Montana RealEstateRama
Montana and 12 Other States Challenge New EPA & Corps of Engineers Regulation
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox and 12 other states filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) over the new regulation broadly expanding the definition of “Waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act. The case was filed in the U.S. district court for the District of North Dakota
TESTER, FRANKEN FIGHT TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE, INCREASE PUBLIC SAFETY IN INDIAN COUNTRY
In a letter to the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee Chairman Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Ranking Member Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), Tester and Franken urged the committee to provide additional infrastructure resources to Indian Country as they continue work on the Highway Bill.
Kennedy Funding Financial Closes $1.41 Million Loan Secured by Mixed-use Property in Montana
Kennedy Funding Financial LLC has closed a $1.41 million loan to American Land Development-Sidney, LLC, owner of a 22.59-acre development site along E. Holly Street in Sidney, Montana, announced Kevin Wolfer, CEO of the Englewood Cliffs, NJ-based direct private lender. The three-year interest-only loan will be serviced by Kennedy Funding Financial
TESTER FIGHTS TO EXPAND PUBLIC ACCESS TO PUBLIC LANDS
Tester offered an amendment to the Interior Appropriations bill that would provide $400 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which supports conservation easements, land acquisition, and state and local efforts to increase public access for outdoor recreation.
TESTER ANNOUNCES $3 MILLION FOR MONTANA COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS
Senator Jon Tester today announced that the Corporation for National and Community Service will grant Montana $3 million to support four nonprofits across the state. The AmeriCorps grants will support Montana Conservation Corps in Bozeman, Justice for Montanans and Montana State Park AmeriCorps in Helena, and FoodCorps Montana in Butte
Montana CDC Receives $65 Million Allocation to Fund Start Ups and Expansions
With the award, Montana CDC will continue to fund business start-ups and expansions in Montana and Idaho that create jobs and significant community impact. This is the sixth award Montana CDC has received since 2008, and it brings their cumulative total to $341 million.
A Bozeman Mainstay Will Breathe New Life into North 7th St.
Universal is a Bozeman success story. Started in the back of a car by Larry Aasheim and Dick Hart in 1971, the partners wanted to provide high quality, specialty sporting goods for Montana’s young athletes. Today, Universal has 13 locations in five states. The three Bozeman locations are at capacity, and the new, consolidated facility on 7th will allow the business to continue to grow
TESTER ANNOUNCES $6.8 MILLION DOLLAR AWARD TO EXPAND BROADBAND IN NORTHWEST MONTANA
Senator Jon Tester today announced that Frontier Communications will receive a $6.8 million award to expand broadband access to as many as 2,300 homes and businesses in northwest Montana.
Governor Bullock & Ag Development Council Award Additional $110,000 to Ag Businesses
Governor Steve Bullock and the Agriculture Development Council announced the recipients of $110,718 in grant funds through the Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) program. In all, seven agriculture businesses were awarded funds to assist with their development and growth.
EPA provides $400K to advance the cleanup and revitalization of targeted properties in Missoula
As part of a tour highlighting several completed, ongoing and planned redevelopment projects in Missoula, Mont., U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regional administrator Shaun McGrath today presented Mayor John Engen with $400K in EPA Brownfields grant funds. The EPA grants will be used to expand local efforts to assess, clean up and redevelop properties throughout Missoula, including Urban Renewal Districts and properties along the Clark Fork River waterfront.
Utah Man Ordered to Pay Over $97,000 in Restitution to Montana State Fund
Last week, Utah resident Benjie Leroy Christensen plead guilty in Lewis & Clark County District Court to felony theft for receiving Montana workers’ compensation permanent disability payments for six years while he was actually performing construction work
Zinke Urges Senate to Take Swift Action to Block EPA’s Waters of the U.S.
Today Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke called on the Senate to take swift action to block the Obama Administration’s Waters of the U.S. rule carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Administration announced its final rule today. Zinke voted in support of H.R. 1732, the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act, which would require the EPA to withdraw its proposal or finalized rule. The Senate adjourned for recess without taking up the issue.
Early career award goes to MSU scientist who investigates solar cell materials
A Montana State University faculty member who investigates new materials for solar cells has received an early career award from the U.S. Department of Energy.
TESTER: WATER COMPACTS ARE VITAL FOR TRIBES, NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES
During a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing, Vice-Chairman Tester highlighted how vital these water compacts are for the health, safety, and the economy of tribal and non-tribal communities. Tester discussed his bill, the Authorized Rural Water Projects Completion Act, that invests $35 million annually for 20 years to help pay for projects associated with tribal water compacts.
Montana auto accident victims paid less than they deserved
One of the nation’s largest insurance companies has agreed to pay a $95,000 fine and rebate dozens of Montanans to resolves a dispute with the office of Montana Insurance Commissioner Monica J. Lindeen, which alleged the company was shortchanging Montana auto accident victims.