Author: Press Room

Billings Building Permits August 15, 2024

21 August 2024
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Commercial

City Of Billings The |Bauer Construction, 2611 9th Ave N, Com New Other, $450,000

Jehovah’s Witness Billings Co |Charter Real Estate Company (General Contractor), 405 S 36th St W, Com Remodel, $95,000

Mathew Kramer |Wovek Inc, 2914 Millennium Circle, Com Addition, $59,794

Hamilton Richard L & Maria |KB Construction Llc, 109 N 35th St, Com Addition, $30,000

Tuni Rafaele |Bauer Construction, 3225 Rosebud Dr, Com Remodel, $20,000

Advanced Therapy Clinic Daycare, 1701 Avenue E, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $1,000

Residential

Kraft Micheal A & Shelley M |Montana Quality Contracting Llc, 3441 Prestwick Rd, Res New Single Family,  $1,100,000

CDH Llc |CDH Llc, 5227 Camp Ln, Res New Single Family, $284,955

HAD Construction |HAD Inc, 953 El Rancho Dr, Res New Single Family, $262,752

McCall Development Inc|McCall Development, 6215 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family, $197,526

McCall Development Inc, 1798 Annafeld Pkwy W, Res New Single Family, $155,252

Attorneys General Get into the Weeds Over Popular Pesticide Labeling

21 August 2024
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By Kim Jarrett, The Center Square

Weed killer or possible carcinogen? The attorneys general of Iowa and Nebraska say glyphosate, an ingredient used widely in pesticides, is safe.

But California officials want to label pesticides with glyphosate as carcinogens. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers said the state is relying on bad science.

The Environmental Protection Agency has said glyphosate is not a carcinogen, the attorneys general said. They are asking the EPA to ban states from attaching labels contrary to EPA findings.

The agency said in a court finding in a 2019 case that glyphosate was not harmful, the attorneys general, including Montana’s Austin Knudsen, said in their petition.

“The potential that glyphosate is carcinogenic to humans is not something that EPA has ignored. EPA has studied and expressly addressed the carcinogenic potential of glyphosate a number of times over the past three decades,” the petition quotes the U.S. as saying. “And EPA continues to assess it. Through FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act), Congress determined that EPA should make these scientific judgments for the nation as a whole. States may, of course, restrict or prohibit the sale or use of pesticides in the State if they disagree with EPA’s assessment. But States are prohibited from second-guessing EPA’s determination of what risks should be reflected on pesticide labeling.”

California should not “dictate” how farmers in other states farm, the attorneys general said.

“If adopted, our proposed rule would streamline the labeling process, dispel consumer confusion, and ensure that those who help put food on our tables can do their jobs without getting caught up in the red tape of 50 separate states,” Hilgers said. Our proposed rule advances the rule of law and lifts a burden on the farming industry that drives Nebraska’s economy.”

Nebraska and Iowa are considered top agricultural states. The two states have more than 131,000 farms and ranches bombined spanning across nearly 70 million acres, according to a news release. Both states are also top corn producers, yielding more than 4.2 billion bushels last year.

“Farmers are the backbone of the Heartland,” Bird said. “I will not stand by as California ignores science, breaks the law, and dictates how Iowa farmers farm. Glyphosate helps our farmers control weeds and produce higher-yielding crops to feed our families.”

Glyphosate kills more than 300 weeds. Kevin Ross, an Iowa farmer and former president of the National Corn Growers Association said there is nothing else more effective.

“Do your job in D.C. and let the farmers on the ground do their jobs in the U.S.,” Ross said.

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, North Dakota, South Carolina and South Dakota also signed the petition.

Rocky Mountain Bank Branches Convert to Stockman Bank

13 August 2024
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Stockman Bank has announced the conversion of Rocky Mountain Bank branches located in Kalispell, Bigfork and Plains to Stockman is complete. Systems were converted and building signage was replaced over the weekend, with the bank doors opening as Stockman on July 22, 2024.

“We are excited to welcome Rocky Mountain Bank’s employees and customers to the Stockman family,” said Bill Coffee, CEO of Stockman Bank. “We are a family-owned, Montana community bank committed to serving the financial needs of everyone in our community. We are delighted that all of Rocky Mountain Bank’s employees chose to stay and work with our northwest Montana team. Customers can expect local decisions from people who live and work in their community and are committed to their financial success.”

