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Economic Development Board pledges $50,000 to Project Care, urges long-term siting plan
Summary
The ADLC Economic Development Board voted to allocate $50,000 (available July 1, 2026) to Project Care and recommended the nonprofit refine a site-and-cost plan before committing capital; board members raised structural and aesthetic concerns about a donated building proposed for the move.
The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Economic Development Board voted to recommend allocating $50,000 that becomes available July 1, 2026, to Project Care Food Bank and urged the nonprofit to develop a clearer site-and-cost plan before deploying the funds. The pledge was made by motion and carried without opposition.
Terry Vaughn, Project Care co-director, told the board the food bank serves roughly 200 households per month and has outgrown its basement location at St. Peter’s Church. He presented a notice of intent, site map and a structural engineering letter that, while noting needed repairs to columns and base plates and undersized roof purlins, concluded the offered steel bakery building could be moved. "We need Project Care," ADLC CEO Bill Everett said during the discussion.
Board members pressed Vaughn for more detailed cost breakdowns. Vaughn said the move bid from Tamietti Moving was estimated at $20,000 and that a concrete slab would cost about $50,000; the group also discussed a $1-per-year lease for donated parking. Several commissioners, including Everett and Kevin Hart, questioned the suitability of relocating the existing structure to a main street corner, citing past moves that left the building "very flimsy." Vaughn pointed to the engineer’s report and said the project budget includes funds for repairs and improvements.
The board discussed alternatives, including constructing an addition onto the county-owned Metcalf Senior Center (a proposal Everett volunteered to help fundraise for) and evaluating other vacant buildings. The board emphasized that county grant policy typically makes the county the "last money in" and that matching rules apply; members agreed pledging the July funds would give Project Care time to firm up fundraising and design details. The motion to allocate $50,000 for fiscal-year funds available July 1, 2026, was moved by Bill Everett, seconded by Steve Gates, and approved.
Next steps: Project Care will meet with planning staff and return refined cost estimates and a site plan for the board’s further consideration. The board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the ADLC Commission as part of the formal funding process.
