Archive: April 2021

Stockman Bank Awarded with Highest Rating for Performance

6 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

Stockman Bank of Montana has once again been awarded the highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability from the nation’s premier bank rating firm, BauerFinancial, Inc.

This rating recognizes Stockman Bank for excellence in such areas as capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality and much more. As a leader in local, community banking services, Stockman Bank has consistently earned and maintained this 5-Star rating for 50 consecutive quarters.

As a result, Stockman Bank has received an even higher designation as an “Exceptional Performance Bank”, a status reserved for institutions that have earned Bauer’s highest rating consistently for at least 10 consecutive years.

“This is indeed reflective of Stockman Bank of Montana’s dedication and commitment, not only to its customers, but to the entire community”, reflects Karen Dorway, president of BauerFinancial. “Community banks, like Stockman Bank of Montana, have been on the front lines doing what is necessary to help their neighbors and friends. This is the type of devotion you will only find in a community bank.”

Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest, family-owned, community bank, with 36 full-service locations across the state. Founded in 1953, Stockman is uniquely focused on Montana, with comprehensive banking products and services, along with state-of-the-art online and mobile banking, wealth management and insurance services.

Solution to Billings’ Housing Shortage-New Construction?

6 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

By Lowell Cooke, Coldwell Banker The Brokers

Faced with an obvious housing shortage it isn’t too surprising that Billings will undoubtedly see a Construction Boom this summer. Evidence is already mounting.

New construction permits in the Billings Metro area have increased steadily in the months from June 2020 to December 2020.  There were 237 permits issued from June 2020 to December 2020, while there were only 131 issued in the same period in 2019.  This increase of 106 permits is an 80% increase over 2019 for that period.  Already in the first two months of 2021, 49 building permits were issued with only 22 in 2020, or up 122%! 

Say Billings is able to maintain an 80% increase in permits over 2020, we could see over 600 permits issued in 2021.  There have not been that many permits issued in 18 years when there were 601 in 2003.

The building permits for the Billings Metro area don’t take into account the homes being built outside the city jurisdiction, where no permit is required.  There is substantial activity occurring on the outskirts also.

February Recap

The inventory of homes on the market continues to remain at record low levels.  As of this writing, there were 120 single family homes for sale in the Billings MLS, Metro area.  There were 168 closed sales this February in the entire MLS system, compared to slightly more in February 2020-176 closed sales.  The number of listings taken dropped to 213 compared to February 2020 of 228.  The year to date, listings taken is down 11.3%, with 439 listings taken this year vs. 495 through the first 2 months of 2020.

Appreciation,  Average Sales Price Still Climbing

Want a reason to sell?  How about the healthy gain in appreciation?  The average, year over year appreciation has jumped again in February to 10.5% for the entire MLS areas.  Januarys was 9.2%.  Great news for sellers, not so much for buying.  The 12-month, year over year average sales price is now at $296,393 compared to $268,314 in February 2020.  That is over a $28,000 increase in one year!

Want to Build?

If you are considering building, there is no shortage of available lots for sale.  There are just under 400 lots for sale in the Billings MLS, Metro area.  With the uptick in building, builders are telling me the challenge is finding the subcontractors available to build the homes as well as shortages and price increases in building materials.  Word to the wise, do not try to be your own contractor.  If builders are having difficulty finding subs, can you imagine trying to do it on your own while you are paying the interest on the construction loan?  Best to find a reputable builder (and there are many) who will hold the construction loan and deal with the delays.  It would be my estimation you should expect to see a completion in construction to take over 6 months.

Montana Highlights April 1, 2021

6 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

Watercraft inspection stations are opening up across Montana for the 2021 season. Just which inspection stations are open can be seen on a FWP website map. FWP officials claim inspection stations are the state’s first step in preventing the movement of aquatic invasive species (AIS), which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. A report on activities from the 2019 season show the agency performed over 113,000 watercraft inspections and intercepted 16 mussel-fouled vessels.

Senate Bill 379 has raised some eyebrows of the Montana PSC and environmental groups as it would allow owners of coal-fired power assets to recover costs for any underappreciated value and expenses from energy consumers. The bill would allow the utility to recover market value for new ownership of a coal power asset.

