Author: Press Room

Montana Highlights – October 15, 2025

25 October 2025
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Glacier Distilling Co. is practicing “authentic innovation” as a strategic recommendation from the Whisky Market forecasts. Amid the uncertainty over imports caused by tariffs, it is good to bet on products that feature local ingredients or specialty kegs, barrels or stills. 15 year old Glacier Distilling Co. from Coram is producing it 30 different spirits largely made with ingredients sourced in Montana. They use grain grown in Conrad, apples from Rollins and cherries from Bigfork just to name a few.

Benefis Health System  has opened a new urgent care clinic in Lewistown.

A new bar with an old name is coming to downtown Bozeman – Stockman Bar. Brett Evje, the owner behind Plonk, J.W. Heist and Stacey’s in Gallatin Gateway is opening the bar named Stockman’s Bar in Bozeman. It is located next to Schnee’s on Main Street.

Aurore French Bakery has opened a second location in the Baxter Hotel in downtown Bozeman. The new shop serves as a showcase rather than a bakery with all the breads and pastries prepared at the original Four Corners kitchen.

The Navajo Transitional Energy Co. (NTEC) has made a bid of $186,000 to lease 167 million tons of coal on federal lands in southeastern Montana. The lease is in the Powder River Basin, the most productive coal fields in the nation. Officials under the Biden administration banned sales from the region.

Hardees  in Helena has closed permanently. The business was located at 320 Euclid Ave. Hardee’s is part of a chain that includes Carl’s Jr., Green Burrito and Red Burrito brands.

According to a report released Monday by the National Park Service, the state is a top-15 benefactor of national parks in terms of visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added to the state.

A study on the economic impact of fishing in Montana released last week found anglers spent nearly $1.3 billion in 2024 on trips in the Treasure State, the bulk of that money coming from anglers primarily looking for trout and other coldwater fish species. The Montana Legislature in 2023 commissioned the study from the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to get a better grasp on how much money and economic activity the industry creates.

The US Forest Service has approved The Libby Exploratory Project which was proposed by Hecla, a mining company from Idaho. There is a 16-year timeline for the project. Little to no draw-down of surface water is expected from the project.

Former Prairie County resident Cliff Glade was inducted as a legend into the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame last week. The Legend Inductees is the highest honor of the organization awards at the Hall of Fame.

The City of Glasgow has opened its new National Outdoor Fitness Court. The Fitness Courts at Hoyt Park near the skatepark and swimming pool. The all-outdoor gym features seven workout stations designed for bodyweight exercises, offering a complete workout for users of all fitness levels. Participants can exercise independently or download the free Fitness Court app, which provides coaching and guided routines.

DI Architects and Design (SDI) are in phase one of the renovation of Mountain States Telephone Building located at 908 Main St., in Miles City. The building was built in 1914 and the building served as the headquarters for the company that first brought telephone service to eastern Montana.

The Missoula Thrift opened at 1922 Brooks Street, Unit 9, in the Holiday Village Shopping Center recently. The thrift store is operated by Flathead Industries, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities. The store has a huge variety of clothing, furniture, home goods and other items. It’s open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with some closures on various holidays.

The Super Thrift Missoula opened at 2304 W. Broadway in Missoula last month. It’s operated by the nonprofit Adult Teen Challenge Pacific Northwest.

A new facility with indoor batting cages that offers baseball and softball hitting instruction has opened in Missoula. D-Bat Missoula is located at 821 Burlington Avenue.

Starbucks has applied for a permit to build out a coffee shop in the Lommasson Center on the University of Montana campus.

Youth Homes, a nonprofit in Missoula that cares for kids facing neglect, abuse, emotional trauma and substance abuse issues has received a huge matching donation of $100,000. The donor matched another $100,000 raised by the organization’s annual fundraising event.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality has approved a plan by the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club to convert treated wastewater into snow for skiing. The project will make Big Sky Resort the first public ski area in Montana to utilize powder made from what was once sewage. Conservation groups have praised the approach as an ideal way to use wastewater. According to Lone Mountain Land Company, which owns the club, Big Sky Resort will use up to 23 million gallons of treated wastewater.

