Job skills grant will help local artists
By Michael Howell
The Ravalli County Economic Development Authority has received a grant of $175,105 to support the Montana Arts Council’s (MAC) development of a three-year job skills program. The program will provide market-readiness training and market opportunities for Montana artists who wish to increase their income through the sale of their artwork.
RCEDA Director Julie Foster said that her organization worked with Cinda Holt, the Business Development Specialist for MAC, who lives in Stevensville, to put the grant application together last December. Foster said she looked forward to working with Holt to see the program implemented
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the grant award last week. RCEDA was one of 44 community-based organizations to receive a share of more than $9.5 million in loans and grants to support rural business development, create jobs and strengthen local communities.
The funding is being provided through the Rural Community Development Initiative Program (RCDI). RCDI helps community-based development organizations, federally recognized Indian tribes and other groups promote economic growth in low-income, rural communities. Recipients are required to obtain matching funds, which increase the value of the grants. The grants are awarded to public or nonprofit intermediary organizations. The funds are then provided to recipients, which must be located in eligible rural areas.
MAC was one of two Montana organizations to receive funding through the RCDI program. Montana Credit Unions for Community Development will receive $76,623 to provide training for financial coaching programs in fifteen rural Montana communities through their member credit unions. The communities include Dillon, Lewistown, Red Lodge, Culbertson, Havre, Whitehall, Glendive, Polson, Libby, Sheridan, Hamilton, Columbus, Circle, Troy, and Wolf Point.
USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, administers and manages housing, business and community infrastructure and facility programs through a national network of state and local offices. Rural Development has an existing portfolio of more than $150 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America. To better coordinate federal programs and maximize the impact of federal investment, President Obama signed an Executive Order on June 9, 2011 creating the White House Rural Council that will work throughout government to create policies to promote economic prosperity and a high quality of life in our rural communities. Agriculture Secretary Vilsack serves as chair of the Council.
Comments sought on Hamilton, Missoula shooting range proposals
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is seeking public comment on proposals to provide shooting range grant funds to two proposed projects in Missoula and one in Hamilton.
A grant is proposed to be issued in the amount of $10, 986 to the Whittecar Rifle and Pistol Range near Hamilton as partial funding for range safety and handicapped access improvements.
The other two grants would provide $67,000 to the Western Montana Fish & Game Association to partially fund the purchase of property adjacent to the existing Deer Creek Shooting Range Complex near East Missoula and provide $44,011 to the Missoula Trap and Skeet Club to make improvements on five trap fields and sidewalks and to construct safety fence and stairs on their range west of Missoula.
A copy of draft environmental assessments on these projects is available by visiting the FWP website under “Public Notices,” by email from kcunningham@mt.gov or by writing FWP, PO Box 20071, Helena MT 59620. Written comments will be accepted through the FWP website, fwp.mt.gov, under “Public Notices,” by email to kcunningham@mt.gov or by mail to FWP; Attn: Shooting Range Grant Proposals; PO Box 200701; Helena MT 59620. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. on August 1, 2011.
Montana’s Shooting Range Grant Program, administered by FWP, provides funding to private shooting clubs, organizations, local governments and school districts to build and improve public shooting ranges throughout the state. The grants are issued annually, and the next deadline to apply will be May of 2012.
Summer theater workshop
The Stevensville Playhouse is looking for 10-15 children, ages 7-15, to participate in the children’s summer workshop. The workshop will be held July 25 to August 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. followed by one performance on August 5. Tuition is $100 for the two-week program with the sign up deadline by July 10. For more information call 360-9121.
Daly Days events set
Call for vendors for Daly Days in Hamilton, July 22nd and 23rd, contact Michelle, 363-0580.
Call for entries for Daly Days Dutch Oven Cook-off, beginners welcome, IDOS sanctioned, contact Bill, 363-9152.
Get ready for the Shop Local Auction on July 23rd during Daly Days in Hamilton, save up your local business receipts and use them to “bid” on great prizes, contact Mike, 363-2221.
Volunteers sought for Scottish Irish Festival
The Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival is quickly approaching and needs a few more good volunteers to help in a variety of positions: set-up of fencing and preparing grounds for vendors; gatekeepers to sell tickets, check wrist bands of persons entering, and help with band, dancer and athlete check-in; grounds control to assist in maintaining tents, grounds and garbage; security to supervise grounds, fencing and crowd control; beer sales and teardown and cleanup after the Festival.
Volunteers must be over 18 years of age and be prepared to serve from 3-5hrs a day, if possible. Approximately 15 volunteers per day are needed. Volunteers will receive a discount on admission to the festival.
Positions are needed Thursday, August 25 between noon and 5 p.m. for set-up only; and Monday, August 29 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for clean-up only. Other volunteer positions are needed Friday, August 26 between 3 and 8 p.m.; Saturday, August 27, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, August 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
To volunteer, call Carol Saylor at 531-3949 or go to www.bitterrootscottishirishfestival.org to email your contact information.
Scottish Irish Festival seeking parking vendor
The Bitterroot Scottish Irish Association is planning the next Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival to be held August 26-28 on the Daly Mansion Grounds. The event organizers are interested in partnering with a non-profit organization or group needing to raise funds to manage the parking lot. The group chosen will provide volunteers for four days to set up the parking lot on Thursday, August 25, collect parking fees, coordinate vehicles and traffic coming into and leaving the festival grounds from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, August 26, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, August 27 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 28. Interested parties should contact Carol Saylor at 531-3949, and send a representative to the monthly organizational meeting. The next committee meeting is Thursday, July 7 at 6 p.m. at the Hidden Legend Winery at Sheafman Corner (corner of Sheafman Creek Road & Hwy 93) between Hamilton and Victor.
Donations sought for crime victims
A request has been made for donations of items to help recent victims of violent crime in Ravalli County. A family with three children under 17 months needs diapers. A single mother with two disabled children also needs diapers (7 months and 15 months) as well as gas vouchers. Anyone who can help fill these needs should contact Sara at the victim assistance program, 363-4007.