Programs
Community Development Block Grant
As set out in the Federal Housing and Community Development Act, the primary mission of the CDBG program "is the development of viable urban communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income."
Enhance the quality of life in Montana's communities through rehabilitation or construction of affordable housing, provision of adequate infrastructure and community facilities to protect thepublic health and safety and to provide vital services, and creation or retention of employment opportunities.
Provide funding to communities whose needs are greater than those of other communities and whose projects most effectively address local needs and the goal and objectives of the Montana CDBG Program.
Ensure that CDBG projects result in sound investment in Montana's communities and are administered efficiently, effectively and consistently with appropriate State and federal policies.
Encourage coordinated long-term strategies for community development activities which are consistent with local planning efforts and capital improvements programming.
Provide decent, safe, sanitary and energy efficient housing for persons of low and moderate income by conserving and improving the condition of appropriate existing housing stock.
Support the revitalization of deteriorated or declining residential neighborhoods through comprehensive neighborhood improvement efforts which address blight, as well as housing and public facility needs.
Assist communities in providing appropriate, affordable, and long-term solutions to serious deficiencies in public facilities which are detrimental to the public health and safety and detract from further community development, or which are necessary to meet other essential community needs.
Encourage community participation in the financing of public facility projects in proportion to local financial resources and capacity to share in project costs.
Community Technical Assistance Program (CTAP)
For 40 years, from when it was first established by the 1967 Planning and Economic Development Act, the Department of Commerce has provided technical assistance to local governments and their planning boards and zoning commissions, private sector developers, engineers, and consultants to encourage the development of well planned and attractive communities to support the State's economic development efforts.
There is a continuing need for on-going training and education to help local governments and the private sector deal with the difficulties involved in preparing mandated growth policies and in administering a complex state subdivision law and local subdivision regulations, as well as local zoning regulations. Training and technical assistance is provided by telephone and internet communication, periodic regional workshops, and our library of sample growth policies, model regulations, handbooks, and reference materials that will be available for loan or downloading via the Internet.
Treasure State Endowment Program
The Treasure State Endowment Program (TSEP) is a State-funded grant and loan program designed to assist local governments in obtaining affordable financing for constructing or repairing community drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, sanitary or storm sewer systems, solid waste disposal and separation systems, and bridges. TSEP was authorized by Montana voters with the passage of Legislative Referendum 110 in June 1992. TSEP funding is intended to assist local governments with financing infrastucture projects in order to help keep the cost of the projects at an affordable level. Nineteen projects received $3.84 million in TSEP grants from the 1993 Legislature. The 1995 Legislature approved 15 projects totaling $4.99 million in TSEP funds. The 1997 Legislature, approved $9.11 in TSEP matching grants for 22 projects. The 1999 Legislature approved 28 projects totaling $11.43 minllion in TSEP funds. The 2001 Legislature approved 31 projects totaling $13.67 million in TSEP funds. The 2003 Legislature approved 40 projects totaling $15.65 million in TSEP funds.
Coal Board
As set out in state law (90-6-20, MCA), the purpose of the Coal Board is to assist local governmental units that have been required to expand the provision of public services as a consequence of large scale development of coal mines and coal using energy complexes or as a consequence of a major decline in coal mining or in the operation of coal using energy complexes. The Coal Board seeks to assist the local community experiencing impact with coal severance tax funding to meet the costs of adequate governmental services and facilities. The intent is not to replace local effort, but instead to provide for the additional or unfunded costs generated as a direct consequence of the coal development or decline.
Hard Rock Mining
The purpose of the Hard-Rock Mining Impact Act (1981) and the companion Property Tax Base Sharing Act (1983) is to mitigate local government service, facility, and fiscal impacts reslulting frim new large-scale hard-rock mineral developments in the State. Through their impact plan, the mineral developer and affected local government units identify the increased capital, operating and net operating costs of local government services and facilities needed as a result of the mineral development. The developer commites to pay the increased capital and net operating costs identified in the plan, often by prepaying property taxes for specified purposes. Implementation of the impact plan is intended to ensure that local government services and facilities are available when and where they are needed as a result of the mineral development, without imposing additional costs on the predevelopment local taxpayer.