Watercraft inspection stations are opening up across Montana for the 2021 season. Just which inspection stations are open can be seen on a FWP website map. FWP officials claim inspection stations are the state’s first step in preventing the movement of aquatic invasive species (AIS), which can have devastating impacts on Montana waterways. A report on activities from the 2019 season show the agency performed over 113,000 watercraft inspections and intercepted 16 mussel-fouled vessels.

Canadian coal company Teck Resources has paid a $60 million fine after pleading guilty to pollution discharges that have killed nearly all the fish in nearby waters. Canadian investigators found the mining company discharged hazardous amounts of selenium and calcite into the Fording River from two coal mines in the Elk Valley, just north of Eureka, Montana. Some of that selenium has been connected to fish damage in Montana Koocanusa Reservoir and the Kootenai River. The decision came in a Canadian federal court in Fernie, British Columbia. The fine is 10 times as large as any previous punishment imposed under Canada’s Fisheries Act.

 The city of Williston, North Dakota has negotiated a contract with Delta Airline to bring flights back to Williston. The one-year agreement promises to subsidize SkyWest Airlines which has partnered with Delta for flights to Minneapolis. If passenger numbers fail to make it profitable the city will reimburse losses to the airlines on a quarterly basis.

Revolving Loan Fund.  In February, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded a $1.2 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to the Northern Rocky Mountain Economic Development District, Bozeman, to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF).  Businesses adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Gallatin and Park counties will be eligible for these funds. Special recognition goes to the City of Belgrade, which provided $250,000 for the local match requirement. The Department of Commerce estimates that the total investment will create 40 jobs, retain 125 jobs, and generate $10 million in private investment.

Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Administration Director Misty Ann Giles have announced the appointment of Kevin Gilbertson to serve as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the State of Montana.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced  a proposal to widen shoulders and add rumble strips to about 7.6 miles of Highway S 421, north of Lodge Grass. The project begins approximately seven miles south of Garryowen 7.6 miles ending approximately one mile northwest of Lodge Grass.  Construction is tentatively planned for 2024 depending on completion of design and availability of funds.

NorthWestern Energy will begin upgrading the Montana Street substation in Butte to enhance reliability for 6,000 electric customers in the area.

North Dakota’s daily crude output for January was 1.147 million barrels, a 4% drop from December. The decline was attributed to high winds in January that caused power outages that interrupted oil production. The outages knocked about 50,000 barrels per day offline.

The U.S. oil pricing benchmark, West Texas Intermediate, has risen above $60 per barrel, where it sat at the start of 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic hit and sent prices crashing. Experts view the current price as a blip. Wells idled during the pandemic are expected to be brought back online. Uncertainty about the Bakken reins as ND producers worry about the potential shutdown of the Dakota Access Pipeline, a prospect that could come out of a court hearing slated for April 9. Producers are considering having to move more oil by rail or potentially trucking it from the Bakken across Interstate 94 past Bismarck and then south to Linton.

Construction Projects will Transform Travel Around Billings

6 April 2021
Dennis Pyburn
No comments

by Evelyn Pyburn

In the coming decade there is much that is going to change about travel through the Billings I-90 corridor.  Interchanges will change, highways broadened and bridges reconstructed – all are projects in the planning stages, with some already underway.

While much has been heard about the improvements planned to the I-90/ Johnson Lane Interchange as part of the Billings Bypass project, there’s not as much awareness about the other improvements in the Lockwood area and along I-90 through Billings.

The projects emerged from a 2012 study about future needs for Billings’ traffic as it impacts I-90. The projects will accommodate increases in traffic and improve overall operation and safety.

The stretch of I-90 that is involved was built in the 1960s and last paved in 2000.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) plans to widen from two lanes to three lanes a stretch of I-90 from the Johnson Lane Interchange to the South 27th Street Interchange.

The first phase of widening the Interstate will be on the west end from the Lockwood Interchange to the 27th Street Interchange, which includes the reconstruction of the bridges across the Yellowstone River and the Talen Railroad Spur. Final plans for widening the interstate and building the bridges are to be completed by the end of March and bids may be let sometime this summer. HDR is the engineering firm designing the project.

