Federal planning requirements, passed down to local governments, have for a number of decades pursued what’s called “traffic calming” strategies aimed at making driving less desirable and pressuring citizens to abandon their personal vehicles. Often tied to qualifying for federal transportation funds, the federal efforts, have more recently, been elevated, but they have encountered a problem according to Axios Richmond: “While the city considers dramatically rolling back parking requirements to encourage denser, walkable neighborhoods, an unseen force is still quietly demanding developers build big parking decks.” Banks ! Banks almost always require developers to build a minimum number of parking spaces — often well above the requirements set by the city, complain centralized planners. Banks and developers are responding to consumer demands. They are also speculating that it will be a good investment, all the more so, because of the escalating emphasis of most municipal planning and regulators to eliminate the availability of on-street or public parking. The planners worry – even though it is not their money — that in ten years all those parking spaces will be a “financial albatross,” said Axios.
Author: Press Room
Feds Take Aim at Gig Economy
By Casey Harper, The Center Square
The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a new rule in mid-October that would overhaul how independent contractors like freelancers and drivers for ridesharing apps are classified, potentially upending the gig economy that has exploded in growth in recent years.
The DOL said in its rule proposal that it would change how the federal government determines who is a freelancer and who is an employee.
How exactly contractors will be determined remains to be fully worked out, but it is expected that many freelance positions could become classified as regular workers.
“The Department believes that this proposal, if finalized, will provide more consistent guidance to employers as they determine whether workers are economically dependent on the employer for work or are in business for themselves, as well as useful guidance to workers on whether they are correctly classified as employees or independent contractors,” DOL said.
The DOL says the new rule will provide more benefits and protections for workers.
Critics, though, argue this will put major costs on businesses. Small businesses in particular can rely on an assortment of independent contractors to help keep their business afloat before they can afford full time hires.
“The modern workplace is more complex in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said National Retail Federation Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French “Retailers, along with countless other employers, maintain a wide range of business relationships with independent contractors, including billing, facility maintenance, data analysis, delivery, marketing and other critical services.
Other critics said many workers prefer the freedom and flexibility of contract work, or the “side hustle.”
“The DOL is out-of-touch with the modern economy and how people want to work, as evident by its proposed independent contractor rule,” said Karen Kerrigan, president and CEO of the Small Business Entrepreneurship Council. “Moreover, an independent contractor’s cherished flexibility could be taken away. These are all outcomes that will exacerbate the weakening economy and harm America’s small business ecosystem.”
Many Americans started side businesses that provide services to other businesses during the pandemic. Under this new rule, those business relationships could become illegal.
“More people are starting businesses because they have access to modern tools and platforms that make it simple and affordable,” Kerrigan said. “Overwhelmingly, they want to be their own boss and want control over their own time. The proposed DOL rule is a massive step backwards, as it resurrects an outdated approach that works against flexibility and regulatory certainty.
“The proposed rule will create uncertainty, higher costs and complexity, and snuff out countless innovative ideas and entrepreneurial dreams in their infancy.”
French said the rule would also drive up costs for consumers.
“The current rules clearly define the difference between employees and independent contractors, providing much-needed legal certainty for employers, employees and independent contractors alike,” he said. “The changes being proposed by the Labor Department will significantly increase costs for businesses across all industries, and further drive already rampant inflation.
“This decision will only foster massive confusion, endless litigation, reduced innovation and fewer opportunities for employees and independent contractors alike,” he added.
Court Blocks Student Loan Plan
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has temporarily blocked President Joe Biden’s plan to cancel billions of dollars in federal student loans. The action is in response to a petition from six Republican-led states that sought a pause on the proposed student debt relief while the court rules on their request for a longer-term injunction.
The lawsuit by the six Republican-led states—Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, and South Carolina—is before the appeals court after a lower court judge rejected the suit a day prior.
The states argue that the debt relief program bypassed Congress and poses a threat to the states’ future tax revenues, as well as money earned by state entities that invest in or service the student loans. But U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey in St. Louis determined that while the six states had raised “important and significant challenges to the debt relief plan,” their lawsuit lacked the necessary legal standing to pursue the case.
Biden’s student debt relief program, announced in August, seeks to cancel up to $10,000 to borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year (or $250,000 as a couple per year), or $20,000 in debt relief to Pell Grant recipients who meet similar income standards.
Applications opened on Oct. 14. Nearly 22 million borrowers had applied for the debt relief program since — about half of the more than 40 million Americans that the Department of Education expects are eligible for some amount of debt relief.
