2. Grant Acceptance - Big Sky Trust Fund Grant Award- - =- City of Kalispell
- — Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903
Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758
To: Doug Russell, City Managerl)e
Cc: Tom Jentz, Planning Director
From: Katharine Thompson, Community Development Manager
Re: Montana Department of Commerce, Big Sky Trust Fund Grant Award
Meeting Date: August 6, 2012
Attached to this memo please find notification from the Montana Department of Commerce of a
$31,500 Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) grant award to Montana West
Economic Development on behalf of the City of Kalispell.
BACKGROUND: The City of Kalispell proposes to leverage the Big Sky Trust Fund grant with
the 2010 Brownfields Area Wide Planning Pilot Program to fund market analysis and feasibility
studies of the Core Area for economic redevelopment.
The Brownfields Area -Wide Planning Pilot Program grant is allowing for an extensive planning
process in the Core Area of Kalispell. The area to be redeveloped is bordered to the north by
Washington Street and First Street to the south, east and west by city limits. It is bisected by the final
section of the Mission Mountain Short Line Rail track which is owned by Burlington Northern Santa
Fe and leased to a short line management company, WatCo.
To properly understand the opportunities, challenges, value and costs of redeveloping this area the
City of Kalispell will utilize grant funds to contract with a consultant to undertake a market analysis
and feasibility study to address the following issues, including but not limited to:
• Real Estate Market Analysis
• Retail Development Opportunity Assessment — Supply & Demand Analysis
• Office Development Opportunity Assessment — Supply & Demand Analysis
• Single and Multi -Family Residential Development Opportunity Assessment
• Rail service relocation feasibility
• Railroad track removal through Kalispell
• Feasibility for Linear Park Development
The scope of work is anticipated to require approximately 3 to 4 months. Upon completion, it is to
be included as a component of the Core Area Revitalization Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT: The grant award will fund $30,000 for a Core Area market study and
feasibility analysis to be matched with Brownfields Area -Wide Planning Pilot Program funds. The
additional $1,500 will be paid to Montana West Economic Development for administration costs.
RECOMMENDATION: City Council accept the Montana Department of Commerce Big Sky
Economic Development Trust Fund grant of $31,500.
Respectfully submitted,
Ka arine Thompson
Community Development Manager
Community & Economic Development
ON ,A
Deparilment of Commerce
301 S. Park Ave. * P.O. Box 200501 * Helena, Montana 59620-0501
Phone 406-841-2700 * Fax 406-841-2701 * TDD: 406-841-2702 * http://commerce.mt.gov
Ms. Kellie Danielson, Executive Director
Montana West Economic Development
314 Main Street
Kalispell, MT 59901
j Isitir-affs 111,11 P tau i1ftl I
The Montana Department of Commerce Grant Review Committee met recently, and has
tentatively approved the award of up to $31,500.00 in BSTF funding to be used as follows:
* Up to $30,000.00 to assist with the completion of a core area market and feasibility
study. BSTF funds will be reimbursed at a rate of 50% of documented eligible costs
up to the award amount, and
* Up to $1,500.00 for eligible administrative expenses.
Grantees and assisted businesses must contact the Department's Communications Director,
Marissa Kozel, at (406) 841-2772 prior to making any public announcement of award.
Noncompliance could result in an award being reduced or withdrawn.
A contract will be mailed to you for signatures. Montana West Economic Development may
incur appropriate costs related to this proposal effective June 21, 2012. However, please
remember that no reimbursement for eligible expenses will be made until the contract is
executed and the BSTF staff gives their approval for Montana West Economic Development to
submit requests for funding.
In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact the BSTF Section Manager, Nancy
Faroni. Nancy can be reached at (406) 841-2744 or by email at nfaroni(ab_mt.gov. Again,
congratulations. We look forward to working with you,
Si ely,
Dore Sc w4inen, DDirector
Department of Commerce
cc: Katharine Thompson, Community Development Manager, City of Kalispell
Viv Hammill, Governor's Chief of Staff
Nancy Faroni, BSTF Section Manager
BRIAN SCHWEiTZER, GOVERNOR