Author: Press Room

Contractors Association Endorses Gianforte for Governor

21 October 2020
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The Montana Contractors’ Association (MCA) Board of Directors has announced its support for Greg Gianforte as Governor. MCA President Bob Warren stated that the board chose Gianforte based on his opposition to I-190 and his support of career technical education.

“The recreational marijuana initiative is a very, very troubling initiative. The MCA board voted to fight this with all our strength and financial resources,” Warren said. “We chose to support the Gianforte campaign because of his similar opposition. If I-190 passes, all our efforts to change the workforce culture will be damaged or for naught.“

Warren applauded Gianforte for his platform to combat the drug epidemic. “We see the problems that drugs create in our workplace and our communities. The MCA’s vision is to improve the quality of life and safety in our communities.”

Gianforte’s economic development plan emphasizes trades and apprenticeships, another MCA priority.

“As contractors know very well, a four-year degree is not the right solution for every young person,” Warren said. “We are very encouraged that Greg will promote trades education opportunities, and the potential for higher earnings, with no student loan debt.

The Montana Contractors’ Association is a membership organization representing Montana’s construction industry and professionals.

Consumers Willing to Fly

21 October 2020
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Most consumers plan to fly internationally and are open to air travel, according to a new survey conducted by OAG, a global travel data provider that says it monitors the world’s largest network of schedules and travel status data.

More than 4,000 global users of OAG’s flightview travel app indicated that overall fear levels over catching COVID-19 while flying are tepid, and most consumers are open to air travel.

Of those surveyed, 69 percent said they plan on flying internationally within the next six months; 79 percent have plans to fly domestically.

Airlines and tourism companies can potentially capitalize on this trend, OAG suggests, by prioritizing their efforts around domestic travel, particularly focusing on cities with low transmission rates.

“The coronavirus has devastated the aviation and travel market,” OAG says in the report, “causing consistent and severe capacity cuts week after week. Globally, overall capacity is down nearly 50 million seats or 47 percent.”

Bozeman Clinic Prepares to Build

21 October 2020
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Site preparation work is commencing for the new Billings Clinic Bozeman campus along I-90 near the 19th Street interchange.  The first phase features a 125,000 square foot destination ambulatory center. The initial work includes grading and installing the structural pier system needed for foundation work. 

 “We are so excited this work is underway on our 58-acre site for this important project to serve residents of Gallatin Valley,” said Dr. Sam Sillitti, Billings Clinic Bozeman OB/GYN. “Having lived and practiced with Billings Clinic in Bozeman for many years, I’ve seen the need for health care services grow exponentially.”

 Billings Clinic has been working closely with the City of Bozeman during the planning phases of the project and held listening sessions with Bozeman community members to inspire the planning process. 

  The first phase includes a three-story multispecialty clinic and urgent care with an adjacent one-story surgery center that can accommodate brief overnight stays. The design features a modern, mountain aesthetic that will be filled with natural light and views of the Bridger Mountains. The clinic will house OB/GYN and pediatric practices that have been in the Bozeman community for many years in addition to a compliment of additional specialty and primary care services. Radiology, laboratory, and pharmacy services are included. This new medical destination center will employee 260.  Roughly 25% of the new physician specialists have already been recruited to eventually provide enhanced services for the Bozeman community.

 Bozeman-based Martel Construction has been chosen as general contractor for the project. The site work will be done by Duneman Construction.

Martel Construction will  deconstruct the large red barn on the property. The barn’s steel structure is being donated to Heroes and Horses, a 41-day reintegration program and local non-profit that works with combat veterans.

