HELENA — A legislative subcommittee heard testimony Monday from more than 20 communities and preservation groups seeking state grants to repair and reuse historic buildings across Montana, from Kalispell and Libby to Anaconda and Harlowton.

The hearing before Subcommittee F, chaired by Rep. Fitzpatrick, featured brief presentations from nonprofit boards, local governments and private owners describing restoration work on hotels, depots, theaters, schoolhouses and small‑town commercial blocks. Testimony emphasized the projects’ roles in local economies, tourism and community uses, requests for matching funds and follow‑up documentation for the department’s review.

Why it matters: The Montana Historic Preservation Grant (MHPG) program is intended to provide brick‑and‑mortar support for cultural assets that local communities often cannot afford to rehabilitate on their own. Applicants told the committee that awards can leverage private donations, local government matching dollars and volunteer labor, and that projects typically create local construction jobs while preserving spaces used for public events, affordable housing and museums.

The hearing opened with administrative matters and schedule changes, then moved through a roster of witnesses who each gave a short project overview and answered committee questions. Among the projects described were the Kalispell train depot; the Adams Hotel in Lavina; the Montana Hotel in Anaconda; the Delta Gamma chapter house in Missoula; the Penwell and Montana buildings in Missoula; the Elks Lodge in Anaconda; Libby High School (Libby Lofts); the Billings Depot caboose; the Villa Theater in Malta; and many smaller museum and Main Street proposals.

Several presenters cited specific dollar amounts and match commitments during testimony. For example, Catherine Thayer of the Friends of the Adams Hotel said her organization has invested about $383,000 in stabilization and repairs and earlier paid $239,000 for foundation work and a well; Robin McKernan of the Montana Restoration Association said a recent grant reduced its state request to $50,704; Libby Lofts co‑owner Zach McNeil described a $5 million construction budget to convert the former Libby High School into 26 apartments, including subsidized units for teachers; and the RV Drive‑In in Helena requested about $109,000 to add insulation, HVAC and exterior repairs and proposed a $27,000 owner match.

Committee members and Commerce staff repeatedly asked applicants for additional documentation. Questions asked during the hearing included whether request amounts had current contractor bids, whether projects had completed required environmental review, and whether applicants had held public meetings or obtained State Historic Preservation Office review. Commerce staff (Miss Connolly and others) said the agency reviews grant applications with the State Historic Preservation Office and encourages applicants to work with preservation architects where needed. Representatives also pressed applicants to supply budget pages, match confirmations and any public‑meeting proof as follow‑up.

Preserve Montana, represented by executive director Jenny Buddenborg, testified in general support of the grant program and said the program has leveraged significant additional funding statewide. "The MHPG program is an important and impactful historic preservation incentive," Buddenborg told the committee, and she urged legislators to consider the program’s economic and cultural benefits.

Committee action and next steps: The subcommittee did not make awards or hold votes at the hearing. Chair Fitzpatrick said the committee will defer decisions and reconvene on Tuesday to review follow‑up materials and discuss scoring and statutory background with Department of Commerce staff. Multiple applicants were asked to submit additional bid pages, match documentation and environmental‑review or public‑meeting records before the committee meets again.

What committee members emphasized: Several legislators pressed applicants on project phasing, construction details and whether proposed work was prioritized (for example, foundation or roof work before interior finishes). Senator Rust and Representative Vinton asked multiple applicants about sequencing and whether critical structural work had been completed or funded. Commerce staff described ‘‘best practice’’ expectations for public outreach but acknowledged that statutory public‑meeting requirements apply to government entities rather than private nonprofits.

The hearing reflected a mix of small projects where $10,000–$35,000 could secure an exterior or emergency repair (for example, the Billings Depot caboose) and large, multi‑phase rehabilitations seeking several hundred thousand dollars or more (for example, Libby Lofts and the Penwell Block). Applicants and stakeholders repeatedly framed grants as leverage to attract private capital, to create event space, public museum storage and to support housing and downtown revitalization.

Looking ahead: The committee asked applicants to provide the requested follow‑up documents before the subcommittee reconvenes. Lawmakers did not indicate which projects they will prioritize; final funding decisions will be made after the committee reviews the additional materials and staff recommendations.