Archive: November 2024

Farmers, Businesses Face Criminal Charges if Failing to Register

6 November 2024
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Even though they have not perpetrated any crime, thousands of farmers may face criminal charges if they fail to file information with the federal government. They may face steep fines and possible jail time for failing to file their businesses with the federal government.

Jan. 1, 2025, is the deadline to file Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) with the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

New analysis in a Market Intel by American Farm Bureau Federation economists shows more than 230,000 farms are being mandated to file, but government data indicates less than 11% of all eligible businesses nationwide have done so.

Actually, all businesses are supposed to comply with The Corporate Transparency Act of 2021. The Treasury Department says that they must register any “beneficial owner” of a company to better enable the agency to investigate money laundering.

Many farms are structured as either a c-corporation, s-corporation or limited liability company (LLC), which are now required to be registered if they employ fewer than 20 employees or receive under $5 million in cash receipts – which covers the vast majority of farms.

 “The use of LLCs is an important tool for many farms to keep personal and business assets separated, but small businesses often lack the staff to track and stay in compliance with changing rules and regulations,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “It’s clear that many farmers aren’t aware of the new filing requirement. Unclear guidance and lack of public outreach are now putting thousands of America’s farmers at risk of violating federal law.”

 Businesses that fail to file, or do not update records when needed, could face criminal fines up to $10,000 and additional civil penalties of up to $591 per day. Failure to file could also lead to felony charges and up to two years in prison.

“The greater farm economy will also be impacted by CTA requirements,” AFBF economists write. “Many feed and supply stores, crop marketers like grain elevators and the greater rural business community are also likely required to file their BOI and subject to penalties if they do not comply. The regulatory burdens and potential enforcement crackdowns could have ripple effects throughout the entire food, fiber and fuel supply chains.”

According to Gina Stevens, Montana Farm Bureau Federation Taxation Committee Chair, if your entity is set up with a lawyer, contact that lawyer to see if the BOI has already been filed. If you must file a BOI, it needs to be completed either by yourself or by an tax attorney. Your accountant cannot do this for you.

Stevens, a Hardin accountant, added that if you formed a reporting entity in 2024 you only have 60 days to file this form.

“We’ve been telling people that if they file with the Montana Secretary of State, chances are they need to file a BOI. If you are unsure whether you are required to file your business’s BOI with FinCEN, contact your accountant or tax attorney immediately,” noted Stevens. “It is wiser to inquire and find out you don’t need to file a BOI than face high fines and even jail time if you needed to file but didn’t.”

Electric Cooperatives Receive Subsidies From USDA

6 November 2024
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Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Montana is among the first wave of 16 rural electric cooperatives that will receive subsidies from the USDA’s Empowering Rural America (New ERA) to leverage projects for carbon-free energy in rural communities across 23 states. The majority of new electricity sources that will be funded are solar and wind power.

The funds will fund “renewable energy projects” totaling 1400 megawatts across Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. A press release states that the efforts will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by an estimated 2.2 million tons annually.

In total USDA estimates these projects will avoid more than 43 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

USDA estimates New ERA government funding will spur the creation of an estimated 4,500 long-term jobs and 16,000 short-term jobs.

As a result of these projects, renewable capacity supply for rural co-ops will increase by 35 percent from 26 to nearly 35 gigawatts, with wind and solar capacity rising by more than 60 percent from 14 gigawatts to 23 gigawatts.

A few examples of clean energy projects providing real savings to co-op members are Dairyland Power Co-operative, which is expecting rates 42 percent lower over ten years compared with business as usual; and Great River Energy, which expects cost reductions by $30 million annually. More member savings can be found below, compiled from the USDA’s announcement. 

“With the help of the New ERA program, rural cooperatives across the country are leading the way in demonstrating how to deploy clean energy to deliver affordable and reliable power for the benefit of their member-owners — and in ways that really work for the communities they serve. The diversity of investments and approaches taken by co-operatives is a testament to the power of the co-op model in fostering innovation tailored to local community needs,” said RMI electricity expert Uday Varadarajan.

 The clear winner in terms of technology was utility-scale solar, however an encouraging number of co-ops will also be investing in utility-scale battery storage systems, demand-side resources, and transmission improvements, which can support additional clean energy investments in the future. 

RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) provided resources to applicants in the form of a series of webinars, bootcamps, and a financial modeling tool to support ambitious and efficient project designs by co-ops. We have also published a Community Benefits Catalog to support applicants for federal funding in the creation and execution of community benefit plans (CBPs), to ensure every project supports the long-term growth and financial welfare of local communities. 

