WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg, today announced a federal grant for $406,875 which will provide for over-the-air broadcast of public television service (PBS) in Great Falls.  The grant from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration will be used for a new DTV facility and was funded by Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. 

The National Telecommunications & Information Administration was slated for elimination in the President’s 2008 budget, however, Rehberg was able to use his position on the Appropriations Committee to fund the program, arguing that it was a critical source of funding for ongoing infrastructure needs of public telecommunications facilities, especially in underserved rural areas.

“I’m proud of the work that is being done to provide over-the-air access to PBS in Great Falls, and I’m happy that I have been able to lend a hand,” said Rehberg.  “This grant will help provide thousands of Great Falls residents without cable or satellite TV with access to quality television coverage of including educational programs, such as Sesame Street.”

As a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, Rehberg is responsible for funding the Corporation for Public Broadcast (which includes both NPR and PBS).  Last year, he took a stand against a drastic fifty percent cut proposed by the Administration and voted to increase funding by $10 million. 

“MontanaPBS is thrilled to be bringing free public broadcasting, including our award winning educational programming and locally produced Montana programming, to the citizens of Great Falls and the surrounding area,” said Eric Hyyppa, General Manager for MontanaPBS.  “This project is a great example of how local citizens, the educational community, and government, can come together to enrich the lives of all Montanans.”