Food bank, local businesses seek $1 million in grants, loans

By Justin Post, of The Montana Standard - 03/28/2007

The Butte Food Band and two local businesses are seeking more than $1 million in grants and loans from the Montana Department of Commerce.

The requests are being made to the state’s Community Development Block Grant program and will be discussed during public hearings Wednesday during the Butte-Silver Bow Council of Commissioners’ meeting.

The food bank is applying for a $300,000 public facilities grant. Nearly half of the money would be used to fix the leaking roof of its new warehouse at 1019 E. Second St., said Joanne Cortese of the non-profit volunteer agency.

If approved, the remainder of the grant would pay for insulation, lighting, heating and electrical outlets, and to repair water damage caused by the leaking roof, she said.

“There are a variety of things we really should have done,” Cortese said.

The food bank will compete with agencies throughout the state for $4.3 million in grants earmarked for improving public facilities, said Karen Byrnes, county community development director.

Masters International and Panterra Minerals are requesting money through the state’s economic development program.

Masters International wants up to $400,000 in grants and loans for machinery, equipment and to train 13 low- or moderate-income employees, said Andy Zdinak of the Butte Local Development Corp. The office supply manufacturing company plans to open Uptown at the historical Kelley Mine shop facility on Anaconda Road. The total cost for the renovation project is estimated at $677,784, and the business has received a $122,139 grant from the Butte-Silver Bow Urban Revitalization Agency.

Panterra Minerals is applying for a $400,000 loan to offset working capital and lease payments for a sulphur processing facility in the county’s Tax Increment Finance District near Rocker, Zdinak said.

Matching funds and/or in-kind work are required as part of the grant requests.

Commissioners meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on the third floor of the courthouse, 155 W. Granite.

— Reporter Justin Post may be reached via e-mail at justin.post@lee.net or by telephone, 496-5572.