to affordably serve its residents and their families.
Hospital Equipment Purchase/Generator Upgrade Hardin, MT Big Horn Hospital Association $696,368 Big Horn Hospital has a critical need to purchase and install a new, upgraded power generator. The current generator serving the Hospital is approximately twenty-eight (28) years old and presenting challenging obstacles for part replacement and maintenance. The aforementioned generator provides electricity for only approximately twenty (20%) percent of the Hospital leaving critical patient rooms and ancillary direct patient care areas of the Hospital without electricity. The generator upgrade project proposal will replace the outdated generator with duplex/twin 300 kilo-watt generators capable of delivering electrical energy to the entire Hospital physical plant.
Hot Springs Medical Clinic Hot Springs, MT Sanders County Community Development Corporation $823,000 Sanders County requests funds to for facilities and equipment as part of the planned replacement of the Hot Springs Medical Clinic. The clinic is supported by a mil levy which yields about $13,000 per year so the Eastern Sanders County Hospital Board cannot afford to fully fund the entire replacement project. The area has low income (median $17,477), high poverty (35.8%) and high unemployment. Although the current building has an unstable foundation, uneven floor, poor heating and cooling, inadequate space and badly needs replace, the clinic serve 3600 patients a year.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center NICU Kalispell, MT Northwest Healthcare $700,000 Northwest Healthcare, Inc. serves a 15,000 square mile area In the past, infants born in our service area and in need of newborn intensive care unit (NICU) nursing services were transported hundreds of miles away from their families and communities to Missoula, Great Falls, Spokane or Salt Lake City. To better support the needs of rural Montanans, this project seeks to expand and completely equip a permanent 10-bed newborn intensive care unit (NICU) to allow infant, mother and family members to be together during this critical phase of care. This unit affords rural patients from northwest and north central Montana immediate, convenient, affordable access to NICU services.
Libby Elementary School Libby, MT Libby School District $11,274,000 In the 1950s, Asa Wood Elementary School in Libby, Montana, was constructed using vermiculate insulation in the hollow cavity of the cement block walls. On February 22, 2008, during snow removal, a three-inch hole leaking asbestos was discovered at Asa Wood, resulting in children’s accidental contact to the asbestos during recess. The EPA has refused to remove the hazard from the walls of our schools claiming that the insulation does not pose a health risk, unless it is disturbed; the recent incident has reaffirmed the need to protect children and community from potential exposure to vermiculite asbestos insulation. The school district/community does not have the resources available to finance the construction of a new elementary school due to population decline, high unemployment, and extreme poverty rates.
Living Well with a Disability for Veterans Missoula, MT University of Montana $750,000 Researchers at The University of Montana developed and demonstrated the cost effectiveness of the Living Well with a Disability program. The Living Well with a Disability program has been widely recognized as an effective community-based health promotion program for reducing secondary conditions experienced by adults with disabilities. Funding is requested for a three-year project to extend this proven, community-based health promotion program to veterans with disabilities through partnerships between veteran’s programs and local community-based programs (i. e., centers for independent living). In the first year, the program will focus on adapting existing materials to address veterans issues and building the capacity of Montana agencies to deliver the program.
Mobile Cancer Screening Unit Great Falls, MT Benefis $500,000 This project will provide a mobile cancer screening service to currently underserved populations in Northcentral Montana. An appropriation would support the purchase of capital equipment: digital mammography technology and a vehicle to provide on-site screening in a broad rural corridor, including four Indian Reservations.
Montana Pediatric Project Billings, MT St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation $950,000 St. Vincent Healthcare established the only pediatric intensive care (PICU) program in Montana/Wyoming in 2008. The PICU program has served over 100 children to date, using telemedicine networks to connect with other hospitals throughout the region. The goal of the program is to monitor and care for pediatric patients in their home hospitals in the fields of emergency pediatric neurology, pediatric critical care, maternal-fetal medicine, pediatric emergency services and pediatric oncology.
New Hospital Equipement Systems for Barrett Hospital and Healthcare Dillon, MT Barrett Hospital and Healthcare $1,635,662 Barrett Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital that provides care to over 16,000 residents in 23 communities across 16,000 square miles. The closest tertiary/referral hospital, weather permitting, is over one hour away. The Hospital seeks funding to purchase a CT scanner, mammography system, ultrasound system, and endoscopy tower system.
Po'Ka Systems of Care Childrens Mental Health Browning, MT Blackfeet Nation $1,230,244 This project will provide valuable youth mental health services to Blackfeet youth, particularly addressing psychiatric needs and family counseling.
Ranch Facilities Technology Upgrades Billings, MT Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch $938,000 To maintain close contact with the parents, guardians and local juvenile courts on a weekly basis throughout Montana, Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch must modernize its technologies and hardware to “bridge the digital divide.” These necessary technology improvements at the Ranch’s seven locations (Billings, Lewistown, Dillon, Livingston, Bozeman, Roundup and Hardin) will help the organization to provide necessary family-focused treatment. Such services are only possible through computer and telecommunications improvements, and video and internet conferencing technology installation.
Rocky Boy Health Board Replacement Equipment for Tribal Health Care Facility Box Elder, MT Rocky Boy Health Board $800,000 The Chippewa Cree Tribe and the Rocky Boy Health Board constructed a replacement healthcare facility on the reservation two (2) years ago and borrowed funds from lending institutions and through the acquisition of a USDA low-interest loan. The Tribe and Healthboard constructed the reservation healthcare facility because of the great need for it and the current facility was deteriorating. The funds for the replacement equipment will greatly assist the Tribe and healthboard in providing the essential medical care to reservation members who utilize the healthcare facility.
Rural Health in America: Pharmacist Patient Care and Drug Therapy Missoula, MT University of Montana $360,000 The UM Skaggs School of Pharmacy (SSOP) is a leader in innovative change not only in the academic setting, but in extending these competencies to practicing pharmacists throughout the state of Montana and nationally. The SSOP will construct programs using collegial and collaborative drug therapy management methods to work in concert with and under the auspices of physicians to improve drug therapy in the difficult-to-access populations. Objective 1) will be to improve the health care of the rural American by decreasing the risk for adverse drug events and medication errors using clinical pharmacists to manage medications. Objective 2) will be to improve the outcomes of the intended effect of the drugs. Objective 3) will be to demonstrate conclusively the value of the pharmacist in health and direct patient care such that they can independently bill for their cognitive services.
Skilled Trades and Technology Training Billings, MT MSU - Billings $350,000 The economy of southcentral and Eastern Montana is increasingly dependant on collaborative efforts to maximize the outcomes of the robust economic sectors such as construction trades, automotive repair and energy development. This initiative will develop a reliable pool of trained workers to immediately increase productivity for Montana companies, provide a structured environment for skills development and workforce training and provide a clear path to enter high-paying skilled trades and craft careers. Career pathways would be established linking secondary education, post-secondary education and employment that will result in higher wages and contribute to economic development in Montana.
Strengthening Montana's Mental Health Support Networks Anaconda, MT AWARE $565,629 Providing mental healthcare in Montana presents many barriers. Montana consistently ranks highly in national suicide rates. Last year, AWARE began implementing a state of the art statewide video conferencing/telepsychiatry network. This project will continue and expand upon this work by expanding access to mental healthcare in rural Montana communities. Specifically, funding will allow expansion of the videoconferencing network to additional communities, as well as assist with recruitment and retention of psychiatrists.
Telemedicine Project Billings, MT Montana-Wyoming Tribal Leaders Council $385,000 The project would develop and provide interactive video technology and IT infrastructure for the delivery of telehealth services and distance learning capabilities to the Montana reservations. The system would also improve the quantity, quality, and access to medical information and professionals, continuing medical education and educational opportunities for healthcare professionals in those regions would also be better available.
