December 17, 2025 - On Sept. 11, members of the Montana Coal Board and staff from the Montana Department of Commerce toured Hardin to see projects and equipment that were wholly or partially funded by Montana Coal Board grants in Hardin and Big Horn County.

Hardin and Big Horn County have seen major impacts from the coal industry; coal mines, housing difficulties, job market fluctuations and pressure on local government services like hospitals, schools and libraries continue to create a need that the Montana Coal Board was established to meet.

“The Montana Coal Board’s Planning and Project Grants play an important role in supporting coal country and the Montanans who call it home,” said Commerce Director Marta Bertoglio. “As the impacts of the coal industry lead to both expansion and contraction all over our state, these grants offer the opportunity for the stability communities need to thrive.”

Montana Coal Board members and Commerce staff — Rachel Young, program specialist; Becky Anseth, infrastructure manager; and Anita Proul, office manager — visited the Big Horn County Library, Big Horn County Hospital, Hardin Schools Tennis Courts and the Hardin City Works building and remodeled senior living facility that now serves as an MSU Extension location. They learned about expanded voting capabilities with both in-person and drop-off ballot facilities, low-income assistance programs and other services within the community.

Additionally, the group saw a number of public service vehicles purchased with the help of Montana Coal Board grants, including a K-9-equipped police car, a fire truck, a garbage truck and a sewer maintenance truck. Further safety enhancements thanks to the grants included a new fire system at the library as well as new police radios and radiology equipment. Shuttled by a long-term care transport vehicle, the group also saw recent repairs to a heavily traveled road surface; both were made possible with grant funding.

The next day, Proul and Young attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly resurfaced tennis courts attended by local students, school staff and coaches. Speakers included Jodie Adams, a member of the U.S. Tennis Association’s Montana board of directors; Tobin Novasio, superintendent of Hardin School Districts 17H and 1; Mike Flamm, Hardin Middle School principal and tennis coach; and Jon Wells, chairperson of the Montana Coal Board.

The Montana Coal Board, which is administratively attached to Commerce, assists local governments in expanding public services related to the impact of coal mining or use in coal-impacted communities like Hardin. It also helps with construction serving these areas as well as with county land planning and public schools all over Montana. Its seven members are appointed by the governor. For more information, visit commerce.mt.gov.