John Fuchs | Montana Public Radio
Montana tech hub gets $40 million in federal funding
This week, Montana’s tech industry received an infusion of more than $40 million in federal grant funding.
Headwaters Tech Hub is a partnership between universities, private companies and government agencies in western Montana. It is one of 31 federally designated tech hubs across the nation.
The Federal Economic Development Administration designated and funded hubs to build domestic production of electronics research and manufacturing.
Montana’s tech hub is focused on “photonic sensors” — advanced computer chips that help pilot drones and other unmanned aircraft — and one project to come out of the new funding will test those technologies at Montana Tech University in Butte.
Ellis Julin | Montana Public Radio
Montana FWP forms River Recreation Advisory Committee
The Montana Department of Fish and Wildlife and Parks has established an advisory committee to consider how the state should manage recreation on the river, which includes fishing, hunting, swimming and boating by motorized and non-motorized vehicles.
The agency says increased use of waterways has caused problems such as congestion and conflict among users. FWP is seeking to invite up to 12 members of the public to join a group that will suggest ways to balance aquatic recreation with natural resources.
The advisory committee is scheduled to meet for three days in October, with the possibility of further meetings if needed, and a virtual public workshop will be held at the end of August where people can give feedback on the proposed committee.
Austin Amestoy | Montana Public Radio
Environmental nonprofit buys 1,400 acres for conservation
An environmental nonprofit group has announced it has purchased more than 1,400 acres near Fort Harrison in Helena, a purchase that will help prevent housing from being built too close to military installations.
Prickly Pear Land Trust Executive Director Mary Hollow said the organization’s purchase of Birdseye Ranch, just north of Fort Harrison, will allow it to preserve land for grazing, wildlife habitat and seasonal recreation.
“This is a wonderful gift to the community and it will continue to be a gift for a long time to come,” Hollow said.
Most of the Prickly Pear Land Trust’s conservation work is done through easements, but funding from the Montana National Guard paved the way for the land acquisition, Hollow said.
“We probably wouldn’t have made this decision anywhere else, but this is a special area and it’s important to the military so it made sense,” Hollow said.
Since 2005, the Department of Defense has offered grants to groups to help them buy land adjacent to military installations. These so-called “buffer zones” reduce the impact on residents of military activities such as overhead aircraft and live-fire training.
In return, the grants will help conservationists rid the land of noxious weeds and prepare it for wildfires.
Hollow said federal grants, plus funding from Lewis and Clark County and the state, helped cover the ranch’s roughly $3 million cost.