The MAPS Media Institute Florence, MT Florence Prevor Rosten Foundation $400,000 This public/private partnership provides a venue for students in the Bitterroot Valley to engage in Media Arts as part of their educational experience. Participating students work with MAPS staff to learn valuable presentation and technology skills as part of a curriculum that delivers youth-force training, economic development and a return on investment in in both human and real capital. Work done by the students helps them to think creatively and excel in the digital age.
Tobacco Valley Community Center Senior Citizens Home Eureka, MT Tobacco Valley Senior Citizens Association $300,000 The current facility has served the community well since the early 1970s. Realizing the limitations in the existing center, the organization is now looking into options for future growth by pursuing a new facility. 3.7 acres and $50,000 has currently been donated towards this new facility, which when complete will enhance the services that are offered and secure the future for the Senior Citizen program in the Tobacco Valley.
Western Montana Telemedicine Network Missoula, MT Saint Patrick Hospital $1,800,000 Federal, State, and local leaders in the health care arena agree that health information technology and the ability for providers to share patient information will improve health care quality; prevent medical errors; reduce health care costs; decrease paperwork; and expand access to affordable care. To meet these goals, Saint Patrick Hospital officials propose the creation of a permanent, shareable, web-based, secure, HIPAA-compliant Electronic Health Record system that will connect all hospital information systems, clinics, and physicians in Western Montana. Using web and communications technologies currently available, this open system will allow the sharing of patient data among a variety of independent health care providers with different data systems and medical record numbers.
Youth Employment and Workforce Training Program Harlem, MY Fort Belknap Indian Community Council $947,495 This project will accomplish three things for Fort Belknap youth: Raise Self Esteem by having the youth be earning a paycheck which will enable them to buy their own school clothes; Contract Compliance - The Tribal Council through their 477 Employment & Training Program addresses the youth components; Community Collaboration - youth to elders, youth to youth, youth to job site supervisors.
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Fort Harrison Fire Station Helena Montana National Guard $1,247,000 The Montana Army National Guard Fort Harrison Fire Station is a 4167 square foot building, which was constructed in 1995. It does not provide adequate bays for new HEMMT Fire Trucks and appropriate storage for related and unique firefighting equipment at the Fort Harrison Fire Station. The proposed project would construct an addition to the existing building, which would remedy the current need to provide adequate bays for new HEMMT Fire Trucks and appropriate storage for related and unique firefighting equipment at the Fort Harrison Fire Station.
Fort Harrison Troop Medical Clinic Addition Helena Montana National Guard $1,749,000 Increased volume of Periodic Health Assessments has resulted in drastic overcrowding of waiting areas, exam areas, laboratory space and administrative spaces at the Fort Harrison Troop Medical Facility. This present condition can compromise soldier privacy and compliance with HIPAA requirements. These funds would go towards design and construction of an addition to the current facility, to assure a high level of service to soldiers.
Malmstrom Fitness Center Malmstrom Malmstrom AFB $9,900,000 The existing fitness center, constructed in 1957, does not adequately satisfy personnel or infrastructure demands. Malmstrom's active Air Force and Air National Guard Member (total: 4,600) require daily PT to meet the demands of today's expeditionary climate. This project would construct a fitness center including indoor swimming pool, group exercise area, Health and Wellness Center, administrative offices, and racquetball courts. This project meets AF Fitness Center Design Standards and DOD force protection standards.
Malmstrom Replace Military Working Dogs Kennel Facility Malmstrom Malmstrom AFB $2,450,000 The existing Military Working Dogs facility was constructed in 1955, with an addition in 1957. It is rated condition code 2, substandard. Of particular concern are sanitary problems, overall structural integrity, and a training area that is open and exposed to harsh weather. This project would construct a new support and administration building, a new kennel facility, and demolish the old facility. The new facility will meet all needs for dog training for patrol and detection that take place on the grounds.
Miles City Readiness Center Miles City Montana National Guard $14,260,000 The existing Miles City Readiness Center is 8,481 square feet and was built for an Armored Cavalry Unit in 1957. As a result of Force Structure Transformation, the current unit occupying this facility is the 260th Engineer Company (-), for which the facility is improperly designed and grossly undersized. Design authority was granted in FY 2006 and we will be able to execute construction in FY 2010, four years ahead of the programmed 2014 date. The State of Montana has entered into a 35 year lease (renewable to 99 years) for the land. The project is currently at 35% design, but has received 100% design authority. The requested construction funds would complete the project.
Upgrade Weapons Storage Area Malmstrom Malmstrom AFB $10,600,000 This project will add conventional explosives storage igloos and a maintenance facility, as well as utility infrastructure upgrades, as part of an upgrade of the existing Weapons Storage Area. Infrastructure, pavements, and drainage will be upgraded or replaced in the project. The current WSA, which was constructed in the 1950s, directly supports the mission of providing combat-ready ICBMs.
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Alkali Creek Road Stabilization Billings, MT City of Billings $4,800,000 Alkali Creek Road is a major arterial roadway in the Billings Heights. Due to creek erosion, the roadway ebankment has been undermined and is in failure. This is a heavily used road and needs the failed section repaired in a timely manner.
Black Eagle Road Reconstruction Great Falls, MT Great Falls Development Authority $1,500,000 This funding would be used to completely reconstruct and pave Black Eagle Road which is located in Cascade County. The project as proposed would involve 2.2 miles of what is now gravel and deteriorating asphalt roadway (and includes safety concerns at the northern intersection) and would include design, engineering and construction to include but not be limited to new road bed, fabric, gravel, and asphalt surface to bring the road to an industrial standard. Black Eagle Road Infrastructure Project will spur additional industry sector growth by assisting Community partners with public infrastructure investment necessary to attract private investment. After years of slow or no growth the existing local government tax base cannot support the extent of investment required to bring growth to the area without assistance from other sources.
Community Veterans Center Helena, MT Rocky Mountain Development Council $400,000 Montana's fourteen outpatient veteran's clinics scattered across the state often find themselves providing medical aid and mental health services to homeless veterans who are simply unable to regain their footing using the patchwork of outpatient services in small towns. This center would provide transitional housing for up to forty homeless veterans, as well as comprehensive medical and mental health services and vocational training.
Cregg Lane/Wyoming Street Connector and Silver Park Missoula, MT City of Missoula $7,000,000 The FY 2010 appropriation for this project will fund a critical east/west connector street south of the Clark Fork River, connecting two major north/south arterials, Orange and Russell Streets through a low income neighborhood and build a 14.5 acre park to serve the area. This is a central city brownfields that was industrial and is now low and moderate income residential with remnant industrial uses, vacant and underutilized property. This park and critical piece of infrastructure will create the opportunity to redevelop the 45 acre sawmill site, reduce cut through traffic in existing neighborhoods, reduce traffic on S. Third Street, provide adequate access to the new $10,000,000 civic stadium and rebuild an aging railroad bridge which the City is obligated to do in order to gain a permanent right-of-way under the trestle. Redevelopment of the sawmill site will provide up to 900 housing units in the low income neighborhood.
Deer Lodge Multi-Use Food Processing Facility Missoula, MT Montana Food Bank Network $1,000,000 The Montana Food Bank Network’s Canning Program at Montana State Prison is a perfect starting place for developing Montana's food processing infrastructure. Funding for this project will go towards a new state-of-the-art facility that can provide employment for several paid employees to run the processes with inmates to support the operation through a workforce training program. This facility will be an important tool in working to meet the food processing needs for Montana agricultural producers, along with infrastructure being developed through the Montana Food Innovation Network and the Farm to Table program.