The plan to add additional two lanes to I-90 avoids having to gain more rights-of-way by expanding into space that is currently the median. 

Following a recent public hearing the Lockwood Steering Committee began a petition to MDT objecting to the fact that the plans for the bridges are without accommodation for pedestrians or bicycles. They are asking MDT and HDR engineers to address the common vision of the community for the future of Billings and Lockwood by including pedestrian/bike access.

Public comment during the hearing also brought up the multi-modal issue and MDT officials and engineers said that the issue had not been overlooked but they had determined not to include the multi-modal access because of increases to the cost and the fact that it would require gaining additional rights-of-way extending the time frame, as well as the cost, and it could have possible flood plain impacts in providing trails to get to the crossings. A special public meeting may be held to further explore this public concern.

Currently construction of the bridges is scheduled to begin in fall 2021 and will be completed in phases. One bridge will remain open while the other is demolished and rebuilt to accommodate both lanes of traffic. The entire project is tentatively scheduled to be completed in 2024. Bridge reconstruction will comprise most of the construction effort and cost, which is projected at $60 million, total.

During construction, two-lane, two-way traffic will be maintained, except during the winter shut down period when the interstate will reopen to four lanes for safety reasons.

It’s been widely heralded that the reconstruction of the Johnson Lane Interchange is to be the first Diverging Diamond Interchange in Montana, but it was announced at a recent public hearing that the preferred alternative being considered for the Lockwood Interchange — where Highway 87 crosses over I-90 – will also be that of a Diverging Diamond. HDR is also the engineering firm designing this project.

A Diverging Diamond Interchange is one in which the two directions of traffic cross over to briefly drive on the opposite side of the road from what is customary, offering many safety benefits. (See video of a diverging diamond interchange here: tinyurl.com/JohnsonLaneDDI)

The Lockwood Interchange project also includes the widening of I-90 to three lanes to the Johnson Lane Interchange.

Also, plans for the Lockwood Interchange include improving safer access at the intersection of Hwy. 87 and Coburn Road, just south of the Interchange. Because of its proximity to the interchange safety features are needed, said engineers. While other options are being explored, the preferred alternative that is emerging would be to convert the Coburn intersection into a three-quarter access. This would allow right turn and left turn lanes from Hwy. 87, onto Coburn Road, but a left turn from Coburn Road onto Hwy. 87 would not be allowed. Left turning traffic onto Hwy. 87 would be required to take a right onto Rosebud and then take a left onto Lockview Lane to its intersection with Hwy. 87, where it would be safer to make a left turn onto Hwy. 87.

Public comment regarding all plans for all projects is encouraged by MDT. This is especially true for the Lockwood Interchange for which plans are in the earliest stages – about 30 percent complete. To see an interactive map for the project areas go to  https:// experience.arcgis.com/ experience/ffc303851 f784e23ab 411f6da b6e70ca

(Another project – First Avenue and Exposition Drive — currently in the design stage will reconfigure and rebuild Highway 87 as it rounds the perimeter of Metra Park to Exposition Drive which leads to the Heights’ Main Street.)

The Johnson Lane Diverging Diamond Interchange is part of the Billings Bypass project that will connect Highway 312 in Billings Heights to Johnson Lane in Lockwood, including a new bridge across the Yellowstone River that is already under construction. The Billings Bypass project, in all of its six phases, is being designed and overseen by DOWL.

Work was completed last year on the first phase of the Bypass, which involved the widening and reconstruction of Five Mile Road in the Heights. Work continues on the new bridge and the Johnson Lane Interchange.

Granite Construction/ LHC will be the construction manager/general contractor to build the interchange with construction anticipated to begin in 2022. Currently MDT is meeting with property owners and stakeholders as permits and right-of-way is acquired.

Another phase of the Billings Bypass project is well underway – the construction of a new bridge across the Yellowstone River which will ultimately provide motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians a connection between Lockwood and the Billings Heights.

As construction of the Billings Bypass Yellowstone River bridge moves forward MDT is providing a live webcam for the public to view real-time construction progress  (the webcam is available at https:// www. mdt.mt.gov/ pubinvolve/ billingsbypass/). Construction of bridge piers from the temporary work bridge is continuing in anticipation of beam placement.

