Glasgow, Nashua, Saco Among Communities Receiving MCEP Project Grants

HELENA, Mont. – The Montana Department of Commerce announced today that 51 Montana cities, towns, counties and water and sewer districts will share $1.5 million of grant funding to help communities complete preliminary engineering reports, capital improvement plans and master plans. The funding is through Commerce’s Montana Coal Endowment Program, which helps address the affordability of local infrastructure projects by providing grants to lower the cost of constructing public facilities.

“Assisting communities in need of upgrades to crucial infrastructure like water treatment facilities, bridges and collection systems improves health and safety for residents,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “The Montana Coal Endowment Program exists to make these improvements possible even if a community lacks financial resources.”

The following communities and districts will receive MCEP project grants:

• Arlee/Lake County Water and Sewer District will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Basin County WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Big Horn County will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• The City of Boulder will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Broadus will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Cascade will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Chinook will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Circle will receive $25,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Colstrip will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Columbus will receive $30,000 to complete a stormwater preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Conrad will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Crystal Springs WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of East Helena will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater master plan update.
• The Town of Ekalaka will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Eureka will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Fairfield will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Firelight Meadows County WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Forsyth will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Garfield County will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• The City of Glasgow will receive $30,000 to complete a stormwater preliminary engineering report.
• Green Tree Meadows WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Hardin will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• The City of Harlem will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Harlowton will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Huntley Yellowstone County WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Hysham will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Joliet will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Lewis and Clark County will receive $30,000 to complete a bridge preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Libby will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Liberty County will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• Logan Montana County WSD will receive $23,600 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Miles City will receive $30,000 to complete a stormwater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Nashua will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Park County will receive $26,400 to complete a bridge preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Plevna will receive $28,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Polson will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Red Lodge will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Richland County will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• Rosebud County will receive $30,000 to complete a bridge preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Roundup will receive $30,000 to complete a stormwater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Saco will receive $25,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Sheridan will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• The City of Sidney will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Sun Prairie Village County WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Sunburst will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Wheatland County will receive $30,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• The City of Whitefish will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• The Town of Whitehall will receive $30,000 to complete a water preliminary engineering report.
• Wibaux County will receive $22,000 to complete a capital improvement plan.
• The City of Wolf Point will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.
• Worden-Ballantine Yellowstone Co. WSD will receive $30,000 to complete a wastewater preliminary engineering report.

In 2024, the Town of Ekalaka received a $40,000 MCEP grant to complete a preliminary engineering report. Ekalaka Clerk/Treasurer Kamely Harkins said, “The Montana Department of Commerce wastewater PER grant was a critical resource for the Town of Ekalaka. Our wastewater system is more than 60 years old and in need of significant upgrades. This grant allowed the town to complete a preliminary engineering report, which would not have been possible with local funds alone. With support from Great West Engineering, the town now has documented system deficiencies, prioritized capital improvement needs and a clear framework for regulatory compliance and future Montana Department of Commerce funding applications.”

Eligible applicants for MCEP grants include incorporated cities or towns, counties, consolidated governments, tribal governments and county or multi-county water, sewer or solid waste districts. The funding for the program comes from revenues earned on interest from coal severance taxes.

For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.