Baucus plans work day at local defense firm

U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is scheduled to spend Monday manufacturing and assembling guns at SI Defense in Kalispell.

Following his work day, Sen. Baucus will attend a gathering of community members, law enforcement officers and members of the military for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the Kalispell public safety training facility shooting range.

According to a news release, Baucus helped secure the funding for the city of Kalispell to develop a partnership with the SI Defense facility for the benefit of all local law enforcement.

 Once complete, the shooting range will be one of the top facilities of its kind in the country when it comes to size and target technology.

SI Defense is a family-owned business with headquarters in the Flathead, but is currently expanding production through defense contracts.

Dick Sonju, founder of Sonju Industrial Defense, recently participated in Baucus’ jobs summit in Butte.