WASHINGTON, D.C. – Montana’s Congressman, Denny Rehberg today announced $300,000 for Great Falls Development Authority’s construction of utility, road, and rail extensions onto a parcel of land to be used as an industrial park. The funding was included in the House Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee bill for Fiscal Year 2010.

"With infrastructure in place for a heavy industrial park, the Great Falls community will have a leg up when it comes to attracting high-paying jobs and lasting economic development," said Rehberg, a member of the House Appropriations Committee. "The Great Falls Development Authority's dedicated community leaders are working hard and moving forward with their vision of a strong economy in central Montana."

Great Falls and Cascade County have several opportunities for economic development from new manufacturing, agri-processing and energy companies but currently lack a sizeable industrial park site with utilities extensions, and well-designed roadways to access them. This project will include design, cost estimates and engineering as well as a portion of the construction costs required to make a heavy industrial park viable.

"Shovel-ready, rail-served heavy industrial sites are the only missing ingredients to grow and attract more agri-processing operations to the region," said Kim Thiel-Schaaf, Community Asset Director for Great Falls Development Authority. "We appreciate Congressman Rehberg’s leadership in working to make this happen. It will result in new high wage jobs for residents and increased local market opportunities for farmers and ranchers throughout central Montana."