MontanaSky grant bid moves ahead

The Flathead County commissioners on Tuesday voted to proceed with applying for a $400,000 grant that would help MontanaSky Networks build a regional data center in Evergreen.

The commissioners also OK’d several elements related to the grant application process, such as the hiring and training plan for the proposed data center, certification of the application and acceptance of the program requirements for a Community Development Block Grant.

Block grants use federal money that is administered through the state Department of Commerce.

MontanaSky Networks plans to build the data center for a projected cost of $1.4 million to $1.8 million at the former Vann’s appliance building on U.S. 2 East.

The center would give local businesses affordable access to sophisticated Internet Protocol services without the need to hire full-time system administrators, costly high-speed network connections and dedicated computer servers. It would employ 16 full-time technicians, installers and customer specialists.

Montana West Economic Development is assisting the county and MontanaSky with the grant application.