Archived Story

Senate approves $1.35 million for Missoula, Mineral counties
Posted on Oct. 16

WASHINGTON - The full Senate Tuesday voted to send $1.35 million to the City of Missoula, the University of Montana and Mineral County to improve public safety.

Sens. Max Baucus and Jon Tester requested the funding earlier this year as part of the 2008 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill.

The bill sets aside $650,000 to purchase equipment for a new Missoula police headquarters, $100,000 to purchase equipment for the Missoula Emergency Operations Center, $350,000 to improve UM’s Montana Youth Empowerment Project, and $250,000 to purchase equipment for Mineral County’s Search and Rescue.

The funding will allow Missoula Police Headquarters to purchase modern equipment and new police vehicles, including motorcycles. It also will provide new equipment and technology for Missoula’s Public Safety Operations and Training Center that trains first responders and houses a 9-1-1 communications center.

The UM Montana Youth Empowerment Project is designed to help at-risk children. The new money will help develop a school-based behavioral health plan to protect children.

Mineral County Search and Rescue will use its funds to improve its communications system by purchasing portable radios and other equipment.

The Senate will vote on a final appropriations bill after merging it with the House version. It then must be signed into law by President Bush.
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