Construction is being completed by Wadsworth Brothers Construction and is planned to be predominantly complete by the end of 2021.

Commerce Department Report: Red States Leading U.S. Economic Growth

5 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

Bethany Blankley, The Center Square

Red states are leading economic growth in the U.S., a new report by the U. S. Commerce Department shows, with South Dakota, Texas and Utah reporting the highest growth.

The report is based on 2020 fourth quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data and February 2021 unemployment rates.

Real GDP increased in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in the fourth quarter of 2020. Real GDP for the U.S. as a whole increased at an annual rate of 4.3 percent. The percent change in real GDP in the fourth quarter ranged from 9.9 percent in South Dakota to 1.2 percent in the District of Columbia.

Montana had a GDP increase of 3.6 percent.

The top three states in quarter-over-quarter growth were South Dakota (9.9 percent), Texas (7.5 percent), and Utah (7.1 percent). All three have Republican trifecta governments, with Republicans controlling the governor’s offices and both chambers of state legislatures.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, pointing to the report, tweeted, “The Texas economy expanded at a rapid pace of 7.5 percent in the last quarter of 2020. That means more jobs & more prosperity for Texans. Only one state – and no large state – had better economic growth than Texas. The Texas economy is fire.”

Eight of the states in the top 10 are all Republican-led states. The two in the top 10 that are Democratic strongholds are Connecticut, reporting 7 percent growth, and Delaware, reporting 5.8 percent growth.

Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds pointed to Iowa’s growth of 6.3 percent, tweeting Iowa is “The #1 state for opportunity,” with a “GDP growth faster than the national average,” and it “had kids back in school since August.”

On March 26, the New York Federal Reserve “GDP Nowcast” model, which estimates real-time economic growth, said that while the U.S. economy grew at 6.1 percent in the first quarter of 2021, it will only grow at 0.7 percent in the second quarter.

Fed analysts attribute the “negative surprises from personal consumption expenditures, manufacturers’ shipments of durable goods, and housing data” as contributing factors for the forecasted decrease. Their forecast for the entire year is roughly 6 percent growth or higher.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, unemployment rates were lower in February in 23 states and the District of Columbia, higher in four states, and stayed roughly the same in 23 states, with the national unemployment rate remaining at 6.2 percent.

States reporting the highest unemployment rates are Hawaii (9.2 percent) and California (9 percent). States with the lowest are South Dakota (2.9 percent) and Utah (3.0 percent).

Cattle Still King

5 April 2021
Evelyn Pyburn
No comments

Cattle are still king when it comes to total agriculture production in Montana. As a percentage of total revenue generated cattle production amounts to 56 percent with crops generating most of the balance. The market value of agricultural products sold was $3.5 billion with crop-related sales totaling $1.6 billion and livestock-related sales totaling $1.9 billion.

After subtracting production expenses of $3.3 billion, net cash income was $0.9 billion based upon most recent available data, in a study conducted by The Montana State University Agricultural Economics Department.

Agriculture has long been considered the foundation of the Montana economy. While other sectors of the economy, particularly tourism and business services, have become important to the state’s overall economy, agriculture remains critical to Montana, especially more rural areas of the state.

Agricultural Land Use

62% of the land in Montana is used for agricultural production. However, the percentage of land in agriculture varies from less than 3% in Mineral and Lincoln counties to nearly 100% in Big Horn, Liberty, Treasure, and Sheridan counties. There were 27,048 farms with a mean farm size of 2,758 acres in 2017.  Average farm size varied from less than 200 acres in Flathead, Mineral, and Ravalli and over 8,000 acres in Big Horn and Garfield counties.

Farm Revenue

The market value of agricultural products sold was $3.5 billion with crop-related sales totaling $1.6 billion and livestock-related sales totaling $1.9 billion.  Other income included on the farm’s profit and loss statement was government payments ($0.3 billion) and other farm related income ($0.4 billion).  After subtracting production expenses of $3.3 billion, net cash income was $0.9 billion in 2017.

Property Taxation

Montana farmers and ranchers owned property with a taxable value of $157 million in 2017.  The taxable value of agricultural property was less than 1% of all taxable property in Montana.  The share of taxable property held by farmers and ranchers varied widely by county from less than 1% in urban counties like Missoula, Flathead, Silver Bow, and Yellowstone to over 40% in rural counties such as Liberty, Daniels, McCone, Petroleum, and Garfield.

