AARP Awards Eight Montana Organizations with Community Grants as Part of Record-Breaking Nationwide Program

Helena, Mont., August 20, 2020 – Today, AARP announced eight Montana organizations will receive 2020 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest number of grantees to date with more than $2.4 million awarded among 184 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement “quick-action” projects to create more livable communities across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Here in Montana, grantees include:  

$25,000 – Three Forks: Headwaters Trail System: This project constructs a new loop trail with connections to existing infrastructure to provide a walkable and bicycle-friendly way for people to enjoy the outdoors.

$12,500 – Missoula: City of Missoula-Missoula Transportation Planning: This project will help create an accessible public gathering space with parklets, seating, art, bike parking and curb extensions along with temporary safety installations at busy intersections.

$9,087 – Cascade: Town of Cascade: An ADA-compliant picnic and walled sitting area tables, flower planters and a flag pole will be created for all generations and abilities to enjoy.

$9,080 – Bozeman: Human Resource Development Council of District IX, Inc: New and existing public transportation routes will be showcased for the community through a pop-up project which will install temporary doors placed at various bus stops in the City to enable residents to visualize new/adjusted transit routes.

$5,000 - Ravalli County Fairgrounds Foundation: Handicapped accessible seating at the Fairgrounds.

$5,000 - Great Falls BID, ArtFest: Outdoor Art installation- building mural w/community engagement component. Photos attached.

$5,000 - Blackfeet Tribe-Eagle Shield Senior Center: Green house for Elder Park.

$5,000 - Big Sky Economic Development: Billings sculpture park, phase 1

“We are incredibly proud to partner with Montana’s grantees as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas and jump start long-term change,” shared Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “Our goal at AARP Montana is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities and the coronavirus pandemic has only underscored the importance of this work.”

All projects are expected to be completed by December 18, 2020, and are designed to achieve one or more of the following outcomes:

• Create vibrant public places by improving open spaces and parks and activating main streets.
• Deliver a range of transportation and mobility options by increasing connectivity, walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, and access a wider range of transportation choices.
• Encourage the availability of a range of housing by increasing accessible and affordable housing solutions.
• Increase civic engagement and demonstrate the tangible value of “Smart Cities” by bringing together local leaders and residents from all backgrounds to address challenges.
• Support coronavirus response and recovery efforts by ensuring older adults’ access to information, essential services, and civic life.

Last year in Montana three communities received grants. The grantees included:

$1,500 -- Anaconda: Anaconda-Deer Lodge County
This grant provided ADA Accessible picnic tables for the Kennedy Common area in Anaconda. Although there are currently park benches available in this area, there were not any picnic tables for the public to use and enjoy. Because the tables will be ADA compliant, they will serve residents of all ages and abilities.

$10,000 – Lewis & Clark Caverns: Montana State Parks Foundation
This grant will funded a shade/weather shelter for the Lewis and Clark Caverns Paradise Room Accessibility Project which opens the caving, speleology, and spelunking experiences at the state park to visitors with mobility challenges.

$10,580 – Bozeman: Western Transportation Institute
Grant funds were used to continue the traffic-calming projects implemented  by Western Transportation Institute and the City of Bozeman over the past two years. These projects utilized a Traffic Calming Trailer funded by a previous AARP Community Challenge Grant and provided the safety improvements of permanent projects at less than one quarter of the cost.

“These past grants enabled Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Lewis & Clark Caverns and the City of Bozeman to make their communities more livable and enhance the quality of life for the people that they serve,” said Summers. “We are thrilled to provide funds to community partners, who provide tremendous service to Montanans every day.”

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which helps communities become great places to live for residents of all ages. View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and view an interactive map of all of the Community Challenge projects and AARP Montana’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.

###

About AARP:

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation's largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.

###

About AARP Montana:

For nearly 50 years, AARP has been working right here in big sky country to improve the lives of the 50+. By fighting on issues that matter most to Montana families and providing trusted information, we’re helping Montanans live life to the fullest. Today, nearly 150,000 strong, AARP Montana is the largest membership organization in the state, outside of the Catholic Church.  As a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political action committees, campaigns or candidates.