Month: June 2023

  • MetraPark Brings $110.7 million to Local Economy

    MetraPark Brings $110.7 million to Local Economy

    Activities and events at MetraPark generates $110.7 million annually to the local economy, according to a recent study commissioned by the MetraPark Advisory Board.    The economic impact is the money spent by visitors attending MetraPark events at local businesses in Billings and Yellowstone County, most especially at motels and restaurants, gas stations and retail shops.…

  • Poll: Majority Say Feds Spend Tax Dollars Poorly

    By Glenn Minnis, The Center Square Precisely half the respondents polled in a new State Policy Network survey of 2,041 registered voters say the federal government is “failing or doing a poor job” at preventing internal corruption. That’s compared to only 23% of respondents who say the federal government is good or excellent at preventing…

  • KOA  Purchases Billings Holiday and W Yellowstone Properties

    Kampgrounds of America, Inc. (KOA) has purchased three KOA properties – Billings KOA Holiday in Billings, and Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA Holiday and Yellowstone Park/Mountainside KOA Holiday located near West Yellowstone.  Billings KOA Holiday, opened in June of 1962, holds the designation as the first KOA campground among more than 500 KOA locations. All three…

  • Greycliff Mill, a Traveler’s Oasis

    Greycliff Mill, a Traveler’s Oasis

    By Evelyn Pyburn On Memorial Day, Greycliff Mill celebrated their second year in business. Located at Greycliff, Montana, just east of Big Timber, Greycliff Mill is something of an oasis for travelers along Interstate 90, offering a place to get a cup of coffee or a sandwich, stretch your legs, give the kids a chance…

  • ExxonMobil Becomes Par Montana with Closing

    ExxonMobil Becomes Par Montana with Closing

    Amid balloons, tents, ribbons, speakers, blue skies, and lots of food, hundreds of people marked what had been advertised as a historic day for Yellowstone County – – and it was, as Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. officially closed on the purchase of ExxonMobil Corporation’s refinery at Lockwood and other properties including two subsidiaries. Not since…

  • Business Growth in Montana Continues

    In 2022, a total of 53,655 new businesses were established according to the Montana business Economic Report, issued by Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen. Jacobsen also reported that 5,400 new businesses registered during the month of May. New businesses created within the SOS Business Filing Portal saw a 7.4% increase from 2021. Also in…

  • Bills Advance Work-based Learning

    Gov. Greg Gianforte recently expanded work-based learning opportunities for Montana students, signing three bills into law to support schools in offering internships, apprenticeships, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Advancing his pro-student, pro-parent, pro-teacher education agenda this legislative session, Gov. Gianforte delivered a series of wins which support classroom innovation. First, the governor reformed…

  • Billings City College Gets Funds To Expand Nursing Program

    City College at Montana State University Billings has been awarded a five-year, $1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration Nursing Expansion Program to diversify and expand the nursing workforce in rural Montana. The Nursing Expansion Grant Program will allow City College to grow the existing Registered Nurse and Licensed…

  • Billings Building Permits – June 15, 2023

    Billings Building Permits – June 15, 2023

    Commercial Swaim, Jeremy S & Kaylinn M/ Neal Sivertson Construction LLC, 3385 Granger Ave S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $36,000 Swaim, Jeremy S & Kaylinn/ Neal Sivertson Construction LLC, 3385 Granger Ave, S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding 4,000 Sibley, David H/ Wegner Homes, 41 Broadwater Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $2,952 Costco Wholesale Corporation/ Lydig Construction Inc, 3880 Zoo Dr, Com…

  • Montana Highlights June 1, 2023

    Montana Highlights June 1, 2023

    Billings businessman, Skip King, who owns all the local Ace Hardware stores, has opened another Ace Hardware in Sidney. It will be managed by Reece Gairrett. The store has had a ‘soft opening’ in order to embrace the growing season. Although not quite fully stocked it is fully staff and close to having a grand…