Author: Press Room

Aeronautics Board Allocated $3.2 million

7 April 2025
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The Montana Aeronautics Board has allocated more than $3.2 million in funding for fiscal year (FY) 2026. This funding is designated for a range of airport infrastructure enhancement initiatives.

A portion of the annual grants and loans is intended to match 95/5 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for substantial airport construction projects. Requests totaling approximately $5.7 million were submitted by 49 public-use airports throughout the state. Ultimately, the Board awarded funding for 123 out of 140 submitted project proposals from 44 public airports in Montana, encompassing both federally supported and non-federally supported projects.

26 Attorneys General File Brief Supporting Deportation of Gangs

7 April 2025
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By Sarah Roderick-Fitch, The Center Square

A coalition of state attorneys general is filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, urging the court to lift a nationwide restraining order that is “preventing” the “immediate deportation” of “Tren de Aragua gang members.”

Leading the effort are Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, who joined 24 other states, including Montana, after a judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order temporarily halting the deportations of members of the Venezuelan gang. The order came as the aircraft carrying the gang members was airborne.

The deportations followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that he was invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. This prompted Chief Judge James Boasberg to immediately issue a temporary restraining order blocking the removal of “all noncitizens in U.S. custody who are subject” to the president’s order.

Boasberg ordered the planes en route to Central America to be turned around. The Trump administration immediately appealed Boasberg’s order to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The planes carrying the migrants arrived in El Salvador, with the Trump administration claiming they complied with the court order but that the aircraft was out of U.S. airspace by the time Boasberg issued his order.

In January, the president designated Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization, along with seven other cartels from Latin America.

In the latest brief, the coalition of attorneys general argues that allowing the TRO to stand “undermines public safety and national security, placing American lives at risk.”

The group defended the president’s executive order, saying it is “grounded in clear constitutional and statutory authority to remove TdA members.” They added that the district court “overstepped its bounds by issuing a restraining order without fully considering the Executive Branch’s compelling interest in national security.”

Miyares underscored the duties of the government in protecting its citizens, adding that the president’s actions are constitutionally protected.

“The core duty of government is to protect its citizens. The President, acting within his constitutional and statutory authority, did just that by ordering the removal of TdA gang members who have no legal right to be in this country and pose a direct threat to Americans’ safety. TdA is a violent transnational criminal organization responsible for heinous crimes across the United States. The law is clear, and so is our position,” said Miyares.

The brief comes on the heels of Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, introducing articles of impeachment against Boasberg, who was appointed to the bench by former president Barack Obama.

Earlier in the day, the president called Boasberg a “Radical Left Lunatic” in a Truth Social post, adding that the judge “should be impeached.”

The post led U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts to issue rare comments criticizing the president, saying the court system should be left to resolve legal disputes.

“For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision,” Roberts said Tuesday in a statement. “The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.”

Other states that joined the coalition: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and West Virginia.

‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death,’ 250 Years Later

7 April 2025
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Marking the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry’s famous speech.

By Lawrence W. Reed, Foundation for Economic Freedom

In St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, delegates from around the colony gathered to discuss matters that would rile Britain’s distant King and set Virginia on a path to rebellion. It was March 23, 1775.

One man, a homeschooled and self-taught lawyer who became a prominent planter and a member of the colony’s House of Burgesses, rose to speak. His remarks were described by a witness as “one of the boldest, vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence that had ever been delivered.” That man was Patrick Henry.

Few speeches in history resonated more powerfully than did Henry’s on that momentous occasion. Is there any American in the 250 years since who doesn’t know its most famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death!”?

Tensions between the 13 American colonies and the mother country had risen since King George III ascended to the throne in 1760. Decades of “salutary neglect,” during which the colonies governed themselves with little outside interference, gave way to a meddlesome monarch and a pushy Parliament. At the same time, Enlightenment ideas of liberty were gaining ground from New England to the Deep South. London’s attempts to impose taxation without representation and otherwise erode what the colonists saw as the traditional rights of Englishmen led some by 1775 to think the unthinkable: independence.

