Project: Lake County Council on Aging Vans

City: Ronan

State: Montana

ARRA Award Amount: $85,800

Program: Non-Urbanized Area Formula

Description:

The three minivans awarded to Lake County Council on Aging have made an incalculable difference to that transportation program. The vehicles allowed for program expansion and ride counts have increased each of the three months the vans have been in service. Lake County continues to station its aging vehicles - the newest is a 1996 model with 149,000 miles – at various places around the county and use them for more local trips. A hidden benefit of the new vehicles is the increase in the number of volunteer drivers, who feel safer and more comfortable driving the vans because they allow for a better view of the road and have more safety features. These vehicles would have been beyond the reach of this organization without ARRA funding.

The increased ridership has fostered another ¼ time equivalent increase in staffing hours which also contributes to employment. At the current rate of growth, the increased ridership should create another ½ time equivalent position before the end of FY 2010.