State Weatherization Program Helps a Record Number of Montana Families Save Money, Reduce Energy Use

January 10, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu hosted a conference call today with Governor Brian Schweitzer to announce that Montana has surpassed its aggressive energy efficiency goal established with the U.S. Department of Energy for funding under the 2009 stimulus law, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Through the weatherization program, the state has helped a total of more than 6,800 Montana families improve the energy efficiency of their homes over the last three years, saving the average household more than $400 a year on its utility bills. more »

HELENA, MT – August 15, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Residents who were affected by flooding may be waiting to have their homes inspected by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for damage. The damage inspection is part of the recovery process. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 17, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today supported an amendment to the Energy and Water Appropriations bill to provide emergency funding in response to flooding in the Missouri and Mississippi River basins.  The funding comes as counties across Montana face severe flooding from a combination of high snowpack and high precipitation.  Montana’s governor has declared a State of Emergency and has asked for a Presidential Disaster Declaration. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – June 3, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to the Stillwater Hospital Association in Columbus, Montana.  The $14.3 million loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program.
The existing hospital was constructed more than 50 years ago.  Space limitations and infrastructure problems in the aging structure necessitate replacement to better serve the community.  The FHA-insured mortgage loan will be used to construct an entirely new facility with a new emergency room, inpatient and outpatient surgery areas, laboratory, imaging department, a primary care clinic, and a home health agency. Stillwater Hospital Association is managed by Billings Clinic, Billings, Montana, a tertiary-level hospital that owns and manages six other hospitals and physician clinics in South Central Montana and Wyoming.
“By supporting hospital projects like this one in Montana, FHA is not only helping to expand access to medical care, itis also contributing to the financial well-being of communities by creating jobs to stimulate local economies.” said Acting FHA Commissioner Robert Ryan.
“Critical access hospitals like this one in Columbus are just that – critical – and it’s essential they have the space and facilities to serve the critical needs of Montana patients.  This loan to the Stillwater Hospital Association is a smart investment that will support a healthy community and economy for years to come by supporting life-saving care and good-paying Montana jobs during construction and beyond,” said Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus.
HUD estimates the Stillwater Hospital construction project will support 290 full-time jobs and provide an estimated economic stimulus of more than $41.2 million to the community. Once completed, it is estimated the project will support 52 full-time jobs and provide an annual economic benefit of $9.8 million. HUD’s estimates are based on results from an economic model used by public and private institutions to examine a variety of economic development issues.
By insuring the mortgage loan, FHA is enabling the hospital to obtain lower cost financing that will save an estimated$4.2 million in interest expense over the life of the loan.  Since 1968, FHA has insured 397 mortgage loans totaling $17.1 billion to hospitals in 43 states and Puerto Rico.
FHA’s Section 242 Mortgage Insurance Program for Hospitals enables hospitals to obtain capital to finance new construction and renovation of acute care hospitals.  Eligible applicants can be public, proprietary, or nonprofit hospitals certified by the responsible State agency.
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HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.
Contact:
Lemar Wooley
(202) 708-0685

HELENA, MT – December 6, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that all flags on property of the State of Montana be flown at half staff on Tuesday, December 7th, 2010, to honor the memory of Montana State Highway Patrol Trooper David DeLaittre. Trooper DeLaittre was killed while on duty on Wednesday, December 1st, 2010. The Governor also encourages all Montanans to fly flags at their homes, schools, public buildings, parks, communities and business at half staff in honor of Trooper DeLaittre. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – September 30, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced a commitment to insure a mortgage loan to Barrett Hospital Development Corporation to replace the existing Barrett Hospital & Healthcare facility in Dillon, Montana. The $33.1 million loan is made possible through the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program. more »

EUGENE, OR – June 28, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — IDX, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Lamont Kinkade to the growing group of real estate professionals choosing to update their realty websites with IDX Broker software. The partnership of Kinkade with the Northwest Montana MLS (NMAR) automatically gives his clients a leg up throughout the online home search process. But now, with IDX Broker software, NMAR listings can be displayed on his website, giving Bigfork home seekers the most comprehensive set of property listings around. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – March 25, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan announced today that public housing authorities in Montana successfully met a critical funding deadline outlined in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). As a result, the $4,429,323 in Public Housing Capital Funds awarded to the state through the Recovery Act one year ago is being used to make significant improvements to 392 of public housing units in Montana]; creating jobs and growing the economy. “Strict deadlines, such as this one, were written into the Recovery Act to ensure that funds would be used to meet the top goal of putting Americans back to work as quickly as possible,” said Donovan. “I am proud of the work HUD and public housing authorities across the country did to meet this critical deadline. It speaks to the commitment they have to improve affordable housing and grow local economies. Families and communities are already seeing new windows, roofs, cost-saving energy-efficient appliances, and much-needed jobs.” more »

HELENA, MT – February 12, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Steve Bullock on Friday announced that, under the terms of a settlement between his office and Countrywide, 79 Montana consumers who lost their homes to the foreclosure of Countrywide home loans will receive checks for $3,129 within the next few days. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – January 12, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today awarded the Missoula Housing Authority $68,000 in Missoula, MT to help public housing residents find jobs that lead them toward economic independence. more »

WASHINGTON, DC – December 23, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — The Obama Administration today announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is renewing grant funding needed to keep 19 local homeless assistance programs throughout Montana operating. The funding is part of nearly $1.4 billion that will help an unprecedented 6,400 existing programs nationwide to continue offering critically needed housing and services to homeless persons and families. more »

Washington, D.C. – November 4, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus today applauded the Senate for passing his bill to extend the $8,000 tax credit to more of Montana’s first time homebuyers. more »

Roswell, NM – October 28, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — PrimeSource Mortgage, Inc. (PSMI), a leading mortgage brokerage and banking company in the southwestern United States, and a wholly owned subsidiary of PSM Holdings, Inc., (OTCBB: PSMH) today announced the opening of a new branch office in Missoula, Mont. more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 21, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today sent a letter to House leaders urging them to extend the home buyer tax credit. He has also cosponsored the Homebuyer Tax Credit Act of 2009. more »

HELENA, MT – October 15, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, announced the Montana Board of Housing has been awarded $170,297 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing assistance in Montana. The grant supports a wide variety of counseling services for Montana homebuyers, homeowners, low-to-moderate income renters, and the homeless. more »