Thirty-nine-year-old Patrick Henry had already stuck his neck out by asking the convention to create a Virginia militia to prepare for a war he believed was inevitable. Those who still held out for peace and reconciliation were shocked. They knew that forming an army without London’s consent was nothing short of treason. But Henry began his oration with a ringing defense of his position. To remain quiet and do nothing, he declared, would itself be treason “and an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.”

What has come down to us since that day is not a verbatim transcript of Henry’s remarks but rather a reconstruction based on eyewitness accounts. The version generally accepted as probably the closest to the original was prepared by William Wirt and published in 1817. What is beyond all doubt, however, is this: Henry’s speech was a barnburner that left the assembled audience in stunned silence for several minutes.

Henry noted that previous attempts at resolving issues with London were often met with sweet words followed by harsh action. He urged his fellow Virginians not to “be betrayed with a kiss” again. Take notice instead, he said, of “those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land”:

These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? … Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging.

The storm was coming, warned Henry. Indeed, the “shot heard ’round the world” would be fired at Lexington the following month. The time for debate and petitions was past. In no uncertain terms, this fiery patriot advised his friends what must be done:

If we wish to be free—if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending—if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained—we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight!

Who would come to America’s aid? How could 13 colonies, even if united, take on the world’s preeminent military power all by themselves? The delegates were wondering about that very uncertainty, but Henry gave them an answer. “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us,” he pronounced. Indeed, many Americans would come to regard their two greatest allies in the war with Britain to be in this order: God and the French. “The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone,” Henry reminded his listeners. “It is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.”

In about 1,200 words, Patrick Henry put everything on the line. No equivocation, no hesitations, no suggested compromises. He was as decisive as an orator can be. His final sentences ring with the clarity of a church bell to this day:

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were present and stirred by Henry’s words. So was Edward Carrington, who later served with distinction as a lieutenant colonel in Washington’s Continental Army. Carrington listened to Henry’s speech from outside one of the church’s windows. He was so moved by it that he turned to friends and said, “Boys, bury me here, in this very spot!” When he died 34 years later, he was indeed buried under that window.

The convention rallied to Henry’s cause and moved to place Virginia “in a posture of defense.” Washington, Jefferson, and a handful of others were appointed to prepare a plan to create an army. Lord Dunmore, the British-appointed Governor of Virginia, would soon abandon the colony and flee on a ship. Patrick Henry became the first Governor of the new state of Virginia in the same month the Declaration of Independence was signed, July 1776.

In the long and storied history of the struggle for liberty, “the speech” of March 23, 1775, in that Richmond church surely ranks as one of the most memorable orations of all time.

$100,000 for Ten Civic Groups

7 April 2025
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Early this week, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. High Country in partnership with Dick Anderson Construction held a gathering at which the two companies donated $100,000 to ten local non-profit community organizations, with $10,000 checks presented to each.  Dick Anderson Construction built the new $21 million bottling plant for Coca Cola High Country which opened in June 2024.

The event was held at the new plant, where Tura Synhorst, Executive Vice President of High Country, welcomed representatives of the community organizations and thanked them for their support of the community. She said that her company is dedicated “to enriching and uplifting the communities we serve, with a special focus on youth programs and community activities.”

Organizations receiving the donations were:

—The Education Foundation of Billings Public Schools

—Northern Lights Family Justice Center

—Rimrock Foundation

—Billings Trail Net

—Laurel Little League

— Yellowstone Soccer Association

—BAHL Youth Scholarship Fund of Hockey League

—Billings YMCA

—Hoodies for Heroes

—All Kids Bike Foundation

Coca-Cola Bottling Co. High Country donated $75,000, and Dick Anderson Construction donated $25,000.

Having been founded in 1956, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. High Country, a four-generation family enterprise, is celebrating nearly 70 years in business.

In addition, 2025 marks Dick Anderson Construction’s 50th year in business. 

Headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, Coca-Cola Bottling Company High Country serves over 2.4 million consumers regionally across portions of Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. Headquartered in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company manufactures, sells and distributes hundreds of different varieties of sparkling soft drinks and a vast array of still beverages including sports drinks, bottled waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, energy drinks and coffee.