Downtown Bozeman Explosion Recovery Project Bozeman, MT City of Bozeman $5,000,000 On March 5, 2009, a natural gas explosion in Bozeman's historic downtown caused physical, economic, and cultural damage to the heart of the community. The explosion destroyed four historic buildings and damaged three others; all buildings are in the Bozeman Main Street Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The loss of destroyed and damaged businesses resulted in the layoff of nearly 100 employees and required evacuation of nearly 10 blocks, with many businesses forced to close and board-up broken windows for several days. Downtown is considered to be one of Bozeman’s most important assets. The slowing economy, coupled with the disaster, may run business owners aground. The City is seeking assistance for a construction fund that will assist property owners rebuild.
East Billings Urban Renewal District Redevelopment Billings, MT Big Sky EDA $1,500,000 This redevelopment project will stimulate economic renewal by continuing preliminary development activities for the East Downtown Billings Tax Increment Finance District (TIFD). This endeavor will lead to improvements in outdated or non-existent infrastructure and assemblage of land to facilitate mixed use development between the downtown core and MetraPark, a 10,000 seat exposition center that draws patrons from a multi-state region surrounding Billings, MT.
Green Airport Terminal Butte, MT Bert Mooney Airport Authority $3,500,000 As part of the Bert Mooney Airport’s upcoming Terminal Building Remodel and Expansion project, the community wishes to reduce energy consumption of the building through a combination of improving building efficiency and generating clean alternative power on-site. The goal of the project is to generate, on-site, all the clean power needed for the remodeled building, thus reducing costs and making the facility more competitive in attracting new flights.
Hardin Railroad Spur Upgrade Hardin, MT Two Rivers Authority, City of Hardin $4,000,000 This railroad spur is vital to development of fossil fuel resources in the region. Utilization of the rail spur to develop those resources will result in a major increase in tax income for Hardin, local schools, Big Horn county and Montana. Development of those resources will also reduce the high unemployment rates in Hardin, the Crow Reservation and Big Horn County. This construction project is to upgrade 11,000 feet of track on a spur line, construct a new 1,500 foot turnout from the BNSF mainline to the spur track, new construction of 2,935 feet of track next to the existing track including crossing nine water courses including crossing a drainage that has an 84 foot timber bridge at present.
HomeWORD's Affordable Housing and Community Development Initiative Missoula, MT HomeWORD $1,000,000 In its continuing efforts to provide affordable housing that spurs local economic development and provides opportunities for Montana’s working families, homeWORD has developed a model project for the region that will incorporate a high performance design (green building) with a comprehensive plan for community development in the city of Missoula. The project will include: affordable rental housing, a training center for adult education; on-site training for the growing renewable energy industry; a community center for the neighborhood; and small business development opportunities. This development will be situated on a large parcel of land near the city core that supports a project that is comprehensive in scope. homeWORD is currently building 35 new units of affordable housing
I-15 Custer Avenue Interchange and Montana Rail Link Overpass Structures Helena, MT Montana DOT $15,000,000 This project will accelerate the development of the Custer Avenue Interchange on Interstate 15 and a rail overpass structure. The Custer Avenue Interchange will serve a rapidly growing commercial area of Helena. It will address significant traffic congestion in the area, enhance emergency response, and relieve pressure on non-arterial links in the city's transportation network.
I-90 East Belgrade Interchange Belgrade, MT Montana DOT $15,000,000 Gallatin Field is the second busiest airport in the state and as such is certainly one of the most critical economic drivers in all of southwestern Montana. A New interchange East of Belgrade at the Gallatin Field Airport to improve capacity on I-90 and surrounding state highways. Finishing this project will open the door for increased development of a commercial center near the airport and improve economic development in the County.
Liberty County Senior Center and Bus Garage Chester, MT Liberty County Council on Aging $494,350 The current Liberty County Senior Citizens Center is located in a small building on Main Street in Downtown Chester. For the past several years, the Center has struggled with the challenge of providing vital services in a confined space to a growing number of elderly residents. The Center’s service area not only includes Liberty County, but also extends east to the Town of Inverness in Hill County and west to the Town of Galata in Toole County. The project involves the construction of an 8,200 sq. ft senior citizens center and garage for the Liberty County Council on Aging. The project will also include the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment and furnishings for the center and garage.
Livingston Railroad Grade Separation Undercrossing Livingston, MT City of Livingston $921,000 The City of Livingston, Montana, is requesting funding to undertake preparations to design and construct a grade separated undercrossing project. Upon completion of final construction, the Livingston Railroad Grade Separation Undercrossing project will prevent the imminent failure of a major transportation corridor (5th Street at-grade crossing), and enhance public safety response times to a heavily populated (and continuing to grow) area of the community by at least 30 seconds. In addition, the proposed Undercrossing would provide access to pedestrian/bicycle traffic that would connect to Livingston’s existing sidewalk and trail infrastructure. The proposal Undercrossing location was identified based upon growth patterns, traffic pattern analysis, and elevation of the Railroad to nearby transportation routes.
Madison County Courthouse/ADA Upgrade & Addition Virginia City, MT Madison County $1,000,000 The existing Madison County Courthouse lacks the handicapped accessibility to all departments and floors of the courthouse, ADA accessible rest rooms, proper fire egress from the upper floors, and adequate space for county historical records. In order to provide better service to county residents, the county is seeking funding to perform important upgrades, particularly to ensure that the facility is ADA-compliant.
Milltown/Two Rivers State Park Project Transportation Improvements Missoula, MT Milltown Superfund Site Redevelopment Working Group $5,476,320 The Milltown/Two Rivers State Park Project requests $5.476 million to develop the pedestrian trail and bridge facilities for a new public park at the Confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers as envisioned by the Milltown Superfund Site Redevelopment Working Group. The pedestrian trail and bridge projects will serve as vital transportation links between the communities of West Riverside, Bonner and Missoula, providing non-motorized transportation services to the highest density area in Missoula County and the low to moderate income population in the West Riverside, Milltown and Bonner communities.
Mountain Line Bus Replacement Missoula, MT Mountain Line $1,035,000 This request, which has been previously submitted but not yet granted, is necessary for Mountain Line to replace buses which are between ten and twelve years old, exceed 300,000 miles and consequently have high maintenance costs.
Pantry Partners Food Bank Building Project Missoula, MT Pantry Partners Food Bank $600,000 Funding for this request will go towards construction of a new facility to house the Pantry Partners Food Bank in Stevensville, MT, as well as towards equipment and outfitting of the facility to meet the needs of low- and moderate-income families in the Bitterroot Valley.
Park County Transportation Improvement Project Livingston, MT Park County $1,400,000 Park County is requesting this funding to complete the following local transportation projects: installing safer sidewalks around Gardiner School, replacing the 9th Street Island Bridge, repaving Pine Creek Road, repaving Rock Creek Road, and repaving Willow Creek Road. These projects are shovel ready, and address the most critical transportation infrastructure safety needs of the County.
Shelby Intermodal Hub Shelby, MT Shelby $4,400,000 Construction of a rail spur line will give the Port of Northern Montana ample track to handle full shuttle and intermodal trains as well as full-length container trains, which will substantially increase the number of outbound freight carloads/year and diversify outbound freight commodity. This project will boost the State economy by increasing the volume of outbound/inbound freight shipments in Montana while reducing costs on those shipments. There currently is no Intermodal Hub in the State of Montana which causes inflated costs and slows the movement of goods to and from the State.
Sunlight Business Park Whitehall, MT Jefferson Local Development Corporation $250,000 The Sunlight Business Park, five miles west of Whitehall Montana, is a planned 200 acre light industrial and high-tech business park operated and managed by the Jefferson Local Development Corporation. With this new public infrastructure, new businesses can grow and diversify the economy away from the current natural resource based economy. The Sunlight Business Park will accommodate smaller, locally owned companies that want their own buildings as well as larger corporations.
