Two Rivers Detention Facility
Hardin, Montana
The Rocky Mountain Regional Detention Facility, formerly known as the Two Rivers Regional Detention Facility, is a privately owned, government-operated detention facility located in Hardin, Montana, which was first proposed as economic development in 2004, and was completed in the summer of 2007. It first held prisoners in 2014, substantially under capacity, until it was closed in 2016. Two Rivers Authority concluded a lease arrangement with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in December 2018, and the BIA took possession and began operations in April 2019.
Construction
The 464-bed minimum security detention facility was completed in September 2007, built with $27.4 million in high interest revenue bonds issued by the city's new industrial development corporation, the Two Rivers Port Authority (TRA) and sold by bond brokers Municipal Capital Markets and Herbert J. Sims. It fostered the hopes of creating 100-plus jobs and stimulating the economy of the small town of 3,400.
The facility was promoted by a consortium of mostly Texan bond brokers, builders (Hale-Mills construction), architects (James Parkey/Corplan) and operators (Civigenics/Community Education Centers), despite an initial economic feasibility analysis that concluded it would not be a viable project, and despite substantial legislative obstacles.
Struggle to find clients
Once complete, because of various legal and political issues, Two Rivers Authority and the original operator were unable to obtain any contracts to house inmates. Although five interest payments had been made from the bond issue's reserve fund, the bonds were declared in technical default in May 2008.
In the fall of 2008, unsuccessful at attracting contracts from various counties, states, tribes and federal agencies, it was proposed to the State of Montana to house a sexual offender program. Hardin's incomplete bid was twice rejected.
“Two Rivers Detention Facility” enters the record as hardin, Montana. Crown Archives preserves that source wording while asking what Rivers, Detention and Facility can confirm, complicate or overturn.
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