11/25/2024“Helena This Week” is reported and written By JoVonne Wagner. Send your Helena news and tips to [email protected] availability, pilot shortages dampen efforts to lure new airlinesThe Helena Regional Airport has struggled to attract additional airlines because of challenges with aircraft and pilot shortages, according to the airport director.Last week, Helena Regional Airport director Jeff Wadekamper updated local leaders and members of the Helena Airport Authority on fundraising and grant efforts to expand the airport’s airline routes. Helena’s airport received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to add American Airlines services for flights to and from Dallas.However, because of the competitive industry, lack of aircraft availability and pilot shortages, American Airlines hasn’t moved forward in its partnership with the Helana airport. Attempts to lure other airlines were also unsuccessful, and the grant expires in 2027.“In essence, to get a new flight into Helena, somewhere else is going to have to lose that flight so that we can have that aircraft allocated to Helena,” Wadekamper told Montana Free Press. “So that’s what every airport in the nation is facing right now and their respective communities that are working with them.”The airport is offering airlines free rent and various fee waivers for two years in hopes of being competitive with other cities. “The airlines are looking at where can they put these limited resources for their best return,” Wadekamper said. “Our job is to convince them that Helena is better than anywhere else in the country or the world, for that matter, to put these aircraft and how they can be profitable and make a profit.”Helena Regional Airport has been financially self-sufficient since 1993 and has invested in its 1,400-acre property, which Wadekamper said adds to the airport’s incentive package. About 112 airports around the country are subsidized by the government, something that Wadekamper said isn’t what Helena should aim for. Subsidized airports put a financial burden on local communities and taxpayers.Until Helena can secure other airlines with grant funds, the airport will continue to work on increasing its incentive package, which includes about $600,000 of community-generated money that the Helena Area Chamber of Commerce holds in trust for the airport.“We’re confident at some point we’re going to have success,” Wadekamper said. “But I guess my message to everybody is just to hang in there and keep supporting us, keep using the flights out of Helena, if at all possible.”5 Things to Know in Helena Helena Police Department receives grant: The city commission last week approved a grant for the Helena Police Department. The department received a $125,000 Montana Disasters and Emergencies Grant for its Montana analysis and technical information officer. The state has consistently awarded the grant to the police department in past years, which helps fund a dedicated position for the department. What’s up with the water?: Last week, city commissioner Sean Logan asked city staff for a better-detailed update on the recent water treatment changes that resulted in the city water’s strange odor and taste. Public Works Director Ryan Leland told the commission that maintenance work needed for the Ten Mile treatment plant has resulted in the main use of the Missouri River plant until the spring when the work is set to wrap up. The Missouri River plant uses water from Canyon Ferry Lake, which sucks up moss and other organic materials in the treatment process. Leland assured the commission that the water is not harmful to drink or use. Leland is working with the city’s public information officer on additional efforts to better inform the public.City scum pump bid: The city recently awarded a bid of about $1.2 million for the city’s scum pump cleaner project to the Helena-based company Hard Rock Road Building and Utlitlies Inc. The contractor will replace the plant’s scum pump station at the city’s wastewater treatment plant after years of maintenance and cleaning issues because of its open-air design. Hard Rock Road Building and Utilities will demolish the existing station and replace it with an enclosed and weatherproof structure. Tax bill tardiness: Lewis and Clark County’s property tax department announced last week that residents’ property tax bills are delayed due to software issues. According to the county’s website, property owners can expect to see their bill in the mail by the end of November and will have until Dec. 31 to pay. Property owners can check for updates on their bills through the county’s property bill lookup. For questions about the delay, contact the county at 406-447-8329 or visit its website. Parade of Lights: Join downtown Helena businesses during the annual Parade of Lights on Friday, Nov. 29, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the walking mall. Hosted by Ten Mile Creek Brewery, community members are encouraged to dress warm and enjoy a reverse parade in which floats and other entries are stationary. 3 Questions For Throughout the year, the United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area has been working to raise funds for its Housing First Capital Campaign, a project to purchase a local hotel and convert it into affordable housing. As the end-of-the-year deadline to buy the property approaches, MTFP spoke with United Way’s community impact coordinator, Jeff Buscher, about its progress, deadline and final fundraising efforts. His comments have been edited for length and clarity.MTFP: United Way recently took fundraising to the streets, where volunteers stood at intersections to collect funds for the housing project. How did the event go? What other efforts is United Way working on?Buscher: In about an hour’s time, we collected about $700. So that was quite productive. We only had about five or six volunteers. It was a learning experience. We’ve never done anything like that. People were generally very generous and appreciative of the project. I’ve been talking to various faith communities over the last month and a half. Every faith community has responded by either single individuals donating or the church putting the information out for us. That’s one source for information sharing, and also we’ve seen some donations come in from that. Also, we’ve started a social media campaign, a crowd-funding campaign, it’s called 48 for 48. The idea is very simple: If you are willing to partner with us, you will use your social media network to invite 48 friends to donate $48, which I think comes in at about a little over $2,000. MTFP: Where is United Way in its $5 million fundraising goal? Buscher: I think our total right now is close to $700,000. Our goal is to raise $2 million before the end of the year. Of course, we’d love to raise $5 million by the end of the year, but [we want to be] realistic. Also, we know that there are grants we’re pursuing and there are foundations that want to contribute. There are foundations that say, “Once you hit $1 million or once you hit $2 million, come back and see us.” It’s a little frustrating, but they have their standards and they want to see local support. On the other side, we’re taking all the right steps. There are grants we’re applying for. We are in a conversation right now with a property manager who’s going to work with us. We’re also talking with a bank and what we’re talking with them about is securing a loan for what we don’t raise.MTFP: Will United Way be able to purchase the Helena Inn property by the deadline?Buscher: Yes, it’s safe to say we will be purchasing the property whether we close in December or in January. But yes, our plan is to close as soon as possible and will the campaign continue? More than likely until we hit our goal. Our agreement with the seller was we would like to close by the end of the year. It does create a deadline to really do our best to get the word out and show the people the value of contributing to this project. Helena celebrates Holocaust survivors’ reunion Helena Stefaniak, middle, visits with a friend during the AARP reception on Thursday, Nov. 21. Credit: JoVonne WagnerLast week, Wish of a Lifetime, an AARP affiliate, hosted a reception for Helena resident Helena Stefaniak, a 100-year-old Holocaust survivor who recently reunited with her sister, Barbara, after a lifetime apart.Both sisters survived Nazi-controlled Poland during World War II when they were teenagers. After enduring a labor camp, the sisters moved to the United States and began building their lives separately. While Stefaniak moved to Helena from Connecticut to be closer to her daughter and family, Barbara remained in New Jersey. The reunion, which took place over a few days back in August in Newark, is expected to be the last chance the sisters will have together in person. “I appreciate the Wish of a Lifetime. That was so nice and such a big surprise for me, it’s indescribable,” Stefaniak said at the reception. A photo of the sisters’ reunion shows both Helena and Barbara sitting down with family and friends. Credit: JoVonne Wagner Programming noteA programming note: Helena This Week will not publish on Monday, Dec., 2, as the MTFP staff takes a breather through the Thanksgiving weekend. We will return to our regular publication schedule on Dec. 9.The post Helena airport struggling to expand routes appeared first on Montana Free Press.