Transit Bus Replacements Great Falls, MT Great Falls Transit District $1,035,000 The Great Falls Transit District has a fleet of 19 buses. Fifteen of these buses have exceeded their useful life by many years. The upkeep of these buses is costing the district a disportionate amount of our operational budget. There is no other outlet to replace these buses outside of this requested appropriation
US 93 Corridor and Kalispell Bypass Western Montana Montana DOT $15,000,000 This project will go towards the ongoing reconstruction of sections of the Highway 93 Corridor in Western Montana. Highway 93 is the busiest non-interstate highway in Montana, and improvements are necessary in many locations along the route to ensure safety and traffic volume needs are met. Additionally, funding for this project will be eligible for use as part of the ongoing effort to fund a bypass for Highway 93 traffic around downtown Kalispell.
Watson's Childrens Shelter Safety Initiative Missoula, MT Watson's Childrens Shelter $750,000 The Watson Children’s Shelter (WCS) is Western Montana’s only emergency children shelter, serving nearly 100 children per year who escape from abuse, neglect, abandonment, family crisis, and other traumatic situations. The substantial population growth in Western Montana coupled with the subsequent increase in methamphetamine abuse, poverty, and related issues has significantly increased the need for children-oriented emergency shelter services. In order to continue to fulfill its mission of providing a safe haven for all children in crisis in Western Montana and meet increased demand, WCS plans to construct a second facility beginning in the fall of 2009. This facility will allow WCS to double its capacity and provide shelter service for an estimated 150 children annually.
West Fork/Ski Run Road Reconstruction Project Red Lodge, MT Carbon County $5,000,000 The West Fork Road and Ski Run Road provide access to Red Lodge Mountain Resort (RLMR), which averages over 102,000 skier days per year, as well as over 10,000 acres of public lands in the Custer National Forest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area, and is the sole access to over private 250 homes with another 200+ parcels. The road is in very poor condition and does not meet current road design standards. With an average daily (adt) count of 2,000+ vehicles per day, the current road way creates a significant detriment to public safety, and reliable access to these areas, particularly during events such as the 2008 Cascade Fire.
Energy and Water Development
Bitterroot Irrigation District Siphon Replacement Corvallis, MT Bitterroot Irrigation District $4,880,000 The Bitter Root Irrigation District, Ravalli County, Montana, provides irrigation water to 1,375 irrigators on 16,665 acres along a canal system over 70 miles long and is vital to the local economy. Funding for this projec would replace a 5,654 foot-long steel pipeline constructed in 1909 which is used to transport almost all of BRID’s water and which suffers from structural integrity, leaking and potential failure. Failure of any major element could result in a total loss of irrigation water and damage to the river system, wetlands, and adjacent U.S. highway.
Cartersville Fish Passage Ecological Restoration Project Cartersville, MT The Nature Conservancy $300,000 In conjunction with approved and/or completed projects on the Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers, improving fish passage at Cartersville Diversion Dam will reconnect the maximum amount of habitat for warm water fish in the Yellowstone River system in Montana. With completion of fish passage at Intake Diversion Dam (now at the EIS stage of development,) opening Cartersville will provide continuous connected habitat for the endangered pallid sturgeon or other warm water species of concern throughout a total of 760 river miles in the warm water sections of the Yellowstone and its tributaries
Center for Zero Emissions Research and Technology Bozeman, MT Montana State University $10,000,000 The U.S.’s heavy reliance on foreign energy sources is an obvious national security issue that could be ameliorated if our ample national coal reserves could be used with a less damaging effect on the environment. U.S. coal reserves are projected to be capable of providing more than 200 years of the nation’s energy needs, but current technologies do not sufficiently reduce or eliminate greenhouse gases and their impact on the environments. The Center for Zero Emissions Research and Technology focuses on developing and validating zero emission technologies for clean energy production from fossil fuels. This would provide an economic benefit in coal and power producing states , reduce reliance on foreign energy sources, and contribute to a better environment.
City of Glendive Flood Plain Project Glendive, MT Dawson County $900,000 Glendive's levee was built in 1959 and constructed with the Corps of Engineers oversight and approval to provide flood protection for this area. In the 1960’s, Interstate 94 was constructed including a bridge that spans the Yellowstone just downstream of Glendive. According to the Corps of Engineers, construction of this bridge created an obstacle that is ten to twenty feet higher than the river's natural floodplain. As a result, over thirty percent of the City of Glendive lies in the floodplain. This geographic area includes a large portion of the town's homes and businesses, and relocation of all of these homes and businessse is impossible. Funding is requested to study alternatives including construction of a bridge for the Interstate or raising the existing levee.
Clark Fork River Revitalization Project Missoula City of Missoula $637,000 This downtown riverbank restoration project will showcase how innovative private redevelopment of urban brownfields can be enabled and augmented by public investment in restoration of degraded river banks and addressing flooding concerns while providing the public with recreation and trails amenities. Currently, the Clark Fork River’s banks through downtown Missoula are in poor condition from a century of neglect and inappropriate stabilization such as use of concrete and asphalt, car bodies, and other unsafe materials. The project presents a multi-faceted opportunity to: address deteriorating banks and deficiencies in existing levees; restore native riparian vegetation to improve water quality; create river access for the public; extend and improve existing public pedestrian trails and riverfront parks; and to introduce modern methods of removing irrigation water that do not impact proper river flow.
Demonstration System for Capturing Geothermal Energy from Mine Waters Beneath Butte Butte, MT Montana Tech $550,000 Montana Tech’s new Natural Resources Building, which is scheduled to open in early 2010, offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate a geothermally based climate-control system. Butte, Montana, like many other mining towns, is underlain by now-inactive water-filled mines that form a proven, sustainable energy resource that has been largely ignored by planners and developers. Installation of a system in the Natural Resources Building that uses warm mine waters would document the energy savings of the application, promote wider use of the technology in Montana and nationally, and provide training to Montana Tech’s engineering students. Funding from multiple sources (State, campus, and private) cover the planning and actual construction of the building, but additional funds of $550,000 are necessary to complete installation of the system that would allow recovery of low-cost heat from mine waters to replace fossil fuels.
Fort Peck Cabin Conveyances Glasgow, MT Fort Peck Lake Association $2,500,000 Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge Act of 2000 authorizes The USACE in concurrence with the USFWS to transfer 392 lots into private ownership, with the proceeds of the lot sales to be used to acquire land inside and adjacent to the CMR National Wildlife Refuge. This funding will go towards functions the Corps must perform prior to selling this land to current lessees. These activities include surveys, sanitation review, and appraisals to render the sites suitable for transfer.
Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water System Poplar, MT Fort Peck Tribes and Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority $50,526,000 For construction of Assiniboine and Sioux Rural Water System and the Dry Prairie Rural Water System as authorized by PL 106-382, FY2010 funding will finance ongoing contracts for construction of water treatment plant and construction of treated water pipelines from the water treatment plant to Poplar and Wolf Point. These lines are needed to deliver treated water on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation and for construction of branch lines in the Dry Prairie Project. The project will stimulate the economy with the addition of 303 full-time jobs in construction, contract administration and operation, maintenance and replacement of facilities.
High Temperature Electrochemistry Center (HiTech) Bozeman, MT Montana State University $5,000,000 The mission of the Department of Energy’s Fossil Energy (FE) Research and Development (R&D) program is to enhance U.S. economic and energy security by: (1) managing and performing energy-related research that promotes the efficient and environmentally sound production and use of fossil fuels; (2) partnering with industry and others to advance clean and efficient fossil energy technologies toward commercialization in the U.S. and international markets, and: (3) supporting the development of information and policy options that benefit the public by ensuring access to adequate supplies of affordable and clean energy. Hi-Tech seeks to address the challenge to improve fuel cell design so that it has better performance and reliability.
