The state of Montana is proposing to cut a $417,000 grant to the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

The state received $4.9 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Eight tribes -- including the Little Shell -- were due to receive $617,000 under the Tribal Infrastructure and Energy Efficiency Reinvestment Project.

But the state withheld the grant from the Little Shell due to auditing and management concerns. Now the Department of Commerce wants to redirect $417,000 that the tribe would have received for other purposes.

The tribe could still be eligible for $200,000 if it shows improvements in accounting.

Get the Story:
Little Shell may lose $417,000 in stimulus funds (The Great Falls Tribune 2/11)
State could use Little Shell stimulus funds (The Great Falls Tribune 2/11)

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