Market Value of Crops and Livestock from 1997 to 2017

After adjusting for inflation, the market value of crops and livestock increased by 14% and 28%, respectively, from 1997 to 2017.  The percentage change varied widely by county from increases of 68% or more in Carter and Treasure counties to decreases of 40% or more in counties with fewer farms and ranches, including Lincoln, Silver Bow, and Mineral. The share of market value for crops and livestock has remained relatively stable since 1997 with crop and livestock shares of 40% and 60%, respectively.  Grain (winter wheat, spring wheat, durum, and barley) comprised 31% of total market value, while cattle comprised 56% of total market value in 2017.

Farm Size

 Farm size remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2017 with 60% of farms with less than 500 acres and 40% of farms with 500 acres or more. Average farm size decreased by 20% or more in Glacier, Judith Basin, and Beaverhead; but, increased by 20% or more in Chouteau, Daniels, Liberty, Roosevelt, Deer Lodge, Big Horn, McCone, and Sanders counties.

The 2017 year was a challenging year with nearly three-fourths of Montana counties realizing less total farm sales in 2017 than 2012.  Average farm sales decreased by nearly 14% statewide.  Four counties (Prairie, Deer Lodge, Carbon, and Liberty) had average farm sales increase by 25%, while three counties (Petroleum, Daniels, and Mineral) had average farm sales decrease more than 40%

Tillage and Land Use

In 2017, no till was used by 16%, reduced tillage was used by 8%, intensive tillage was used by 10% and cover crops were used by 4% of farms.  More than 40% of farms utilize no-till in Liberty, Chouteau, Toole, Hill, Pondera, and Sheridan counties.  More than 20% of farms in Treasure and Sheridan counties utilize other reduced tillage methods.  Cover crops are less widely used; although, more than 7% of farms used cover crops in Treasure, Toole, and Jefferson counties.

Producer Profile

Deer Lodge, Meagher, Sanders, Daniels, Wheatland, Flathead, Jefferson, Ravalli, Lincoln, Golden Valley, Missoula, Musselshell, and Granite had more than 40% of producers 65 and older.  Judith Basin, Phillips, Carter, Hill, Fallon, Petroleum, Glacier, and Rosebud had less than 30% of producers 65 and older.  Thirty-two percent of producers were 65 or older, 58% were males, and 36% listed farming as their primary occupation in Montana.

Top Crops

Hay and winter, spring, and durum wheat account for 75% of harvested acreage.  The remainder of harvested acres is planted in barley, pulses (lentils, dry edible peas, chickpeas, and other pulse crops) and other crops, including oilseeds (canola, flaxseed, mustard, and safflower), corn for grain and silage, sugar beets, potatoes, and other minor crops.

The top 5 producing counties in 2017 for each of the major crop categories was the following:  hay – Fergus, Madison, Big Horn, Lake, and Judith Basin in 2017;  winter wheat  – Chouteau, Hill, Cascade, Teton, and Liberty; spring wheat – Chouteau, Hill, Valley, Toole, and Liberty counties; durum wheat – Sheridan, Daniels, Roosevelt, Pondera, and Hill counties; pulses – Sheridan, Hill, Chouteau, Roosevelt, and Toole counties; and, barley – Teton, Pondera, Chouteau, Toole, and Gallatin.

Montana is largely a grain and cattle state.  Over 40% of farms had cattle (and calves), 5% had sheep (and lambs), and less than 2% had hogs (and pigs) in 2017 .  The top 5 livestock producing counties were Beaverhead, Custer, Fergus, Carter, and Rosebud counties in 2017.

Job Impacts

Agricultural production employed 52,629 workers or 10% of the state’s labor force in 2017.  According to MSU, 31,924 of the workers were directly employed in production agriculture.  An additional 15,597 workers were employed in businesses supporting agricultural production, such as feed and fertilizer dealers, and another 3,980 were employed in other related businesses, such as grocery and drug stores.  For every 10 jobs on farms and ranches, 6 additional jobs are generated in Montana.