Colstrip Launches First High Voltage Transmission Line

6 November 2024
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Community leaders in Colstrip celebrated a $700 million investment in bolstering affordable, reliable energy in Montana through the North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project.

 The project includes the development of the first high voltage transmission line between Montana’s east and west power grids.

 Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Colstrip leaders in recognizing the significance of the project, last week. He stated, “Access to affordable and reliable energy is top priority for this administration, especially at a time when Montanans have faced skyrocketing energy bills due to inflation. “I’m proud to stand alongside our partners today to secure a stronger electric grid and future for the State of Montana.”

In August, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded the State of Montana up to $700 million to enhance power grid reliability in Montana and North Dakota. The funds, made available by the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, are aimed at ensuring that communities across Montana have access to affordable, reliable energy.

 “The dedication of the partners here today are champions and cheerleaders for the Colstrip community and I am proud the department has been a part of this,” Montana Department of Commerce Director Paul Green said. “My team has worked tirelessly with our public and private partners to expand affordable, reliable energy in Montana.”

 The North Plains Connector Interregional Innovation project will connect three regional control entities: the Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC), Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), and Southwest Power Pool (SPP). According to DOE, the project will create up to 3,800 megawatts of new capacity and increase transfer capacity between WECC and the Eastern Interconnection in Montana and North Dakota by 1,400 percent.

In July, the Montana Department of Commerce announced it had been awarded $47.5 million from the DOE for projects in Rosebud, Custer, and Fallon counties, as well as the Northern Cheyenne Tribe, to help mitigate the impact of construction of the North Plains Connector transmission line. Eligible projects will include infrastructure updates, such as roads, water, sewers, emergency services, and other projects related to workforce and infrastructure development.

“The partnerships that we have built with Custer, Rosebud, and Fallon counties, the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, the state of Montana and North Dakota, as well as the federal government, are key to ensuring long term success,” said Jim Atchison, Executive Director of Southeastern Montana Development Corporation. “This is more than a transmission line, this is jobs and opportunities and builds on our rich history as an energy leader.”

Billings Works Hard!

6 November 2024
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The Center Square

Billings, Montana, is the 19th hardest working city in the U.S., according to a new analysis from the personal finance website Wallethub.

“Billings ranks among the top 20 hardest working cities,” Wallethub analysts Jill Gonzalez said. “It has a high employment rate at almost 96%, and the largest share of workers with multiple jobs – about 9%. One of the things that Billings could improve is the average commute time. It’s currently 18 minutes and one of the longest in the country.”

To determine its rankings, Wallethub compared 116 of the most populated cities across two key dimensions, “Direct Work Factors” and “Indirect Work Factors.”

Billings finished 30th of the cities studied in direct work factors and 14th in indirect work factors for a total score of 68.18 and the overall 19th place ranking.

Direct work factors includes a subset of data such as average work hours a week, employment rate, share of households where no adults work and share of workers leaving vacation time unused.

Indirect work factors include things such as average commute time, share of workers with multiple jobs and annual volunteer hours per resident.

Anchorage, Alaska, with a total score of 80.46, finished atop the list as the hardest working city in America, according to Wallethub.

“Many Americans view hard work as the path to achieving the American Dream,” Wallerhub said. “We work so hard, in fact, that we put in more hours at our jobs than several other industrialized countries. The average U.S. worker puts in 1,779 hours per year – 135 hours more than the average in Japan, 241 more than the U.K. and 393 more than Germany.”

Billings Enplanements Up

6 November 2024
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Enplanements at Billings Logan International Airport are up 15.36 percent, year –to-date. The Total enplanements increased from 317,734 to 366,542. The month of September was up 18.58 percent over September 2023, increasing from 35,772 to 42,358.

Jeff Roach, Director, announced that the airport moved up nationally in enplanement status to the 143rd  busiest airport, from 145th.  He also announced that the airport is now the 53rd airport for Air Cargo.

Air freight going out is up 3.87% year-to –date (17,890,092 pounds to 18,582,262) and up 25.46% in September compared to last September. Air freight coming into Billings is down 4.03% 

Construction on the airport is continuing.

So is construction of the $3.3 Million Transit Operations Facility, which began May 20 and is to be completed in November, according to Rusty Logan, Assistant Director of Transit. They are also building a EV Electrical Charger station.

