The Montana Office of Consumer Protection and Victim Services within the Montana Department of Justice has recommended Montana direct $645,000 of federal COVID-19 recovery funds to increase efforts to fight exploitation of senior citizens by adding three elder councils to the state and hiring more staff to focus on crimes that hurt the elderly...
Montana Childcare To See Significant Investment From ARPA
More than $2 billion from the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress earlier this year will be directed toward expanding child capacity in Montana. The health-focused advisory commission that met Thursday approved the child care recommendations crafted by the state health department. The recommendations now go to the governor who has the ...
Senator Tester Visits Local Business Impacted By American Rescue Plan Act
Senator Jon Tester visited the Oddfellow Inn and Farm this week while in Helena discussing the impact of the America Rescue Plan on the community. Co-owner of the Oddfellow Paul Mabie talked about the impact federal relief aid has had on his business. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/6-04_1237.mp3
ARPA Website Announced By Governor Gianforte
A website has been launched by Governor Greg Gianforte for the state’s American Rescue Plan Act program. Arpa.mt.gov provides information on funding projects and grants under Montana’s four ARPA commissions of water and sewer communications economic stabilization and workforce development and health and human services. The site also offers inf...
Montana Rank Revealed In List Of Safest States
With about 40% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID-19 nationwide and 42% in Montana and vaccination being an essential component for full reopening of the economy Wallet Hub today release updated rankings for the safest states during COVID-19. Montana ranks 25th. Data sets include the rates of COVID-19 transmission positive testin...
Women Infants & Benefits Receive ARPA Funds
New moms and young children can receive more nutrition this summer with a boost in Women Infants & Children benefits. The American Rescue Plan Act allows an increase in the value of WIC vegetable and fruit vouchers for four months beginning June 1st. It usually provides $9 a month per child and $11 a month in fruits and veggie benefits per...
Amtrak Service Returns To The Hi-Line
Watercraft inspectors in Montana have found aquatic mussels on 21 boats so far this year and officials expect a busy season trying to prevent the invasive organisms from fouling Montana waterways. Aquatic mussels have no natural predators and can clog water pipes and displace native species. All watercraft including non-motorized boats must be...
Gianforte Signs Multiple Infrastructure Bills
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed into law a package of nine bills containing more than $500 million to fund infrastructure projects across the state. The funds are mostly in addition to hundreds of millions of dollars that will be flowing into Montana from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Most of that money was appropriated in separate ...
Department Of Agriculture Director To Oversee ARPA Funds
A shakeup today with the Montana Department of Agriculture, Governor Greg Gianforte announced that he will be appointing the department’s director Mike Foster to lead the state’s program in distributing federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Foster will work with ARPA commissions and state agencies to recommend how the governor...
U.S. SBA To Begin Taking Applications For New Restaurant Relief Funds
The U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s subcommittee on Health Care was told Wednesday by Lenette Kosovich, the CEO of the Rimrock Foundation in Billings, that every part of the mental health industry has been stretched to the max during the pandemic. She said a federal funding commitment to staffing will be needed long after the pandemic ends. Ri...