Kalispell moving forward with well replacement despite funding uncertainty

Kalispell officials say they are still uncertain whether the city will receive federal dollars to replace two wells contaminated by forever chemicals but are forging ahead with the project.  

President Donald Trump last week ordered a temporary freeze on all federal grant and loan programs. While the move was temporarily blocked by federal judges, the order could affect local governments and programs across the country who rely on the programs to fund infrastructure and energy projects.   

Public Works Director Susie Turner said she has not received a definitive answer from the state departments responsible for dolling out the funds, but the brakes have not been put on the roughly $17.9 million project yet.  “We’re well on track to move forward,” she said.