He also announced that there has been a 72% increase of ridership from last year, even when schools are out during the summer.  As of the beginning of August, overall ridership numbers are at 429,000 for the year.

Billings Building Permits – November 1, 2024

6 November 2024
Dennis Pyburn
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Commercial

Billings Clinic – Mitch Goplen |Jones Construction Inc, 2800 10th Ave N, Com Remodel, $3,472,000

Wl Zimmerman LLC, 3601 Avenue D, Com Footing/Foundation, $400,000

Don Grewell Ira|Donald A Grewel,l 4190 S Frontage Rd, Com New Warehouse/Storage, $250,000

Bill Co Investment LLC Inc|Fargo Roofing & Siding, 2020 Overland Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $248,228

Pelican Constance D Trustee|G & L Enterprises Inc, 1819 Montana Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $159,870

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran C|A-Team Roofing And Solar, 2802 Belvedere Dr, Com Remodel, $135,000

Harbor Freight |Centimark Corp, 1400 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $104,357

Michael W Ryan Trust|Cucancic Construction Inc, 2600 6th Ave N, Demolition Permit Commercial, $50,000

Rocky Mountain Oil LLC|Cucancic Construction Inc., 515 N 27th St, Demolition Permit Commercial, $50,000

Mt Angel Properties LLC|Highsmith Construction, 3041 Boulder Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $45,000

Montana Map LLC|Centimark Corp, 303 N Broadway, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $44,330

Hess Steven & Judy|KJ Construction, 440 Josephine Dr, Com Addition, $20,000

Griffin Farrel|TRH Construction, 320 N 30th St, Com Remodel, $2,100

Maria Santana |Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 1670 Shiloh Rd, Restaurant/Casino/Bar, $950,000

Wl Zimmerman LLC, 3602 Spring Wheat Ln, Com Footing/Foundation, $400,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1745 E Seahawks Pl, Com New Office/Bank, $105,000

Billings Clinic|Summit Fire & Security LLC, 801 N 29th St, Com Fire Systems, $73,054

Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth|Johnson Controls Fire Protection LP, 2900 12th Ave N, Th Com Fire Systems, $6,123

Less Tropican Inn-Vestments 2.0 LLC|Environmental Contractors LLC, 5500 Midland Rd, Demolition Permit Commercial, $3,850

JE Nessan Camp 1|Lanter Const, 608 N 29th St, Com Remodel $3,600

Residential

AKR Development LLC|Emineth Custom Homes, 2988 Ridgefield Dr, Res New Single Family, $650,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4081 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4087 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1715 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1721 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1727 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 1733 Packers Ln, Res New Two Family, $350,000

Infinity Home LLC |Infinity Home LLC, 2232 Lindero Blvd, Res New Single Family, $176,872

Infinity Home LLC |Infinity Home LLC, 2226 Lindero Blvd, Res New Single Family, $174,158

Taggart Christopher J & Eliza|Jorden Construction, 4812 Silver Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $1,700,000

Steward Land Holdings LLC|Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 3680 Avenue D, Res New Townhome, $837,756

Steward Land Holdings LLC|Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc, 3670 Avenue D, $837,756

Billings South Shiloh LLC|ABCO Billings LLC, 4075 N Seahawks Pl, Res New Two Family, $350,000

CDH LLC |CDH LLC, 5220 Rich Ln, Res New Single Family, $311,231

Trails West Homes LLC|Trails West Homes LLC, 5718 Bear Track Trl, Res New Single Family, $247,732

Shanley Caitlin E & Tyler L|Miller Construction & Remodel LLC, 2525 Lyndale Ln, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $5,000

Biden-Harris Spent $900 million on Faulty COVID Messaging

6 November 2024
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By Casey Harper, The Center Square

The Republican-led House Energy and Commerce Committee released a report a week ago, saying that the Biden-Harris Administration spent nearly a billion dollars promoting COVID-era messaging, much of which turned out to be untrue or misleading.

The Congressional report examines the $900 million spent by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on COVID-era messaging to the American people.

The report cites “errors and failures” in the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s “We Can Do This” advertisements and marketing materials.

The report said that much of that taxpayer-funded marketing included incorrect information about vaccines, the danger to children, masks and more.

“Much of the scientific content directly featured in or alluded to in Campaign ads and other promotional material was drawn from CDC recommendations, guidance, and research, critical parts of which proved to be deeply flawed,” the report said.

