Officials pitch local projects in Washington, D.C.

A delegation of local officials worked in Washington, D.C., last week to put Kalispell in the minds of leaders at the federal level. Their goal was to lobby for priority consideration on various project grants.

Chief among the requests was a federal infrastructure grant that the Flathead County Economic Development Authority has twice applied for previously. The money would all but secure the completion of the Glacier Rail Park on the east side of the Kalispell.

“We’re talking about programs that are funded nationally, which means there’s a tremendous amount of competition,” said Katharine Thompson, community development director for the city of Kalispell. “In a state that has a relatively small population, it’s important for us to distinguish our community and the merits of our projects.”

The grant, managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, is distributed from a pool of about $500 million while total requests reach the hundreds of billions.

The group paid a personal visit to the nation’s capital to add a personal touch to the grant requests. The group included five Kalispell City Council members, Mayor Mark Johnson, Thompson and representatives of the Flathead County Economic Development Authority.

The group lined up 11 meetings for the two-day stay. 

That included sit-downs with Rep. Ryan Zinke, as well as Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines. It was a chance to meet the legislators on their turf.

“I appreciate the folks from Kalispell coming to Capitol Hill and advocating for a stronger transportation system,” Tester said. “It’s projects like this that highlight the need to pass a long-term Highway Bill and invest in Montana’s infrastructure to keep our economy moving.”

Local-level projects, such as the U.S. 93 bypass, rely on federal highway funds and are waiting for a federal bill to provide that money.

The group also met with a roster of agency representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Rail Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Endowment for the Arts and others. The group met with a D.C.-based representative for BNSF Railway, a supporting company in the rail park project.

After missing the federal grant the last two years, rail park supporters hope their number will be called in 2015. They are requesting about $10 million to match locally sourced funds to develop a heavy industrial park with central rail service. As part of the plan, CHS Inc., would move out of its current location on Center Street and Fifth Avenue West and into the rail park. The tracks in the center of town would be removed. 

Kim Morisaki joined the trip as a representative for Montana West Economic Development Authority, which manages the Flathead authority. The organization has led the rail park project and secured most of the match funding. She said that the grant that they’re seeking, dubbed the TIGER grant, incorporates more than a new bridge or commercial area.

“It’s transportation [and] infrastructure investment, but they’re also looking at job creation. They’re looking at workforce, sustainable living,” she said.

The transportation department will release $500 million in grants this year. Past grants have gone toward a bicycle trail in Missoula, Lake County transportation projects and street improvements in Whitefish. 

The D.C. trip has become an annual pilgrimage for city officials. The same goes for the TIGER grant application process, but Thompson pointed out that many past recipients had previously applied three or more times. This year will be the third try for the rail park.

“Just because it wasn’t funded the first time, or the second time, doesn’t mean that this project won’t be successful,” she said.

Reporter Matt Hudson may be reached at 758-4459 or by email at mhudson@dailyinterlake.com.