County seeking share of major stimulus bill

By Justin Post of The Montana Standard - 12/26/2008

Butte-Silver Bow will seek a share of a major economic development bill currently before Congress.

The city-county is requesting $74 million through the bill, dubbed the Economic Recovery Act, and may seek additional money, said Cindy McIlveen, Butte-Silver Bow planning specialist.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., introduced the Economic Recovery Act of 2008 in November.

The package contains more than $100 billion to promote economic recovery and create over 635,000 jobs, according to the Democratic Policy Committee.

McIlveen said government entities throughout the state are submitting funding proposals to Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who will make a statewide pitch for a portion of the cash.

"We're doing our part," she said. "So far we have submitted that ($74 million) and there's more to come. We're continuing to get different lists together for different departments." The $74 million already requested are for water and wastewater infrastructure improvements, as well as natural resource projects to improve and enhance Silver Bow and Blacktail creeks.

Meanwhile, other city offices and entities have been asked to submit proposals for energy upgrades, public housing projects, transportation and other projects, McIlveen said.

"It's still a work in progress," said Karen Byrnes, community development director.

McIlveen is spearheading the local effort with help from Chief Executive Paul Babb, Byrnes, Finance and Budget Director Jeff Amerman, Planning Director Jon Sesso and interim Public Works Director Dan Dennehy.

Only "shovel-ready" projects, which are ones that have a majority of engineering work and design completed, are being submitted, McIlveen said.

"It has to be projects that are ready to go, that we could move dirt within a year," she said.

The city-county's top funding request so far is $22 million to replace the Big Hole River diversion dam and replace 22 miles of water transmission lines.

Another big-ticket project is the roughly $12 million needed for upgrades at Butte's sewage treatment plant to reduce nitrate levels into Silver Bow Creek.

The Bert Mooney Airport has submitted a request for $1.5 million for runway lighting and $1 million for security equipment.

Reid drafted the bill in response to the nation's deepening economic crisis, according to the committee.

The legislation contains a package of economic stimulus measures aimed at addressing high unemployment, state budget shortfalls, the struggling auto industry, and rising food and energy costs, the committee Web site states.

— Reporter Justin Post may be reached at justin.post@lee.net or by telephone, 496-5572.