For instance, the report cited the CDC telling Americans that taking the COVID-19 vaccine would prevent them from getting COVID, something that turned out to be false.

“This ultimately had a negative impact on vaccine confidence and the CDC’s credibility when proven untrue,” the report said.

In another instance, the report points out that federal health officials and the CDC initially downplayed the need and usefulness of masking only to later reverse course and strongly urge Americans to mask, even outdoors.

“Dr. Anthony Fauci, former head of the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), advocated against mask wearing on February 5, 2020, stating ‘Masks are really for infected people to prevent them from spreading infection to people who are not infected rather than protecting uninfected people from acquiring infection,’” the report said.

“By April 3, 2020, the CDC completely reversed course and announced new mask wearing guidelines, recommending that all people wear a mask outside of the home,” the report continued, adding that “In December of 2022, after leaving the Biden White House, former COVID-19 coordinator, Ashish Jha, freely admitted what many had been saying all along—’[t]here is no study in the world that shows that masks work that well.’”

The report also pointed out that “The CDC had inconsistent and flawed messaging about the effectiveness of masks” and that “the CDC consistently overstated the risk of COVID-19 to children.”

“The CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccines for all Americans ages six months and older, which has made the United States a global outlier in COVID-19 policy,” the report said.

That marketing was used by lawmakers and local and state officials to justify extended lockdowns on businesses, which hurt the economy and put many small business owners out of business or to justify school closures, from which research now shows students have still not recovered.

“While the Biden-Harris administration’s public health guidance led to prolonged closures of schools and businesses, the NIH was spending nearly a billion dollars of taxpayer money trying to manipulate Americans with advertisements—sometimes containing erroneous or unproven information,” Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., said in a statement.

“By overpromising what the COVID-19 vaccines could do—in direct contradiction of the FDA’s authorizations—and over emphasizing the virus’s risk to children and young adults, the Biden-Harris administration caused Americans to lose trust in the public health system,” she added.

Reporting has shown that during the pandemic the federal government successfully pressured social media companies to censor Americans’ posts on COVID-related issues that did not toe the party line.

Meta CEO and Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg said earlier this year in a public letter that he regretted complying with those federal requests.

“Our investigation also uncovered the extent to which public funding went to Big Tech companies to track and monitor Americans, underscoring the need for stronger online data privacy protections,” McMorris-Rodgers said.

The lawmakers on the Republican-led committee pointed out that the federal government’s pushing of unproven or incorrect medical data has led to an overall distrust of federal health agencies and vaccines on the whole.

“The entire premise of the Biden-Harris ‘Stop the Spread’ campaign was that if you got vaccinated for COVID-19, you could resume daily activities because they said vaccinated people would not spread the disease,” Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Chair Morgan Griffith, R-Va., said in a statement. “Despite lacking scientific basis, the administration bought into this CDC claim and misled the American public. As a result, vaccination coverage with other vaccines appears to have declined, I believe because of a growing distrust of information coming from our public health institutions.”

Gallup released polling data in August showing that fewer Americans now say childhood vaccines are important, “with 40% saying it is extremely important for parents to have their children vaccinated, down from 58% in 2019 and 64% in 2001.”

Because it Feels Good

6 November 2024
Evelyn Pyburn
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By Evelyn Pyburn

So Billings, Montana has been noted as a place where people work hard.

Good job!

For all the things we are noted for this is perhaps the best. It’s been my observation over the years that human beings in general seem not only to like to work, but we are hard-wired to work. Whether we intend it or not, hardworking people thrive better than those who don’t, can’t or won’t work.

And, not only do we as individuals do better — in our standard of living, mentally and physically — but all that hard work contributes greatly to a happy, vibrant and robust community in which to live.

And more than that, it is the unleashing of all the ingenuity, creativity and productivity that is involved in work that makes us the strongest nation in the world, of all time. It was the unleashing of citizens to live, create and produce, as we choose, that allowed all that we enjoy in life to happen, while at the same time helping to support everyone around us. It was because of a government that placed individual liberty as a priority that we have choices and opportunity for happiness – to be the best of who we are.

Considering how much our work means to us it is rather confusing about why it tends to be so maligned. The weekends are greeted with glee, we seek means of avoiding work, look forward to retirement, and often complain about our work. Somehow that too must be part of our nature – perhaps the disdain is what incentivizes us to create and generate efficiencies that allow us to create more and to have time to direct to other efforts we enjoy even more.

