Tag: Rural

Daines Announces Renewal of Cape Air Service for Montana Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Cape Air has been re-approved as the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider for airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point. “Cape Air provides Montana’s community airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point with critical transportation services. It has proven to be a reliable and badly needed service for a number of Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “As a commuter air carrier, Cape Air makes it easier to do business and travel in eastern Montana. I’m pleased by the Department of Transportation’s excellent decision to renew Cape Air as the Essential Air Service provider

Daines Announces Critical Funding for Six Montana Community Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that six Montana airports will receive more than $2.8 million dollars for critical construction and maintenance needs. Grants will be awarded to airports in Circle, Columbus, Glendive, Lewistown, Sidney and West Yellowstone. “Montana’s community airports provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for their passengers and meeting the long-term economic needs of the communities they serve.” Grants awarded today by the Federal Aviation Administration include: Circle Town County Airport:

Daines Secures Much-Needed Reforms for America’s Cybersecurity, Postal Service, Financial Services Sector

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today secured provisions to safeguard American’s cyber infrastructure, protect rural postal service, reduce regulatory burdens and help Montana community banks and credit unions better serve their customers.  Daines joined the Senate Appropriations Committee today in approving the FY2016 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act. Daines secured key provisions to maintain six-day delivery through FY16 and urge the U.S. Postal Service to make good-faith efforts to either renew postal contract station agreements or find suitable alternatives to serve rural areas. In light of the Office and Personnel Management’s failure to report on numerous occasions

Daines Fights to Give Montana Farmers Certainty in Federally Mandated Grain Inspections

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today fought to secure key provisions for Montana farmers and ranchers and provide farmers greater certainty in federally mandated grain inspections to protect against disruptions like those that occurred last summer at the Port of Vancouver. Daines successfully worked to include provisions addressing concerns voiced by Montana’s farmers and ranchers in the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2016, which was approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this morning by a vote of 28-2. “Montana’s hardworking farmers deserve certainty that their grain can get to market in a timely

Daines Announces New Books Program for Montana Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Senator Steve Daines today announced a new partnership with the Library of Congress to donate surplus books to Montana public schools.  Through the program, three different Montana schools and libraries will receive books each month to encourage education and learning. The first recipients include: Harlowton Public Library in Wheatland County Troy Public High School in Lincoln County Brockton Public High School in Roosevelt County “As a product of Montana public schools, I know the importance of ensuring our schools have the resources and tools they need to prepare Montana’s students for success,” Daines stated. “I am excited to partner

Daines Fights for Montana Transportation Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today helped move forward key provisions important to Montana transportation and public safety. Daines joined the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee today in moving forward the “Railroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,” which reauthorizes Amtrak services. Daines successfully included an amendment requiring Amtrak to evaluate options for establishing additional Amtrak stops that would have a positive financial impact to Amtrak, including a potential station in Culbertson, Montana. Daines’ amendment also requires evaluation of options to enhance economic development and accessibility of Amtrak stations and their surrounding areas. In the “Transportation, Housing and Urban

Daines Announces Miles City Airport to Receive Grant to Rehabilitate Runway

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Steve Daines today announced that Miles City’s Frank Wiley Field will receive $2.5 million to rehabilitate the airport’s runway and modernize its visual guidance system. The grant was awarded under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “Safe and reliable air service is critical to the long-term economic needs of Montana’s rural communities, including Miles City,” Daines stated. “This grant will provide the Miles City airport with the tools needed to better serve the transportation needs of area residents.” The AIP was developed to promote the development and preservation of the nation’s airport system. Eligible

Daines’ Bills to Provide Critical Funding for Montana’s Rural Water Infrastructure Receive First Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines’ bills to provide much-needed funding for Montana rural water infrastructure received their first Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing today. Daines’ bills— S. 1552 the Clean Water for Rural Communities Act and S. 1365, the Authorized Rural Water Projects Completion Act – provide much-needed funding and authorization for the construction and completion of critical rural water infrastructure projects in Montana and other states. Daines’ remarks can be viewed here and downloaded here. “Water is a basic need of life. In Montana, we depend on a steady supply to irrigate our crops, water our livestock

Senators Call on Commerce, Ag Secretaries to Prioritize Broadband Access for Rural Americans

Daines, Manchin, King lead bipartisan effort to ensure high-speed broadband for rural communities WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Steve Daines (R-MT), Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Angus King (I-ME) today led a bipartisan effort to ensure the federal government prioritizes high-speed broadband access for rural Americans. In a bipartisan letter signed by more than a dozen Senators, the Senators pressed Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Co-Chairs of the Broadband Opportunity Council, for a detailed analysis of the various federal broadband initiatives that can be coordinated across agencies to bridge the digital divide and bring rural America into the

Tester, Daines introduce bill to improve Montana’s rural water infrastructure

Senators’ bill will invest in tribal and rural water needs (U.S. Senate) – Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today announced they will introduce a bipartisan bill to guarantee critical investments to improve and update Montana’s aging rural water systems. The Authorized Rural Water Projects Completion Act will establish a guaranteed annual investment of $80 million from the Reclamation Fund to upgrade eligible rural water systems for 20 years. Montana has two rural water systems that would have access to these funds: the Fort Peck-Dry Prairie Rural Water System and Rocky Boy’s-North Central Montana Rural Water System. Additionally, if authorized