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U.S. Senator Jon Tester has announced that over million in funding will be allocated to infrastructure projects in rural communities across Montana. The funding comes as part of the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) program of the U.S. Department of Transportation, which Tester expanded through his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Tester, as one of the main bipartisan negotiators, played a crucial role in the crafting of the infrastructure law.

Tester’s objective was to address the unique challenges faced by rural Americans and emphasize the importance of roads and bridges in maintaining community connections. The funds will be invested in various areas, including roads, bridges, high-speed internet, and water systems, with the intention of bolstering the economy and improving rural communities.

Specifically, the STBG grant program has set aside funding for infrastructure projects in communities with populations under 50,000. Over .7 million of the secured funding will go towards projects in towns with fewer than 5,000 residents.

The IIJA, projected to create more than 800,000 jobs and reduce costs for businesses, was the result of months of bipartisan negotiations involving five Republicans, four Democrats, and the White House. Tester’s efforts resulted in significant wins for Montana, such as .82 billion for roads, highways, and bridges, .5 billion for Indian water rights settlements, billion for rural water projects, billion for broadband deployment, and .37 billion for wildfire risk reduction.

A comprehensive list of the infrastructure projects that will receive funding includes various trail improvements, sidewalk enhancements, shared-use paths, and other crucial infrastructure upgrades across multiple counties in Montana.

Senator Tester’s commitment to securing funding for rural infrastructure projects underscores the importance of investing in rural communities and ensuring connectivity for all residents.

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