Public notices – the means by which government announces day-to-day activities important to citizens – are now easier than ever to find, thanks to a new statewide website supported by member newspapers of the Montana Newspaper Association (MNA).
Notices such as public budgets, meeting agendas, sample ballots, court actions, construction projects and public hearings published in most Montana newspapers are available on the website.
The free site is available at mtnewspapers.com (click on helpful links) or directly at
montanapublicnotices. com. Visitors may search by selecting key words or by selecting content for a specific newspaper. Notices will be archived on the website for 90 days after the publication date.
Weekly and daily newspapers across Montana have made a significant financial investment to bring greater access to public notices, said Jim Rickman, MNA Executive Director.
“This new website is a value added service that extends the reach of our members’ printed pages,” said Rickman. “We believe the website will help government keep important information in front of the public, and will increase awareness and understanding of their local governments.”
Far more than the value it adds for government and newspapers, however, is the accessibility it delivers for information seekers in the general public.
Rickman said the new service has been found to be useful for construction and engineering firms looking for bidding opportunities all across the state. People wanting to know about trustee sales of property can find those notices with a few search terms. Folks who want to know when their county commissioners will be accepting comment on adopting a budget can also find answers on the website.
The service is made possible through new, advanced technology involving digital imaging of newspaper pages.
MNA represents 85 Montana newspapers and is celebrating its 129th year of service. The mission of MNA is “to advance and sustain the news publishing industry in Montana.”
