Glacier Country News

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that he requested federal funding for 15 projects in Western Montana aimed at improving infrastructure, economic development, and law enforcement capabilities. The requests were submitted to the House Appropriations Committee, of which he is a member. The proposed projects span across Beaverhead (2), Flathead, Gallatin, Lake (3), Lincoln (2), Missoula, Mineral (3), Powell, Ravalli (3), and Sanders (3) counties.

“Rural Montana’s infrastructure and public service needs are different than those of Miami or Phoenix,” said Congressman Zinke. “Taking advantage of my position on the Appropriations Committee allows me to make sure our tax dollars are spent on projects that support our taxpayers.” He highlighted specific initiatives such as a wastewater system in Seeley Lake and a five-county law enforcement project aimed at enhancing coordination among sheriffs.

The submissions were made through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Project Funding requests, allowing Congress to direct appropriations from specific grant accounts to eligible projects. Each project must meet published grant requirements and pass several legislative hurdles before final approval by the House Appropriations Committee, the full House of Representatives, and inclusion in the joint funding package approved by both the House and Senate and signed by the President.

In Fiscal Year 2024, Zinke successfully secured $35 million in funding for Western Montana.

Proposed projects include:

- **Beaverhead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, and Sanders County ($2,123,500)**: Law Enforcement Equipment for five rural counties aimed at reducing taxpayer costs and promoting equipment continuity.

- **Beaverhead, Lake, Lincoln, Mineral, and Sanders County ($322,000)**: Enhanced Law Enforcement Capability for five rural counties focusing on modernizing communication capacity.

- **Flathead County ($1,936,170)**: North Fork Road Guardrails to improve safety along 3.71 miles of roadway.

- **Gallatin County ($906,660)**: Sheriff’s Office Rapid DNA Capabilities and Patrol Vehicles.

- **Lake County ($1,604,500)**: CSKT Invasive Species Inspection Station development in Ravalli.

- **Lincoln County ($820,319)**: Rural Airport Reconstruction and Emergency Services Expansion at Troy Airport.

- **Lincoln County ($1,500,000)**: Troy Library and Opportunity Center transformation.

- **Missoula County ($1,4000)$**: Lolo Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades.

- **Missoula County ($18 million)**: Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant construction.

- **Mineral County ($1 million)**: Alberton Water Tower replacement project.

- **Powell County ($1 million)**: Equipment acquisition for Volunteer Fire Departments.

- **Ravalli County ($1 million)**: Bridge Replacement on Groff Lane.

- **Ravalli County ($4.5 million)**: Old Corvallis Road Repair initiative.

- **Ravalli County ($10 million)**: New Wastewater Treatment Plant construction to address sewage treatment capacity issues.

- **Sanders County ($977500)$**: Repaving Marten Creek Road.

These proposed projects reflect collaborative efforts between county commissioners mayors sheriffs and other stakeholders who worked with Zinke's office over several months to identify impactful initiatives.