Billings Building Permits: Commercial and New Residential October 15, 2020

21 October 2020
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Commercial

Eggart Enterprises Llc/Infinity Roofing & Siding Inc, 1711 6th Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $92,862

Red Fox Apartments Lllp/All Seasons Roofing, 332 Sioux Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $67,500.00

Mt Heights Senior 4% Lllp/Wegner Homes, 230 Starner Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,   $107,800.00

Church Of The Open Bible Of Bi /Donahue Roofing Llc, 302 19th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $41,570.00

Hope United Methodist Church /Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 244 Wicks Ln,   Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $50,400.00

Mountrail Properties Llc/Wyomont Exterior Design, 124 N 24th St, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $60,000   Side

Stock Investment Group Iii Llc, 149 Shiloh Rd, Com Remodel, $50,000.00

Fagg Family Properties Llc, 235 N 32nd St, Com Remodel, $8,000.00

Safetech, Inc/ CTA Building Llp, 312 N 22nd St, Demolition Permit Commercial, $4,000.00

Sisters Of Charity Of Lvnwrth/Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 1230 N 30th St, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $47,615

Steel Properties Inc/Lennick Bros. Roofing & Sheetm, 3210 Henesta Dr, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $18,000

Billings Properties Llc/Kirkness Roofing Inc, 3042 King Ave W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding  $22,248

Briar Rock Group Llc/Perfect 10 Roofing & Construction, 2208 Central Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $60,000

Berst, David/Sprague Construction Roofing Division, 1211 1st Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $4,800

Leo C Schwehr Bypass Trust & /Billings Pavement Services Llc, 4 32nd St W, Com New Parking Lot/Non-Building Structure, $35,000

Jpk3m1 Llc/Jares Fence Company, Inc, 5364 Midland Rd, Com Remodel, $21,000

STV Building Partnership, 1139 N 27th St, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $23,650

Rimrock Owner LP/Neumann Construction, 300 S 24th St W, Com Remodel – Change In Use,  $38,600

Residential

Aldrich, Richard K & Katherine/Freyenhagen Construction, Inc.743 Park Ln, Res Addition Single/Duplex/Garage, $1,000

Dunn, Matthew T & Chris A/Braaton Construction & Home Repair Inc, 2173 Pheasant Pl, Res Addition Single/Duplex/Garage, $0.00

Koprek, Reed A & Cynthia D/Big Sky Custom Builders, 2919 38th St W, Res New Accessory Structure, $60,000

Montplaisir, Michael & Marjori, 1236 Harvard Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $48,000

Zweegman, Brian , 1119 Pepper Ln, Res New Accessory Structure,     $5,000

Diverse Construction Llc,2133 Gleneagles Blvd,   Res New Single Family, $263,284

Buscher Construction Ltd, 3110 Falcon Cir, Res New Single Family,    $237,000

Lorenz Construction, 3364 Pipestone Dr, Res New Single Family,    $233,117

Formation Inc, 2521 Mountain Range Ct, Res New Single Family,   $299,752

Formation Inc, 2514 Mountain Range Ct, Res New Single Family,     $208,092

Oakland Built Homes Inc, 1448 Las Palmas Ave, Res New Single Family    $205,020

Green Jeans Llc, 1306 Jean Ave, Res New Single Family, $254,686

High Sierra II Inc, 2412 Bonito Loop, Res New Single Family, $207,088

Mark  Allen/Trailhead Builders Of Montana Llc, 1512 Columbine Dr, Res New Two Family, $0.00

Handlos, Ronald K & Sylvia Bar/Environmental Contractors Llc, 525 Clark Ave,   Demolition Permit Residential, $3,800

Farrier Curt J & Donna M, 2045 Constellation Trl, Res New Accessory Structure, $40,000

Donald L Harr Survivor Trust/Mike Mjelstad Construction, 3010 Wendimere Ln, Res New Accessory Structure, $6,900

Sterup, Robert L & Carolyn I, 4406 Laredo Pl, Res New Accessory Structure, $12,000

Infinity Home Llc, 3107 70th St W, Res New Single Family, $0.00

Blanding, Nathan & Kristen, 537 Clark Ave, Res New Single Family, $189,302

Manley, Gerald B & Jane R/Steadfast Builders, 2722 Cornell Cir, Res New Single Family, $300,000

Trails West Homes Llc, 920 Bitterbrush St, Res New Single Family, $247,732.00

Airport Expansion Continues

21 October 2020
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Billings Airport will be receiving more grant funding and anticipates new business expansion.