Direct and indirect employment in production agriculture was more than 60% of the labor force in Liberty, Treasure, Judith Basin, Carter, Prairie, and Chouteau counties (Map 9).  In more urban counties (Missoula, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Yellowstone, and Gallatin), direct and indirect employment in agricultural production was less 5% of the labor force.

Value Added Impacts

 Farms and ranches generated $2.2 billion of valued-added, or 4.6% of the state’s total gross domestic product of $47.6 billion in 2017.  According to the IMPLAN estimate, $1.1 billion was directly contributed by farmers and ranchers.  An additional $820 million was generated by businesses supporting agricultural production and $236 million was generated by other related businesses.  Each dollar of value-added in agriculture by a farmer or rancher contributed an additional $0.92 of value-added in other sectors of the state’s economy.

Direct and indirect value-added in production agriculture was more than 50% of county gross domestic product (GDP) in Prairie, Petroleum, Garfield and Carter counties (Map 10).  In more urban counties (Missoula, Flathead, Lewis and Clark, Cascade, Yellowstone, and Gallatin), direct and indirect value-added in agricultural production was less 5% of county GDP.

Conclusion

Agricultural production varies substantially across Montana.  Land use patterns varied from counties with minimal arable land to counties with over three-fourths of the land area used in crop or livestock agriculture.  The Census Agriculture data showed minor changes in farm size (measured by acres and total sales) and profitability.  This economic impact analysis showed the importance of recognizing the diversity in Montana agriculture.

Building Permits April 1, 2021

5 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

Commercial

Housing Authority of Billings/ Fortress Developments Inc, 825 Avenue D,  Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $217,000

Housing Authority Of Billings/ Fortress Developments Inc, 833 Avenue D, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $217,000

MFM Capital LLC/ R & R Roofing, 301 Covert Ln, Com roof, $33,000

MFM Capital LLC/ R & R Roofing, 309 Covert Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $33,000

MFM Capital LLC/R & R Roofing, 1739 Cody Dr, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $33,000

Tucker Veltkamp/Beartooth Holding & Construction, 320 Main St, Com New Restaurant/Casino/Bar,  $400,000

Magnus Land Development LLC/Brown Builders Inc, 6301 Absaloka Ln, Com New Townhome Shell, $240,860 

Magnus Land Development LLC/Brown Builders Inc., 6338 Absaloka Ln, Com New Townhome Shell, $240,860

Qwest Corporation/ Mechanical Technology Inc, 3011 2nd Ave N, Com Remodel, $101,000

Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth/ Saunders Construction Inc,  1233 N 30th St, Com Remodel,        $11,000

Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth /Saunders Construction Inc, 1233 N 30th St, Com Remodel,               $330,000

Julie Treat/Empire Htg. & Cooling, 2510 38th St W, Com Remodel, $250,000

Montana Rescue Mission/ Win-Dor Industries,  2520 1st Ave N, Com Remodel, $4,832

$351,585

J&G Family LLLP/Hi-Line Roofing Of Montana LLC, 6428 Southern Bluffs Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding    $27,500

Braun-Ayers Properties LLC/Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 1916 4th Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $54,189

Sam’s Real Estate Business Trust/NA,  4420 King Ave E, Com Remodel , $1,200,000

State Of Montana/Vertex Tower, 1204 W Wicks Ln, Com Remodel,  $10,000

City Of Billings/Legacy Telecommunications, 2600 Central Ave, Com Remodel, $20,000

Southgate LLC/NA, 5201 Southgate Dr, Com Remodel, $100,000

Von Lee & Sheryl K Mecham/NA, 1400 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $100,000

Billings Volunteers Of America/Timeless Construction & Design, 1439 Main St, Com Remodel, $49,151

JDS Real Estate LLC/Com Remodel, Cucancic Construction Inc., 1403 Main St, $5,000

Residential

NA/ Aaron Higginbotham, 2135 Entrada Rd, Res New Single Family, $252,888

Aviara Inc/Trent Buscher Construction, 3132 Falcon Cir, Res New Single Family, $211,609

Boyer Land Llc/Boyer Properties Llc, 2521 Blue Mountain Trl, Res New Single Family, $397,862

