Chinook gets $4.8 million for water treatment

Residents and officials from Chinook and Blaine County joined representatives of USDA Rural Development and Bear Paw Development Corp., as well as representatives of Montana's congressional delegates, to celebrate a multi-million success story.

Rural Development state Director Tony Preite presented Chinook Mayor Keith Hanson with a $4.6 million check to pay for upgrades and improvements to the city's drinking water system.

Preite said the hard work of Chinook officials and Bear Paw Development staff members paid off with perfect timing. Funds from the recently approved Farm Bill helped up the amount Chinook received.

Bear Paw Development Executive Director Paul Tuss said the amount was the maximum Chinook could receive, including state revolving loan fund dollars, Rural Development money, state Treasure State Endowment Program grants and state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation grant money.