Butte, MT – Butte-Silver Bow’s ambitious plans to build a state-of-the-art recreation center have been dealt a significant blow after news emerged that the $20 million grant earmarked for the project has been canceled. The grant, which was part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Community Change Grant initiative, was expected to fund a new “resilience hub” in the heart of the Mining City.
The project, designed to provide safe shelter, improve health and well-being, and foster economic growth, was meant to serve as a beacon of progress for the community. Butte-Silver Bow Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher expressed disappointment and frustration over the cancellation, calling it “a devastating setback” for the city.
“This project was designed to provide safe shelter, create opportunities, and strengthen our economy,” Gallagher said in a statement. “Thanks to the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation, we formed a public-private partnership, securing $15 million with an additional $2.5 million in matching funds. Losing federal support now threatens a carefully planned, deeply backed vision.”
The resilience hub, which would have been equipped with solar power, satellite communication, and modern amenities like air filtration systems, was envisioned as a vital resource for the community. Its goal was to address pressing public health needs while also fostering a sense of safety and stability in a region known for its industrial past.
The cancellation stems from a list of grants that the Trump administration had been working to terminate, including those linked to the EPA’s Community Change Grant. As a result, Butte-Silver Bow now finds itself in a difficult position, with critical federal funding no longer available to support the resilience hub’s construction.
Despite the setback, local leaders remain determined to push forward. Gallagher pledged that the community would continue advocating for the investment it believes it rightfully deserves, signaling a commitment to finding alternative means of securing the necessary resources for the project.
The cancellation of the grant raises broader questions about the future of similar community-based projects, particularly those dependent on federal funding. As Butte-Silver Bow navigates this challenge, the outcome of this situation may have lasting implications for other cities and communities with plans for similar infrastructure development.
For now, Butte-Silver Bow’s vision for the resilience hub remains in limbo, but local leaders are resolute in their fight to see the project through, regardless of the hurdles they now face.
