Last week the League traveled to Washington, D.C. alongside local leaders from across the state, to advocate for transportation funding that works for Montana’s cities and towns.
League leaders and municipal officials met with Senator Daines, Senator Sheehy, Congressman Zinke, Congressman Downing, U.S. Department of Transportation staff, and Senate Commerce Committee leaders to underscore the importance of protecting existing transportation funding, expanding direct federal funding for local governments, and restoring support for community-driven projects that reflect local needs.
These conversations build on recent successes for Montana communities. Just last year, the City of Belgrade secured a $25 million federal RAISE grant demonstrating what’s possible when local governments have access to direct federal investment. That funding helped move the Jackrabbit Lane/Main Street underpass from planning to approval and toward construction, easing congestion and improving safety for the region.
This year, the League continues to advocate to ensure hard-won funding remains in place while elevating the transportation priorities of cities and towns across Montana. That includes supporting future infrastructure needs from growing interchanges to critical local connections that help communities keep pace with growth and economic opportunity.
The League will keep showing up and advocating in Washington, D.C. to ensure Montana’s communities have the resources they need to build, maintain, and modernize essential infrastructure. Thank you to the National League of Cities and our federal partners for their continued collaboration and support.