News Release

HUD AWARDS $600,000 FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL MONTANA
Grants will help 56 rural housing and development programs nationwide

Helena, MT-- Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson today awarded $16.8 million in grants to 56 rural communities in 23 states to stimulate economic development, create jobs and produce more affordable housing. The funding is provided through HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development Program (see attached list).

In addition to the HUD grants announced today, these rural communities are expected to generate more than $35 million from other public and private sources to promote economic development and employment. For a brief description of all the projects receiving funding, visit HUD’s website.

"Today we make another investment in our nation’s heartland," said Jackson. "This funding will help stimulate critically needed business development and that ultimately means jobs in these rural communities. These grants and the private investment they help to leverage will also produce more affordable housing opportunities for working families across this great country."

Rural Housing and Economic Development grants help pay for land acquisition, new home construction, housing demolition, infrastructure improvements and construction training. Other possible uses include homeownership and financial counseling; financial assistance to homeowners, businesses and developers; creating microenterprises and small business incubators; and establishing lines of credit or revolving loan pools to benefit the local business community.

Rural communities will use this funding as seed money to pay the start-up costs for housing or economic development projects. These grants will also help organizations to hire and train their staffs, develop strategic plans and acquire office space and other needed facilities.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. For more information about FHA products, please visit www.fha.gov.

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The Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes in Poplar will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative Support Grant award in the amount of $300,000. This Innovative Grant award will assist in starting the Fort Peck Energy Office Project.

The project will benefit low and very-low income families residing on the Fort Peck Reservation by creating new jobs and lowering energy costs. The proposed leveraging for this project is $110,000.

Contact Person: Jackie Weeks
501 Medicine Bear Road, P.O. Box 1027, Poplar, Montana 59255
Telephone number: (406) 768-5155

The Heritage Institute in Glasgow will receive a Rural Housing and Economic Development Innovative Support Grant award in the amount of $300,000. The funds will be used to benefit the Fort Peck Innovative Housing Project by utilizing "green" building technologies to improve energy efficiency and lower energy cost burdens on homeowners. The proposed leveraging for this project is $150,000.

Contact Person: James Williamson
P. O. Box 723, Glasgow, Montana 59230
Telephone number: (406) 228-4880