Author: Press Room

Kroger Buys Albertsons

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

Montana’s Albertsons stores will soon be Kroger’s. Kroger announced plans in mid-October to acquire Albertsons 4,500 stores in 48 states in a nearly $25 billion deal.

The expectation that shoppers will move to buying more private label and generic brands is part of what made Albertson’s a desirable acquisition, according to  Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen.  “A lot of supply chain savings will really be helping improve freshness of product because we’ll have warehouses closer to the stores and you’ll be able to take a day or two out of the cycle for those fresh products as well. … When I look at their (Albertsons’ private label) brands, they’ve done a great job. … Between the two companies, we have an amazing portfolio.”

Kroger is quoted in the company’s announcement that they looked closely at Albertsons’ O Organics house brand when it created its own SimpleTruth label that is now a $3 billion brand. Private label or house brands are expected to be key tools in attracting and retaining customers as more shoppers turn to generic store brands to offset the cost of inflation. Combined, Kroger and Albertsons sell $43 billion in private-label products a year.

Kroger does not believe that customers will be greatly impacted by the new ownership.  Job cutss are not part of the plan, although there is a possibility that some Albertson stores will eventually be closed. The expectation is, rather, that the company will be doing more hiring.

“It does give us national scale, and we’ll be able to leverage technology and other things (using that) larger scale. … (Although) they run smaller stores better than what Kroger does,” said McMullen.

While Kroger expects to cut $1 billion in combined operating expenses, most of that is expected from improved sourcing (buying power) and more efficient manufacturing and distribution. In a complementary acquisition, there tends to be fewer overlapping functions and fewer resulting job cuts. Still, thousands of associates wouldn’t join Kroger because potentially hundreds of stores will be spun off to mollify antitrust concerns of regulators.

The acquisition mostly expands Kroger into territories where it has a thin presence or has no stores at all.

Besides Kroger stores, the Cincinnati-based grocer operates several regional supermarket chains in 35 states, including Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, Ralphs, Mariano’s, Fry’s, Smith’s, King Soopers, QFC and others. The company has nearly 2,800 stores and employs 420,000 workers. The deal would add the Albertsons, Acme, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaws and other regional names. It would give Kroger stores in five New England states, New York and Pennsylvania, among others.

The deal isn’t expected to close until early 2024 after regulatory and antitrust review.

Gov. Gianforte Unveils Agenda To Improve Health Care

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

Governor Greg Gianforte recently shared elements of his health care agenda for the 2023 legislative session and the year ahead, emphasizing the need to increase access to affordable, high-quality health care.

“Creating greater, and better, access to health care and lowering Montanans’ costs for care are core pillars of our health care agenda for 2023,” Gov. Gianforte said. “I look forward to working with legislators, patients, doctors, providers, and hospital administrators to develop more meaningful, innovative solutions that improve Montanans’ health and their access to care.”

At the Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, the governor highlighted the importance of recruiting and retaining medical professionals to expand access to care.

“With an increasingly aging population as well as our growing population, demand for health care providers continues to rise in Montana, and our supply can’t keep up. This has been a growing issue that we’ve faced for many years. We’re coming to the table with more solutions in 2023,” the governor said, before outlining his plan to make it easier for qualified health care providers to practice medicine in Montana by reducing unnecessary barriers they face.

“Imagine if you’re a doctor who’s registered to practice medicine in another state and are in good standing there. You move to Montana. You shouldn’t have to jump through burdensome hoops to start treating patients in your community here,” the governor continued. “We must reform our licensure regime to reduce those barriers.”

Addressing the substance use crisis and shortage of mental health providers, Gov. Gianforte highlighted programs his administration has implemented, including the HEART Fund and the Angel Initiative, to increase access to treatment and recovery for those struggling with addiction.

Building on those successes, the governor addressed a plan to improve access to mental health resources, saying, “Montana should enter into a behavioral health compact to reduce barriers that qualified providers face. By taking that step, Montanans will have better access to mental health care.”

He also credited Rocky Vista’s Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine, the first medical school in Montana, as a key part of the solution in meeting the demand for medical professionals.

Acknowledging the federal government has a larger role in lowering health care costs, the governor emphasized the state must do what it can to lower costs, including increasing medical billing transparency.

“What if, before a procedure, you knew what you would pay? What if your provider and your insurer provided you with a cost estimate? We must ensure Montanans have access to important pricing information prior to receiving services,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With greater transparency on costs in advance, Montanans can better make health care decisions that work for them and their families.”

The governor began his remarks by acknowledging Montana’s health care workers and the important work they do.

Last Sunday, a patient entered the Billings Clinic emergency room and attempted suicide before law enforcement intervened.

“What happened Sunday was troubling and traumatic. It’s a reminder that our health care workers are on the frontlines, every day, serving our communities. They see patients, as well as their friends and family, at their most vulnerable, and it takes a toll on them,” the governor said.

“No nurse or doctor or provider should fear for their well-being simply by showing up for work and doing their best to care for patients,”

Future Visions?

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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.

Feds Take Aim at Gig Economy

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

9 November 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

20 October 2022
Press Room
No comments

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

20 October 2022
Press Room
No comments

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.