Common Sense Investments for Havre and the Hi-Line

The dust seems to be settling on the 68th session of the Montana Legislature, and I want to thank the residents of House District 28 for allowing me the privilege of serving Havre and northern Montana in the House of Representatives. My time in Helena was, as expected, both very rewarding and at times frustrating. But by focusing my time and energy on the common-sense priorities for which I campaigned, and by working cooperatively across the partisan divide that is all-too prevalent these days, I was able to have good success for our community and the Hi-Line.

As one of only a very few freshman legislators assigned to the Appropriations Committee, I was able to help shepherd state funding to important statewide priorities, including projects for Havre, Hill County and northern Montana that will have a lasting impact on our economy and quality of life for generations to come. By working with colleagues from both sides of the aisle, I am pleased that funding has been secured in the coming biennium for the following projects in Havre and our region:

• $25 million to construct the Aurora Complex at MSU-Northern, which will include a 400-seat black box theater, state-of-the-art fitness center and gymnasium/events facility that will be capable of seating 2,000 people.

• $26 million for the rehabilitation of the St. Mary-Milk River Project that provides drinking water to Havre, Chinook, Harlem and Fort Belknap, and irrigates 120,000 acres on the Hi-Line.

• $625,000 for improvements to the City of Havre’s drinking water system.

• $125,000 for Hill County for Beaver Creek Dam Tailwater Channel Restoration.

• $6.5 million for renovations to existing buildings on the MSU-Northern campus, including roof replacements, HVAC upgrades and handicap accessibility projects.

• $359,672 to Havre Beneath the Streets for sidewalk improvements, handicap accessibility, security upgrades and other renovations.

• $2.8 million for a new Havre Field Office for the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

• $126,636 for improvements to the Havre Readiness Center for the Montana Army National Guard.

These funds, totaling more than $61.5 million, represent a real investment by the State of Montana in our community and a commitment to assuring a true partnership between state and local government, the nonprofit sector, irrigators, college students and others to construct and renovate critical facilities that will serve the citizens of our state for decades to come. These funds will create good-paying construction jobs and the end result will be a community that is more resilient, more welcoming, more attractive and more economically competitive.

Havre and northern Montana have always been incredible places to live, work, raise a family and build a business. Given the wise investments the 68th legislative session made through the budgeting process, our community and this region will continue to thrive. I was pleased to be a part of this effort and will remain a strong supporter of the State of Montana properly investing in solid projects for the Hi-Line.

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Rep. Paul Tuss represents House District 28 in the Montana House of Representatives. House District 28 includes the city of Havre and the surrounding area.