Congressman Zinke Secures Million Dollar Grant to Madison County

ENNIS, MT - Today, western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke joined Madison County Commissioners and local stakeholders for a ceremonial check presentation to celebrate the award of a $1,088,000 grant to fund the modernization of two county-owned nursing home facilities in Ennis and Sheridan.

The grant will fund replacements for 71 news beds that were originally acquired in the 1970s, repave parking lots, bring ambulance and pedestrian egress entryways and corridors up to ADA standard, renovate kitchens to expand meal capacity, renovate exterior recreation and exercise spaces, and build and equip a technology lab with accessible computers, monitors and televisions for residents.

“The cost of living keeps increasing under Biden and keeping Montana families together is getting tough. It’s even more difficult for seniors in rural communities like Ennis and Sheridan, which is exactly why I was happy to work with the Madison County Commissioners and the team at the senior living facilities to secure this important grant funding,” said Rep. Zinke. “I had the privilege of growing up at my grandmother’s kitchen table. She told me stories of being a one-room schoolhouse teacher on the prairie and of granddad building the Fort Peck Dam. Kids need to hear their family stories, the stories of Montana, and that’s just not possible when grandparents have to move hours away to find a place to call home. There’s a lot of wasteful government spending coming out of Washington, but this funding is an example of good government and your tax dollars at work.”  

Dan Allhands, Chairman, Madison County Commissioners said, “The Madison County Nursing Homes Foundation, in support of the Tobacco Root Mountains Care Center in Sheridan, Montana, and the Madison Valley Manor in Ennis, Montana, is overwhelmed with gratitude for the more than million-dollar funding opportunity, which was included in the Agriculture Appropriation Bill. These funds will directly impact and improve the lives of our community members, our residents and their families, staff, management, and volunteers. Funds will also be used to renovate and improve our facilities and allow us to finally purchase new electric beds and equipment."

Madison County made the request to Zinke’s office through the U.S. House of Representatives Community Project Funding policy which allows Members of the House to propose up to 15 local projects to receive funding from eligible grant programs. All projects must meet the published grant requirements and pass a series of legislative hurdles. Every project was approved by the House Appropriations Committee, of which Zinke is a member, the full House of Representatives and included in the joint funding package approved by the House and Senate and signed by the President. A full list of Zinke’s projects that were funded can be found here.

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