Coffee says there are many moving parts when converting a bank. He encourages customers who have questions or need assistance to stop by their local Stockman branch. Customers can also visit Stockman’s website, stockmanbank.com, for product and service information, as well as conversion-dedicated customer support contact information.  

Montana Highlights August 1, 2024

13 August 2024
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The University of Montana Medicine Residency Program has received $750,000 to expand its training site. It was one of 15 throughout the country to receive a subsidy to develop new residency programs in rural communities to address the need for physicians in rural communities. The three-year award will support the development of residency training sites in Butte and Helena, in partnership with St. James Hospital and Southwest Community Health Center in Butte and St. Peters Health and PureView Health Center in Helena.

Nemont Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (Nemont) has sold its telecom properties in North Dakota to Northwest Communications Cooperative (NCC100%) fiber-to-the-home internet service and communications provider. Communities involved are Williston, Trenton, Fortuna, Ambrose, and East Westby.

Gov. Greg Gianforte declared a disaster in Missoula and Mineral counties following a July 24 thunderstorm storm with high winds that toppled trees and downed power poles in the Missoula area, leaving many residents without power. Wind speeds of 81 mph, lightning, heavy rain, and gusts up to 109 mph – caused damages to power poles across western Montana leaving tens of thousands of customers of Missoula Electric and Northwestern Energy without power. The State of Montana will expend funds from the general fund to meet contingencies and needs arising from these conditions

The U.S. Postal Service abruptly stopped air service in Montana last week even after Alpine Air, its air cargo contractor in the state, offered a roughly $3 million reduction in its contract. Alpine has worked with the Postal Service in Montana for some 35 years. Alpine Air anticipates having to look at layoffs in Montana. It employs 60 people in the state including 20 who have worked on the Postal Service contract. Two-day delivery will have to be obtained from companies other than the United Postal Service.

Puget Sound Energy, a Seattle-area electricity provider has signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Clearway Energy Group for a 315-megawatt wind farm under development in Wheatland and Meagher counties in Montana. The additional power buy will satisfy about 15% of what the Puget Sound Energy needs to meet Washington’s 2030 clean energy targets. Construction on the wind farm is expected to start in June 2026, and the project is slated to go online in 2028. Puget Sound Energy is als building a wind farm near Rapelje, about an hour west of Billings, that will generate 248 megawatts. The Beaver Creek wind project will help meet Washington’s clean-energy laws. a second phase of the project could add wind turbines in neighboring Sweet Grass County, complete with a a lithium-ion battery energy storage facility.

Bridger Aerospace recently acquired Alabama-based FMS Aerospace in a $20.6 million deal. Sam Davis has become the interim CEO of Belgrade-based Bridger Aerospace.

Montana-Dakota Utilities is requesting that the Montana Public Service Commission approve a natural gas rate increase of $9.4 million in annual revenues, which would increase the average residential customer’s annual bill by 16.4%.

Justin and Kelsey Flake have recently taken on ownership of Sea Me Paddle. The business, under Tour Glacier, also offers a variety of tours in Glacier National Park and winter tours around the Flathead Valley. Since taking over, Justin and Kelsey have found that tourists enjoy the concierge experience and seeing sights as the locals do, so in addition to their outdoor adventures, the Flakes have started offering brewery and rodeo tours. 

The Pickle Barrel is celebrating 50 years as a sandwich and pickles shop. Current owner Jenny O’Brien took over the Bozeman location in 2014. Over the years it has survived changes and even an explosion that caused the business to move to it’s current location, acroos the street from MSU.

Miles City is currently attempting to remedy a budget shortfall of over $700,000 for Fiscal Year 2025. The preliminary budget information is warning officials to expect steep cuts to personnel and services that will likely need to be made to balance the budget. One update was delivered by Mayor Dwayne Andrews announcing that following a conversation with union leaders representing the city employees, the unions are willing to re-negotiate contracts to find a way to minimize the damage as much as possible.

The Interim Transportation Committee of the Montana Legislature recently heard an update regarding cost estimates of the Federal Rail Administration’s Long-Distance Service Study for restoring passenger rail service across southern Montana. People associated with Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority presented updates to the Committee. The mission and goal are of seeing passenger rail service along the North Coast Hiawatha route restored to service southern Montana. The total estimated cost for restoration and operation of the North Coast Hiawatha route is approximately $3.9 billion.

Last week film crews from America’s Best Restaurants will visit Outlaw’s Bar & Grill in Watford City and 3 Amigos Southwest Grill in Williston. The crew will highlight popular dishes and interview the respective owners. The episodes featuring these two restaurants will be aired at a later date on America’s Best Restaurants’ Facebook page and website. America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants.

