The Custer School District became the only school district in Yellowstone County to be awarded grant money from the Montana Department of Commerce. According to Emilie Ritter Saunders, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at the Montana Department of Commerce, the one-time only grant money was awarded to Custer School District that was earmarked through the last Legislative Session under House Bill 652 that was meant to support communities and local government entities that demonstrated a need for the money.
News of the award circulated Wednesday afternoon as Custer School was the only school district or local government entity to be awarded the grant money in Yellowstone County.
There was a total of $21.5 Million dollars to spread among 191 applications requesting a total of $83 Million. According to House Bill 652, half of the money was to go to school districts and the other half of the money was to go towards local government entities. “The need for infrastructure was high,” stated Saunders; however, money was limited because of 191 entities requesting funds.
In total, 28 grants were awarded to schools throughout the state while 17 grants were awarded to local government entities throughout the state. Money from this grant will help with structural repairs due to safety concerns at the Custer school along with remodeling of two classrooms that will also add plumbing and electrical services inside.
The school has to meet start up conditions by September. More details will follow in next week’s edition of Yellowstone County News as news of this grant came at press time.