Kevin Ploehn, Director of Aviation & Transit announced that the Alpine Aviation is interested in building a 20,000 square foot hangar and office space to complement the operations that currently exist at the Airport’s Business Park, during the September meeting of the Billings Aviation and Transit Commission.

Alpine is based in Provo, Utah and operates over 100 cargo routes in the U.S. —with hub operations in Billings, Denver, Sioux Falls and Salt Lake. Alpine primarily hauls freight for UPS and mail for the Postal Service, and operates around 400 flights per month out of Billings, and business continues to grow for them, said Ploehn.

Ploehn said this could be the first of a number of Alpine buildings and he wants to set the stage for any future development by getting the water, sewer, electrical, and road infrastructure planned out now.

Ploehn also reported that Northwestern Energy is interested in a 40-year lease of about 15 acers of airport land at the east end of the airport along the highway next to the existing substation property.

Billings Airport will also be receiving an additional grant from the construction of the Terminal Building. The grant consists of $4,026,476 of Discretionary AIP (Airport Improvement Program) funding, $261,849 of Entitlement AIP funding, and $476,480 of CARES Act local matching funds for a total grant of $4,764,805.

The Airport had received an earlier grant for the Terminal Construction of $2,352,628.

The Airport has applied for a grant with the State Department of Environmental Quality for $25,500 to offset the cost of installing three dual headed electrical vehicle chargers. This grant is part of the Volkswagen Settlement that the State of Montana received for offsetting combustion engine pollution with green sustainable energy. The project would allow six electric vehicles to be charged at the same time.

In earlier reports, Ploehn said that the recovery of Billings Airport and other airports in Montana is better than most other airports in the country. They have gone from doing about only 7 percent of their passenger numbers in the spring to about 50 percent now … while the average for the rest of the nation is about 30 percent. The reason was attributed to traffic to the national parks which drew a lot of people this summer. 

Ploehn noted that in April the Billings Airport only had 2,334 enplanements, which was down 93%. That improved to 7,535 enplanements in May (down 81%) and 13,675 enplanements in June (down 70%). In August enplanements was 24,612, almost exactly 50 percent of last August.

He noted that it appeared that July and possibly August would be closer to being down 50%. Ploehn thinks it may be possible for the year to end at about 70 or 80 percent of last year’s total numbers and that will become the “new normal.”

Year-to-date figures at the end of August was near 160,000 compared to 315,000 YTD last year.

Wise Wonders Gets $50,000 Matching Grant

21 October 2020
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Wise Wonders Science and Discovery Museum, a children’s museum in Billings,3024 2nd Avenue N., has received a gift from the AJ Blain Foundation for the Vision Campaign the Museum launched earlier this summer.

The AJ Blain Foundation has agreed to make a $50,000 gift to pose as a matching challenge for the campaign. Any gift made in the next two months will be matched 100% by the Foundation, up to a total of $50,000.

“We are extremely excited about this investment in the museum,” said Executive Director Pete Bolenbaugh. “We have a strong vision for the future of Wise Wonders and our place in the Billings community. Having support of this kind not only helps make that vision a reality, but affirms our path forward. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we are energized for the challenges ahead.”

Included in future plans for the Museum are exhibits and programming content that will focus on science, inquiry-based education, and interactive play, as well as a fully functioning maker space and workshop. For more info, please visit at wisewonders.org/vision, facebook.com/wisewondersmuseum, and instgram. com/ wisewonders/

New Program Available for Working Capital

20 October 2020
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A new program called Montana Working Capital program has been put into place by state officials, which builds off the Montana Loan Deferment program by allowing Montana businesses to take out a new loan to support economic recovery. 

Taking advantage of the $1.25 billion the state received from the federal government to deal with COVID-19 impacts on the state’s economy the Montana Loan Deferment program, launched in June, defers payments on existing loans for six to twelve months. Over $36 million has been awarded to over 1,000 Montana businesses to defer $115 million in payments by businesses. For every dollar awarded, Montana businesses receive $3 in direct benefit.

