Author: Press Room

Taylor Brown, Legacy Award

16 September 2024
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The Billings Chamber of Commerce has announced that Taylor Brown is the recipient of the 2024 Legacy Award.

This outstanding community leader and business owner will be honored during the 2024 Billings Chamber Annual Meeting, October 22, at Pub Station, sponsored by NonStop Local and Marsh McLennan Agency.

Taylor Brown is well known in the Billings community, throughout Southeast Montana, and across the state and nation as an ag broadcaster. Raised on the family ranch in Sand Springs, Brown attended college at Montana State University where he earned a degree in agriculture.

He came to the Billings area shortly after graduation, proudly calling Huntley home, and began working for Conrad Burns at Northern Broadcasting System. Brown has built a name for himself as a trusted voice of agriculture and his unwavering commitment to supporting rural communities, ranching, and farms, in Montana and throughout the west.

In 1986, he and his wife Shannon, purchased Northern Broadcasting System, and today, Northern Broadcasting System has grown to encompass digital content, radio, and television delivering agriculture, weather, news, sports, and talk content on over 70 stations in four states.

Son Colter, daughter Courtney Kibblewhite and her husband Jonathan have all joined the management team at NBS, and the company has grown to 20 employees. His passions in agriculture, youth, and business led him to public service, as he was elected to office and served in the Montana Senate from 2009-2016. Brown served as Majority Whip, and chaired the Senate Agriculture Committee, as well as the Senate Education Committee. Through his career, Brown has amassed a number of awards and accolades, including being a past National President of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting, inducted as a member of the NAFB Hall of Fame, founding REAL Montana, and receiving an honorary doctorate from Montana State University in 2021. One has to look hard to find someone who is more synonymous with agriculture, youth, business, and advocating for the rural way of life than Brown.

In recent years, he helped establish the Lockwood FFA Alumni Chapter and his efforts in the legislature helped pave the way for Lockwood High School to come into existence. He has been an active member of the Billings Chamber Ag Committee from the start, working on policy, serving pancake breakfasts for youth, volunteering on sub-committees, and bringing newsworthy information to the monthly meetings. “Taylor was one of the founders of the Chamber Ag Committee and has been tireless in his support of this community,” shares one of his nominators. “I cannot think of a person who has given more of themselves in support of Billings, Montana and business”.

The Legacy Award is presented to an individual who has consistently demonstrated success in improving the business and economic climate in addition to the quality of life for residents of Billings over their lifetime. Previous honorees include George Selover, Sam McDonald, Don and Marilyn Floberg, Ron Sexton, Joseph Sample, Michael Schaer, Jim Soft, Tom Scott, Karen Sanford Gall, Bill and Merilyn Ballard, Bruce MacIntyre, Bill and Mary Underriner, Ziggy and Stella Zeigler, Dr. Bob Wilmouth, Kris Carpenter, Jim and Chris Scott, and Mike Nelson.

Brown will be honored during the 2024 Billings Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on October 22, 2024 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Pub Station. Tickets for this event can be purchased at BillingsChamber.com

Record High New Businesses; Second Fastest Wage Growth

16 September 2024
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Montana’s Department of Labor & Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson issued an upbeat labor report on Labor Day. The report shows employment continues to grow, unemployment remains near record lows, and wage growth over the last year resulted in an increased standard of living for Montana workers.

A significant finding is that Montana ranks 2nd in the nation for fastest wage growth since 2020. Another important fact is that business formation in Montana reached a record high of 23,000 new business in 2023.

Swanson’s report states that while the state continues to face a workforce shortage, with two job openings for every one unemployed person, there are signs that the labor market is beginning to ease. Over 10,000 more Montanans entered the labor market in 2023 – a welcome sign for many businesses who have been struggling to find workers.

Labor market highlights include:

–The Montana labor force reached a record high of over 580,000 people mid-way through 2024. Strong wage growth and a significant uptick in in-migration has helped increase the available pool of workers for Montana businesses.

–Montana ranks 4th in the nation for the highest rate of in-migration since 2020. The state’s population grew by 4.7% from 2020 to 2023 due to in-migration, translating to an additional 51,000 people.

–About 73% of people who recently moved to the state are either employed or actively seeking work, which is higher than the labor force participation rate of existing residents.

–Montana ranks 8th in the nation for fastest employment growth since 2020 – adding over 30,000 jobs through the first half of 2024.

–Employment grew by 1.6% in 2023, translating to 8,700 jobs added.

–Professional services grew fastest among the private sector, adding 1,120 jobs at a growth rate of 4.1%.

–Healthcare added the most jobs in 2023, creating over 2,340 new jobs.

