Month: April 2025
-
Tariffs Hit Montana, Mixed Impacts on County, Crude Oil, Ag, Cars & Beer
By Evelyn Pyburn President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could have significant impacts on Montana. In fact, Montana could be the most impacted state in the nation because the state is the most dependent upon imports. Montana tops a list of eight states that will see at least two-thirds of their imports impacted,…
-
Six Local Businesses Invest $175 million in Yellowstone County
Six businesses in Yellowstone County received two different forms of tax abatement on new investments from Yellowstone County Commissioners. Total investments made in the county’s economy by the six companies totaled $175,702,197. Applying for the tax rebates to cover recent new investment in their businesses are Phillips 66, CHS, Inc., and Coca-Cola Bottling Company High…
-
Montana Highlights April 1, 2025
35 Montana Tech students toured production facilities in the Bakken oilfield of eastern Montana and North Dakota to learn about energy production. The tour included stops at rigs, a shop, and a pumpjack. Continental Resources, Kraken Resources, and Liberty Energy gave tours of their operations. January’s Economy at a Glance shows a 16.8% increase in…
-
Legislature Looks at Reducing Business Tax
Governor Greg Gianforte, Senator Josh Kassmier, R-Fort Benton, and local ag producers are urging support for reforms to the business equipment tax. Gov. Gianforte and Sen. Kassmier support a reform to permanently eliminate the tax’s burden for an additional 700 small businesses, family farms, and family ranches. “With hardworking Montanans in mind, we’re once again…
-
Energy Transitioning Hits “…brick wall of reality”
Energy prices are rising due to US tariffs on Chinese solar panels, a tripling of insurance premiums in MISO, ERCOT, and SPP due to weather events, supply/demand gaps due to permitting delays, higher interest rates, and increased corporate demand for green power. Keep in mind, that power purchase agreements almost always show the subsidized cost…
-
County Elections Department Plans Move to Metra Park
By Evelyn Pyburn Yellowstone County Commissioners are taking a hard look at moving the county’s Election Department, in its entirety, to Metra Park. With the Election’s Department Director, Ginger Aldrich, concerned about not having enough space for the Department to perform its functions, especially after what was experienced in the November general election, County Commissioner…
-
Consumer Sentiment Fell in February, Inflation Expected
Confidence among American consumers fell sharply in February, hitting a 29-month low, while long-run inflation expectations recorded their biggest monthly jump in 32 years, according to the latest University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey. U.S. households are bracing for some uncertainty—possibly turbulence—as tariffs and other policies take effect, and as government spending shifts to the…
-
Commissioners Reject Bike Trail Master Plan
By Evelyn Pyburn Yellowstone County Commissioners unanimously rejected the Billings Area Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan, which was presented to them by the City –County Planning Department. Besides the commissioners, the plan goes before the Yellowstone County Planning Board, the Billings City Council, and the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) for approval. As the plan was…
-
Billings Building Permits April 1, 2025
Commercial Chase Moore, 50 Moore Ln, Com Footing/Foundation, $450,000 Winchell Real Estate Holdings|Scott Roby Remodel, 1807 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $50,000 American Tower |Betacom Tower Modifications, 2111 4th Ave N, Com Remodel, $20,000 777 Properties LLC|B & W Builders Inc, 1310 15th St W, Com Remodel $18,000 Dibra Investment Holdings LLC|Wegner Homes, 4120 King Ave…
-
Aeronautics Board Allocated $3.2 million
The Montana Aeronautics Board has allocated more than $3.2 million in funding for fiscal year (FY) 2026. This funding is designated for a range of airport infrastructure enhancement initiatives. A portion of the annual grants and loans is intended to match 95/5 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for substantial airport construction projects. Requests totaling approximately…