Two applications for community development block grants for a new manufacturing business in Columbia Falls were sent off this week, according to Tina Oliphant, vice president of finance at Montana West Economic Development.

The city of Columbia Falls and Flathead County each agreed to sponsor a $400,000 application for SmartLam, which is part of Western Building Center in Columbia Falls.

The city is the lead applicant with the county supporting the requests, Columbia Falls City Manager Susan Nicosia said.

“Our council and mayor are very supportive of the project,” Nicosia said. “The request was well-received at the public hearing and there was support and enthusiasm for the employment opportunities in our community.”

If the grants are approved, the money is awarded to the sponsoring government entity for the specific purpose of being loaned to the business that made the request, Oliphant said.

Oliphant expects to hear from the state in about a month about the status of the applications.

The loans would be administered by Montana West, meaning no administrative costs are incurred by either government entity. The loan repayment, and the 2 percent interest charged on the loan, is returned to Montana West’s revolving loan fund for future business development efforts.

Earlier this year, Western Building Center President Doug Shanks told Flathead County commissioners the new business venture involves manufacturing cross-laminated timber at Western Building Center’s truss plant.

At the Columbia Falls City Council public hearing, Shanks reported the goal is to have five to seven employees per shift initially and to operate two shifts in the beginning, growing to 30 employees within three years.

A requirement of the grant is that at least 51 percent of the employees hired be from low-to-moderate income families.

SmartLam has been advertising for a line manager for several weeks in the Daily Inter Lake.

The advertisement seeks professionals with proven sawmill, wood processing, wood lamination or other related wood-products experience. The position is described as a “hands-on management opportunity to get in on the ground floor at the advent of a new North American industry.”

The line manager’s salary is listed at between $50,000 and $75,000 a year.

Reporter Shelley Ridenour may be reached at 758-4439 or sridenour@dailyinterlake.com.