The Montana Public Service Commission has approved a rate increase for Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. natural gas customers, bringing the average monthly bill to $60.54. That dollar amount is up from $44.61 in July of last year when Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) first asked the Public Service Commission to approve their rate increase request. The all-Republican Public Service Commission (PSC) is only responsible for approving a portion of that total increase, as other parts of it are made up by other charges that the commission can’t regulate. The increase approved 4-0 with one commissioner absent, will result in a $7.3 million increase in annual revenue for MDU.

Once a $308 million plan is approved, rural Central Montana residents may get access to broadband internet connections. This is the high-speed service needed for rapid connections. Montana’s proposal is not yet approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Nearly 3,000 locations in Fergus and Cascade counties will receive broadband service from Inland MT, LLC, a subsidiary of Inland Cellular.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney raised the prospect of reviving the contentious Keystone XL pipeline project with U.S. President Donald Trump during his White House visit recently. A Canadian company pulled the plug on it four years ago after the Canadian government failed to persuade President Joe Biden to reverse his cancellation of its permit on the day he took office. It was to transport crude from the oil sand fields of western Canada to Steele City, Nebraska. The project would have moved up to 830,000 barrels (35 million gallons) of crude daily. Officails linked energy cooperation to Canada’s steel and aluminum sectors, which are currently subject to 50% U.S. tariffs.

Missoula Montana Airport became a small-hub status in its record-breaking year in 2024. Bozeman remained Montana’s busiest airport, landing at 92 on the list of national commercial airports ranked by enplanements. Missoula landed at 138, followed by Kalispell at 139. Billings was listed at 143, Great Falls at 196, Helena at 227, and Butte at 363.

Bill Warden was appointed by President Donald Trump to serve as the USDA Rural Development State Director for the state of Montana. Director Warden will implement President Trump’s America First agenda at USDA Rural Development, ensuring the needs of America’s farmers, ranchers, and producers remain a top priority.

The TechLink Center at Montana State University recently secured a five-year partnership agreement to help the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs move new technologies from its research centers to the commercial marketplace, a process known as tech transfer.

Starter Homes Disappearing, Regs Cost $93,870 on New Home

21 October 2025
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Construction of affordable ‘starter homes’ has decreased 75% since the 1970s.

Rising costs aren’t the only thing stopping first-time homebuyers from buying real estate—only 9% of recent new construction is for starter homes. The majority of new housing construction focuses on higher-end buyers due to the increased cost of land, labor, and resources. The rate at which starter homes are built has been on a steady decline since 1980, when they comprised 40 percent of new construction.

Jonathan Scott, Scott Brothers Global, stated that in another 20 years, “no young person will be able to afford to purchase a home. Period.”

Even after adjusting for inflation, US homebuyers are spending more than double to buy a home than they were in 1965, when the median home price was $20,200, according to U.S. Census data. In 2024 dollars, that works out to roughly $202,215, which is less than half of the $420,800 that a home costs today, per U.S. Census data.

The reason: According to the National Association of Homebuilders (as well as many other research studies), “On a dollar basis, applied to the current average price ($394,300) of a new home, regulation accounts for $93,870 of the final house price. Of this, $41,330 is attributable to regulation during development, $52,540 due to regulation during construction. In dollar terms, the NAHB studies show the cost of regulation continuing to rise between 2016 and 2021, although not as much as it did between 2011 and 2016.

Here’s how much the median home value in the U.S. has changed between 1965 and 2024:

* 1965: $20,200

* 1975: $38,100

* 1985: $82,800

* 1995: $130,000

* 2005: $232,500

* 2015: $289,200

* 2024: $420,800

Here are those values again, adjusted for inflation, in 2024 dollars:

* 1965: $202,215

* 1975: $228,404

* 1985: $245,129

* 1995: $270,147

* 2005: $380,793

* 2015: $386,494

* 2024: $420,800

In 1965, the median annual household income was $6,900, per U.S Census data. With homes selling for a median price of $20,200, a median earner would spend just under three times their income on a home.

