Downtown improvement grants have been awarded on behalf of the Montana Main Street Program and the Montana Department of Commerce for fiscal year 2016. Program Coordinator Tash Wisemiller said $50,000  was dispersed to seven different counties in the state.

"We've funded a couple of preliminary architectural reports for both Butte, the Phoenix building right in the uptown, and then the Hotel Deer Lodge in downtown Deer Lodge," Wisemiller said. "These are landmark historic buildings with the potential to be developed. Of course, local groups are looking to restore these and rehab as well."

Other counties receiving funds include Libby, Miles City, Sheridan, Stevensville and Thompson Falls.

"Butte received $10,000, Deer Lodge received $3,750," Wisemiller said. "Libby received $5,175, Miles City received $10,000, Sheridan received $5,000, Stevensville was awarded $6,000 for a growth policy update, and Thompson Falls was awarded $10,000."

Wisemiller said the next funding schedule will start in mid-July.

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