Founded in Helena, Montana in 1975, Dick Anderson Construction, Inc. (DAC) has grown from a small, private client company to a regional general construction manager and contracting industry leader with over four hundred employees. Its structured growth and success are the direct result of diversified employees, quality work, and valued relationships with clients and project team members. As the construction market has expanded and diversified over the past 50 years, DAC has remained at the forefront of innovative project delivery. DAC remains a Montana-based firm, working from eight offices across Montana and Wyoming, with a market-leading portfolio of commercial construction, GC/CM, and Design-Build projects. For the past seven years, Engineering News-Record has recognized DAC as one of the Top 400 Contractors in the nation.

Wolves, Hyenas and Legislators Run in Packs

18 March 2025
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By Roger Koopman

At an early age, we taught our kids to learn from others and to think for themselves.  I still remember telling one child, “Truth doesn’t fly in flocks.  You need to seek and find it on your own.  And never be afraid to test and re-examine what you believe is true.  Belief has no value if you close your mind to the ideas and arguments of others.  Living in truth involves not only faith, but also the courage to think for yourself.”

Unthinking animals either herd up for security, or run in packs to pull other creatures down.  Politicians do both.  In the worst example I have seen in 48 years in Montana, the cowardly pack mentality has been on full display in the sixty-nineth session of the Montana State Legislature. 

Most of us are aware by now of the hostile takeover of the Montana State Senate by a coalition of every Democrat plus a wolf pack of liberal Republicans, who locked claws on vote after vote to deliver a functional majority for the Democratic Party.  At one point, twenty separate pro-Democrat floor votes were recorded, all by 27-23 margins – an impressive show of Pack Power over their own Republican leadership.  The nine GOP deserters are senators Vance, Gillespie, Kassmier, Lammers, Loge, McKamey, Tempel, Hunter and Ellsworth.

First, the Pack held the Senate hostage for many days, eventually forcing leadership to change its own rules so that liberal Republicans could be inserted onto key committees to shift committee control. 

Then came the Jason Ellsworth affair.  Sen. Ellsworth was caught arranging a sweetheart contract for a buddy of his by quietly diverting, at the last moment, over $170,000  from the unspent budget of the Judicial Reform Interim Committee, over the objections of its members. The project made no sense and would be performed from the friend’s home.  When discovered, auditors were shocked, and the Senate Ethics Committee began an investigation, as was its constitutional duty.  But the nine-member GOP wolf pack again locked arms with the Democrats and stopped the investigation in its tracks – thus assuring that the liberal Ellsworth would remain in the Senate for the entire session, doing the Democrats’ bidding.

Other reports of Ellsworth throwing his political weight around started coming out.  Clearly, he should have resigned, but the “the Pack” continued to give him protective cover, and he remains there still – larger than life – seemingly incapable of shame or contrition. 

Meanwhile, the pack of nine went about doing exactly what groups like Montana Conservative Alliance have been warning about for many years — voting with the Democrat block and against limited government conservatives whenever key legislation comes up.  I call them Mutant Elephants: elephant bodies, donkey heads.   There they were for example, joining with the Democrats to pass massive Medicaid expansion welfare, and to defeat a bill providing work requirements.  (More than 6 out of 10 current recipients are able to work, but don’t.)

The state GOP publicly rebuked the nine Republican senators, but they missed the point.  This undermining of the conservative Republican cause has been going on for over 50 years, with this just being the most obvious, leadership-smashing example.  It’s really nothing new, but the media attention to the orchestrated aspect of this treachery is actually a good thing.  Maybe GOP voters will finally take notice. 

In a larger sense, what we have in our state legislature is a great many legislators who don’t read the bills, don’t read the fiscal notes, and don’t show any natural curiosity for ideas or constitutional principles.  They follow their leaders and their lobbyists and rarely do the work of a legislator or think for themselves.  The Democrats are the most obvious example – almost never having a party member show independence of thought.  It is, after all, easy to be a loyal Democrat.  All you need to do is want to grow government in every direction, deny the biology of gender, and make it easier to kill human babies.

But Republicans are supposed to be different.  Some are – and I acknowledge those men and women as great legislators.  Others are not.  They run with the pack, and fail to do the deliberative, investigative work of independent-thinking legislators.  They’ve put their own pride and positions above their constituents, and deserve to be sent packing.

Roger Koopman is president of Montana Conservative Alliance. He served four years in the Montana House of Representatives and eight years as a Montana Public Service commissioner. He operated a Bozeman small business for 37 years.

