White Sulphur Springs, MT

Through the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D, a grant has been received to develop a model for community wind in Meagher County.  The grant is only for $5,000, but will allow the community to explore investment in community-owned wind energy generation.

 The community previously explored investment in community wind with Clean Renewable Energy Bonds.  However, due diligence showed that the proposed project was not feasible.  The enthusiasm for that project was significant, however, so this grant will allow the community to take a second look at how to structure community wind for White Sulphur.

 Sarah Hamlen will be the coordinator for this project.

MCCF Minutes 041508

After much deliberation, the MCCF board has developed a plan for spending Horizons monies!  The board spent much time debating the best means of making visible change in the community, while also addressing issues of poverty.  The consensus of the board was that we need to beautify the community so that people can start to have pride in living here.  However, they also allocated funds to paying partial wages for a low-income job in the community and also developing a community garden that will help to provide fresh produce for the food bank.

Watch the Meagher County News for more information on these exciting investments in our community!

MCCF Minutes 040308

The second meeting of the MCCF was held on April 3, 2008.  The main item of discussion was investment of the Horizons funds.  The board struggled with how to make long-term change take place in our community, while also demonstrating action and addressing poverty.  Many great suggestions were evaluated.  The board agreed to meet again on April 15th to discuss things further and to develop a formal plan!

Following the start of construction on the first mutual self-help housing project, five additional home owners have applied for assistance.  Of those, four applications have undergone the housing audit process and are going to bid!  These homes will get the fix ups they need to make them safer for the homeowners.  The audits check for things like asbestos and lead-based paints in the home, as well as for unsafe conditions or improvements that could help to reduce heating costs.

 Volunteers will be needed to help on some of these homes.  More to come on this awesome project!

The first mutual self-help housing project has begun in White Sulphur!  Working with the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D and HRDC, a home has been identified for safety improvements and modifications that will help to weatherize the home and improve the structure.  The home was damaged in a recent wind storm, so topping the list for work to the home is a new roof.  The mutual self-help housing program offers grants and low-interest loans to low income households who need help in making their homes safe and weatherized.

Volunteers will be used to complete the painting of the home.  We’ll have to wait for warmer weather, but construction is underway for many of the other improvements!

MCCF Minutes 020708

After postponing the first scheduled meeting of the Meagher County Community Foundation and the Horizons Steering Committee for a conflict, the second planned meeting met with challenges from Mother Nature!  A fierce winter storm caused the first meeting to be conducted over the phone! 

On February 7, 2008, the new joint efforts of the MCCF and Horizons Steering committee kicked off with some history of both organizations and some discussions about the future.  See the minutes for more details!