Connolly’s Nursery in Evergreen opened in April. The Nursery is located at 1654 Montana 35. From yellow to pink to green to white, everything that Connolly grows is made to grow in Montana. The business aims to provide quality plants for the Evergreen community and Northwest Montana in general.

Hunter and Julie Nguyen have officially opened the doors to their nail salon AJ Nails in Evergreen. The couple says they are slowly growing their business after renovating the former restaurant location.

State’s Senior Health Care Tops List

22 July 2024
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Montana’s primary strength is its healthcare accessibility for older citizens, reports Senior Living. With a population of just over 1.1 million, Montana’s healthcare access score was second among all states – a number aided by the Montana Rural Physician Incentive Program that subsidizes and attracts medical professionals.

Montana also had many Medicare hospitals per resident aged 65 or older. Additionally, Montana has been on the leading edge of telehealth initiatives designed to aid a dispersed citizenry comprising the third lowest population density in the country.

The state also ranked 7th for its healthcare cost score, thanks to moderately lower insurance premiums and annual drug costs, which are about 40 percent lower than the national average. A notably low death rate from strokes helped its medical outcomes score, which was 18th best in the country.

Holding first place is North Dakota, which also scored an A+. South Dakota, scoring an A held 3rd place.

According to Senior Living, states in the south scored rather poorly.  Six southern states earned F grades.

One of America’s top retirement destinations, Florida, earned a D+ for senior healthcare and outcomes. Arizona, another popular state, earned a B grade.

West Virginia ranked last probably because it has fewer resources to devote to elderly care, given that it is overwhelmed by an opioid crisis, said the report. That fact, combined with the state’s prevalent behavioral risk factors, poverty rates, and chronic disease also ranked it as the most costly— 71 percent higher than the national average.

The state also ranked 7th for its healthcare cost score, thanks to moderately lower insurance premiums and annual drug costs, which are about 40 percent lower than the national average. A notably low death rate from strokes helped its medical outcomes score, which was 18th best in the country.

Heart disease is the most prevalent medical concern for America’s seniors, and Minnesota boasts the lowest mortality rate for that illness

SBA Offers Grants for Cybersecurity

22 July 2024
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Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced $3 million in new funding under the Cybersecurity for Small Businesses Pilot Program. Three grants will be awarded to state agencies to provide training, counseling, and other tailored cybersecurity services for startups and emerging entrepreneurs.

“With small businesses accounting for 99.9 percent of all American businesses and employing nearly half of the private workforce, any cyber threat to our small businesses is a threat to our country’s overall economy,” said SBA Administrator Guzman. “The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to strengthening our nation’s cybersecurity and equipping small businesses with the tools they need to strengthen their cyber health and prevent costly attacks that disrupt their businesses. Through this new funding, the SBA will fund ecosystem partners to provide more cyber training and counseling to strengthen small businesses’ ability to compete in this increasingly digital economy.”

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 2, and applicants can apply for awards ranging from $1,000,000 to $1,045,000 for a performance period of 24 months ending September 2026.

Eligible applicants include state and territorial government agencies that seek to provide training, counseling, and other tailored cybersecurity services for startups and emerging entrepreneurs.

The competitive funding opportunity for state governments will support efforts to educate emerging small businesses, and to help them develop robust cybersecurity measures.

SBA’s Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program has awarded nearly $9 million in funding since 2022. Proposals responding to this Funding Opportunity Number SB-OEDCS-24-001 must be posted to Grants.gov under “Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot” by 11:59 p.m. (EDT), Aug. 2.

In addition to the grant program, the SBA along with Resource Partners offers other cybersecurity resources to small businesses, including in-person and online training. To find these SBA local resources, visit www. sba.gov/ local-assistance. To learn more about SBA’s programs and services related to cybersecurity, visit www. sba.gov/ cybersecurity and https://www. nist.gov/itl/ smallbusinesscyber.

Overtime Pay Threshold Increased

22 July 2024
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The Department of Labor has increased the minimum salary threshold which makes workers eligible for overtime pay. Employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act are entitled to at least one-and-a-half times their rate for hours worked beyond the 40-hour workweek, unless they are exempt.

Previously, those exemptions included salaried employees primarily performing “executive, administrative, or professional duties” and making $35,568 per year or more. Now, that minimum salary threshold has increased to $43,888 per year and will increase even further to $58,656 on January 1, 2025.  