The North American Fire Deficit

18 March 2025
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Roger Pielke Jr., from substack.com

An important new paper published this week in Nature Communications looks at the historical record of fire in North America — A fire deficit persists across diverse North American forests despite recent increases in area burned. Reseachers find that large fires of recent decades in North America are not unprecedented:

Our study of 1851 tree-ring fire-scar sites and contemporary fire perimeters across the United States and Canada reveals a substantial, persistent fire deficit from 1984–2022 in many forest and woodland ecosystems, despite recent increases in burning. Contemporary fire occurrence is still far below historical (1600–1880) levels at NAFSN [North American tree-ring Fire-Scar Network] sites despite multiple large and ‘record-breaking’ recent fire years, such as 2020 in the western United States. Individual years with particularly widespread fire during the 1984–2022 period were not unprecedented in comparison with the active fire regimes of the historical period across most of the study region. Historically, fires in particularly active fire years were spatially more widespread and ubiquitous compared to fires burning during active contemporary years.

The authors start by asking an important question (emphasis added):

[A]verage annual area burned since the late 19th and early- to mid-20th centuries is generally less than that experienced under historical fire regimes across many North American forests, resulting in a widespread 20th century ‘fire deficit’ relative to earlier time periods. However, area burned by wildfire has increased across much of North America over the last few decades. Over this time period (mid-1980s—present), several regions have experienced individual years with exceptionally high area burned, leading to questions about whether recent fire years are unprecedented. As area burned has increased rapidly since the mid-1980s in parts of North America, is it possible that the fire deficit has been reduced or eliminated?

To answer this question they look at a novel dataset on tree-ring scars caused by fire.

It is not often that I am reading a scientific paper and encounter results that make me say — “Wow!”. This is one of those cases:

The year 2020 had the highest percent of sites recording fire in the contemporary time period, with 6% of NAFSN sites burned. This percentage is far below the 29% burned in the most widespread historical fire year (1748) and equal to the average of 6% that burned per year across NAFSN sites during the historical period.

Overall, fires occurred at a rate of only 23% of that expected based on historical fires — indicating a huge accumulated deficit.

State Got Fewer $$$?Last Year

18 March 2025
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The state of Montana’s General Fund tax revenues declined in 2024, according to Terry Johnson, former chief revenue forecaster for the state of Montana, now retired.

In Fiscal 2024, total general fund revenue collections were $3.32 billion, with 76.9% collected from income (individual and corporation) taxes. These revenues are used to finance a variety of state services, but most are used for education, human service, and public safety programs, explained Johnson in an article included in the Bureau of Business and Economic Research’s report included as information for their annual Economic Outlook Seminar.

Total General Fund revenue collections decreased by $620.8 million, or 15.7 %, from collections received in fiscal 2023.

This change was unusually large, according to Johnson, due to a decline in property taxes, which were $338.8 million in 2023., “Other Sources” was down $249.9 million, and revenue collected from natural resources (including oil and natural gas tax) declined $31.4 million, for a total decline of $620.1 million or 15.7 percent.

The property tax decline was due to legislative changes adopted by the 68th Legislature that redirected most of these revenues to a non-general fund account for support of public education.

In addition, there is a non-general fund account called the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund (BSRF), which is used to provide funding for the general fund account if revenue collections fall below expectations. The BSRF is funded from general-fund monies that are above a specified amount at the end of each fiscal year.

The natural resource revenue decline was due to price and production fluctuations for most of the fossil fuel types.

The decline of $10.4 million in individual income tax collections can be explained by the fact that in 2024 there were no more federal payments to Montana citizens and businesses which were enacted by Congress following the impacts of Covid-19.

The economic statistics maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis provide measures of transfer payments to Montanans as well as wage and salary income of employees. According to their data the amount of change increased by $2.9 billion from 2019 to 2020, a 27.4% increase with a further increase of $1.2 billion from 2020 to 2021 for a total increase of $4.1 billion over the two-year period. Once the stimulus payments were eliminated, transfer payments declined by $1.6 billion from 2021 to 2022.

Transfer payments from 2022 to 2023 have now returned to a more normal growth pattern observed prior to 2020.

