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Supercomputer decision expected this Wednesday(Montana Standard, The (Butte) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 2--Butte-Silver Bow commissioners are expected to make a decision Wednesday on whether to fund a request from Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Centers. Council chairman Charlie O'Leary plans to recommend funding at least a portion of the non-profit organization's request for $380,000, but said other commissioners could make subsequent motions. City-county staff has given council five possible funding options to respond to RMSC's funding request. The possibilities range from dipping into hard rock mining, capital improvement and reserve funds to come up with the full requested amount -- to not funding the project. Two of the funding possibilities call for grants or loans to be spread over three years. Jim Smitham, director of the Butte Local Development Corp., said proponents have contacted commissioners in an effort to answer questions. "I think in general they are supportive," Smitham said. "In general we are optimistic they are going to approve it, and it's just a matter of what package is proposed to them." RMSC officials have said the county money would be used for initial start-up costs, including office space, electrical bills and marketing. It would not be used to hire staff or for a director's salary. The supercomputer is scheduled to arrive in Butte Dec. 27, installed in the Thornton Building and be online my mid-January. "It's exciting and I really think this could be Butte's future," Smitham said. Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday on the third floor of the courthouse, 155 W. Granite. -- By Justin Post, The Montana Standard To see more of The Montana Standard, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.mtstandard.com. Copyright (c) 2008, The Montana Standard, Butte Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |