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Last Wednesday, community members attended the Sanders County Community Development Corporation (SCCDC) annual public needs meeting. The hearing was sponsored by the Sanders County Commissioners. The purpose of the first annual public hearing is to advise stakeholders of potential funding sources, identify community needs and priorities, and document the projects on a public record which can be later used as a reference for application and grant purposes.

The role of the SCCDC is to assist in improving “community services, facilities, and the development of an economic climate that encourages business expansion and job creation within Sanders County.” In attendance with the SCCDC were Jim Jacobson, Executive Director of Sanders County Community Housing; Jim Thaden, Executive Director of Lake County Community Development Corporation (LCCDC); and Marie Hirsch, Center Director for LCCDC Business Development Center; and interested community members.

Jen Kreiner, SCCDC Executive Director, explained the role of the community development organization, which is to provide services and technical assistance for infrastructure and community projects.

“The way that we assist is to be a conduit for resources for project development, capitalization, identifying funding for both planning and construction projects, as well as project oversight and grant facilitation and administration,” Kreiner said.

As explained by Kreiner, Sanders County is within the Western Development Region, which are counties that have formed a partnership within a geographic region encompassing western Montana. The other counties in conjunction with Sanders are Mineral and Lake Counties (who are the “umbrella”), and Flathead Indian Reservation.

“Lake County serves as the certified regional development center, and collectively, as an economic development region. All of the residents, businesses, and local governments are all eligible for the resources provided by the LCCDC,” Kreiner stated. The types of community development, as outlined in the public hearing, were infrastructure, housing and economic development. “The low to moderate income percentages in our communities make us eligible and strong candidates for a lot of these programs,” Kreiner pointed out.

Kreiner then dove into the different grants, programs and opportunities for funding; noting several items to remember for any interested parties looking for assistance. “All projects must meet different eligibility criteria. All grants are competitive. Planning and public input are key to scoring criteria, and the first public meeting that is held every year is a specific requirement for some of the grants and funding opportunities.”

The floor was opened to identify any infrastructure needs or projects. On behalf of the town of Plains, a representative stated a need for relocating the wastewater treatment plant. “Past years of flooding has caused the river levels to become dangerously close to the plant,” the spokesperson stated. Relocation of the entire facility was proposed in order to gain access to grants to help fund this project. Another request that was presented at the hearing by the Plains representative, was infrastructure. “Every street in Plains has a pothole. We have been trying a new kind of patch this year that has been working very well, but they never hold. We have a lot of needs in Plains, a lot,” she said.

The next topic on the agenda for the hearing was the different housing programs that are offered. While there were no official public needs brought to the hearing, a consensus that more affordable housing for the community, as well as independent senior living availability is what is needed for the area.

Hirsch stepped in for the economic development portion of the hearing. One of the main sources of funding for economic development that Hirsch works with, is the Montana Department of Commerce Big Sky Trust Fund (BSTF). “A lot of times, small businesses are reluctant in our rural communities to consider this as an option. They feel like it’s accepting money from the government. This is actually funding that is created by the coal tax, and it’s set aside specifically with the intent of helping rural businesses and giving them opportunity to grow,” Hirsch said.

The Black Bear Inn presented their needs through an email that was read aloud at the hearing. They are looking for economic funding for masonry improvements, roof replacement and installation of upgraded windows.

A letter, submitted by Jerry Lacy, Thompson Falls Mayor, provided information on projects in need of funding. The list included sewer collection treatment, street upgrades, updating sewer and water systems, additional well installation, City Hall doors updating, an additional water tank, upgrades for Wild Goose Park, irrigation for the Rose Garden, and a new grader. The letter anticipated needs for the city water system; including replacement of approximately 16,000 feet of old, undersized water main; construction of a new water storage tank in order to meet the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) minimum requirements; another well needs to be drilled to meet DEQ minimum requirements; and the city waste water system needs to have approximately 28,000 feet of sewer main to move forward with the advancement of phases of the continued sewer project. Also needed is the installation of approximately 250 sewer service lines and two lift stations.

A representative from the Paradise Elementary School Preservation Committee presented funding needs for the school. “The biggest priority is ADA access. We don’t have access to all the floors,” the representative said. ADA accessible bathrooms and ADA access between the buildings are also needed. The school needs new heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. An exterior walking trail is also needed. “The idea is if we have an exterior walking trail, it enables the people to get some of the history of the area, without the building having to be open,” she said.

To learn more about how SCCDC can help with grants and funding, visit http://www.sanderscounty.org.