–The average wage earned by Montana workers reached $57,230 in 2023, growing by 5% over the year. Montana ranks 2nd in the nation for fastest wage growth since 2020.

–Real wages grew 0.8% in 2023, the 6th fastest among states. Real wage growth suggests that Montana workers are able to afford more goods and services with their wages than before.

–Professional service workers had the fastest real wage growth of 5.1% in 2023. The average wage reached $94,600, making it the second highest paying industry in Montana after natural resources.

–Tight labor market conditions persisted in 2023, with nearly two job openings for every one unemployed person.

— The state’s aging population and increased retirements have driven long run declines in labor force participation. A total of 330,000 Montanans are not employed or actively seeking work. Most (61%) of these individuals are retired.

The strength of Montana’s labor market helps support economic growth in the state. Record-high business formation propelled economic output to new heights. Continued growth in the Montana economy translated to more income for Montana households. Inflationary pressures eased in 2023, providing some relief to household budgets. Montana workers and businesses drove economic expansion throughout the state.

–Montana’s economic growth of 2.2% in 2023 was an acceleration from the prior year.

— Montana ranks 1st in the nation for GDP growth in the professional services industry, driven by the expansion of high-tech opportunities in the state.

— Nearly 2,000 new professional services businesses were started in Montana in 2023, which accounts for almost half of all new businesses established in the state.

— Business formation in Montana reached a record high of 23,000 new business in 2023

— Montana ranks 3rd in the nation for self-employment, with nearly 30% of the workforce operating their own business.

— Personal income has risen by 7.5% annually since 2020 – ranking Montana 4th fastest for growth among states.

— Per capita income rose to $63,918 in 2023 – ranking 28th among states.

— Price growth moderated in 2023 across a variety of goods and services. By mid-2024, inflation fell to 3% over-the-year.

–Housing prices continue to be the primary driver of inflation. However, the pace of housing price growth is beginning to slow in Montana.

— Montana home prices rose 4.7% in 2023 compared with 5% nationwide.

— The typical home value in Montana averaged $470,000 in the first half of 2024 – representing a 70% rise in home values over the last five years.

NFIB: Finding Help Still Big Problem

16 September 2024
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Finding help continues to be a huge problem for the nation’s small businesses, according to the latest Jobs Report put out monthly by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading association of Main Street enterprises.

 “Our Jobs Report is a national snapshot, not broken down by state,” said Ronda Wiggers, state director for NFIB in Montana. “The employment situation in Montana is a little better than in the rest of the nation in part due to better state policies we have in place. But our Main Street entrepreneurs here share with their national brethren small businesses’ overriding concern about the fate of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 4721, S. 1706), which would make the 20% Small Business Deduction permanent. Without it, taxes will increase on over 90% of small business owners if Congress fails to act.”

“Job openings on Main Street remain historically high as small business owners continue to lament the lack of qualified applicants for their open positions. Owners have grown understandably frustrated as attempts to fill their workforce repeatedly stall and cost pressures continue to rise.”

 Highlights from the Latest Jobs Report

* Overall, 62% of small business owners reported hiring or trying to hire in August, up five points from July. Fifty-six percent (90% of those hiring or trying to hire) of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.

 * Thirty-six percent have openings for skilled workers (up four points) and 15% have openings for unskilled labor (down one point)

 * Job openings in construction were up five points from July and over half of them (60%) have a job opening they can’t fill. Job openings were the highest in the transportation, construction, and manufacturing sectors, and the lowest in the agriculture and finance sectors.

* A seasonally adjusted net 13% of owners plan to create new jobs in the next three months, down two points from July.

Mulvaney Joins Visit Billings

16 September 2024
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Polly Mulvaney joined Visit Billings, managed by the Billings Chamber of Commerce, as the new Group Sales Manager. In her new role, Mulvaney will manage meeting and convention recruitment as well as group tour sales for the destination.

 She has spent her career in outdoor hospitality, travel and tourism industry, working in Montana and the western region while serving the U.S. and Canada. Her marketing, sales, franchise division and relationship building skills equate well to member services and support that are central to the Group Sales Manager position.

“Polly is no stranger to tourism or chamber work, as she has worked for KOA, the Bozeman and Billings Chambers of Commerce, and Colorado Tourism Board,” says Alex Tyson, executive director of Visit Billings. ”We are excited to have Polly back home with the Visit Billings team and look forward to the vast expertise and industry knowledge she brings to this role, as she elevates Montana’s City nationwide.”

Mulvaney is a proud alumna of Montana State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. She is pursuing certifications as a Certified Autism Travel Professional (CATP) and a Professional in Destination Management. 

