Residents and providers urge Yellowstone County to seek CDBG help for housing, infrastructure

Tom McLean of Big Sky Economic Development told the Board of County Commissioners on May 21 that Montana's Community Development Block Grant program awards funds in four categories — housing, public facilities, planning and economic development — and requires counties to hold two public hearings before sponsoring applications. The hearing was the first, general needs assessment for Yellowstone County outside the City of Billings.

Speakers emphasized housing and infrastructure needs. Steve Simonson of the Billings Association of Realtors said workforce and attainable housing are essential to local economic development and urged the county to consider repurposing undeveloped parkland for housing. Brenda Rankin, vice chair of the Economic Development Committee for the Board of Realtors in Missoula, described local home prices (she cited an average of $379,000) and said more inventory and loan programs are needed so people can afford single-family homes. Mike Aristia, manager of the Lockwood Water and Sewer District, requested county consideration of a CDBG application to replace roughly 6,400 feet of aging 4-inch asbestos-concrete water line and to coordinate that work with an ongoing Phase 3 sewer project to address flow and fire-protection deficiencies.

The board did not take immediate action on any application; the chair said commissioners will review any applications and that a second public hearing will be required before the county sponsors a CDBG project. The CDBG presentation and public comment focused on projects that meet HUD national objectives and benefit low- to moderate-income households.