The pandemic also had an impact on the workforce available for Montana businesses. Throughout Montana there were numerous posted signs indicating businesses were searching for workers.

This workforce demand increased the wage offerings of businesses.

Higher wages increased total state wage and salary incomes. Total wage income increased by $2.6 billion or 10.9% from 2020 to 2021 and $2.5 billion or 9.4% from 2021 to 2022. Wage growth from 2022 to 2023 has moderated and is now closer to historical trends.

Higher wage income increased state individual income tax collections in fiscal 2022 but were diminished by the decline in transfer payments in calendar 2022. Individual income tax collections are expected to return to a more normal growth pattern after 2024 reflecting more normal growth rates for wages and transfer payments as well as taxpayer behavior payment patterns returning to historical trends.

SBA to Require Citizenship Verification

18 March 2025
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In the coming days, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will promulgate a new policy requiring SBA loan applications to include a citizenship verification provision to ensure only legal, eligible applicants can access SBA programs, announced U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

 Lenders will be required to confirm that applicant businesses are not owned in whole or in part by an illegal alien, consistent with President Trump’s executive order ending the taxpayer subsidization of open borders.

Additionally, the SBA will relocate six of its regional offices currently in municipalities that do not comply with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Over the coming months, the Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle regional offices will be moved to less costly, more accessible locations that better serve the small business community and comply with federal immigration law.

“Over the last four years, the record invasion of illegal aliens has jeopardized both the lives of American citizens and the livelihoods of American small business owners, who have each become victims of Joe Biden’s migrant crime spree. Under President Trump, the SBA is committed to putting American citizens first again – starting by ensuring that zero taxpayer dollars go to fund illegal aliens,” Administrator Loeffler said.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that this agency will cut off access to loans for illegal aliens and relocate our regional offices out of sanctuary cities that reward criminal behavior. We will return our focus to empowering legal, eligible business owners across the United States – in partnership with the municipalities who share this Administration’s commitment to secure borders and safe communities.”

Under the last Administration, lax guardrails allowed illegal aliens to both apply for and get approved for SBA assistance. In June 2024, the agency approved a $783,000 loan application for a small business that was 49% owned by an illegal alien. Last month, under the leadership of this Administration, an internal SBA audit identified the illegal status of the individual and halted the loan from being disbursed – ensuring that $0 was distributed to the business.

New Businesses February 2025

18 March 2025
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Edumacated Redneck Repair, 420 N 13th St, (406) 200-7028, Steiner, Briana, Auto Business, Billings, 59101

Here We Are Recovery Residence, 2510 Rimrock Rd, (307) 370-1624, Lopez, Henry, Service, Billings, 59102, 621 S 2nd St, Laramie, WY, 82070

Hot Tub And Swim Spa Sales LLC, 1012 Marquez Place Ste 106-B,      (657) 202-5007, Wellmann, Kevin, Retail Sales, Santa Fe, NM, 87505, 2501 South Wayzate Blvd, Minneapolis, MN, 55405

Cassandra Mai Designs, 1608 Annas Garden Ln, (208) 650-1405,      Juvera, Cassandra, Service, Billings, MT, 59101

Fishing For Goodies LLC,   412 18th St W, (406) 671-5627, Garza, Andre, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

Montana Craft Construction, 2113 Golden Blvd, (360) 991-2970, Asplund, Matthew, General Contractors, Billings, 59102

Dave Loden Construction, 400 Hemlock, (307) 684-5838, Loden, Erik, General Contractors, Buffalo, WY, 82834

Your Pie Billings, 824 Shiloh Crossing Blvd Ste 1, (406) 534-8738,      Lueken, Monica & Dan, Restaurants, Billings, 59102, 3329 Castle Pines Dr, Billings, 59101

B M B Contracting Company, 5322 Danford Dr Trlr 1, {406) 200-2121, Newman / Coleman, Donald K / Tye A, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59106

Mahoney Consulting LLC, 1780 Shiloh Rd Ste B, (406) 596-3105, Mahoney, Alyssa, Service, Billings, 59106, 119 W Maryland Lane, Laurel, MT, 59044