She has called Billings home for over two decades with her husband, has three grown children and two Golden Retrievers. Outside of work and family life, Mulvaney enjoys fly fishing and is a new fan of pickleball.

Montana Not Sticky Enough

14 September 2024
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While Montana has been one of the leading states in attracting newcomers over the past few years, not all of them stay. They don’t “stick,” according to moveBuddha.com.

Montana had the second least “stickiness” in the nation in 2024. Montana loses 87% of its movers to other states. The only other state, which was more prone to losing their residents to out-migration was Alaska losing 90 percent. Wyoming is third at 86%.

The study that moveBuddha conducted revealed that seven of the least sticky states were in the Mountain West. The study analyzed over 175,000 searches on their moving cost calculator to get real-time insights into where relocating Americans plan to move. They ranked all 50 states by their stickiness – “their ability to keep relocating residents within state lines.”

The study aligned the rankings of statewide economic data and quality-of-life indicators to see which factors might contribute to a state’s lack of stickiness.

The Mountain West is home to 7 of the 10 least sticky states of 2024.

But just because a state was low in stickiness, didn’t mean they ceased attracting additional new comers. Montana, in addition to being among the most low stickiness states, continues to gain new residents. Montana maintains positive in-to-out move ratios.

In fact, Montana has the highest in-to-out move ratio in the country since 2020, averaging 2.37 new residents from beyond state lines for every Montanan who leaves.

The study found that the reasons people leave a state has most to do with the cost of living and real estate prices, rather than GDP growth or jobs. In short, high overall costs mean more residents will call it quits, even though newcomers may still find the state appealing.

“Many of these states have grown their populations enough to see local prices soar and locals panic. Real estate prices increase, and more newcomers come, but others are forced to leave an economy that’s leaving them behind.”

Montana Highlights – September 15 2024

14 September 2024
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The Montana Department of Corrections is considering a 90-bed prerelease facility in Kalispell. The center would be located on East Oregon Street at the former Greenwood Village Inn & Suites hotel. Prerelease centers are designed to assist offenders with their transition from a secure facility back into the community and provide an alternative to incarceration. The state has 10 such facilities..

Seth Soley and the Hageness family have purchased Whitefish-based Rocky Mountain Transportation Company from Dale Duff. The company has grown from a taxi service  started in 1946 to offer additional services including a tow service, the only ambulance service in town, volunteer fire department trucks and interstate bus schedules. They also operate the shuttle up Big Mountain named the SNOW bus and private charters, shuttles around Glacier National Park and transfers from Glacier Park International, plus school bus contracts.

United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts  may hold the fate of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant in his hands. Lawyers for Talen Montana and NorthWestern Energy, the owners of the power plant, have asked the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court for temporary stay of two rules that owners of the plant say leave them with two terrible choices: Either invest $350 million in upgrades to the pollution controls, or shutter the plant, leaving power customers in Montana facing high energy rates or unreliable power. Colstrip’s owners warn that without a halt to the EPA’s rules, Colstrip will not have enough time to comply with the law; and, that even if Colstrip does agree to foot the $350 million in estimated upgrades, the company won’t have enough time to recoup the costs before the plant eventually ceases operation.

United Airlines has announced a new seasonal flight between Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN) and Washington-Dulles International Airport. Flights will kick off Dec. 21 and run through March 29, according to BZN. United already offers daily service to Bozeman from Chicago-O’Hare, Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco, and Denver. The Bozeman airport has  released its winter schedule with seven airlines serving 20 destinations. That includes JetBlue Airways adding its premium JetBlue Mint service during weekend ski season flights to Bozeman-Yellowstone from Boston Logan International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

A victim of the 2022 Red Lodge flooding, Rocky Fork Inn, has been acquired by the City of Red Lodge and is set to be demolished this fall.

With the start of fall there are many opportunities for travelers to explore Montana’s less visited communities and  events across the state. Events such as the Makoshika Music and Arts Festival (Sept. 14) in Glendive, the Music and Arts Festival (Sept. 14) in Boulder, Hi-Line Harvest Festival (Sept. 20-21) in Chester and Havre Festival Days (Sept. 20-22) in Havre are just a few of the possibilities. Other itinerary highlights include enjoying locally sourced burgers from local stops on the Visit Southeast Montana Burger Trail; viewing the fall colors on a scenic drive through the Seeley Swan Corridor; viewing some of the darkest skies and brightest stars in the lower 48 along Montana’s Trail to the Stars; and going back in time by embarking on a dinosaur dig or stopping in at a museum along the Montana Dinosaur Trail. 