In 2024, the median annual household income is estimated to be $78,171, according to data consulting firm Motio Research. That means that a typical homebuyer is spending 5.3 times their income on a home at today’s median price.

Even affording a down payment for a home can be a challenge for potential buyers with limited savings, especially those who are younger or saddled with student loan debt — or both.

Increasingly, only the wealthiest Americans can afford to own a home. To afford a median-priced home with a 20% payment in 2024, a buyer needs to earn a median income of $100,000 or more in all but 14 states, according to a recent Bankrate analysis.

In 2024, 74% of homebuyers took out a mortgage, according to data from “1440.com”. Debt owed on mortgages made up about 70% of US consumer debt as of 2025. In the 1980s, 30-year fixed mortgage rates peaked just under 17%. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they were much lower, hovering around 3%.

According to Reason Magazine, rents have surged faster than general inflation in recent years. “Nearly half of renter households now spend over 30% of their income on rent (and a quarter spend over 50%), a level of cost-burden that was once rare.” The author, Christos Makridis, explains that “A growing body of evidence links restrictive land-use regulations to higher housing costs and diminished supply.”

Zoning laws dictating lot sizes, height limits, lengthy permitting process and many, many other rules prevent new housing construction. minimum lot size requirements, height limits, lengthy permitting processes, and other rules can all slow down or outright prevent new housing construction in high-demand areas, thereby leading to higher house prices and growth in rental rates.

Reason Magazine points out that housing shortages is essentially a demand vs. supply issue. When more people compete for fixed housing stock, prices rise.

Some communities – such as Houston and Minneapolis — have backed off from restrictive zoning laws with “promising” results. “Increasing housing supply through deregulation has helped temper prices in several cases, without the negative fallout some feared.”

The Reason article notes that simply supplying subsidies to buyers usually pushes housing prices even higher – “enriching landlords and sellers more than the low-income families they aim to assist.”

Loss of China Soybean Imports, Creates Mixed Impacts for Montana

21 October 2025
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While the soybean market is being impacted by a China boycott of importing soybeans from the US, Montana producers face something of a mixed bag when it comes to impacts.

While China’s boycotting of US soybeans (a volatile dilemma since COVID) has reduced a significant export market, increasing demand for soybeans to produce biofuels has bolstered domestic demand.

While many US growers reported bumper crops this year, farmers are facing little to no exports to China, one of their largest customers. China is refusing to purchase soybeans from the US, partly in retaliation to President Trump’s tariffs. US exports are projected to be the lowest in 11 years, according to the USDA.

While the decline is substantial, it is not as low as it was in 2020 or 2023 – and the situation may not be as bad as some reports indicate, according to Farm Journal.

The impact depends on supply. A dry August in the eastern part of the country “may impact some yields,” reducing supply. If soybean yields are reduced by 1–1.5 bushels per acre, the market will “remain tight” if current export projections are met.

Montana soybean producers generate about $60 million annually in production, supporting about 180 growers. Only about $1.4 million in soybeans grown in Montana are exported, the rest is utilized for livestock feed. The national soybean sector has a total impact on America’s economy of around $124 billion – the equivalent of close to 0.6 percent of the U.S. GDP, and over 8 percent of the GDP for certain states (based on 2021 stats).

China is importing much of their soybeans from Brazil, where China has made investments into soybeans, and from Argentina. Other reports note that since the beginning of the China trade war, China has been helping to build infrastructure in not only Brazil but Mexico, Africa, and Argentina to compete with the US markets.

The Trump administration is considering a bailout for soybean farmers in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The administration is also striving to find alternative markets for US soybeans.