Cullum And Brown Of Kansas City Inc, 3205 Hesper Rd Unit B, (816) 842-7711, Hoffman, Andrew, Service, Billings, MT, 59106, 1001 NW Technology Dr, Lees Summit, MO, 64086

WH Copper Ridge 54, LLC (Williams Homes), 7011 Copper Bend Blvd, (661) 993-9889, Heffernan (Ops Manager), Danika, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59106, 387 Gallatine Park Dr Ste 102, Bozeman, MT, 59715

Kalen Study The Pooper Scooper, 922 Yellowstone River Rd Trlr H4, (406) 384-1777, Service, Billings, MT,      59105

Jeff Kirby Construction Inc, 4215 Woodcreek Dr, (406) 690-3799, Kirby, Tanya, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59106, PO Box 80930, Billings, MT, 59108

McCall Properties LLC, 1536 Mullowney Ln Ste 100, (406) 651-5354, Gregory, McCall, Real Estate Rental, Billings, MT, 59101

Stepping Stones Counseling & Recovery, 1201 Grand Ave Ste 2, (406) 696-8976, Erickson, Jessica, Service, Billings, MT, 59102,

Stokke Electric LLC, 47 Canyon Creek Rd,    (406) 698-2703, Stokke, Zach, Electrical Contractors, Molt, MT, 59057

Elgm Building Contracting And Transportation, 3854 Avenue F, (571) 320-0049, Angord Dearmas, Yanick L, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59102

Red Clover Construction, 1204 Nasturtium Dr, (406) 606-9690, Blaine, Davida, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59105

Physioworks Physical Therapy LLC, 1416 Las Palmas Ave, (941) 387-4099, Denisar-Green, Brent, Service, Billings, MT, 59105

Beau Aesthetics & Wellness PLLC, 2631 St Johns Ave, (808) 518-9487, Posada, Britt, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, 2710 Hanover Circle, Billings, MT, 59106

Cobeck Construction Co LLC, 273 W Lafayette Frontage Rd, (651) 756-7521, Difronzo (Manager), Jane, General Contractors, Saint Paul, MN, 55107

Red Bear BBQ LLC, 1644 41st St W, (406) 598-0115, Bear, Scott, Restaurants, Billings, MT, 59106

Perman-It Investments,     7446 Burlington Ave, (406) 384-8129, Perman/Perman, Josh/Tom, Service, Billings, MT, 59106

Modern Paths Of Wellness Counseling, 527 Lake Elmo Dr, (406) 208-4289, Waltenbaugh, Shalom, Service, Billings, MT, 59105, 916 Dorothy Ln, Billings, MT, 59105

Alpha Transport LLC, 145 Talon Way Unit C, (406) 600-6600, Huggins/Dunn, Justin/Brittany, Service, Bozeman, MT, 59718

Melissa Riley Photography, 2977 W Copper Ridge Loop, (801) 368-7626,      Riley, Melissa & Stewart, Service, Billings, MT, 59106

Storage Rental Of America (Bench), 1032 Bench Blvd, (561) 489-5517, Speegle (Manager), Kenneth, Service, Billings, MT, 59105, 2751 S Dixie Hwy Ste 450, West Palm Beach, FL, 33405

Storage Rental Of America (Overland), 2850 Overland Ave, (561) 489-5517, Speegle (Manager), Kenneth, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, 2751 S Dixie Hwy Ste 450, West Palm Beach, FL, 33405

Michelle’s Pantry LLC, 2123 1st Ave N, (406) 671-6440, Feller, Michelle, Restaurants, Billings, MT, 59101, 34 19th St W, Billings, MT, 59102

Rosemary Glass, 5515 Rimrock Rd, (808) 346-2790, Hatzell, Rosemary, Retail Sales, Billings, MT, 59106, 7013 Copper Sunset Dr, Billings, MT, 59106

Montana Clutch And Driveline, 3302 1st Ave N, (406) 256-9110, Beckner, John, Service, Billings, MT, 59101

Big Sky Handmade Creations, 5639 Mountain Front Ave, (406) 210-9081, Chase, Heidi, Retail Sales, Billings, MT, 59106

Oak & Stone Salon LLC, 2500 Grand Ave Ste H, (406) 696-7222, Mudro, Nicole, Cosmetology, Billings, MT, 59102, 1831 Old Hardin Rd, Billings, MT, 59102