The Williams County Commission in North Dakota met recently to hear plans for a potential power plant project by Basin Electric Power Cooperative to be located in Williams County. A representative spoke to the board about the project and the company’s involvement in the region, which includes the Pioneer Generation Station  which is in the process of having more generators added to the site. Basin has donated approximately $25,000 to local charitable causes in Williams County.

The National Weather Service in Bismarck has released projections for the upcoming winter season. Residents in the MonDak region can expect a colder winter than usual. The NWS released the report to give residents in the region an idea of what to expect as fall gives way to colder weather. One of the findings is that La Niña conditions are expected to emerge this fall and have a 74% chance of continuing through the winter. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under La Niña conditions winter temperatures are warmer than normal in the southern continental United States and cooler than normal in the north

Owners Ethan and Kayla Giles have returned to Teton County to raise their family and establish their business, EK Giles Electric. Ethan is a licensed master electrician with 20-plus years of experience in all aspects of electrical work. His experience ranges from large commercial projects to airfield/runway lighting to high-end residential. The new business is located at 10 Second Road NE. 

Stillwater Christian School, Kalispell  marked a back-to-school open house by celebrating a $5 million donation for a building expansion from local businessman Paul Wachholz, a local real estate agent in Kalispell.

Big Sky Economic Development is leading the charge to develop Coulson Park as a gateway park on the bank of the Yellowstone River, in selling raffle tickets to raise funds. The goal is to build a pump track at Coulson Park, as well as pursue five other projects in local parks. Raffle prizes include tickets and trips to sport events, gas for a year, a side of beef, etc. Tickets are $50 and only 2,000 tickets will be available. The drawing will be September 19. Call 869-8409, or email dianne@bigskyeda.org

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is recommending 48 fishing regulation changes this year ahead of a fall Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting. While most of the changes are aimed at simplifying regulations, there are a few significant changes that anglers could see for the 2024-25 season. Those changes include a single hook only restriction on the Flathead River, the removal of the west district northern pike standard limit and the ability to fillet a fish on the water. At its Oct. 10 meeting, the state Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to vote on whether to accept, amend or reject the changes. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is accepting public comment on the proposals in anticipation of the meeting. 

Stockman Bank has opened a new Hutton Ranch Bank location. The Hutton Branch is the Stockman Bank fifth Flathead Valley location. The bank offers new accounts, and loan products for commercial development, construction, real estate, agricultural and consumer lending. The branch also has a drive-up and ATM. Stockman Bank is Montana’s largest, family-owned, community bank, with locations across the state.

Air Force officials at a recent town hall meeting in Lewiston could provide few details about the new plans for the Sentinel Missile project. The Sentinel program, designed to remove the aging Minute Man III missiles and replace them with the Sentinel missile. The project also includes updating silos and communications. The project exceeded its budget, which ballooned to an estimated $141 billion. That triggered a mandated review of the project. Lewistown will be the site of a workforce hub which house 2,500 to 3,000 construction staff and support personnel, although not all at the same time. Belt, Stanford, Denton, Judith Gap and Winifred will each have construction storage areas of 10 to 20 acres that will be in place for several years.

Missoula County, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a new $13.5 million National Conservation Legacy Center. The two-story, 26,000-square-foot building will be constructed using mass timber at the museum’s 31-acre campus at 6305 Highway 10 West. The Center should be completed by late 2025.

Two technology companies based in Missoula were named to Inc. Magazine’s list of the 5,000 fastest-growing private companies in America for 2024. Submittable, which provides a social impact platform for companies looking to do good and Pathlabs, which provides services to independent agencies, both ranked high on the prestigious list. According to the magazine, the rankings are based on a percentage of revenue growth from 2020 through 2023. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 2020. Submittable reported an annual growth over three years of more than 370%. It was the fifth time the company has made the list.

Letter to the Editor – Shilhanek

14 September 2024
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Dear Editor,

I read the article about Montana suing over Obama care for noncitizens.

I own Maaco Collision Repair. Before Obama care, I could insure a whole family for under 600.00 a month for top of the line benefits.

Now, as you can see a family of five is over $2,000.00 a month without vision or dental and a $4,000.00 deductible.

This is what America needs to see.  Small Business had to cut everyone’s hours and take away benefits because of the cost. 

Why do we pay these rates while illegals and welfare get it for free. Pretty soon there will be no more small business.

Thank you,

Roxy Shilhanek

Judge Stops Federal Program for Migrant Agricultural Workers

14 September 2024
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By T.A. DeFeom, The Center Square

Attorneys general from 17 states, including Montana, are suing to stop the federal government from implementing a program they say gives migrant agricultural workers rights that American citizens working farm jobs do not have.