According to the Wall Street Journal, President Trump is meeting with the Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to determine where money for a farmer bailout should come from. He is anticipating a bailout of $10 billion to $14 billion and is considering using tariff revenue to fund the aid.

China accounted for more than half of the $24.5 billion of American soybean exports last year.

The next two largest buyers of American soybeans are the European Union and Mexico, which purchase about $5 billion in combined annual sales.

Countries such as Vietnam, Egypt and Bangladesh have increased their purchases of U.S. soybeans.

About 30 years ago, US farmers geared up their soybean production to meet increasing demand from China, according to the Wall Street Journal. Soybean acreage in the U.S. grew nearly 40% from 1995 to 2024.

Farm Bankruptcies Increase, Keeping Some Farmers Afloat

21 October 2025
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By Joe Mahon Director,

Regional Outreach, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

The past few years have been challenging for farmers in the Ninth District. Growing pressure is borne out in the Minneapolis Fed’s Ag Credit surveys, which show slumping incomes and worsening financial conditions over the last two years.

“Farmers … are suffering this year,” commented a North Dakota farm lender on a recent survey. “If prolonged into 2026, we could see some fail.” As that banker suggested, a consequence of leaner times is a rise in the number of farm bankruptcies. Though they have ticked up, farm bankruptcies remain low by historical standards, but there are reasons to expect a continued increase.

It’s perhaps surprising that bankruptcies haven’t increased more. For one thing, a Chapter 12 filing does not necessarily mean a farm is going out of business. In fact, it’s intended to allow farms to continue operating, possibly at a smaller scale after a partial liquidation and restructuring. But filing can help farms avoid liquidating completely when business gets lean.

The number of farm operations filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 12—the section of the Bankruptcy Code specifically for farms—increased in the first two quarters of this year, according to statistics from U.S. Courts. However, this increase comes off of a very low floor, and the overall level is still very low. Only nine farms filed for bankruptcy in the second quarter, in the Ninth District of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, which includes Montana.

These have been some lean years. The agriculture sector saw a boom from about 2010 to 2014. But since then, farm incomes have been relatively weak for the better part of a decade, with the exception of a short surge around the pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast that farm incomes will increase this year, though approximately three-quarters of that growth is attributable to a projected increase in government payments.

The weakness in incomes is largely driven by weak prices for crops. Following the same pattern as farm incomes, prices for core row crops produced in the Ninth District—corn, soybeans, and wheat—have receded significantly from their recent peak.

In something of a relief to farmers, prices have been idling slightly above their previous trough. For example, a corn price of $4 per bushel is roughly considered break-even over production expenses (though that threshold varies from region to region); as of July, U.S. farmers on average were receiving $4.29.

A key variable that has held up better than incomes is working capital, or cash on hand for farm operations. Having these cash reserves is crucial both for debt service and for avoiding additional debt needed to finance day-to-day farm operations. After cash reserves dipped in the last decade, farmers built up a bigger cushion during the last few years (see Figure 3).

According to the USDA’s latest estimates, these cash holdings were forecast to increase nationwide (data aren’t available at the state level). But it’s likely much of this aggregate cash growth has been concentrated among producers in more lucrative markets, such as cattle. Comments from lenders on recent Ag Credit surveys suggested that working capital ratios for crop-only producers in the district were weaker.

More troubling is the level of farm debt over the last few years, which has continued to increase even as working capital remained stagnant. Joseph Peiffer, an attorney in Iowa who specializes in Chapter 12 and farm debt restructuring, said that underlying the increasing debt is a change in the structure from short-term borrowing (for things like operating loans) to longer-term borrowing.

“Things haven’t been good the last couple of years, so what they’re doing is that they’re borrowing money on the land,” Peiffer said. This amounts to trading short-term debt, such as operating loans, for longer-term debt. “All we do at that point is increase the amount of payments we’re going to have to make next year.”