“Bankers in Montana are doing everything they can to assist businesses impacted by the economic crisis, and both the loan deferment and the new working capital program give them vital new tools in their toolboxes to help businesses regain profitability. We have worked closely with the Board of Investments for months in crafting programs that are truly beneficial for business owners and are easily implemented by banks,” said Cary Hegreberg, President/CEO, Montana Bankers Association

The Montana Working Capital program will allow Montana businesses to take out a new loan to be used for payroll, employee benefits, lease or rent, inventory, utilities, and insurance. Utilizing the unused portion of the $125 million allocated to the Montana Loan Deferment program, new borrowers can work through an approved lender to take out a loan with 35 percent of it granted through Coronavirus Relief Funds. The borrower would be responsible for making payments on the remaining 65 percent of the loan. The maximum loan size is $500,000 with a grant of $175,000. The borrower would then be responsible for making payments on the remaining $325,000.

To be eligible, borrowers must have experienced a 15 percent reduction in gross revenue attributed to the direct or indirect impacts of COVID-19. The rates and terms will be determined by the lender and borrower. Like the Montana Loan Deferment program, the new Montana Working Capital program will be run by the Board of Investments, in partnership with Montana banks and credit unions.

More Funding for Meat Processing

20 October 2020
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An additional $4.2 million have been awarded through the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant (MMPIG) program to aid small and medium-sized meat processors in responding to the COVID-19 crisis through the adaptation and advancement of meat processing infrastructure and capacity in Montana.

The grant program previously awarded $7.5 million to 62 different processors across the state in early August, making the total awards for meat processing nearly $12 million from a federal grant of $1.25 billion to Montana to deal with COVID-virus issues.

The first round of “meat processing infrastructure” funding received an incredible amount of interest, said Gov. Steve Bullock, in announcing the addition awards.

Funding for the MMPIG program is derived from the state’s allocation of federal relief dollars made available through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, with a maximum award of $150,000. The 40 businesses awarded had already submitted applications to the MMPIG program. As with all coronavirus relief programs, funds must be utilized before December 31, 2020. Due to this confined timeframe, the application process for meat processing will not be reopened.

The Montana Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock oversees the grant process and rules and regulations is available on their website.

Montana Legacy Award 2020

20 October 2020
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Jim Davison has been recognized for his life time achievements with the SBA’s Montana Legacy Award. Davison has served Anaconda, MEDA and the entire state of Montana well over his very distinguished career in economic development. He recently retired as Executive Director of Anaconda Local Development Corporation after 37 years of service. During his tenure, he seized every opportunity to diversify the economy of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, create good-paying jobs and assist in developing a quality of life for Anaconda that has become second-to-none.

Jim’s work in Montana’s economic development arena began during a perilous time for Anaconda. Just two years before he took the reins at ALDC, Anaconda lost nearly 1,000 good paying jobs when Atlantic Richfield’s copper smelter closed in September of 1980. He was faced with the daunting task of reviving the Anaconda economy, whose success had been tied to the fortunes of the Anaconda Company for nearly a century.  Jim accepted the challenge and worked tirelessly over nearly four decades to diversify and strengthen the economy of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.

Jim is a true collaborator and believes strongly in the power of partnerships to get things done. He is the only three-time President of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) and has served in various leadership positions for MEDA since the organization was established 26 years ago. Jim has continually volunteered his expertise when it was needed most, including his long-time involvement with MEDA’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee. Jim has also served as a Montana Ambassador, as Chair and long-time member of the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization and as a member of Anaconda’s Tax Increment Finance Board.

Finally, Jim’s significant contributions to the community of Anaconda extend beyond his professional responsibilities.  He is a founding board member of the Anaconda Community Foundation, served as a member of the Anaconda School Board, volunteers with his church and is active with the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

The legacy award honors an individual who epitomizes leadership, mentorship and philanthropy.  Jim Davidson exemplifies these characteristics and the SBA is honored to present him with this prestigious award.

