MIDWEEK UPDATE County projects waiting in stimulus bill

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The House bill apportioning the more than $800 million of federal stimulus money was passed by the Montana House two weeks ago. Now, House Bill 645, the Implement receipt of and appropriate federal stimulus and recovery funds bill, is waiting for hearing in the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.

Earlier in March, the cities and towns of Lake County submitted a list of "shovel ready" projects that would qualify for the millions of dollars of discretionary funds House representatives decided to make available in their version of the bill.

Included in the 93-page bill are three Lake County projects that could be awarded up to $226,694 in the county discretionary funds section if House Bill 645 passes. Three individual town projects also made the list as shovel-ready projects.

Lake County’s South Valley Creek Bridge replacement ($160,000) the Skyline Bridge repair ($40,000) and the Courthouse weatherazation ($26,694) projects were all included a new section of the bill, which allocates funds only to be used for the indicated purpose.

The next section of the bill, section 28, allocates discretionary funds to incorporated towns and cities. St. Ignatuis’ street paving and pedestrian path and other park repairs project ($21,269) is listed in this section, as well as Ronan’s Third Avenue repair and overlay project ($41,463).

Polson was awarded the most money out of Lake County’s towns. The towns’ Riverside water main replacement would receive $94,816 if HB 645 is passed. 

The close to $20 million dollars in discretionary funds was added by legislators several weeks ago. Qualifying projects must be ready for contract bidding by mid-June.