Intake Irrigation Diversion Fish Passage Intake, MT The Nature Conservancy $2,000,000 Intake Irrigation Diversion Fish Passage project would be a major component in saving the pallid sturgeon from extinction in the Upper Missouri River Basin. The fish was listed as endangered in 1991 and only about 150 native individual fish remain. The fish passage program is the single best hope for establishing a self sustaining population of pallid sturgeon in this priority recovery area. The project would have a secondary benefit of improving the 100-year old Lower Yellowstone Irrigation Districts infrastructure.
Montana Algal BioDiesel Initiative Bozeman, MT Montana State University $500,000 Algae, third generation or advanced biofuels, use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into oil. Algae can grow in water and on land, even land not suitable for food production. Even CO2-rich emissions from fossil fuel (coal) burning powerplants can be used as feedstocks to support the growth of algae that produces biodiesel. The effective use of high temperature CO2-rich exhaust gases (including the geothermal environments in Yellowstone) also produce algae that can flourish at high ambient temperatures. Currently, there are both practical and economic obstacles to increased use of biofuels from algae, but early research is promising. The funds requested would be used to advance the development of biofuels from algae, especially from coal plant emissions and exhaust gases.
Montana BioEnergy Center of Excellence Havre, MT MSU-Northern $3,728,209 MSU-Northern is seeking federal funding to support the expansion of laboratory capabilities through additional staff and equipment necessary to establish the Bio-Energy Innovation and Testing Center as a Regional Bio-Energy Center of Excellence. This Center will be a focal point for research, product development and education/training in support of developing the bio-energy industry in Montana. By supporting the Center with a federal appropriation, Northern will be able to grow and accept larger research and development projects that require additional expertise and equipment. The Center will become self-sufficient by generating income from research and testing services after its initial start-up.
Montana Green: A Renewable Resources Energy Center Billings MSU - Billings $300,000 Using applications from state-of-the-art technologies as well as expertise gathered from wind power, biodiesel and renewable resources, MSU Billings will provide a hub of knowledge that civic leaders, policymakers, business, industry and others can use to better understand the potential of renewable resource energy. The proposed project will use energy-related applied research, testing and data collection in the region to help businesses, industry and civic leaders make better informed decisions. A data repository and analysis team will help in energy development activities, environmental studies and community informational systems. It will also benefit Montana by coordinating data resources and information to support regional business and industries.
Montana ICTL Demonstration Project Billings, MT Crow Tribe $2,600,000 The Montana ICTL demonstration project will develop a new highly efficient low-cost technology to convert coal to a mixture of gasoline, jet and diesel fuels wherein the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production and combustion of the fuel supplied from the ICTL technology would, on an ongoing basis, be less than or equal to such emissions from the equivalent conventional fuel produced from conventional petroleum sources. Phase 1 of this project includes a establishment of a pilot facility at the Energy and Environmental Research Center in North Dakota, with scholarships and internships for Crow Students, and opening of an engineering planning office in Billings, Montana. When complete, this project will include an ICTL Demonstration plant in the Billings region proximate to coal mining and refining infrastructure.
Rocky Boy's North Central Montana Regional Water System Havre, MT North Central Montana Regional Water System $42,724,058 Public Law Number 107-331 authorized the North Central Montana Regional Water Authority’s drinking water project. Ultimately, the project will deliver water to roughly 30,000 Montanans living in a large, roughly rectangular region of Montana that is about 150 miles east to west and 70 miles north to south. Part of the Project includes providing infrastructure to pipe water to the Rocky Boy's Reservation -- outlined in the Chippewa Cree Tribe's water settlement with the federal government. Of the 23 communities that make up the North Central Montana Regional Water Authority, currently seven are under DEQ violations because their drinking water is unsafe for consumption; these include the Town of Kevin, Brady, Devon, Riverview Colony, South Chester, Hill County and North Havre. All but Hill County are currently under “boil” mandates.
Rural Montana, MT Statewide Cities, Towns, and Local Water and Sewer Districts $10,000,000 Funding for this project will address critical water and wastewater infrastructure needs at the local level. Proposed projects to receive funding under this project include: Broadview Water Improvements, Lewistown Wastewater System Improvements, County Water District of Billings Heights Water Improvements, North Baker Sewer Project, Fort Smith Water and Sewer District Water Improvements, Winifred Wastewater Improvements, Manhattan Water Project, White Sulphur Springs Water Project, Belt Water Tank Replacement, Cut Bank Water System Improvements, Shelby Well Field Expansion Project, Upper/Lower River Road Water and Sewer District, East Helena Sewer Separation, Polson Storm Water Treatment, Essex Water Improvements, Eureka Water and Wastewater Systems Improvements, Bigfork Storm Water Treatment, City of Butte Drinking Water System Upgrades, Columbia Falls Wastewater System Upgrades, Philipsburg Wastewater Improvements, Victor Wastewater Treatment Improvements.
St. Mary Project Glacier County, MT St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group $4,985,000 This project initiates the rehabilitation and construction of the St. Mary Diversion & Conveyance Works in Glacier County MT, identified in Section 5103 of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act (P.L. 110-114). Funding will be used for project planning and coordination, plan formulation, studies and data collection in support of NEPA, engineering design, emergency response planning, facilitate participation of the Blackfeet Tribe as required by §5103, and determination of existing and required right-of-way. The project is critical to the economy of north-central Montana and to the management of water in the St. Mary and Milk rivers under Article VI of the Boundary Waters Treaty (1909). In addition, the project is integral to settlement of federal reserved water rights with the Blackfeet Tribe and the Ft. Belknap Indian Community in Montana.
WETO Contract Butte, MT Western Environmental Technology Office $6,500,000 DOE-EM manages, through the Western Environmental Technology Office (WETO), an aggressive national program requiring applied research, engineering, development, demonstration, deployment, testing, evaluation, and DOE site waste cleanup support. This program develops high-payoff innovative technologies and methods to clean up the inventory of DOE nuclear component manufacturing sites faster, safer, and cheaper than is possible with current baseline environmental cleanup technologies. WETO programs are designed to provide new, innovative, and more effective technologies for transfer to users through progressive development. The WETO program addresses the most pressing environmental restoration and waste management problems at DOE, and allows DOE-EM to provide the framework for Complex wide cooperation and leveraging of resources on common problems.
Wind Turbine Development Bozeman, MT Montana State University $1,000,000 The U.S. Department of Energy works to strengthen the United States' energy security, environmental quality and economic vitality in public-private partnerships. It supports this goal through enhancing energy efficiency and productivity; bringing clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and making a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life. This project addresses those issues through (a) research on durability and damage tolerance of wind turbine blades, (b) efforts to promote commercialization and manufacturing, with attention to cost reductions, and (c) site development activities. The wind turbine blade materials and manufacturing studies will help develop cost-effective wind turbine electrical power generation.
Yellowstone River Corridor Comprehensive Study Park, Sweetgrass, Stillwater, Carbon, Yellowstone, Treasure, Rosebud, Custer, Prairie, Dawson, and Richland Counties, MT The Nature Conservancy $750,000 The Yellowstone River corridor study observes and calculates hydrologic, biological and socioeconomic impacts of human management over the last century on this last major free-flowing river in the lower forty-eight states. The study is cost-shared – between the Corps of Engineers and the local Sponsor, the Yellowstone River Conservation District Council – on a 75:25 basis. The study, formally beginning in 2004, entails gathering baseline photogrammetric and topographic information for use in hydraulic/hydrologic/geomorphologic, biological and social and economic studies to prepare a final cumulative effects analysis. The project is and will be developing tools to be used in planning management of the river corridor and it will culminate in a set of best management practices to minimize management impacts to the river corridor environment.