Jim Davison was nominated by Paul Tuss, Bear Paw Development and Adam Vauthier, Anaconda Local Development.

Montana Highlights 10-01-20

20 October 2020
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The Gallatin Association of Realtors reports that the median selling price of a single-family home in Gallatin County increased by $86,900 from July 2020 to August 2020. Median single-family home sales price was at $510,000, in July, but in August it jumped to $584,500. The biggest increase was in the greater Manhattan area where the median single-family home sales price increased by $115,450. It actually dropped slightly for Three Forks and Belgrade.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau Gallatin County has grown by 27.8% from April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.5 million grant to the County of Stillwater, to make critical roadway infrastructure improvements needed to keep commerce flowing and support future business growth in the wake of flooding that impacted the county in 2019. The EDA grant, to be matched with $624,326 in local investment, is expected to create 200 jobs and spur $250 million in private investment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 announced an award of $128,992 to the University of Montana to support fish advisory and consumption awareness related to fish harvested through invasive species reduction efforts in Flathead Lake and made available to food pantries. The grant is to monitor methylmercury in fish from Flathead Lake and impacts on users. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes have made a concerted effort to suppress the invasive lake trout population.

Evel Knievel’s son, Kelly, is suing the Walt Disney Co. and Pixar over a movie daredevil character named Duke Caboom. He has filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit in Las Vegas accusing the moviemaker of improperly basing the “Toy Story 4” character on Knievel, whose stunts in the 1960s and ’70s included motorcycle jumps over the Caesars Palace fountain in Las Vegas and a rocket shot into Snake River Canyon in Idaho.

A fishing access site on the Big Horn River has been renamed to honor the legacy of a Montana public lands advocate. Friends and family of the late Tony Schoonen gathered to dedicate the site. Schoonen was passionate about a project to create a full boat launch and parking area at the Mallon’s Access Site on the Big Hole River. It was previously called Notch Bottom Fishing Access. In the mid-1960s, Schoonen spearheaded efforts to prevent the building of a dam at Notch Bottom. Today, the 150-mile-long Big Hole remains among the few free-flowing wild trout rivers in the United States

Six former employees of a snowmobile guide company in West Yellowstone have settled an unfair labor practice complaint, marking what could be a major shift in the way seasonal employees in the small tourist town work.

The charitable arm of Gibson, the iconic American instrument brand has partnered with Gallatin High School in Bozeman to bring the power of music to returning students this fall. Gibson representatives and country music artist Stephanie Quayle presented the young guitar players with a donation of 24 hand-crafted, high-quality, acoustic guitars from Gibson’s to Gallatin High School’s music department and pledged their continued support to the students.

Montana State University is reporting its fifth-highest enrollment ever this semester despite the COVID-19 pandemic. There are now 16,249 students attending classes, fall semester, students have a choice of how they want to learn, between in-person, online, or hybrid classes.

National Flood Services works with FEMA and the nation’s largest insurance carriers (Farmers, Allstate, Assurant) to help protect more policyholders from flood than anyone else. Their founder first started NFS in Chicago in 1986. But, unable to stay away from Flathead Valley, he relocated the company to his native Montana in 1988, and it’s been NFS’s home ever since. They’re celebrating 35 years of business in October and have over 100 employees in the area.

UNAVCO, a global engineering and data firm, plans to move its headquarters to Missoula, where it can establish agreements with the Montana University System and capitalize off the city’s skilled workforce. The Missoula Economic Partnership received approval from Missoula County to submit a job creation grant on behalf of UNAVCO Inc., which is looking to create 27 local jobs.

The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission reported that the state’s eight commercial service airports show increasing numbers for passenger boardings, moving away from the record low numbers in recent months. The commission reported a total of 43,559 passenger boardings for the month of August, which is higher than the statewide volume that has been seen in the last four months, and amounts to a 43 percent retention rate of the passengers that North Dakota experienced during the same month last year. North Dakota’s airline passenger demand has also been recovering faster than the national average which is currently estimated to be at 29% of pre-pandemic levels.