City Plans Rec Facility
After five years of planning, the preliminary plans for a multi-use recreation center for Billings have been released.
The proposed $98.7 million facility would be located adjacent to Amend Park at the corner of King Avenue East and South Billings Boulevard, on property that the city acquired through a tax increment finance district. The plans call for a 177,000 square-foot facility that would include an ice sheet for hockey and skating, a leisure and activity swimming pool, a 50-meter competition pool, four sports courts, open fitness and activity areas and an indoor running track.
A facility with that price tag will require multiple sources of funding according to city officials. Besides funds from the South Billings Boulevard Tax Increment District, it will require community contributions and a bond request from the voters.
Funding a project of that size would require cash from multiple sources, including tax increment finance dollars, philanthropic support and most notably a voter-approved bond.
A&E designed the facility after gathering broad community input.
Planning was based on “a statistically valid survey” done in 2019 and repeated this spring to determine the highest priorities of the community.
Projections estimate that the facility would cost $3.4 million to operate annually while bringing in $2.5 million in revenue, a cost recovery rate of about 74%. The $901,000 gap would be filled by the city and would cost the average Billings homeowner roughly $12 to $15 a year.
Billings Building Permits 11-01-22
Desin, Joel & Cynthia, 526 Bernard St, Com Addition $19,000
City Of Billings/ Finishing Touch Exteriors Inc, 260 Stewart Park Rd, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $18,500
City Of Billings/ RMC Dirtworks LLC, Factory Built Building, Rimrock Substation Re-Build, 512 E Airport Rd, New, $1,000,000
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development Townhome Shell, 6113 Northstead Ave, Com New Townhome Shell, $800,000
Yellowstone Health Partnership/ T.W. Clark Construction LLC, 123 S 27th St, Com Remodel $498,500
McCall Properties LLC/ McCall Development, 1625 Annafeld Pkwy E, Com Remodel, $100,000
1537 Avenue D LLC/ Mountain Alarm, 1537 Avenue D, Com Remodel, $13,000
Med – Map LLC./ Tower 2900, 12th Ave N, Com Remodel $20,000
Billings Elementary School District/ Onsite Energy Inc, 900 Barrett Rd, Com Addition, $225,535
Finishing Touch
City Of Billings/ Exteriors Inc R & R Metal, 19 S 19th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $22,500 side
Tee2green LLC/ Finishing Touch Exteriors Inc R & R Singles, 2901 State Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $28,173 side
B & W Investment Co, 833 Mullowney Ln, Com Footing/Foundation $28,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1992 Richard Petty Way, Com New Other, $225,000
1604 Grand LLC, 1610 Grand Ave, Com New Restaurant/Casino/Bar, $460,000 rest
McCall Development 1730-1746 St George 1730 St George Blvd McCall Homes Com New Townhome Shell $1,200,000.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6123 Northstead Ave, Com New Townhome Shell, $800,000
Wp5 Billings LLC (Und 73.87% I/ Langlas & Assoc., Inc., 2618 King Ave W, Com Remodel, $2,000,000
Eric Frans/ Hardy Construction Co., 602 Henry Chapple St, Com Remodel, $60,174
Bill Honaker/ Mcfadden Construction, 2710 1st Ave N, Com Remodel, $50,000
Katie Moldenahuer/ Beartooth Holding & Construction, 1008 Shiloh Crossing Blvd, Com Remodel, $45,500
Evergreen Midtown Condo’s/ Edgewater Construction LLC, Suite 9 1313 Grand Ave, Com Remodel $25,000
Peter O’brien/ Cucancic Construction, Inc. 313 N 28th St, Com Remodel, $24,600
CDH, LLC, CDH, LLC, 5315 Rich Ln, Res New Single Family, $338,478
Wells Built Homes Inc/ Wells Built Inc., 6083 Autumnwood Dr, Res New Single Family, $502,911
Reichenbach Properties, LLC/ Kay Homebuilders LLC, 2063 Gayle Dr, Res New Single Family, $400,000
McCall Development/ McCall Development, 1710 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome $0.00
Ave McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6113 Northstead, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6115 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6117 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6119 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
South Pine Design/ South Pine Design, 5303 N Iron Mountain Rd, Res New Single Family, $450,000 Fresh Start Properties LLC/ Freyenhagen Construction, Inc., 115 Alderson Ave, Res New Single Family, $180,000
McCall Development/ McCall Development, 1888 St Paul Ln, Res New Single Family, $132,159
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1061 Darrell Waltrip Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
McCall Homes/ McCall Development, 1730 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Homes/ McCall Development, 1730 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Homes McCall Development, 1730 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Homes/ McCall Development, 1730 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Homes/ McCall Development, 1730 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, 0.00
