Governor visits Libby, distributes grant
Gov. Brian Schweitzer will be in Libby on Friday to present a grant check for upgrading the Kootenai Business Park.
Schweitzer will be presenting a check for $324,000 from the Department of Commerce to Lincoln County Commissioner Chairman Rita Windom and Kootenai River Development Corporation's Executive Director Paul Rumelhart at 11:30 at the business park, according to Debi Davidson, Kootenai River Development Corporation's business development specialist. Schweitzer will also be at Asa Wood Elementary School at 10:45 a.m. on Friday.
Rumelhart and the corporation began working toward the project one year ago. Public meetings began being held in January. Originally $800,000 was requested to fund rail and power improvements at the business park, Davidson said. To complete the entire project of upgrading roads, water and sewer lines, lighting and the rail system, approximately $1.5 million will be needed.
The $324,000 will be utilized in the first year and the corporation, county and city must then reapply for the balance of the project, Davidson added. The project is a joint venture between the city and county.
Upgrades made on the entire business park will tentatively take 2-3 years, Davidson said.
"There's lots of basic stuff already there," she added.
The grant is also in support of Revett Minerals and Stimson Lumber Company. There are currently approximately 200 employees that utilize the rail system between Stimson and Revett, Davidson said.
Upgrading the rail and power systems will also spur job creation and retention for the area, she added. In addition to Revett and Stimson, Mines Management, as well as a block manufacturer and a small diameter mill would utilize the business park creating 483 additional jobs.
The total rail renovation cost will be $298,886. The industrial district will also need to match a portion of those funds, Davidson said. A partnership was formed with Flathead Electric Co-op to pay $200,000 over a two-year period for the power upgrade. The Kootenai Business Park has also earmarked $140,000 for the upgrade project, Davidson added.