Mayor heading to D.C.

Kalispell Mayor Tammi Fisher is District of Columbia-bound.

The mayor, who took office in January, is headed to Washington, D.C., today to lobby the state’s senators and members of the White House Executive Office staff for grant funding.

Fisher was chosen as one of 13 city leaders from across the nation for the trip as part of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program. The mayors and city officials will lobby for direct funding of federal dollars to municipalities rather than states.

There was a gap when states distributed federal stimulus funding last year, Fisher said, noting that Montana state government took an administration fee from the money prior to disbursing it.

“There’s no mechanism in the federal government to monitor funds from the states to cities. It sometimes gets lost in the heap,” she said.

Fisher said Kalispell historically has done a good job of not asking for federal money, but with the poor economy the city now is looking for some help. She has strong backing from the City Council, she said.

Fisher will showcase Kalispell and Flathead County as a community that has benefitted significantly from federal stimulus funds, she said, including nearly $500,000 in grant money last year to improve and upgrade buildings.

The county installed energy-efficient windows, insulation and siding at the courthouse and a new heating, ventilation and cooling system at the animal shelter.

Kalispell updated the heating, ventilation and cooling system at its public safety building on First Avenue East downtown and installed a new roof and windows there, Fisher said.

In addition to lobbying with the energy efficiency group, Fisher plans to meet with Montana’s two senators, Max Baucus and Jon Tester, to discuss job creation and economic development.

“I’m looking forward to putting Kalispell on the map on a national scale,” Fisher said. She also met recently with Rep. Dennis Rehberg, who is currently in the state conducting listening sessions, including one set for 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, in Libby.

Fisher plans to return to the Flathead Valley on Saturday and will give an update on her visit at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Reporter Caleb Soptelean may be reached at 758-4483 or by e-mail at csoptelean@dailyinterlake.com.

Kalispell City Manager Jane Howington nominated Fisher for inclusion in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant group.