County supports economic development district

Flathead County will invest up to $8,000 in continued support of the relatively new economic development district serving Northwest Montana.

The county commissioners on Monday voted in favor of additional funding for the district that was created last year as a tool in applying for federal Economic Development Administration grants.

Initially the district included Flathead, Lincoln, Sanders and Lake counties, with each county putting in $4,500 to cover costs.

Sanders and Lake counties opted out this year because of financial difficulties, however, which left a bigger financial burden for Flathead and Lincoln counties, said Kim Morisaki, manager of client development and resources for Montana West Economic Development.

To offset the funding dilemma, Montana West has applied for a $15,000 grant from the Big Sky Trust Fund to be used as a match for federal funding. Morisaki outlined two funding options for the district this year — one with the Big Sky grant and another without it. With the Big Sky grant, Flathead would have to chip in another $500; without it the county is on the line for $8,000 to meet the matching cash requirement to run the district.

Commissioners Joe Brenneman and Jim Dupont agreed to commit the additional $8,000. Commissioner Dale Lauman was absent.

It costs $65,000 a year to operate the district, but a $40,000 annual federal allocation covers much of the expense. That catch is that counties must match the federal money one-to-one with cash and in-kind contributions.

Jennifer Nelson of Libby is director of the district.

Among the benefits of the district is a comprehensive economic development strategic plan that outlines potential projects.

Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance Program grants are one funding source the district can pursue. Flathead County qualifies for the trade-adjustment grants and is applying for three grants totaling $2.5 million, Morisaki said. Projects have to be publicly owned and create jobs, she added.

Among the Flathead applications is a $1.5 million grant to purchase property for a Columbia Falls Rail Park that would develop about a half-dozen industrial sites for businesses along the railroad. A second grant would provide $500,000 to restore the former Kalispell Feed and Grain property south of Kalispell and a third grant would pay for infrastructure for a business park near Glacier Park International Airport.

“It’s an investment in jobs,” said Dupont, who serves on the district board of directors.

Brenneman agreed, saying that the potential for $2.5 million in grants for the county’s investment  “is a better offer than I usually get.”

 Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com