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1060 Rusty Wallace Way, Res New Townhomel $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1070 Rusty Wallace Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1961 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1962 Richard Petty Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1971 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1972 Richard Petty Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1982 Richard Petty Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1983 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1071 Darrell Waltrip Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Baillings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1059 Rusty Wallace Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1069 Rusty Wallace Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1966 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $337,500
Barrett Road LLC / ABCO Billings LLC, 1967 Richard Petty Way, Res New Townhome $337,500
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1074 Darrell Waltrip Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1944 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1064 Darrell Waltrip Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1921 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1924 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1931 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1934 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1941 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1951 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Townhome, $450,000
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6123 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6123 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6123 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
McCall Development Inc/ McCall Development, 6123 Northstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $0.00
Community Leadership Develop Inc/ Steven Houlihan Construction LLC, 4193 Bruce Ave, Res New Two Family, $545,648
Community Leadership Dev Inc,/ Steven Houlihan Construction LLC, 229 Viceroy St, Res New Two Family $545,648
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1974 Dale Earnhardt Way, Res New Two Family, $225,000
Billings Homerun LLC/ ABCO Billings LLC, 1975 Richard Petty Way, Res New Two Family, $225,000.00
After COVID Weddings Big in Montana
A new study finds Montana the No. 16 hottest state for the wedding industry as 2022 marks the biggest year ever for weddings.
After a COVID-19 slump, an unprecedented 2.5 million weddings are set to take place this year – a surge not seen since 1984 – and Americans will spend a record $68.7 billion on venues, dinner, drinks, music, flowers, photography, attire – and of course, the ring.
Rare Carat — an online diamond marketplace — released a study on States Where the Wedding Industry is Booming after analyzing Bureau of Labor Statistics data on annual pay and employment for five occupations central to the industry – event planners, jewelers, florists, photographers, and bakers.
Key Findings in Montana contributing to its No. 16 ranking:
* Event planners: Earn $49,730 and there are 74 event planners per 100,000 jobs
* Jewelers: Earn $40,210 and there are 31 jewelers per 100,000 jobs
* Florists: Earn $27,590 and there are 41 florists per 100,000 jobs
* Photographers: Earn $50,090 and there are 23 photographers per 100,000 jobs
* Bakers: Earn $31,820 and there are 172 bakers per 100,000 jobs.
10 Hottest States: 1) New York, 2) Washington, 3) Rhode Island, 4) Massachusetts, 5) Hawaii, 6) Connecticut, 7) California, 8) Colorado, 9) Vermont, 10) New Jersey.
10 Worst States: 1) West Virginia, 2) Mississippi, 3) Kentucky, 4) Alabama, 5) New Mexico, 6) Louisiana, 7) South Carolina, 8) Arkansas, 9) Kansas, 10) Wyoming.
Republicans Push Back against NY bank’s Anti-firearm Stance
By Kim Jarrett, The Center Square
U.S. Senate Republicans are threatening to hold hearings on what they call an anti-firearms policy by one New York-based bank.
The Senators, led by Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, and Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee, accused Amalgamated Bank of manipulating Switzerland’s International Organization for Standardization to require U.S. banks to categorize gun purchases.
“Whether it is choosing to debank firearms manufacturers, forcing all commercial clients to adopt anti-gun control codes, or divesting customer assets from lawful businesses, these decisions demonstrate your attempt to force your political views on law-abiding Americans,” the 26 senators wrote in their letter. “If you want to change gun policy, you should run for office and make yourself accountable to voters. What’s worse, these actions weren’t enough for you, so you set your sights on forcing these radical and discriminatory policies on the entire financial system.”
Amalgamated Bank lists 10 social causes on its website, which include gun safety and anti-violence. The bank does not loan money to “gun, nuclear weapon or ammunition manufacturers or distributors,” according to the website.
The banks should “expect Congressional oversight of your actions,” the Senators wrote.
“Let us be clear: weaponizing the financial system to enact far-left political goals is inexcusable,” the letter said. “You should consider this notice to retain all communications involving your role in ISO’s categorization scheme, and you should anticipate testifying before Congress in the near future.”
Amalgamated Bank did not respond to a request from The Center Square for comment Tuesday. President and CEO Priscilla Sims Brown called categorizing credit card gun purchases a “victory” in a statement last month.