As Peiffer said, this restructuring is possible because farm land values remain very strong and serve as a source of collateral for farmers to borrow against. And strong growth in land values over the last two decades could actually accelerate Chapter 12 filings going forward.

One unique feature of Chapter 12 is that it allows for the discharge of taxes owed by farming operations. This feature sets it apart from the rest of the Bankruptcy Code for individuals and businesses. The tax-relief aspect was codified in 2005 and grew out of the original intent of Chapter 12, after Chapter 11 had proved inadequate to keep farmers operating during the 1980s farm crisis. However, use of these tax provisions was limited due to unfavorable court rulings. That changed with federal legislation in 2017 that clarified the provisions, after which the number of filings climbed a bit.

For a struggling farm looking to rightsize their operations through partial liquidation, selling off acres can be prohibitive, especially if the farm has been operating for many years. If the land was purchased or inherited decades earlier, the tax value (tax basis) would likely be much lower than its current market value, leading to a very sizable return when sold. That profit, however, would be subject to capital gains tax, which would offset the liquidity boost from selling the land. By filing for Chapter 12 after liquidating land, machinery, and other assets, overstretched farmers could avoid paying those taxes and possibly stay in business.

There’s a stigma to overcome for farmers, Peiffer said, a strong cultural aversion to the idea of filing for bankruptcy. But for struggling farmers, he said, the tax relief could be an attractive option.

Copper-Silver Mine Gets Approval to Move Forward

21 October 2025
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With a stamp of approval from the US Forest Service, the Hecla Mining Company is able to move forward with plan for a world class copper-silver mine — the Libby Exploration Project (Libby Project) – near Libby, Montana, in Lincoln County.

The Libby Project represents an important step in unlocking the potential of high-grade copper and silver production in northwest Montana. As of December 31, 2024, the Libby Project currently has an Inferred Resource of 112.2 million tons grading 0.7% copper and 1.6 ounces per ton silver, for contained metal of over 1.5 billion pounds of copper and 183 million ounces of silver.

According to a report from the Junior Mining Network, “mineralization remains open down dip and to the north, offering potential for further resource expansion. The Rock Lake fault is thought to limit mineralization extension to the west, however, the dip of the fault was previously interpreted to be dipping east, whereas new interpretations indicate it may be dipping to the west which would offer the potential to extend mineralization in that direction as well.”

“We are pleased to see the U.S. Forest Service advance the Libby Project, and we are grateful the FAST-41 process helped move this important project forward efficiently,” said Rob Krcmarov, President and CEO of Hecla. “This approval represents years of collaboration among federal agencies, local and state officials and other stakeholders. The Libby Project exemplifies our commitment to responsibly developing critical minerals in the United States, delivering long-term economic benefits to our communities, and maintaining rigorous environmental stewardship.”

U.S. Senator Steve Daines commended the decision, stating, “The Libby Exploration Project will provide good-paying Montana mining jobs without harming our beautiful lands and will help unlock the high value of world class copper and silver. President Trump’s administration has proven yet again that they are committed to protecting Made-In-Montana energy and supporting Montana miners.”

Senator Daines has been a strong advocate for the project, having sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service in February 2025 urging approval and speaking about its importance at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. The Libby Project’s exploration phase offers Hecla the opportunity to gather essential geological, hydrological, and environmental data necessary to evaluate the full potential of the deposit. The Company intends to continue to work closely with federal and state agencies and local communities as the project advances.

Consistent with Hecla’s position as the United States and Canada’s largest silver producer, the Company is open to partnering with a strategic partner who could participate in the exploration phase and beyond, while maintaining the Company’s economic exposure to the significant silver resources associated with the project. The Company remains focused on optimizing capital allocation and maximizing shareholder value.

Founded in 1891, Hecla Mining Company is the largest silver producer in the United States and Canada. In addition to operating mines in Alaska, Idaho, and Quebec, Canada, the Company is developing a mine in the Yukon, Canada, and owns a number of exploration and pre-development projects in world-class silver and gold mining districts throughout North America.