Additionally, already in effect, the minimum salary for highly compensated employees—another exempt group — jumped from $107,432 per year to $132,964, and will increase again on January 1 to $151,164 per year.  

The rule is expected to impact more than four million workers, according to the DOL.  

Starting “July 1, 2027, these earnings thresholds will be updated every three years so they keep pace with changes in worker salaries.”  

Legal challenges between now and then could affect whether the January 1 changes go into effect, but employers are urged to be prepared to make changes depending on how litigation progresses.

NFIB Asks for Faster Action on Two Issues

22 July 2024
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The most recent release of NFIB’s monthly Small Business Economic Trends report didn’t vary much from previous dismal ones, but it did reveal a more troubling finding that prompted the Montana state director for the association that publishes it to call on the state’s Congressional delegation to act faster on two issues that would help reverse small businesses’ slide. 

“The small business sector is responsible for the production of over 40% of GDP and employment, a crucial portion of the economy,” said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist for NFIB. “But for 29 consecutive months, small business owners have expressed historically low optimism and their views about future business conditions are at the worst levels seen in 50 years.” 

Ronda Wiggers, NFIB’s Montana state director, said it’s time for Congress to act. “I’m very proud of our State Legislature for not exacerbating a very serious problem but instead initiating helpful measures to ease the problems of small businesses. I wish Congress would do the same. It needs to act now on two issues that would greatly help with a national recovery along the Main Streets of the nation. I commend Sen. Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke for their leadership on one of the issues and ask Sen. Jon Tester and Congressmen Matt Rosendale to join them in not letting the Small Business Deduction expire. Then, I’d like all four to unify in freeing Main Street, mom-and-pop companies from the vise grip of the Corporate Transparency Act.” 

In a guest editorial in The Washington Times, which preceded NFIB’s Fly-In week of small business lobbying activities, NFIB President Brad Close described the consequences of both issues. 

“The first and most important thing Congress should do is cut small businesses’ taxes permanently,” wrote Close. “The small-business deduction — the small-business centerpiece of the 2017 tax cuts — expires next year. If lawmakers allow that to happen, Main Street will face an unprecedented tax hike. At least half of the nation’s small businesses are uncertain about their future. They’re holding back when they want to be ramping up. With disaster already beginning to unfold, Congress should act immediately. 

“… The second thing Congress should do is end a particularly burdensome mandate — the ‘beneficial ownership’ reporting requirement. Created in 2021 and enforced since January, it’s 100% targeted at the smallest of small businesses, wrapping them in red tape while giving big business a pass. 

“Under this mandate, more than 32 million small businesses must regularly send private personal information about their owners to a federal database. If they don’t, they face up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Would any member of Congress like to tell a small-business owner that they deserve to go to prison over this?” 

Newly Licensed Businesses June 2024

22 July 2024
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BR House Cleaning, 2001 24th St W, Reiland, Brenda, Service, Billings

E. Marie’s Cleaning Service, 27 S 12th St W #1, (406) 672-0230, Shea, Erin, Service, Billings

Rianna Naillon, 3135 Sycamore Ln, (406) 740-0617, Naillon, Rianna, Real Estate Rental, Billings

AFK Collectibles, 1630 Moose Hollow Ln, Mcmillen/Ray, Zack/Indiana – AFK Collectibles, Retail Sales, Billings

Brockstar Catering & Events, 2224 Highway 87 E, (406) 927-6723, Ninker, Kyle, Restaurants, Billings

All Weather Home Shield, 805 1/2 Broadwater Ave, (406) 281-2228, Dowd, Matthew, General Contractors, Billings

Educational Books, 26 Heatherwood Ln, (406) 894-6812, Jerkku/Neevitis/Avik/Tallinn/Tallinn, Linnea/Lisete/Gretely/Linda/Merilyn, Retail Sales, Billings

Grateful Guys Pizza Pies Llc, 323 N 14th St, (605) 661-7052, Koupal, Jeffrey, Restaurants, Billings

Lavie Health, 2501 4th Ave N, (406) 652-4868, Nordstog (Ceo), Cindy, Service, Billings

Delighted By Destiny, 1423 38th St W Unit 1, (406) 672-7689, Frost, Destiny, Service, Billings

Another Ones Treasure, 4415 King Ave E, (406) 670-8458, Ingram, John, Service, Billings

Whatever Whenever Services Llc, 1926 Mullowney Ln #27, (406) 839-5043, Linwood, Andre, Service, Billings