JC Excavation & Construction, 2245 Chloe Rd, (406) 670-6041, Luster, Rob, Service, Huntley, MT, 59037, PO Box 399, Huntley, MT, 59037

237 Avenue C LLC, 237 Avenue C, (406) 544-6718, Schwab, Caleb, Real Estate Rental, Billings, MT, 59101, PO Box 1254, Mead, WA, 99021

TJ’s Builders, 564 Light Stream Ln, (406) 860-9089, Johnson, Trevor, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59106 

Innova Ink PC, 2116 Broadwater Ave #308, (406) 503-2213, Eles, Zsolt & Zora, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, 1600 Avenue E #41, Billings, MT, 59102

Autobongs, 2230 N Reserve St Ste 300 #181, (702) 848-0178, Smith, Jesse, Retail Sales, Missoula, MT, 59808

Brush And Bloom Beauty Studio, 1202 Central Ave, (406) 371-1911, Sjolseth/O’Dell, Ashley/Shawni, Cosmetology, Billings, MT, 59101

Blue Willow Massage, 1140 1st Ave N, (406) 249-7000, Rautio, Alice, Solo Practitioner, Billings, MT, 59101, 4775 Laila Dr, Billings, MT, 59106

The Brand Soap Co, 1260 Calico Ave, (406) 661-6000, Sitzman, Duane, Retail Sales, Billings, MT, 59105

Castro Facilities Management LLC, 3735 Fort Laramie Dr,     (406) 208-0364, Castro, Michael, Service, Billings, MT, 59102

Happy Pairings MT LLC, 323 N 24th St, (406) 670-1720, Crawford, Lauren,    Restaurants, Billings, MT, 59101, 1316 Emma Avenue, Billings, MT, 59105

Shelly’s Drywall & Painting, 7921 Clark Ave, (406) 860-3712, De La Paz, Shelly, General Contractors, Billings, MT, 59106

Larson Family Construction Inc, 24212 W Cedar Lake Dr, (612) 369-7056, Larson, Mike, General Contractors, New Prague, MN, 56071

Herman Enterprises LLC, 16 Reece Road,      (307) 349-8359, Herman, Chad,      Service, Riverton, WY, 82501

Montana Show-Me, 1792 S 6th Rd, (406) 661-5888, Dahl, Rebecca, Retail Sales, Huntley,     MT, 59037

Cochran Towing LLC, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 545-8703, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Cochran Towing LLC 1, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 534-1021, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Cochran Towing LLC 2, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 894-2381, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Cochran Towing LLC 3, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 894-2383, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Cochran Towing LLC 4, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 534-4133, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Cochran Towing LLC 5, 1202 S 32nd St W Ste M, (406) 534-4211, Lauer (Accountant), Arlene, Service, Billings, MT, 59102, PO Box 80067, Billings, MT, 59108

Wam Properties LLC, 6738 Shepherd Rd, (406) 670-2537, Wambeke, Brandee, Real Estate Rental, Shepherd, MT, 59079, PO Box 50314, Billings, MT, 59105

Code 96 LLC, dba Bare Metal Standard, 11513 W Fairview Ave Ste 103, (208) 898-9379, Stanley, Jeff, Service, Boise, ID, 83713

Flawless Premier Extension Salon, 1500 Broadwater Ave, (406) 661-2438, Law, Samantha, Cosmetology, Billings, MT, 59102

Esoteric Liminal Horizons, 111 Jefferson St, (406) 200-2978, Barth, Whitney, Service, Billings, MT, 59101

Deep Blue Pools And Spas, 43003 Liddell Lane, (385) 450-0344, Durham (Permit Tech), Liz, General Contractors, Polson, MT, 59860, 4153 S Commerce Dr, Salt Lake City, UT, 84107

Sessler Inc, 4524 Tacoma Ave, (253) 863-0660, Mayer (Manager), Kara, General Contractors, Sumner, WA, 98390

Heirloom Cleaning Services, 808 22nd St W, (406) 855-3695, Stevens, Courtney, Service, Billings, MT, 59102

Burnett Enterprises (White House Haven), 1032 N 29th St, (406) 696-2354, Jones, Clifton E, Real Estate Rental, Billings, MT, 59101, 448 Killarney Street, Billings, MT, 59105

Montana Highlights March 15 2025

18 March 2025
Press Room
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The Yellowstone Business Coalition, formed in 2016, representing more than 400 businesses and landowners in Paradise Valley, Gardiner and Livingston, is mobilizing in response to recent Yellowstone National Park staff reductions. These layoffs could affect both park operations and the local economies that depend on them. The coalition initially came together to protect the local economy from two proposed gold mines near the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone maintains around 300 permanent employees and hires more than 200 seasonal workers each year.

