Transportation

As chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Montana’s senior U.S. Senator, Max Baucus was a key author of the Jobs Bill- working to ensure the economic recovery legislation was right for Montana. The Jobs Bill will bring more than $600 million dollars to Montana and create or sustain more than 11,000 jobs.

The Jobs Bill ensures Montana gets a boost in its highways, roads, bridges and transit funding, which will create thousands of good paying jobs. 

The Jobs Bill’s provisions for Montana included an estimated:

• $211.8 million in highway, roads, and bridges funding – according to Federal Highway Administration statistics, this amount will translate into sustaining or creating nearly 5,900 good-paying jobs.
• $15.6 million in transit funding to aid transit systems such as those in Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman/Belgrade/Big Sky, Billings, and across a number of rural areas.
• Grant opportunities to upgrade airport towers and prevent runway accidents, as well as funding opportunities for the Amtrak Empire Builder along the Hi-Line and a potential restoration of the Southern Route.

Max also created infrastructure bonds that will enable states to raise revenue for their chosen infrastructure projects while providing investors with tax credits.

In addition, Montana will be eligible to compete for federal grants related to Amtrak and projects of national or regional significance, such as the Going to the Sun Road.

There are several resources available for organizations interested in receiving some of this vital funding. The websites recovery.gov and recovery.mt.gov are excellent places to start.  Baucus staff can also offer support including help contacting the appropriate agency or department and providing support during the funding process.