Aviation Adventures, 2390 Overlook Dr, (406) 690-4921, Schmalz, George, Service, Billings

PJ Floors, 123 N Crestwood Dr, Garbutt, Paul, General Contractors, Billings

BLC Construction, 1302 24th St W Suite 258, (406) 413-5279, Botts, Dakota, General Contractors, Billings

Susan Miller-Uribe, 4912 Laurel Rd, (406) 259-1942, Miller-Uribe, Susan, Service, Billings

Hope Builders & Renovation Llc, 108 N. Crawford Avenue, (406) 679-1395, Seely, Brian, General Contractors, Hardin

Loves Lawn Care, 1550 Country Manor Blvd Apt 203a, (406) 608-7799, Rayfield, Sean, Service, Billings

Gramma Cheryl Made It!, 3547 Ford Rd, (406) 690-1207, Rivera, Cheryl, Retail Sales, Billings

Hair Goddess Pro Source Llc, 670 King Park Dr #3, (406) 360-3383, Hansen, Elizabet,hRetail Sales, Billings

Big Sky Beauty Supply, 2001 E Rosebud Dr Suite E, (406) 652-7773, Comstock, Reagan, Retail Sales, Billings

Painter’s Mobile Sandblasting Llc, 2307 Lake Elmo Dr, (406) 281-2401, Painter, Nicholas, Service, Billings

Savage Sisters Tattoos, 131 Moore Ln, (307) 281-6342, Loyning, Jessica – Savage Sisters Tattoos, Service, Billings

GNC Construction, 2324 Canyon Dr Apt 1, (406) 384-1219, Cruz, Gabriel, General Contractors, Billings

Malbco Development Inc, 16114 E Indiana Ave Ste 200, (509) 218-3693, Nelson Drew, General Contractors, Spokane Valley, WA

Grey Grove Llc, 115 Shiloh Rd #8, (406) 208-6536, Moberly, Molly, Solo Practitioner, Billings

Rimrock Foundation Cottonwood, 1721 8th Ave N, (406) 248-3175, Keller, Jeffrey, Service, Billings

Simply Good Cleaning Llc, 812 N 15th St, Baldwin, Leslie, Service, Billings

Novelties By JR, 190 Melton Street, (731) 434-9832, Colwell, Philip, Retail Sales, Trezevant, TN

Mr. W Detail, 6048 Linck Circle, (406) 351-1830, Wence, Antonio, Service, Shepherd

Re Arrange Me, 2305 Fairway Dr, (406) 861-5898, Ellinghouse, Amber, Service, Billings

Rp Cleaning, 412 West Ave, (406) 672-4153, Petree, Robyn, Service, Laurel

Greentech Renewables, 516 S 18th St W, (972) 582-5300, Ziegler, Billy, Wholesale, Billings

Auto Detail Llc, 4011 1/2 1st Avenue South, Castro, Carlos, Service, Billings

Your Accountant Llc, 3541 Briarwood Blvd, (406) 272-2320, Linville, Rick L, Service, Billings

EGL Renovation L.L.C., 12 Vista Dr, Garcia/Sanchez, Emeterio/Cristina, General Contractors, Billings

Down Home Cleaning, 2606 Bowles Way, (406) 702-0133, Biggs, Candace, Service, Billings

Honey Glow Cleaning, 8353 US Highway 212, (406) 425-4151, Webb, Rensey, Service, Roberts

Signal Of Montana, 8905 Kautzman Rd, (406) 855-3590, Smith, Weston, Service, Billings

Hollowtop Inspection, 4178 Blackpool Trl, (406) 890-9914, Hepner, Benjamin, Service, Billings

The Box Zone, 3925 Coulson Rd, (310) 888-2227, Davis, Roger A, Retail Sales, Billings

CMP Consulting Llc, 2715 Riveroaks Dr, (406) 670-6169, Posey, Caleb, Service, Billings

Cleaning Genie, 1312 Terry Ave, (406) 784-2735, Murion, Katie, Service, Billings

Budget Painting Plus, 3052 Poly Dr, (406) 591-2628, Woehl/Torgersen, Bradley/Diana, General Contractors, Billings

Yellowstone County Education For Safety, 1701 Montana Ave, (406) 259-9601, Bloom, Koren, Service, Billings

Silvano Construction, 302 Jackson St Trl 51, (406) 861-4212, Lucas Ramirez, Silvano C, General Contractors, Billings