Coal Lease Sales Cancelled

21 October 2025
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Auctions for coal leases that President Trump has made available are being postponed because the first one brought in only one very low bid. It seems that even though President Trump has reversed the past attacks on the industry, the industry is not very reassured about its future.

Wyofile.com reported that The Navajo Transitional Energy Company was the only bidder on federal coal at the Spring Creek mine and their bid was $186,000 for 167 million tons of federal coal – a fraction of a penny per ton. The last major sale in the area was in 2012 which was for $793 million for 721 million tons or about $1.10 per ton.

The industry is saying it is the consequences of the lingering impact from Obama and Biden’s decades long war on coal which aggressively sought to end all domestic coal production and erode confidence in the U.S. coal industry.

Also having an impact is cheap natural gas and the subsidized wind and solar energy.

Federal officials indefinitely postponed a Wyoming coal lease sale apparently in response to what many observers consider the lowball bid.

Navajo Transitional Energy Company’s bid stunned coal market watchers.

Navajo Transitional was also in the queue to bid on the 441 million-ton West Antelope III federal coal lease associated with its Antelope coal mine spanning Campbell and Converse counties in Wyoming. 

Bureau of Land Management and Interior Department officials are still reviewing the Spring Creek bid, and those close to the process expect that another date will be set for the West Antelope III coal lease sale.

“While we would have liked to see stronger participation, this sale reflects the lingering impact from Obama and Biden’s decades long war on coal which aggressively sought to end all domestic coal production and erode confidence in the U.S. coal industry,” the Interior wrote in an email responding to a WyoFile inquiry. “Fortunately, President [Donald] Trump and his administration are rebuilding trust between industry and government as part of our broader effort to restore American Energy Dominance.”

Others note that the coal industry itself sees the writing on the wall. If a fraction-of-a-penny bid is any indication, some critics say, the thermal coal industry — which relies on U.S. coal-burning power plants — isn’t yet confident that Trump’s policies will turn around years of market decline.

“It tells you that there’s no competition for that coal in the ground, and it’s not worth very much money,” Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis Energy Data Analyst Seth Feaster told WyoFile on Wednesday. “It points to the fundamental, structural decline the coal industry is facing — for thermal coal — and that story hasn’t been reversed, despite all the things that they’re talking about.”

The postponement in Wyoming and lackluster offer in Montana come just days after the Trump administration touted sweeping regulatory rollbacks and $625 million in federal spending to revitalize “clean, beautiful coal.” 

Navajo Transitional tried to set expectations regarding Powder River Basin coal’s market value back in September, urging the U.S. Bureau of Land Management to set its minimum bid requirement for the West Antelope III coal lease much lower than comparable leases in the past. Neighboring Powder River Basin coal operator, CORE Natural Resources, echoed that sentiment and told BLM officials, “the fair-market value of coal in the Powder River Basin will remain soft for the next number of years.”

Gov. Mark Gordon has said recently that Trump’s efforts to revive the coal industry will take some time to bear fruit. He has also underscored the administration’s notion that expanding the coal industry is necessary to meet increasing electricity demand, mostly driven by artificial intelligence and other computational facilities.

The Wyoming Mining Association declined to comment on Navajo Transitional’s Spring Creek coal lease bid, but acknowledged the industry still must reckon with 15 years of drastic market and policy shifts.

Carson to Speak Nov. 6

21 October 2025
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Dr. Ben Carson will be the keynote speaker at the Mountain States Policy Center’s Montana Liberty Dinner in Billings, Thursday, November 6, 6:00 – 8:30 pm at the DoubleTree Hilton, Billings, 27 N 27th Street. Dr. Carson is a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, was Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for 30 years, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and founder of American Cornerstone Institute. Mountain States Policy Center is a think tank, based in Idaho, also serving Washington, Montana and Wyoming to empower individuals to succeed through non-partisan, quality research that promotes free enterprise, individual liberty and limited government.