FY2009 Appropriations Requests

Click on the link below to view my requests for the subcommittee:

NameAmount
Agriculture
Brucellosis Vaccines at Montana State University $450,000
Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory $1,060,000
Fort Keogh Livestock and Range Research Laboratory Modernization $2,000,000
Greater Yellowstone Interagency Brucellosis Committee $1,500,000
Joe Skeen Institute for Rangeland Restoration $1,500,000
Montana Beef Network at Montana State University $1,000,000
Montana Bio-Energy Center for Excellence $2,500,000
Montana Food Innovation Center Network, Glendive, MT $3,462,000
Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory $800,000
State of Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage Program $100,000
State of Montana Noxious Weed Trust Fund $5,000,000
Targeted Grazing for Managing Invasive Plants at Montana State University $600,000
Tri-State Predator Control $2,300,000
Wheat Stem Sawfly Research $560,000
Commerce, Justice, Science
Billings Police Digital Video Cameras and Tactical Equipment $506,000
Butte Silver Bow-Sheriff's Tactical Equipment $196,000
Chippewa Cree Juvenile Detention $300,000
Flathead County E-911 System $280,000
Fort Belknap-Detention Facility $733,000
Fort Belknap-Tribal Courts $632,000
Fort Peck - Emergency 911 Call Center $141,000
Gallatin County - Detention Center Equipment $1,000,000
Gallatin County New 911 Center $1,650,000
Missoula County-Public Safety Operations and Training Facility $2,000,000
Missoula Police Headquarters Facility $7,500,000
Montana Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America - Strengthening Montana Families Program $250,000
Montana Department of Administration Next Generation 911 $1,200,000
Montana Department of Corrections - Native Cultural Officer $294,000
Montana Meth Project $1,000,000
Montana Offender Notification Tracking System $565,000
Montana Supreme Court - Drug Courts $1,044,000
MSUB - Academic and Workforce Development at the Montana Women's Prison $350,000
Northwest Montana Regional Public Safety Center $5,500,000
Stillwater County Law Enforcement Crisis Response $270,000
UM - Montana Youth Empowerment Program $1,300,000
Defense
Adaptive Lightweight Materials for Missile Defense $5,200,000
Adelos Proram - Nuclear Security Sensor System $3,500,000
Adjuvants to Enhance Resistance Against Mucosal Pathogens $2,000,000
Advanced Engineered NLO Materials for Critical Wavelengths $2,300,000
Advanced Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) Tools for Airframe Inspectors $900,000
Advanced Surface Technologies for Prosthetic Development $6,300,000
Aircraft Maintenance Platform Fall Protection System $5,000,000
Amelioration of Hearing Loss at University of Montana $1,000,000
Clinical Development of a Norovirus Gastroenteritis Vaccine $9,000,000
CPI-Metamorphose/i3 Technical Data Conversion and Support $12,000,000
Cryofracture/Plasma Arc Demilitarization Program $8,000,000
Defense-Critical Languages and Cultures Program at University of Montana $2,500,000
Deployable Active Warming System (DAWS) $1,000,000
DEPUTEE Program - High Powered Microwave Non-Lethal Vehicle/Vessel Engine Disabling $3,500,000
Dual-Use Polarization Sensing for Advanced Military Application $1,500,000
I-HITS forMontana Joint Training $3,000,000
International Heart Institute/US Army Vascular Graft Research Project $3,100,000
Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Based MEMS Inertial Systems $8,000,000
Living Well with a Disability for Veterans $1,500,000
Low Acoustic and Thermal Signature Battlefield Power Source at Montana Tech $3,000,000
MARIAH Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Development Program $10,000,000
Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad - Sensor Integrated, Modular Protection, Combat Helmet $5,000,000
Microbial Biofilm in Acute and Chronic Wounds in Military Environments $5,925,000
MilTech Extension Program at Montana State University $2,000,000
Montana Alternative Energy Generation $5,650,000
Montana Institute for Simulation Technologies $2,000,000
Montana Integration and Air Combat System (MT-IACS) $6,200,000
P5CTS for Montana Joint Training $3,000,000
Rapid Prototyping of Exotic Matierials at Montana Tech $2,500,000
Science Base for Erosion Resistant Coating for Helicopter Compressor Blades $6,500,000
Tissue Regeneration for Combat Casualties $4,000,000
Titanium Extraction, Mining and Process Engineering Research (TEMPER) $10,000,000
Ultra-Wideband Active RF Detection of IEDs $2,700,000
Watchkeeper $7,000,000
Energy & Water
Accelergy Coal to Liquids Demonstration Project $6,000,000
Bioenergy Education Action for Montana $1,000,000
Butte Heritage Center $2,000,000
Fort Peck Cabin Conveyance $1,500,000
Fort Peck Dry Prairie Rural Water System $41,953,000
Intake Diversion Fish Passage $15,000,000
Intelligent Control of Electric Energy $500,000
Natural Resources Building, Geothermal Heat System $750,000
Rocky Boy's/North Central Montana Regional Water System $32,000,000
Rural Montana, MT $25,000,000
St. Mary's Project $4,985,000
Western Environmental Technology Office $6,000,000
Yellowstone River Corridor Study $800,000
Zero Emissions Research Technology at Montana State University $10,000,000
Financial Services
MT Dept. of Commerce Native American and WIRED Region Loan Fund $2,000,000
Prospera Business Network Accelerated Entrepreneur Program $1,000,000
TechRanch Clean and Renewable Energy Initiative $1,500,000
Homeland Security
Prohibition of Funding to Implement the REAL ID Act of 2005 Language
Additional Funding for Northern Border Air Wing in Great Falls, MT $50,000,000
Interior
3rd Street NW-Missouri River Aquifer Environmental Remediation $3,973,095
Airborne Optical Detection of Invasive Species in Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone National Park $1,000,000
Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Courthouse $235,000
Berkeley Pit Microbe Characterization Study $600,000
Big Hole Drought Mitigation and Grayling Recovery Project $2,934,000
Big Hole Inholding Acquisition $1,300,000
Big Hole River Diversion Dam Facilities Replacement Project $1,914,000
Blackfoot River Land Acquisition (Murray-Douglas Creek) $1,500,000
Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area $4,500,000
Bonner/Turah Safety Trail $400,000
Bozeman Water Reclamation Facility $5,000,000
City of Hamilton Wastewater Facility Upgrades $1,300,000
City of Helena Missouri River Water Treatment Plant $2,000,000
Cooke City Mining Claims Land Acquisition, Phase I $4,000,000
Crow Agency Wastewater Lagoon Replacement $2,600,000
Flathead Basin Baseline Environmental Quality Study $4,400,000
Fort Belknap Water Treatment Plant $1,188,000
Fort Peck Water System Tribal Component $330,000
Libby Riverfront Park $369,000
Meeteetse Spires Land Acquisition $1,000,000
National Mining Sustainability Program $4,000,000
North Swan River Valley Land Acquisition $1,980,000
Northern Rockies ClimateScape $867,640
Reducing the Spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species in the Western US $1,200,000
Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area Easement Purchases $3,000,000
Technical Assistance Center for Small Water Systems $500,000
Tongue/Powder River Surface Water Quality Monitoring Network $1,126,100
Water Rights Negotiation Program for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes $450,000
Wildland Fire Decision Support-Science Partnership $2,610,000
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
Beartooth Hospital and Health Center for Infrastructure Improvements $1,500,000
Benefis Healthcare Foundation for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit $500,000
Benefis Healthcare Foundation for Health Information Technology $1,183,000
Billings Clinic Cancer Center Program $500,000
Billings Clinic Diabetes Center Program $500,000
Billings Clinic for the Clinical Translational Research Program $700,000
Billings Clinic to Establish a Medical Residency Program $900,000
Bozeman Deaconess Foundation for Purchase of Health Information Technology $2,600,000
Carroll College for Environmental Science Programs $485,000
Carroll College for Study of Health Professions $890,000
Center for Asbestos Related Disease (CARD) for Infrastructure Development $990,115
Central Montana Education Center for Educational Programs $800,000
Community Medical Center for the Women and Infant Care Center $750,000
County of Glacier School District #9 for High School Construction $10,000,000
Flathead County for Construction of a Facility for Agency on Aging $1,000,000
Flathead Valley Community College for Center for Emergency Preparedness Training $1,500,000
Glendive Medical Center for Imaging Technology $479,203
HealthShare Montana for Continuity of Care Record $1,000,000
Intermountain Deaconess Home for Children for Infrastructure Improvements $3,500,000
Libby School District #4 for Elementary School Construction $12,000,000
Miles Community College for Healthcare Connections to Career Pathways $903,769
Montana AFL-CIO Transitional Worker Training Program $850,000
Montana Children's Home and Hospital for the Cancer Genetics Program $4,402,800
Montana Committee for the Humanities for Civic Education Programs $200,000
Montana State University-Billings for an Energy Workforce Training Center $650,000
Montana State University-Billings for the Health Care Pathways Program $350,000
Montana State University-Billings for the Skilled Trades and Technology Center $350,000
North Country Medical Clinic for Infrastructure Improvements $2,000,000
Rocky Boy Health Board Ojibwa Ne-i-yah-w Initiative $500,000
Saint Patrick Hospital for Emergency Mental Health Care $750,000
Salish Kootenai College for Nursing Education $500,000
St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation for the Montana Pediatric Project $900,000
UM for Methamphetamine Detection and Health Effects Research $500,000
Whitefish School District #44 for Middle School Improvements $300,000
Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch for Technology Upgrades $938,000
Military Construction & Veterans Affairs
Fort Harrison Entryway Reconstruction $3,000,000
Great Falls Int'l Airport Operations and Training Building $9,600,000
Malmstrom AFB Fitness Center, Phase II $9,900,000
Malmstrom AFB Replace Military Working Dogs Kennel Facility $2,450,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase I $9,900,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase II $10,600,000
Miles City Readiness Center $13,100,000
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Burns Street Square, MT $1,500,000
Cregg Lane/Wyoming Street Connector, MT $3,100,000
Daly Mansion Grounds Restoration, MT $400,000
ExplorationWorks, MT $1,440,000
Extension for Medical Bus Transfer and Parking Structure, MT Language
Heavy Aircraft Ramp, MT $3,000,000
Heron Bridge, MT $250,000
homeWORD Affordable Housing and Community Development, MT $1,000,000
I-15 Custer Avenue Interchange, MT $20,000,000
Kalispell Bypass, MT $6,000,000
Livingston Railroad Grade Separation Undercrossing, MT $921,000
Montana Rural Development, MT $1,500,000
Montana Secondary 323 from Ekalaka to Alzada, MT $14,000,000
Pedestrian and Motor Safety Project, MT $1,500,000
Ravalli Entrepreneurship Center and Business Park, MT $300,000
Redevelopment in East Billings Urban Renewal District, MT $1,000,000
Shiloh Road, MT $20,000,000
Statewide Bus and Bus Facilities, MT $6,000,000
Transportation and Rehabilitation of Malmstrom Air Force Housing Units to the Rocky Boy's Reservation, MT $600,000
Two Medicine River Bridge, US-2, MT $36,000,000
US 93 Corridor, MT $150,000
West Fork/Ski Run Road Reconstruction, MT $14,350,000

FY2008 Appropriations Requests

Click on the link below to view my requests for the subcommittee:

