Successes!
NSP
Project HUD Story #1 Adam Totdahl is a recent NSP HUD success story
for Pondera County. Adam recently purchased a house in Conrad through the
NSP program and is very satisfied with the process. After obtaining his
business degree from MSU Bozeman, Adam returned back to his hometown to
work. Being a young, single man, fresh out of college, Adam wasn’t sure he
had the ability, or the means to be able to buy his own house. Just
starting out and paying for his school loans, Adam ended up moving back in
with his parents. That was until he heard about a newly renovated house
for sale through the NSP program. Adam contacted a local realtor and
worked with a local bank to make the process complete. "The process was
easy and I am very thankful to have found a house that I could get
approved for," Adam stated. Renovations to the house included a new energy
efficient furnace, washer/dryer, and refrigerator. Interior wall painting,
exterior trim painting, minor repairs, and clean up are all part of the
renovations as well. When asked about the condition of the house, Adam
said that the new appliances and new furnace were great. The 3 bedroom
home has a double car garage and mature yard. "I am planning on getting a
dog in the near future now," Adam said.
NSP
Project HUD Story #2
Michael Rhoads is our second NSP HUD
success story for Pondera County. Michael recently purchased a house in
Conrad through
the
NSP program and is very satisfied with the process. "Dealing with all the
various government entities went real well. The process was easier than
expected." Michael and his wife have lived in
Conrad for 9+ years and have
never owned a home before because they were not able to afford it. Now
that their kids are grown, Michael is advancing in his job at ITB, and
rental prices are getting higher, they thought it would be a good time to
look into different housing options. That’s when Rob Cook referred them to
the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. They contacted a local realtor and
worked with Joan Jensen at Stockman Bank to make the dream come true.
"Joan worked hard to make it all work and she smoothed out all the bumps
along the way". Never did they think they could afford to buy a home,
especially a brand new one. Michael stated that the condition of the house
is "awesome" and that he loves it. "The yard is amazing, the lawn is
really coming in…and the cabinetry is nice too". Michael and his wife said
they have already recommended the NSP program to others. In conclusion, we
asked Michael and his wife if they had anything else they wanted to
add…this is what they had to say: "We are so happy and so relieved to be
here in our new home. It seemed like a long 1 ˝ months going through the
process at the time, but looking back, it doesn’t seem that long – and it
was well worth it!"
Safe Routes to School Program - Conrad Together,
the PRPA, Conrad School District, and the City of Conrad worked to
complete a sidewalk project to put in sidewalks and handicap ramps near
each of the 4 schools. This was done so that the children could safely
walk to and from school without having to walk in the streets, especially
during the winter when snow and ice can become an issue. It is recommended
that the children use the walking path between Prairie View School and the
practice football field. Walking path signs have been posted in the area
for further encouragement. *Update - The City was recently awarded a
grant from the Transportation Alternatives Program (TA) to continue with
our sidewalk project. We hope to be able to add more sidewalks between
each of the schools in the next year.
The PRPA, Conrad School District, and City of Conrad
encourage public comments on the project and any project ideas or
concerns.
Pondera Senior Center
We
cooperated with Pondera County in grant funding to complete the Pondera
County Community Center!
MANUFACTURING SUCCESS STORY IN THE AREA:
Intercontinental Truck Body (ITB) worked with the Pondera Regional Port
Authority, Pondera County, and other local and State agencies to expand
its operations when ITB was awarded a Federal contract to build Flight
line Tow Tractors. With the local development group and the State of
Montana, ITB was able to nearly double its number of employees and
increase wages and benefits. Intercontinental Truck Body operates just 11
miles out of Conrad and has found that rural location to be very
satisfactory.
LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM
The Pondera Regional Port Authority has a strong working relationship with
State Representatives, Rob Cook and Ross Fitzgerald; as well as State
Senator, Llew Jones. They all have an established relationship with the
Montana Department of Commerce as well as strong commitment from the
Pondera County Commissioners, City of Conrad, Town of Valier, and the
Certified Regional Development Corporation-Sweetgrass Development. This
relationship helps us in working with our businesses in getting the
assistance they need to successfully establish in our area.
Pondera Port Authority Board as of March 1, 2017
Ted Kronebusch, Chairman
Kronebusch Electric, Manager
Harold Olson, Vice
Chairman Pharmicist-Drug Store Owner- Retired
Mark Gage, Treasurer
Brown, Fichtner, &Assoc., CPA
Dale Seifert,
Secretary Pondera County Commissioner |
Karla Breding First American Title Co, Manager
Patrick Wheeler Front Line Ag, Owner
Velda Loch Valier Town Representative
Llew
Jones Pure Bliss Cycle, Owner |
John McFarland Conrad Building Center- Owner/
Manager
Del Styren Farmer- Owner, self employed
Bob
Kovatch Restaurant Owner/ Manager |
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