The applicants range from locals to Montanans to a few people from out-of-state, said Earl Mathers, Gallatin County administrator. He declined to identify candidates for the nonprofit organization’s top position before finalists have been selected.

Full Story by JASON BACAJ, Chronicle Staff Writer: http://www.bozemandailychronicle.com … 2963f4.html

Jon Shafer
NRM RC&D – Executive Director

Elizabeth Bonner, a 73-year-old widow, decided to purchase a home in the spring of 2011. Little did she know the significance of the home she would eventually end up purchasing. She had been renting an apartment in the city of Vanceburg, but was not happy with the lack of privacy, not having any green space, and the steps she had to climb to get to the laundry room. “I wasn’t born in town and I don’t like living in town. I like the country and the feel of this place,” said Bonner. “In town I had no privacy or freedom. This place is me … I love the country. I’m back home.” Ms. Bonner’s statements are poignantly true, as she is now on the gravel road that leads to her family’s former homestead where she spent her first 18 years. Her father died when she was three years old and her mother raised Ms. Bonner and her siblings. Although she was concerned about taking on the responsibility of a mortgage for the first time at her age, she did not let it stop her. Ms. Bonner’s new home is unique because it sets the standard for affordable, energy-efficient homes in Kentucky. The new home
By using one of the highest standards of energy-efficient construction available (Passive House construction), as well as nearly air-tight construction, superior insulation, and triple-paned windows that provide passive solar heat in the winter, Ms. Bonner is sure to enjoy her home comfortably. The home also has eight solar panels on the roof that provides most of the needed electricity through a clean, renewable energy source.uses 75 percent less energy than a standard new home. For a senior citizen on a fixed income, the reduced utility bills will help make her home affordable through the rest of her lifetime and she will live very comfortably without cold drafts in the winter and stifling heat in the summer.

Ms. Bonner was able to acquire her new home by utilizing various funding sources. Permanent financing for Ms. Bonner includes a $75,000 USDA Rural Development 502 Direct Loan for her first mortgage, as well as a $15,000 second mortgage, with a HOME-deferred loan to make her principal, interest, taxes, and insurance costs affordable.

Introducing … The Lexicon of Sustainability from the lexicon of sustainability on Vimeo.

Jon Shafer
Executive Director

That is where the Northern Rocky Mountain Housing Rehab Programs come into play.  We now offer the following grant programs partnered with USDA Rural Development:

• Up to $4,200.00 - Housing Preservation Grant: 
• Up to $7,500.00 - Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Grant:
• Up to $20,000.00 - Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation Loan: 

Furthermore, we are actively pursing other opportunities to expand our programs including more funding sources and developing an exciting modular home swap-out program.

We hope to make your repairs and efficiency upgrades easy, securing confidence that your home is there for generation after generation.  For more information about our programs, please click here or call Julianne at 406-222-7227.

Jon Shafer
Executive Director

Fuel Oil Steam Boiler

Hey everyone.  Let’s think about it: We have 22.3 Million acres of forest in Montana producing about 1 ton of new growth per acre or 22.3 Million Tons of new growth per year!  Yes, we need to keep our habitat for our rare specious, but what I am talking about is an opportunity to develop our new wood growth into sustainable model for job creation and localized energy production (Heat for buildings and even electricity).

Right now we have a HUGE fire risk with Montana’s non-existing winter and 2.7 Million acres dead forest due to beetle kill.  I would rather see us control the risk and burn the stored wood energy in a highly efficient way (lower C02 emissions than our coal-fired power plants) than keeping our fingers crossed in hope to avoid catastrophic event.

That is why the Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D is actively pursing Biomass projects in Gallatin, Park, and Meagher counties so that we can prove the technology developed in the last few years.  And did I mention that it saves money!  Wood can be clean and local, with prices lower than natural gas.  For many rural business, homes, and buildings on propane or fuel oil, a solution does exist that can make a huge dent in your bottom line.

We can heat our buildings with new growth produced in our back yard.  If you are interested in pursuing projects or  with our three county area, please contact the NRM RC&D at 406-222-7227 or email jon@nrmrcd.org.

Jon Shafer
Executive Director

I am amazed on the progressed they made on transportation in rural areas, connecting rural reservations and communities to much needed health support, education, and families. This inspires me to find local options we can implement in our communities and connect not just northern Montana, but all of Montana and possibly surrounding states.

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