NameAmount
Agriculture
ATTRA-NCAT National Center for Appropriate Tecnology $3,000,000
Barley for Rural Development - MT, ID $750,000
Fort Keogh Ag Lab - Miles City $2,970,000
Medical Application of Sugar Beet By-Products $500,000
Missouri River Coalition Saltcedar Management Project $750,000
Montana Commodity Food Distribution Warehouse Expansion $3,162,834
MSU - Animal Bioscience Research Facility $16,000,000
MSU - Biobased Products Institute $2,240,000
MSU - Brucellosis Vaccine Research $450,000
MSU - Integrated Research for Wheat $3,000,000
MSU - Montana Beef Network $1,000,000
MSU - Montana Sheep Institute $600,000
MSU-Joe Skeen Rangeland Restoration $500,000
North Central Montana Rural Water System $1,000,000
Northern Plains Ag Lab in Sidney - ARS $1,759,199
Predator Delisting Management Program $300,000
Commerce, Justice, Science
9-1-1 Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) System $376,300
A Child Is Missing - MT $175,000
Academic and Workforce Development Program at the Montana Women's Prison $650,000
Bozeman Municipal Broadband Service $2,600,000
Butte-Silver Bow Youth Project $215,000
Chippewa Cree Juvenile Detention Center Renovation Project $750,000
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Tribal Jail and court Improvement $400,000
Crime Scene Investigation Vehicle $250,000
Crime Scene Investigations Equipment Trailer $7,500
De La Salle Blackfeet School Learning & Community Center $1,000,000
Development and Deployment of Compact Optical Sensors $1,250,000
Digital Video Cameras $465,000
Eureka Justice Center $900,000
Gallatin County Emergency Command Center $300,000
Great Falls Emergency Services Advanced Regional Training Center $2,500,000
Great Falls P-25 Interoperable Radio Communication System $2,500,000
Juvenile Healing and Treatment Demonstration Project $200,000
Mineral Avenue Landscaping Project $481,425
Mineral County Search and Rescue Training Facility $1,000,000
Missoula Police Headquarters Facility $5,900,000
Missoula Public Safety Operations and Training Center $2,000,000
Missouri River Drug Task Force $170,000
Montana Aerospace Development Association $2,000,000
Montana Drug Courts $745,787
Montana Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology (MIAST) $1,300,000
Montana Meth Project $1,000,000
Montana Youth Empowerment Project: Early Intervention in Behavioral Health $1,300,000
MONTS - Montana Offender Notification and Tracking System $960,000
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges $3,000,000
Native American Liaison Program Project $250,000
OMSI Outreach for Earth and Space Science $1,900,000
Whitefish Police Department Equipment request $516,500
Defense
Adaptive Lightweight Materials for Missile Defense $5,270,000
Advanced Energy Technology for Munitions - Area Dominator Program $4,000,000
Advanced Engineered NLO Materials for Critical Wavelengths $2,800,000
Advanced Surface Technologies for Prosthetic Development $5,085,830
Amelioration of Military Hearing Loss $1,000,000
Billings Clinic Cancer Center $5,000,000
Ceramic Matrix Composite Airfoil Capability Enhancements $4,500,000
Clinical Development of a Norovirus Vaccine and Prophylactic Counter Measures to Prevent Severe Gastroenteritis Pandemics $9,000,000
Cyber Security Attack and Defend Exercises for the State of Montana $830,959
Defense-Critical Languages and Cultures Program $1,000,000
Development of On-Board Sensor Technology Supporting Airframe Condition Based Maintenance $3,500,000
Development of Waste Treatment Products Utilizing Endophytic Microorganisms in US Defense Operations $830,000
Downtown Information Technology Flex Center $3,500,000
Enhanced Dry Powder Nasal Delivery of Virus like Particles Vaccines for Pandemic Influenza $4,000,000
Erosion-Resistant Coatings $5,800,000
Establishment of CASANS, a Nanotechnology Center at Montana Tech $3,000,000
High Thermal Conductivity Materials $2,000,000
IHITS for Blue Force Tracking and Military Civilian Training $5,000,000
Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Based MEMS Inertial Systems for Precision Strike Munitions and Autonomous Ground Vehicle Systems $6,000,000
Low Acoustic and Thermal Signature Battlefield Power Source $3,000,000
Mariah Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Development Program $10,000,000
Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad $5,000,000
MilTech Extension - Transitioning Innovative Technology to the US Military $1,500,000
NAVAIR CPI Tech Manual Conversion and Support $6,200,000
Novel, Innovative Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology for Military Applications $9,960,000
Pocket J for Northern Border Security $4,200,000
Sierra Army Depot Cryofracture Plasma ARC Demilitarizatino Program $8,000,000
Smart Data Program: Real-Time Geospatial Video Sensor Intelligence $8,300,000
Solid Free-Form Fabrication of DOD Weapon System Components from Low-Cost Titanium $1,600,000
Spatial Spectral material-based Optical Signal Processor $5,600,000
Therapeutic Product for Prevention of Infection/Microbial Biofilm in Acute and Chronic Wounds in Military and Domestic Environments $5,925,000
Tissue Regeneration for Combat Casualties $4,000,000
Titanium Extraction, Mining and Process Engineering Research $5,000,000
Warfighter Sustainability for the AFOSC: Maximizing Human Performance in the Hostile Environments $4,000,000
Watchkeeper $6,000,000
Energy & Water
Advanced Materials Research $3,000,000
Bigfork Water and Sewer District Wastewater Treatment Facility STAG & WRDA $8,178,000
Billings Clinic Cancer Center: Equipment and Facilities $1,000,000
Billings Water Treatment Plant Backup Power $750,000
Blackfoot Cooperative Landscape Stewardship Pilot Project - Biomass Boiler $1,500,000
Cabinet Heights Area Wastewater Collection System Improvements STAG & WRDA $2,911,000
Center for Zero Emissions Research & Technology $8,000,000
City of Billings West Wicks Lane Water and Sewer Improvements $222,437
Construction of a Filtration Plan for Basin Creek Reservoir (Drinking Water) $15,000,000
County Water District of Billings Heights Phase 1 Improvements $1,500,000
Crow Tribe Water System Improvements $400,000
Dayton Wastewater Collection and Treatment Facility STAG & WRDA $2,066,100
Developing new Proteomics Technology for Deeper Understanding of Biological Systems: Applications to Improved Conversion of Cellulose to Ethanol $3,500,000
Fort Peck Cabin Conveyance $950,000
Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System $36,851,000
Glasgow Wastewater Facility Improvements STAG & WRDA $1,379,800
Greater Woods Bay Area Wastewater System STAG & WRDA $6,750,000
Hardin Generating Station Coal-Fired Power Plant Mercury Emission Control Demonstration Project $30,000,000
High Temperature Electrochemistry Center (HiTEC) $6,000,000
Intake Diversion Dam Fish Passage $15,000,000
Mining Butte's Geothermal Resources $750,000
Montana Conservation Fleet $250,000
National Mining Sustainability Program $4,000,000
Neurologic Drug Discovery $3,800,000
Phillipsburg Municipal Wastewater Facility Improvements STAG & WRDA $6,900,000
Port of Northern Montana Energy Park $8,454,500
Ranch Water District - Bigfork Infrastructure Improvements STAG & WRDA $1,300,000
Rocky Boy's / North Central Montana Regional Water System $64,923,873
Seeley Lake Water System Improvements Project STAG & WRDA $250,000
St. Mary Rehabilitation / Milk River Project $34,500,000
Technical Assistance Center for Small Water Systems $500,000
The Biobridges Center: Moving Discoveries in Biological Engineering to Application $3,000,000
Upper Tenmile Creek Wetland Restoration Project $245,000
Western Environmental Technology Office (WETO) $6,000,000
Yellostone River Corridor Comprehensive Study $1,000,000
Financial Services
Native American and WIRED Region Loan Funds $2,000,000
Entrepreneurship in Rural Montana—Launching Student Businesses $1,500,000
National Student Mock Election $550,000
Homeland Security
Disaster Recovery Vehicle $570,000
Emergency Services (Sheriff's Department) $825,000
Interoperability Montana Communications Project $25,000,000
Training Facility Project for Butte-Silver Bow Fire Department $1,000,000
Whitefish Emergency Services Center $1,187,260
Interior
Belgrade Drinking Water System Upgrades $1,500,000
Big Hole Grayling Recovery Project $2,916,000
Billings Water Treatment Plant Backup Power $750,000
Blackfoot Cooperative Landscape Stewardship Pilot Project - Restoration $750,000
Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area $5,000,000
Blackfoot River Special Recreation Management Area $1,000,000
Bozeman Wastewater Treatment Plant Reconstruction $2,000,000
Bynum Water and Sewer Districts Improvements $500,000
Carter/Chouteau County Water and Sewer District Improvements $685,630
City of Cut Bank Water Improvement Project $850,000
City of Hamilton Wastewater Facility Critical Updates $1,500,000
City of Three Forks Wastewater Improvement Project $800,000
Conrad Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvement Project $1,100,000
Cooke City Water System Improvements $550,000
Crow Agency Waste Water Lagoon Replacement $3,000,000
Crow Dam Spillway Replacement Project $13,000,000
Fort Peck Reservation Rural Water System - Assiniboine and Sioux Water System Component $250,000
Glacier National Park and Flathead Basin Study $7,300,000
