The Feb. 14 meeting of the Glacier County Regional Port Authority focused on creating committees for an assortment of projects, as well as discussing terms of two Port Authority members' terms expiring this year. The situation regarding the Port Authority's move to acquire grain elevators in Cut Bank through a tax deed was also discussed.

Port Authority secretary Johnel Barcus reports a committee was organized to work on arranging passenger air travel into and out of Glacier County. Michael Burch is the point man for that group.

A committee aimed at creating clean Main Streets and highways was formed, with Port Authority members Jeff Billman, Virgil Edwards and JW Eaton heading up the effort. A committee looking into establishing a revolving loan fund to assist small businesses was also established, with Port Authority Chair Tony Sitzmann and Rae Ann Cline in charge. Finally, a committee focused on creating urban renewal districts with the Town of Browning and the Blackfeet Tribe was formed, with Johnel Barcus and Steve Barcus heading up the effort.

In each of these cases - passenger air travel, clean streets, revolving loans and urban renewal districts - the Port Authority seeks assistance from county residents to fill out work committees that will report back to the Port Authority on their progress. Anyone interested in serving with the Port Authority on a committee is encouraged to contact one of the committee leaders for more information and to get involved.

In other business, the terms of Port Authority members Johnel Barcus and Jeff Billman are due to expire this year. All of the original Port Authority members were appointed, and as their terms expire they are to be replaced by a vote of the county electorate.

Seats belonging to board members Barcus, who was appointed from the Browning district, and Billman, the Cut Bank district appointee, will be up for grabs this June 3. Their successors will be elected to six-year terms.

Barcus said anyone running for the seats must reside in the district represented, i.e. from Browning or Cut Bank.

Barcus reported plans are progressing for the Port Authority to sell the grain elevators deeded to it by Glacier County to Cut Bank business owners Chuck McAlpine and Merle Shortman. The two are looking to expand their existing businesses once the transaction is complete and the elevators are dismantled. GCRPA intends to sell the property to Chuck McAlpine and Merle Shortman of Cut Bank, 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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