“This action answers the call of millions of Americans who want safety from gun violence, and we are proud to lead a broad coalition of advocates, shareholders, and elected officials to achieve this historic outcome,” Brown said.
The attorneys general of New York and California also backed the decision for a separate category for credit card gun purchases.
“Categorizing gun sales can help us work with our partners in police departments to combat gun violence and save live,” New York State Attorney General Letitia James said.
Family Promise for Homeless Housing
Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley is expanding affordable housing options for homeless families in our community.
The community is invited to join Family Promise as they launch the “Housing is Hope’’ Transitional Housing Expansion Campaign. This will take place on Oct. 20 at 12:30pm at the current FPYV Transitional Housing apartments located at 1427 Ave C, Billings.
Family Promise of Yellowstone Valley (FPYV) helps homeless families achieve and sustain independence through a community response to homelessness. Billings is facing an affordable housing crisis, leaving record numbers of working families without homes. FPYV is raising the $1.2 million dollars to expand our current Transitional Housing apartments with eight more units. With this expansion, FPYV can help lift more than 400 Billings kids out of homelessness in the next five years. FPYV has silently raised $800,000 of this projected budget and are in the final stretch of fundraising to add much needed affordable housing options to families in our area.
“The Billings community has been extremely supportive of our mission of giving families, not a hand out, but a permanent hand up out of homelessness,” said Lisa Donnot, executive director of FPYV. “With the addition of eight units, our Transitional Housing Program can provide a stable roof for more than 400 children in the next five years, ending homelessness for enough kids to entirely fill one of Billings’ elementary schools.”
FPYV is the only program of its kind in Billings. It currently operates four Transitional Housing apartments, providing one-year leases for families in need. The program has proven an amazing success; together with FPYV’s Emergency Shelter Program and intensive casework, it has led to an astonishing 90% long-term success rate for our families. Over the past eight years, more than 50 families have had the opportunity to permanently raise their children out of homelessness.
The Transitional Housing Expansion will allow FPYV to serve three times the number of families.
FPYV has proven success in purchasing, renovating, and maintaining the current Transitional Housing units. It has also paid off two prior capital campaigns with zero debt.
First Interstate Bank Raises over $25,000 to Fight Hunger
First Interstate Bank employees recently raised more than $25,000 for the Montana Food Bank Network in support of its Feed Montana Annual Event, a month-long campaign to raise 400,000 meals.
The Montana Food Bank Network is Montana’s only statewide food bank, partnering with more than 340 network partners, including other food banks, food pantries, schools, senior citizen centers, and shelters, to help end hunger in Montana.
“First Interstate Bank challenged its Montana employees to contribute, and gifts were triple matched by the First Interstate BancSystem Foundation,” explained Jocelyn Lane, Montana Regional President. “To add some fun – and a little competition – we framed the effort as Montana State University Bobcats versus University of Montana Grizzlies.”
The campaign launched on September 1, and the claws were out.
After 30 days of spirited competition, the Cats took home the win with $4,607.33 donated to combat hunger. The Grizzlies put up a good fight raising $4,004.00. With the Foundation’s multiplier, a total of $25,833.99 was raised.
Among Montana branches, Hardin emerged victorious with 100% participation by its employees, earning a distinguished Bobcat-inspired traveling trophy.
“Commitment to community is a guiding principle at First Interstate. I’m grateful to our employees who put that value into action to benefit the places we call home,” said Lane. “We are proud to continue our long history of supporting the Montana Food Bank Network as they work to make a difference.”
BAR Hires Simonson as Government Affairs Director
The Billings Association of Realtors have announced that they have hired Steve Simonson as their New Government Affairs Director.
Simonson graduated from MSU Bozeman in Agricultural Land Resources and was the “grass pro” on several golf courses prior to returning to the family farm near Thompson Falls. The farm grew peppermint and Simonson started and sold three small businesses including Big Sky Tea. He also had a “town job” with a new start up organization Sanders County Community Development Corporation. Simonson’s economic and community development experience extended into Colorado, serving as Executive Director of Trinidad Las Animas County EDC. He was also later involved with CSU Venture Capital and the Innosphere projects in Fort Collins.
Simonson also served a five-county region as Economic Development Director for
Beartooth Resource, Conservation and Development and most recently served as the Senior Project Manager at BSEDA
Simonson is married to Rachel, who works in Planned-Giving at St. Johns United and together they enjoy fly fishing and all things outdoors.