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum $1,750,000
Midvale Wastewater Expansion Project $750,000
Missouri River Water Treatment Plan Reconstruction $2,000,000
Montana Wolf Management $645,000
National Center for Landscape Fire Analysis $3,000,000
National Mining Sustainability Program $6,000,000
National Museum of Forest Service History $2,000,000
Poplar Community Volunteer Fire Department $2,238,150
Potable Water Facility at the Port of Montana - Business Development District - Construction $5,000,000
Power Water System Improvements $392,714
Rocky Boy’s/North Central Montana Regional Water System $1,500,000
Rocky Mountain Front Conservation Area $5,000,000
Seeley Lake Wastewater Improvements Project $1,443,000
Seeley Lake Water System Improvements Project $1,500,000
Stevensville Septic & Sewer Rehabilitation $1,000,000
Sun Ranch $4,500,000
Swan River State Forest Initiative $4,000,000
The University of Montana Fort Peck Paleontology Field Station $500,000
Town of Clyde Park Reservoir $560,000
Tribal College Nursing Assistance $1,200,000
Upper Swan Valley $8,000,000
Virginia City National Historic Landmark Preservation, Phase III $2,935,800
Water & Sewer for Cascade County Shops & Manchester Exit Industrial Park $540,010
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
American Indian Academic Achievement Project $500,000
B Street Community Center $1,500,000
Beartooth Hospital and Health Center $3,000,000
Billings Clinic Cancer Center: Molecular Therapeutics for Cancer Patients in Rural, Underserved Areas $2,000,000
Billings Clinic Diabetes Center $1,000,000
Biotechnology/Molecular Biology Program Growth: The Foundation for a Stronger and Healthier Montana Economy $1,068,000
Cancer Genetics in Montana $4,274,630
Central Montana Regional Economic Development through Early Childhood Development program $2,000,000
Civil Engineering, Phase II $881,580
Commercialization of Bio-Products $400,000
CT Scanner for Radiology Department $600,000
Eastern Montana Skilled Trades & Technology Training $500,000
Emergency Room Construction $680,000
Establishment of the Montana Children's Hospital Network $975,000
Expansion of Rocky Mountain College Aviation Program $1,500,000
Head Start In Havre $1,000,000
HIT for Critical Access Hospitals - Benefis $500,000
Holy Rosary Healthcare $400,000
Libby Fire Department Asbestos prevention equipment $200,000
Living Well and Working Well with a Disability: Improving Health, Promoting Employment, and Reducing Medical Costs $750,000
Madison County Nursing Homes Improvement Program $740,250
MAPS: Media Arts in the Public Schools $600,000
Methamphetamine Detection and Health Effects Research Program $4,200,000
Montana Cardiology Telemedicine Network $1,500,000
Montana Health Care Pathways: Professional Development and Degree Programs $500,000
Montana Public Affairs Grants $200,000
Montana’s Interactive University: Connecting the Campus to the Community $3,000,000
National American Indian, Alaskan, and Hawaiian Educational Development Center $4,500,000
Pathways to Careers in Healthcare $944,995
Powell County Medical Center $183,000
Restoration of YMCA in Butte $776,360
Rocky Boy Health Care Facility $600,000
Rocky Mountain Agile Virtual Enterprises (RAVE) Creativity Forge $750,000
Rural Clinical Information System (RCIS) $1,000,000
Science Laboratory Equipment Improvements Today for Science Education Tomorrow $249,100
Search and Rescue Training Facility $1,000,000
South Billings Education, Training and Skills Development Support Center $750,000
Sprouts - Reaching Native children through mentoring and education $1,727,000
St. Peters Hospital Expansion $500,000
Taking Technology to the Classroom $809,695
The Center for Community Entrepreneurship Education $750,000
The Montana Center for Women's and Newborn Care $2,000,000
The Montana CME/Research Initiative $750,000
The Montana Organic Farm-to-Table Food Production Center $750,000
The Native Enrichment Project $750,000
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Technology Improvements $738,192
Military Construction & Veterans Affairs
Fort Harrison Entry Road Modification $2,997,000
Malmstrom AFB Commercial Gate Entrance $3,900,000
Malmstrom AFB Community Activity Center Construction $7,000,000
Malmstrom AFB Construct Civil Engineer Compound $15,000,000
Malmstrom AFB Fitness Center Construction, Phase II $15,700,000
Malmstrom AFB Replace Military Working Dogs Kennel Facility $1,700,000
Malmstrom AFB Security Forces Deployment Station, Bldg. 510 $5,400,000
Malmstrom AFB Tactical Response Force Alert Facility $6,900,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase I $8,500,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase II $9,000,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase III $9,100,000
Malmstrom AFB Weapons Storage Area Upgrade, Phase IV $9,800,000
MT Air Nat'l Guard Aviation Readiness Center Addition/Alteration $3,800,000
MT Air Nat'l Guard Operations and Training (O&T) Facility $9,000,000
MT Nat'l Guard Deployment Processing Facility $1,499,000
MT Nat'l Guard Forward Operating Base $850,000
MT Nat'l Guard Miles City Readiness Center $11,448,000
MT Nat'l Guard Training Range and Biathlon Course $1,499,000
Yellowstone Veterans Cemetery $1,000,000
State & Foreign Operations
Montana Arts Exhibition in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia $100,000
MSU-Billings Montana International Business Conference $300,000
The Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program $2,200,000
Transportation, Housing and Urban Development
Acquisition of Story Mansion and Site for Montana State University's Humanities Institute $1,300,000
Airport Road Interchange – Highway 93 Bypass $6,000,000
Amtrak Southern Route $250,000
B Street Community Center $1,500,000
Boys and Girls Club of Dawson County, Inc $1,123,223
Bridge Over Broadway $3,150,000
Bus and Bus Facilities $2,784,000
Bus Facilities $3,000,000
Butte Airport Approach Lighting $1,500,000
Butte Emergency Food Bank Infrastructure Improvement $200,000
Central Montana Education Center $1,968,000
College Street Improvements Design and Engineering, Bozeman $500,000
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Reservation Transportation System $373,000
Daly Mansion Grounds Restoration $400,000
Developing Montana's Food Processing Industry through the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center $200,000
East Belgrade Interchange $13,000,000
East Downtown Billings Tax Increment Financing District (TIFD) $900,000
ExplorationWorks Center Development - Helena $650,000
Food Bank Transportation System $450,000
Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter $1,000,000
Helena Custer Ave. Interchange $5,000,000
homeWORD's Affordable Housing and Community Development $2,000,000
Housing First Project $400,000
Inner Belt Loop $21,000,000
Kalispell Bypass $15,000,000
Launch the Montana Statewide Outreach Initiative $600,000
McLeod Street Renovation Project $3,000,000
MetraPark Improvements $1,000,000
Mill Creek Highway $20,000,000
Missoula International Airport New Air Traffic Control Tower $2,000,000
Montana At Risk Youth Workforce Development Solution $500,000
Montana Secondary 323 Project $10,000,000
Mountain Line Bus Replacement $1,700,000
New Billings Baseball and Multi-Use Stadium - Cobb Field $500,000
New Cannery Building at Deer Lodge State Prison $2,500,000
Oak - Cedar Connector Analysis and Assessment $300,000
Pablo Health Center $100,000
Pantry Partners Food Bank Building Project $500,000
Plains Partnership for Entrepreneurship and Innovation - VIRTUALLY $500,000
Renovation of Historic Uptown Butte YMCA Building $776,360
Rimrock Road, 17th Street West to Shiloh Road $9,000,000
Shiloh Road Reconstruction $10,000,000
Southwestern Montana Family YMCA (SWMFY) in Dillion, MT $600,000
Spiroid Winglet Fuel Efficiency Research $5,000,000
Terminal Surveillance and Approach System (TSAS) $2,500,000
Transportation and Rehabilitation of Malmstrom Air Force Base Units $600,000
Two Medicine Bridge $5,000,000
UM School of Law Building Renovation and Expansion $600,000
West Fork & Ski Run Roads reconstruction $5,000,000
Yellowstone Boys and Girls Ranch Educational Facilities Expansion $1,250,500

Contact Us

Please use the following for schedule requests:

  1. District 1
  2. District 2
  3. District 3
  4. District 4
  5. District 5
  6. District 6
  7. District 7
  8. District 8

Contact the DC office at:

511 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2651 (Office)
(202) 224-9412 (Fax)

Max is pleased to have eight offices throughout Montana to serve you better.

Billings
1. Billings

222 N 32nd St Ste 100
Billings, MT 59101
(406) 657-6790

Bozeman
2. Bozeman

220 W Lamme Ste 1D
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 586-6104

Butte
3. Butte

245 E Park St LL E
Butte, MT 59701
(406) 782-8700

Glendive
4. Glendive

122 W Towne St
Glendive, MT 59330
(406) 365-7002

Great Falls
5. Great Falls

113 3rd St N
Great Falls, MT 59401
(406) 761-1574

Helena
6. Helena

30 W 14th St Ste 206
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 449-5480

Kalispell
7. Kalispell

8 3rd St E
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 756-1150

Missoula
8. Missoula

280 E Front St Ste 100
Missoula, MT 59802
(406) 329-3123