The Glacier County Regional Port Authority is focused on their working and planning meeting they've set for Jan. 10, and Damon Bunting of the County Extension Office has volunteered to be the facilitator. Getting ideas from parties who might help the new organization, as well as explaining the mission and aim of the Port Authority, are two priorities for the meeting, those present at the Dec. 13 Browning meeting all agreed.

Tony Sitzman announced that the deal on grain elevators located in Cut Bank "is a go," explaining the Glacier County Commissioners took a tax deed on the property for $2,000. The only concern now, he said, is that someone might purchase the property during the time when it must be advertised. Sitzman said it was unlikely anyone would buy the elevators during that time since the price to any other buyer would be around $19,000 to $20,000. The property will be advertised for 90 days, Sitzman believes.

On the Glacier Motor Inn, Sitzman said he'd had a friend look the property over to determine its general condition. While it wasn't an official inspection, Sitzman said he believes the old building to be structurally sound, and the floors might be satisfactory, although the interior is a complete loss. "I don't know what can be done with it," he said, "so I don't know if it's a good deal for the Port Authority or not."

Michael Bruch suggested the Port Authority look into the matter more deeply to determine if it might qualify for Brownsfield grants as a public health hazard, and to explore other possibilities. Sitzman said it would cost around $40,000 to tear the building down and bury it in its own basement.

Finally, Johnel Barcus presented information about a plan she has worked on for the Browning Community Development Corp. since 2005, which incorporates a partnership between the town of Browning and the Blackfeet Tribe for urban renewal. She explained the problem with accomplishing an urban renewal project in Browning is the checkerboard ownership of the downtown property.

Last February, Barcus said the Tribe resolved to establish a task force that includes herself as well as Michael Bruch, Ray Wilson of Blackfeet Housing, Mary Johnson of Browning Schools, former Browning mayor Steve Barcus, BIA Superintendent Steve Pollock and Mark Magee of the Tribe's land department.

The group is developing a growth plan for Browning, as well as an urban renewal plan. The way it works, she said, is the growth plan is used to establish renewal districts, which are identified within the town of Browning as areas that could be renewed for business. The taxes collected from the area at present would establish a base, and any additional money collected from new businesses in the renewed area would be applied to developing other renewal districts. In the case of tribal ownership, she said the Tribe would lease the property and any additional lease money realized from the renewal project would be added to the tax money for renewing future districts.

"I think it would be a great project for the Port Authority because the Tribe already has a partnership with Browning," she said. An example of an urban renewal tax increment project can be seen at the mall in Kalispell, she said.

BCDC News 2005

BCDC Has Moved Into a New Office Space

Browning joins Glacier County in looking to promote economic growth

BCDC asks county for $ 35,000 to spur local economic development

Browning resident named to board by Gov. Brian Schweitzer

Dr. Barcus appointed to Montana Commission on Community Service

BCDC News 2006

BCDC takes lead in establishing Regional Port Authority in county

BCDC develops jobs through HUD Capacity Building Grant

BCDC urges: ‘Make a difference in your community'

Glacier County Regional Port Authority ready to roll June 1

Browning Community Development Corporation Welcomes
Four New Individuals

Commissioners name Port Authority reps

Glacier County Port Authority hears from Shelby Mayor
on benefits of a successful port authority

Newly formed business alliance promotes Montana's "Indianpreneurs"

BCDC News 2007

Glacier County Commissioners give BCDC $ 20,000
to continue economic development work on Reservation

A revolving loan fund tops the wish list for County Port Authority

First Indianpreneurship™ Business Training graduates honored at BCC

Blackfeet Family Services receives donation of shoes, school supplies

BCDC receives $ 300,000 RHED grant to teach financial literacy

Port Authority looks at planning, property and urban renewal

BCDC News 2008

Port Authority seeks committee members

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