Comfort Zone Massage, 711 Central Ave Ste 221, (406) 855-1385, Fried, Roberta, Solo Practitioner, Billings

Actualfinal, 330 Burlington Ave, (406) 672-3658, Catchpole, Allan J – Actualfinal, Real Estate Rental, Billings

Two Brothers Lawncare And Landscaping, 1915 Lampman Dr, (406) 250-2198, Downing, Samuel , Service, Billings

Jobsite Medics, 637 Avenue D, (310) 486-2320, Faura, Adam – Jobsite Medics, Service, Billings

Cow Trail Counseling Pllc, 2048 Overland Ave Ste 101, (406) 861-2835, Yegen, Mia, Service, Billings

Ideal Plumbing, 120 Lewis Ave, Bergland, Jason, Billings

Loenbro Instrumentation & Electrical Llc, 2155 Harnish Blvd Ste B, (406) 453-1542, Thiam, Mbaye, Electrical Contractors, Billings

Yellowstone Post Frame, 2707 Big Horn Ave, (307) 254-8934, Yoder, Rich – Yellowstone Post Frame, General Contractors, Cody

Treasure State Home Inspections Llc, 3955 Olympic Blvd Apt #17, (406) 850-7791, Quick, Michael – Treasure State Home Inspections Llc, Service, Billings

Charlton Remodel & Restoration Llc, 1549 Topanga Ave,  , Charlton, Mark – Charlton Remodel & Restoration Llc, General Contractors, Billings

Cleaning With Kate, 4 Cavalier St N, (406) 200-3972, Blair, Katherine – Cleaning With Kate, Service, Billings

Henry’s House Cleaning, 2428 Howard Ave, (406) 876-3468, Henry, Surly – Henry’s House Cleaning, Service, Billings

Montanans Investing in Leading Industries

22 July 2024
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Governor Greg Gianforte continues his 56 county tour in Cascade, Chouteau, and Liberty counties to highlight Montanans investing in business, agriculture, and education.

Visiting a manufacturing facility in Great Falls, the governor highlighted Such Group International’s investment in entrepreneurs and Montana’s business community.

 With over 30 years of combined experience, Such Group International supports growing businesses nationwide with packaging and shipping solutions.

Touring the 90,000 square foot warehouse, Gov. Gianforte heard more from owner Todd Such and his priorities to invest in their over 50 employees and to help businesses meet growing product and shipping demands.

 “What really excited me is when we can support our employees to buy a home, send their kids to college, or buy a new car,” Such said.

Traveling to Fort Benton, Gov. Gianforte stopped by Joyce Fuel & Feeds to highlight their expansion and investment in Montana’s farmers and ranchers.

“Getting out and visiting Montanans where they are, and hearing firsthand about the challenges they are facing is one of the most important parts of my job,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As I make my way across the Hi-Line these next few days, I’m looking forward to hearing directly from Montanans on how we can continue to address the concerns in our communities.”

Founded in 1916 in Geraldine, Joyce Fuel & Feeds offers fuel and propane delivery services, crop chemicals, livestock, fencing, feed, and equipment as well as a storefront including clothing, boots, and animal health products.

 Touring the shop, the governor visited with three generations of Joyces to hear more about the family-run operation and the services they provide to producers.

“We’re very blessed that we are able to take over the business that my grandfather worked hard to build up to pass it on to my father, so that he could pass it on to his sons. And to work with my brothers and my family every day is truly the best,” Cody Riley said.

 To improve Montana’s business climate, the governor has reformed the business equipment tax to ease the burden on small business owners, made Montana’s capital gains tax rates the fourth lowest in the nation, and promoted trades education to build a stronger workforce.

To highlight teachers and providers investing in mental health resources and care for Montana students, the governor held a roundtable in Chester.

 Discussing the increase of mental health crises in young Montanans, the group highlighted the need for more providers in schools and communities to counsel on prevention and awareness.

 Listening to school superintendents, mental health professionals, and other school administrators, the governor heard of the impact of the pandemic, technology, and the influence of social media on our next generation.

In 2023, Gov. Gianforte made a generational $300 million investment to reform and improve Montana’s behavioral health and developmental disabilities service systems across the state.

The Office of Public Instruction estimated the statewide drop at 3,549 students, roughly corresponding to the dramatic uptick in homeschooling numbers that same school year. The trend reversed quickly, with public school enrollment largely rebounding by the spring of 2022, but certain districts continue to report student headcounts at or below their pre-pandemic highs — a key concern given the weight Montana’s funding formula places on enrollment.