The coalition of states, led by South Carolina, contends that the U.S. Department of Labor’s “Improving Protections for Workers in Temporary Agricultural Employment in the United States” rule effectively grants collective bargaining rights to agricultural migrant workers in the country under the H-2A visa program.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia’s Brunswick Division granted a motion for a preliminary injunction, stopping the rule from taking effect while the lawsuit is pending. The injunction is limited to the case’s plaintiffs.

Neither a nationwide injunction nor a nationwide stay is appropriate in this case,” U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood wrote in the order. “Plaintiffs argue that universal relief is needed because this case implicates federal immigration laws, nationwide relief would protect similarly situated nonparties, and it would be more practical than party-specific preliminary relief. …These arguments are unavailing.”

Miles Berry Farm, the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the states of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia joined South Carolina in the lawsuit. The action names the labor department, Assistant Secretary for the department’s Employment and Training Administration José Javier Rodríguez and its Wage and Hour Division Administrator Jessica Looman.

“Here we go again,” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said in an announcement. “The Biden administration is almost constantly trying to enact rules and regulations that it does not have the authority to do, but we’ll keep fighting this unconstitutional overreach every time it happens.”

Governor Gianforte Visits Multi-Generation Montana Businesses

14 September 2024
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Governor Greg Gianforte visited with two multi-generation, family businesses on his 56 County Tour in Missoula and Jefferson counties.

“The American Dream is alive and well in Montana thanks to our hardworking job creators committed to carrying on their family legacy,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We will continue to support them through our pro-business, pro-jobs policies and efforts to strengthen our workforce.”

Starting off the day in Missoula, the governor met with the second generation of the Reid family at their manufacturing business, Diversified Plastics.

Founded in 1976 in Rod Reid’s garage, the custom plastics fabrication and engineering company has grown to occupy a large facility in Missoula and employs over 75 Montanans in competitive, high-wage jobs.

Meeting with Rod’s son, Brad, and touring the facility, the governor heard more about the company and the products they manufacture, as well as about the apprentice and work-based learning opportunities they provide.

Making plastic products for a wide variety of industries, Diversified Plastics operates around the clock to make components for operations including ski lifts, car washes, food processing, and agriculture.

Reid shared that nearly all of his employees receive on-the-job training and they have had success operating a two-year long apprenticeship through the Montana Department of Labor & Industry for Montanans to learn molding. The company also offers opportunities for local high school students to train with them.

“When I first started working for my dad, we had eight employees. Today, we have 75 employees in Missoula in a high-wage job,” Reid said. “Thanks to the support from the state through loan programs, we’ve been able to expand our operation with the goal to continue to increase wages, employ more people, and get a larger tax base.”

Continuing on to Whitehall, the governor stopped by Smith Supply to visit with the Smith brothers and learn more about their family business serving Montana producers.

Providing feed, lumber, and other ag and ranch supplies, the Smiths bring over 65 years of experience operating their own ranch, producing hay and grain and raising cattle and hogs.

Touring the store and warehouse with the family’s second generation, the governor met with four of the brothers leading the operation started by their grandfather in 1959 and met their kids and grandkids.

“Now the third generation is coming into play and even their kids are already out here helping out and riding in the equipment. It’s good to see,” said John Smith.

Supporting Montana’s small business owners, family farmers, and family ranchers is a top priority for Gov. Gianforte. Since taking office, the governor has increased the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $1 million eliminating the business equipment tax burden for more than 5,000 small businesses, farms, and ranches.

Chamber to hold Candidate Forums

14 September 2024
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The Billings Chamber of Commerce will host a series of Coffee with Candidates forums in September from 8-9 a.m. in partnership with, and hosted at, the Billings Association of Realtors with candidates for state legislature from selected races.

The schedule of Coffee with Candidates forums is:

• September 17 Senate District 24 – Mark Nicholson and Mike Yakawich

• September 19 House District 45 – Denise Baum and Kassidy Olson

• September 26 House District 48 – Anne Ross and Curtis Schomer

Dan Brooks, business advocacy director said, “We believe it’s important to bring candidates and members together, not just to answer policy questions, but to connect with each other.   Each Coffee with Candidates forum will feature a moderated question and answer segment with time reserved for questions from the audience. Election ballots are anticipated to be mailed as early as Oct. 11.

Each Coffee with Candidates forum is free to attend and open to anyone interested in meeting the candidates for state legislature running this election cycle.

Billings Association of Realtors is located at 2021 Overland Avenue. RSVP’s are requested for planning purposes as complimentary coffee and light breakfast items will be available. Register at Billings Chamber. com.