The Montana Department of Commerce announced that $250,000 in grant funding has been awarded to two Montana communities to support public safety and development projects in coal-impacted areas, allocated by the Montana Coal Board.
“Commerce is proud to support the people who live in Montana’s coal country,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “In the last five years, more than $15 million of Coal Board grant funding has been awarded to eight counties, nine school districts, seven cities or towns, one tribe, one water and sewer district and one hospital district.”
The City of Colstrip will receive $100,000 for the purchase of chlorine analyzers for its water treatment plant. The City of Miles City will receive $150,000 for the purchase of a mini pumper for the Miles City Fire Department.
The announcement comes after the City of Hardin received more than $113,000 in Coal Board funding in 2025 to purchase communications equipment for the Hardin Police Department, including 15 Motorola radios that the city said have improved safety and effectiveness for officers.
The Montana Coal Board awards Coal Board Impact Grants to counties, communities, school districts, tribal governments and other governmental units to help them provide services or facilities needed as a direct consequence of changes in coal development or consumption. Created by the Legislature in 1975, the board is administratively attached to the Department of Commerce.