Vester A Wilson/MLS Construction Co, 873 Sapphire Ave, Res New Single Family, $267,699

Infinity Home/Infinity Home Llc, 2302 Entrada Rd, Res New Single Family, $241,855

McCall Development/ McCall Development, 1727 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $140,648

NA/McCall Development, 1731 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $132,182

McCall Development/ McCall Development, 1735 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $140,623

Magnus Land Development Llc / Brown Builders Inc., 6301 Absaloka Ln, Res New Town Home, $30,107

Magnus Land Development Llc /Brown Builders Inc., 6338 Absaloka Ln, Res New Townhome   $30,107

Magnus Land Development LLC/ Brown Builders Inc., 6338 Absaloka Ln, Res New Townhome,  $30,107

High Sierra Ii Inc/Infinity Home LLC , 2436 Bonito Loop, Res New Single Family, $245,015

L & L Construction LLC/ Lorenz Construction, 3424 Tahoe Dr, Res New Single Family, $256,029

Infinity Home/Infinity Home Llc, 682 Lakehills Pl, Res New Single Family, $372,626

Diverse Construction Llc/Diverse Construction LLC,  530 Winged Foot Dr, Res New Single Family, $263,284

Boyer Land Llc/Design Builders, Inc.  2516 Aspen Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $294,582

Frickel, Loretta F & David R/HG Designs, 5244 Amherst Dr, Res New Single Family, $380,000

NA/McCall Development, 1719 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $132,682

NA/McCall Development, 1723 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $140,623

 Wagenhals Land And Livestock/ Wagenhals Enterprises Inc,  1026 Daylight Ln, Res New Single Family, $325,000

Wagenhals Land And Livestock/Wagenhals Enterprises Inc, 1030 Daylight Ln, Res New Single Family,     $265,000

The ATM Llc/Billings Best Builders Llc, 6302 Absaloka Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

The ATM Llc/Billings Best Builders Llc, 6306 Absaloka Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Magnus Land Development LLC/MJ Construction, Inc., 6334 Absaloka Ln, Res New Two Family,  $310,168

Magnus Land Development LLC/ MJ Construction, Inc., 6330 Absaloka Ln, Res New Two Family,          $310,168

A&E Design Announces Staff Achievements

5 April 2021
Press Room
No comments

The following staff took on new leadership roles within A & E Design, beginning Jan. 1:

—Over a decade of experience and a Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University positioned architect Justin Alexander, AIA, to advance from senior associate to principal at A&E Design. Alexander’s contributions have been integral to the success of many projects throughout the western United States, including the expansion of Stock Farm Club in Hamilton, developments at Yellowstone Club in Big Sky,  and multiple residences in California and Nevada.

— With a Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University and 13 years’ experience in design, Brad Doll, AIA, earned a promotion from senior associate to principal. As an architect, Doll is a problem solver and an unconventional thinker. His work can be seen in notable projects across Montana, like MSU’s Bobcat Athletic Complex, Jeannette Rankin Elementary School in Missoula, and the new community center in Big Sky.

— Chad Schreiner advances to the role of associate with more than a decade of experience at A&E Design in Billings. Schreiner is a project designer and project manager with a Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University, where he graduated with the highest honors. Since 2009, his skill set has contributed to multiple projects in Billings, including the Norther Hotel renovation, the Billings Clinic bed expansion project currently under construction, and the new Elder Grove Middle School.

—  After only three years on the A&E Design staff, brand strategist Brian Sullivan has been promoted to an associate role. Sullivan joined the firm’s Bozeman office in 2018 with a Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University. His diverse background provides unique insights to effectively resolve complex design problems for a wide range of industries, including retail, entertainment, healthcare, and hospitality. Global outdoor equipment brand Mystery Ranch, the Healthy Is Wellness employee wellness program, and Bozeman restaurant Revelry feature Sullivan’s brand strategy work.

— In her 10th year at A&E Design, Jolene Walker, RA, rounds out the list of new associates within the firm. With a Master of Architecture degree from Montana State University, Walker has spent the last decade seeing numerous projects through from concept to construction. Her tremendous design and architecture skill set is evident in multiple historic preservation projects, Montana and California residences, and elementary schools in Missoula, Belgrade, and Townsend, Montana.