A good indicator that even when we don’t have to, we still want to work is that most people upon “retirement” are quickly involved in some other endeavor, whether they call it work or not. I hear it from retirees all the time – “I am busier now than I have ever been.”

And in seeing the implosion that happens to those who are not so engaged, one must conclude that there is something about work that is important. Quite frequently when young people – perhaps a very talented singer who quickly rises to stardom and wealth — we see them self-destruct on drugs or flounder in aimlessness; perhaps that is an indicator that we need to be engaged in things that challenge us and gives us purpose no matter our status in life.

Perhaps not having a purpose that involves work is what generates a malaise that leaves so many anxious about how the world sees them or who live in chronic anxiety about the future or are consumed with anger that seems to have no focus.

Perhaps it is absolutely necessary to have that occasional moment of euphoria when we accomplish something — achieve a goal — and can sigh and say, “Ahh!”

Mountain States Among Most 2nd Amendment Supportive

6 November 2024
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By Chris Woodward, The Center Square

Mountain States are among the most gun-friendly states in 2024.

Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, North and South Dakota all rank high in rankings from ammunition e-commerce and wholesaler company Ammo.com. 

Montana is fourth on this year’s ranking. Like other states in its region, Montana is a Constitutional Carry state with no registration or permit requirements. Meanwhile, Montana does not impose a sale tax on firearms, something Ammo.com said means firearms will “be a bit cheaper than in most other states.”

In a statement, Gov. Greg Gianforte said Montanans are proud of their Second Amendment rights. They also know they have a “responsibility” to preserve those Second Amendment rights. 

“We’ll continue to keep Montana a sanctuary for freedom and free enterprise, and we’ll always defend the rights of law-abiding Montanans,” said Gianforte.

In February 2023, the governor wrote United States Attorney General Merrick Garland to criticize the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to erode the 2nd Amendment rights of Montanans. In January of that year, Gianforte took steps with the Board of Investments to block Environmental Social Governance (ESG) investigating of state funds. 

More than 150 firearms and ammunitions businesses are in Montana.

Wyoming is 12th this year, due in part to the Cowboy State having Constitutional Carry, a governor that is pro-2nd Amendment, and Stand Your Ground Castle Doctrine, and No Duty to Retreat policies. 

Idaho is the 11th most gun-friendly state. As it is in Wyoming, Idahoans can open and concealed carry without a permit.

“Those traveling to Idaho will need a concealed carry (CCW) permit, although the state accepts permits from all 50 states,” said Ammo.com in this year’s report. “The state’s standard sales tax applies to all firearms and equipment, but you won’t have to register your firearms or take additional courses before purchasing.”

North Dakota ranks 10th for reasons such as one needs to only reside in the state for 30 days to partake in open and concealed carry freedoms. Gun owners do have to be at least 18 years of age, have no felony convictions, and face no pending criminal charges. Still, Ammo.com applauds the state for allowing those with prior convictions to get their 2A rights restored in the state of North Dakota.

“Governor Doug Burgum recently declared North Dakota a Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” added Ammo.com.

South Dakota ranked ninth. Governed by 2nd Amendment supporter Kristi Noem, South Dakota currently has no registration requirements for firearms, nor does it have additional background checks. Want an enhanced carry permit for travel? Visit your local sheriff’s department for an application. 

“South Dakota accepts CCWs from all 50 states,” wrote Ammo.com. “You can also apply for a Gold Card to bypass the NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System).”

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4-Day School Weeks May Reduce Learning & Cost More

6 November 2024
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A new report from researchers at the University of Montana shows shorter school weeks may hurt student performance and school budgets, according to a report from Montana Public Radio.

While a growing number of schools in Montana have switched to four-day weeks, the researchers say data analysis on four-day school weeks “demonstrates a disturbing trend for education in Montana.” They found that student performance under four-day school weeks declines the longer a district uses the schedule, and lags behind kids in traditional five-day weeks.

Schools with shorter weeks often spend more on instruction, maintenance, transportation and food per student than similarly sized schools on a five-day schedule. A typical Class-B school in Montana would likely spend about $100,000 more annually after transitioning to a four-day week, according to the report.

State lawmakers allowed schools to switch to four-day instruction in 2005. Since then, 260 mostly small schools have adopted the schedule. District leaders have suggested shorter weeks could help them recruit and retain teachers. But the researchers say more evidence is needed to prove or disprove that argument.

The report’s authors recommend a return to five-day school weeks statewide.