Billings Building Permits – October 15, 2025

21 October 2025
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Commercial

Sysco Food Services Of Montana|Summit Fire & Security LLC, 1509 Monad Rd, Com Fire Systems, $1,478,415

Billings Wing Company LLC Buffalo Wild Wings, 411 24th St W, Com Remodel, $650,000

Chase Moore, 50 Moore Ln, Com New Warehouse/Storage, $606,730

Erin Kirschenmann |KE Construction LLC, 3352 Gabel Rd, Com Footing/Foundation, $325,000

Gold Nugget Corp|Priority Commercial Roofing, 2150 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $50,000

Nathan Matelich |Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 1707 4th Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $44,454

Jaqui Morin |Titus Construction, 317 16th St W, Com Remodel, $35,000

Elaine B Moncur Revocable Livi|D. Sterling Construction 2596 Enterprise Ave, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $10,000

Michelle Ubry |Caliente Construction Inc, 3011 2nd Ave N, Com Remodel, $2,500,000

Gusick Partnership|Great Dane Construction, 760 S 20th St W, Doc Holidays Interior Finishes, Com Remodel, $250,000

Billings Clinic|Swanke Construction, 801 N 29th St, Com Remodel, $200,000

Chavez Nestor Nava|Kingdom Builders Of Montana, 4140 State Ave, Com Remodel, $150,000

Joe Dringle & Dorothy Dringle|Bauer Construction, 900 S 24th St W, Com Remodel, $120,000

Mountain States Leasing Billin|Montana State Leasing Billings, 5001 Southgate Dr, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $50,000

Mt Conf Assn Of 7th Day Advent|HWT Construction LLC, 3200 Broadwater Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $36,000

Wl Zimmerman LLC|Thompson Const. Co. Inc, 3635 Harvest Time Ln, Com New Pool/Spa, $30,000

4025 1st Avenue ABCC LLC|Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 4025 1st Ave S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $24,232

Cornerstone Community Church|Lynnrich Inc., 4525 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $9,978

Dirt Land LLC, 402 N 15th St, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $6,000

Stevens Don Paul Trste &|Everon LLC, 1815 Main St, Com Fire Systems, $4,000

Apostolic Assembly of The Faith|New Construction Ramirez Inc, 223 S 34th St, Com Addition, $3,000

Residential

CDH LLC |CDH LLC, 778 52nd St W, Res New Single Family, $417,094

Infinity Homes |Infinity Home LLC, 5086 Ridge Top Way, Res New Single Family, $400,000

Infinity Home LLC|Infinity Home LLC, 2235 Greenbriar Rd, Res New Single Family, $350,000

Mccall Development Inc|Mccall Development, 6166 Norma Jean Ln,  Res New Single Family, $267,866

Weimer Daniel R|Groundworks Operations LLC, 3350 La Paz Dr, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $150,000

Northey William T &|Deer Creek Construction LLC, Morningside Ln N, Res New Accessory Structure, $140,000

Smith Mark S & Teri A|Groundworks Operations LLC, 3960 Woodcreek Dr, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $77,000

Carol Hauge |Eves Construction Interior, 111 Terry Ave, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $50,000

Jones Kari M &|Yellow Ball Roofing & Solar LLC, 2237 W Hollow Brook Dr, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $43,150

Young Jolene S & Clinton B, 1704 Wicks Ln, Res Remodel Single/Duplex/Garage, $30,275

Stauffer Caleb & Hannah Stauffers, 706 Avenue F, Res New Single Family, $28,320

Banana Ball Coming

21 October 2025
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Banana Ball is headed to Dehler Park for a three-game series August 20-22, 2026. The game will feature the Savannah Bananas’ two favorite opponents, the Firefighters and the Party Animals, as they face off in three nights of baseball with a twist. Billings will be their only stop in Montana!

