Montana Library Network Newsletter 12/5/23

Montana State Library sent this bulletin at 12/05/2023 03:51 PM MST

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Montana Library Network News

This biweekly digest consolidates and archives events and news from various library directed outreach from the Montana Library Network within the Montana State Library. It goes out on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

In Case You Missed It

State-Local Infrastructure Partnership Act (SLIPA): FYI for municipal libraries

Earlier this year the Legislature passed House Bill 355, which provides funds for cities and towns to repair and improve existing infrastructure. The Department of Commerce is administering this program. Each city has a maximum allocation listed on Commerce's website.

Priority will be given to projects which are:
consistent with Section 5(5) of HB 355, giving priority to projects that maintain or repair publicly owned drinking water systems, publicly owned wastewater treatment systems, and municipal fire suppression systems that are independent of a water system;

utilizing a Capital Improvements Plans (CIP);
utilizing other planning documents;
considering local needed improvements; and
considering public feedback.

Cities and towns must also provide a 25% local cash match from local tax revenues.

What does this mean for municipal libraries? If you have an eligible project in mind for improving your library building, talk to your municipal government. SLIPA requires that municipal governments make a public call for project proposals between now and December 31, 2023 and that they document this process. Municipalities must submit their recommended priority lists and applications to Commerce by March 31, 2024.

Please visit the program overview for more information, and please contact Cara Orban if you have library-specific questions about this opportunity.

Montana Historic Preservation Grant Application Cycle is Now Open

The biennial application cycle for the Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) is now open.

The deadline to apply is February 29, 2024.

Grants are available for public and private entities to support the preservation of historic sites, historical societies or history museums; this includes brick-and-mortar improvements to address various infrastructure, maintenance, building code, climate control or fire protection issues. Funding decisions will be made during the 2025 legislative session.

To see the list of projects funded during the 2023 legislative session, see House Bill 12. Awarded applicants included the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art in Great Falls, which is moving forward with major building rehabilitation projects.
“Projects such as bat mitigation and exterior window repainting would not have come to fruition without such a great grant that funds historic sites and buildings throughout the state," said Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art Executive Director Sarah Justice. "The Montana Department of Commerce cares deeply about history and preservation. The staff makes great efforts to help through the entire process, from writing for the grant to budgeting, recording and processing. They are prompt with responses and are very helpful and pleasant to work with. The Square is truly grateful."
The MHPG application and more information on the program can be found at Montana Historic Preservation Grant.

Commerce will host an MHPG application webinar on December 13 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. Attendees will get an overview of the program, timeline and environmental review process.

To register, click this button: Register Here.

For questions regarding potential project eligibility, contact MHPG Program Specialist Jordan Conley at 406.841.2773 or email Jordan.Conley@mt.gov.