$1.1 Million Federal Grant to Improve Coal Mine Road to Signal Peak Mine
A $1.1 million Economic Development Administration grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce will be used to upgrade a county road to the Signal Peak Mine, Musselshell County Commissioner Sue Olson said today.
The grant will be matched by a $500,000 grant awarded to the county by the Montana Coal Board to help pave, straighten and improve the southern end of Fattig Creek Road. The road will be paved to the mine and graveled beyond it for two miles or as far as money will allow, she said.
Olson said the county applied for the grant two years ago as the mine was preparing to open.
According to a statement issued Tuesday by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the the project is expected to create 277 jobs and generate $450 million in private investments. Locke is apparently referring to the coal mine, which is already in operation. The mine began shipping coal on a new railroad spur last fall.
Source: Billings Gazette