Seven years ago Andy and Kailey Armor opened Compass Chiropractic in Whitefish. Demand for the chiropractic practice has grown, leading to the February opening in downtown Kalispell. The new location is located on 1st Ave. E in Kalispell.

The nonprofit ski area, Bridger Bowl, rolled out a master development plan to the community in recent weeks. The plan includes ideas such as increased snowmaking, more parking, base-area improvements, new lifts and night skiing. When it comes to a plan for future development options at Bridger Bowl some skiers are concerned with keeping the feel of Bridger Bowl.

Montana FWP has released a draft environmental assessment in order to solicit comments about a new campground slated for an area near the Gunner’s Ridge trailhead. It is about 1/2 mile into Makoshika State Park. The campground will add 16 RV sites with electric hookups, four primitive hiker and biker tent sites, day-use facilities, latrines and a playground to the lower half of the park. Construction on the project is tentatively expected to begin between the middle of May or early June this year, with completion planned for this fall.

The Williams County Commission has approved a conditional use permit for Ramsey Hill Exploration to construct and operate a frac sand facility. The facility will be located in the Hofflund Township. The processing facility’s purpose will be to aid in oilfield production by locally storing frac sand needed for operations. The property spans approximately 1,109 acres, but Exploration Company made it clear it only intends to utilize 593 acres of the land.

A study commission in Butte-Silver Bow County wants the current commission to consider big changes in the way local government is run here. They are suggesting a city manager position overseeing day-to-day operations of the county. Voters did authorize a study commission in 2024. Nine people were elected to serve on the commission. The group has through most of 2026 to decide on what, if any, changes it wants to see in local government. Recommendations will go before voters in the November 2026 election.

The Helena Public School District is considering multiple proposals for long-term planning and dealing with aging school facilities. One plan would potentially close Hawthorne Elementary at the end of the academic year.

At a Feb. 25 board work session held at Bryant Elementary School, some community members spoke up about their worry regarding the possible closing of a neighborhood elementary school, Hawthorne.

Toyota of Helena has announced plans to move the dealership to 3135 Prospect Ave. Some work to the old Nissan location. There will be a complete Toyota dealership in about 10 weeks.

Highway 55, a Butte burger restaurant, closed in early January less than a year after it opened. The owner is searching for a new tenant for the practically brand new building on Harrison Ave. Butte-Silver Bow County designated more than $240,000 in taxpayer funds toward the project.

A new coffee stand called Glacier Peaks Bagels and Espresso is opening in Missoula. It will be located in front of Westside Lanes bowling alley.

VIM & VIGR, a Missoula-based company that sells compression leg wear, is building a new 14,000-square-foot warehouse near the Wye. Company founder Michelle Huie recently announced the expansion, stating the need for a larger space.

Opportunity Bank of Montana has opened a new branch location in Missoula.

Tractor Supply Co. is planning Helena and Butte locations. Both set to open in November. They will be TSC’s ninth and 10th locations in Montana. The Tennessee-based company sells power tools, pet supplies and the titular tractor parts and accessories plus other farm items.

A new journal focusing on the economic and entrepreneurial trends that shape Northwest Montana’s business communities will make its debut in April. Hagadone Media Montana is launching Insights with an eye toward connecting the economic hubs that are Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Sanders and Mineral counties.  This five-county region is home to more thousands of businesses and a growing labor force with 200,000 consumers.

The City of Miles City Public Service Committee voted to recommend a change to the city ordinance that deals with liquor liability coverage at city parks. The committee voted unanimously on recommending the revision to the City Code of the City of Miles City, Section 17-114, and requiring liability insurance in specified amounts prior to issuance of a Park Use permit.