The husband-and-wife team of Jesse and Emily Cole co-founded Banana Ball, ten years ago with the mantra “Fans First. Entertain Always.” Their mission is to deliver a brand of baseball that prioritizes fun over the game’s outcome.

Fans can expect nonstop action, music, and fun as Banana Ball takes the best parts of America’s pastime and turns up the energy. With a two-hour time limit, no bunting, and foul balls caught by fans counting as outs, the game moves fast and keeps everyone in on the action. Add in player dances, fan challenges, and a party atmosphere that never quits, and you’ve got an experience unlike anything else in sports.

Banana Ball has unique rules that deliver a twist on traditional baseball. The team consists of baseball players/ entertainers. Tryouts are held all around the country and are invitation-only.

“I can’t wait to bring all the fun and excitement of Banana Ball, to the Magic City next summer” said Mustangs owner Dave Heller. “Twerking umpires, acrobatic trick plays, batters on stilts, choreographed dances – Banana Ball offers a unique brand of entertainment that kids of all ages find to be super fun. We’re so excited to be the sole Montana city hosting their high-octane and entertainment-packed laugh-a-minute baseball games over three fun-filled nights next August. It will be among the most fun events of 2026.”

“Billings has been asking for Banana Ball, and we are excited to announce that it has become a reality. This will be the must-see event for the summer of 2026.” added General Manager Matt Allen.

Support from Visit Billings, the Tourism Business Improvement District, and the Billings Mustangs makes this series possible.

Chamber of Commerce Names Award Winners

10 September 2025
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The Billings Chamber of Commerce has announced the “Business Excellence Awards” and “Legacy Awards.’ They will be recognized and honored during the Chamber’s  Annual Business Celebration, presented by Marsh McLennan Agency and Rubicare, on September 18 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.

— Ally Songstad with Billings Federal Credit Union has been named “The NextGEN Exceptional Emerging Leader”, which is awarded to a young professional who demonstrates strong leadership, excellence in professional, philanthropic and/or community investment, and inspires others to succeed.

— Blake Wahrlich with Best Western Clocktower Inn and Stella’s Kitchen & Bakery has been named “Employer of the Year Award.” The award recognizes leadership that transforms workplaces into communities—where people feel seen, heard, supported, and inspired. award recognizes a business that goes far beyond the basics—fostering an inclusive culture, offering meaningful benefits, investing in their people, creating opportunity, and making a true impact beyond their own walls. Wahrlich serves as the chair of the business improvement district of Downtown Billings

— Don Keisser, Transitional Marketing (TransMar), has recognized as “Small Business of the Year Award,” which was created to spotlight a local business with 15 or fewer employees that exemplifies innovation, resilience, and real community impact. TransMar is a business built on relationships, powered by service, and guided by values. For over a decade, this company has delivered high-quality results with a personal touch—offering clients creative, customized promotional solutions that help them succeed.

— Jen & Jason Marble, owners of The Marble Table and Marble Coffee Co., have been named as Outstanding Business Persons of the Year. The award recognizes those who are more than business leaders—they are visionaries, collaborators, and community champions. These two don’t stop at great food and coffee; they lead with heart, with hustle, and with purpose. They’re constantly innovating—testing menus, trying new hours, playing with flavors, and listening to customer feedback with open ears and open minds.

— Parker Phipps, Yellowstone Ice Foundation/Signal Peak Energy, is being recognized as a “Groundbreaker,” a boundary-pusher. The Groundbreakers Award recognizes those who don’t wait for permission to lead; they roll up their sleeves, reimagine what’s possible, and spark lasting change. Phipps did just that. When a community center bond failed, he didn’t see an ending. He acted decisively, and helped chart a new course for a public-private partnership in Billings. Thanks to his vision, the Signal Peak Energy Arena is on track to become a reality in early 2026—a transformational project poised to generate millions in economic impact and provide a vibrant new gathering place for our region. And, he did all of this while also leading a major energy company, raising four kids, coaching youth hockey, and volunteering on multiple philanthropic boards.