Author: Press Room

Space2Place Awards Presented by EDA

6 May 2021
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Each year the Big Sky Economic Development Authority awards $5000 grants to projects proposed by groups or individuals that will enhance the appearance and enjoyment of locations in the county.

Following are the 2021 recipients and a brief description of the awarded projects:

—Lockwood Optimist Club – Outdoor cinema and seating area and other improvements to Hillner Park

—Broadview Community Center –  Outdoor gathering space/seating area at the community center

—Downtown Billings Alliance – Light Bike Trail in alleyways throughout downtown

—Southside Neighborhood Task Force – Gateway to the Yellowstone River murals at 6th Street underpass and N 13th St underpass

—Underground Culture Krew/Tyson Middle – mural at the Skatepark on S. 27th St

— Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter – mural and honor/memorial fence at YVAS entrance

— Billings Community Foundation/Eat.Share.Give – Community Gardens

SBA Offers Rescue Plan for Restaurants

6 May 2021
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A program especially designed for the restaurant industry has been announced by the US Small Business Administration. The program was part of the federal government’s American Rescue Plan. It set aside $28.6 billion for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)to be administered within the SBA.

Said SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, “The restaurant industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors during the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To help bring jobs back and revive the industry… the SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants.”  For the first 21 days priority will be given to applications from small businesses owned by women, veterans and disadvantaged individuals.

“With the launch of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, we’re prioritizing funding to the hardest-hit small businesses – irreplaceable gathering places in our neighborhoods and communities that need a lifeline now to get back on their feet,” said Guzman. “… we’re rolling out this program to make sure that these businesses can meet payroll, purchase supplies, and get what they need in place to transition to today’s … marketplace.”

Guzman emphasized, “We’re also focused on ensuring that the RRF program’s application process is streamlined and free of burdensome, bureaucratic hurdles – while still maintaining robust oversight. Under my leadership, the SBA aims to be as entrepreneurial as the entrepreneurs we serve – and that means meeting every small business where they are, and giving them the support they need to recover, rebuild and thrive.”

Prairie Reserve’s Secret Negotiations with Bullock Waylaid by Lawsuit, Now Settled by Gianforte

6 May 2021
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Governor Greg Gianforte has announced a settlement agreement that ends litigation between the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and United Property Owners of Montana (UPOM).

“Under the previous administration, FWP didn’t do right by farmers, ranchers, and private property owners. In its effort to spread bison across parts of Montana, FWP didn’t do enough to account for the impacts to local communities and relied on outdated data,” Gov. Gianforte said. “This settlement agreement protects our livestock producers and rural lands and reaffirms the state can and should do better going forward.”

“FWP is committed to engaging communities and stakeholders on the impacts of decisions like this. We’re grateful to have this lawsuit behind us,” said Hank Worsech, director of FWP.

In January 2020, FWP issued a Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Bison Conservation and Management in Montana (EIS) and an associated Record of Decision. In March 2020, UPOM filed suit against FWP alleging the agency violated MEPA, MAPA, and environmental impact review requirements during the EIS process.

In the settlement agreement, FWP and UPOM agree the Final EIS failed to adequately consider disease transmission between bison, livestock, and other wildlife, there was an inadequate public comment opportunity, and the Final EIS relied on outdated data, among other things.

“This is a huge win for property owners in Montana.  We’ve successfully blocked the introduction of free-roaming bison for at least the next decade,” said UPOM Policy Director Chuck Denowh.  “This is a major setback for the American Prairie Reserve and their plan to impose wild bison on their neighbors and on our public land.”

Through discovery related to the lawsuit, Denowh says that UPOM learned that FWP officials were in active negotiations with the American Prairie Reserve to establish a free-roaming bison herd in Central Montana.  Documents obtained by UPOM indicated urgency to strike a deal prior to the end of Governor Bullock’s term. “If we hadn’t sued FWP over this bison plan there’s little doubt we would have a herd of free-roaming bison in Central Montana today.” said Denowh.  “It’s chilling to think that FWP was engaging in secret negotiations with an out-of-state special interest group to impose free-roaming bison over the strong objections of local stakeholders.”

NorthWestern Energy Plans Power Plant at Laurel

6 May 2021
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NorthWestern Energy has announced plans to build a $250 million, natural gas plant to generate 175 megawatts of electricity at Laurel. The project is part of a three- pronged strategy to add a total of 325 megawatts of capacity to address future electricity needs in Montana.

The company also plans to purchase energy from a 50 megawatt battery storage project; and will enter a power purchase agreement for 100 megawatts of predominantly hydroelectric resources. Finalization of the plans rests with the Montana Public Service Commission, which is expected to take about nine months.

—NorthWestern Energy’s Laurel Generating Station will be a new 175 megawatt, reciprocating internal combustion engine (RICE units), natural gas plant.

For the 175 megawatt natural gas-fired RICE plant, Caterpillar Power Generation Systems, LLC, a subsidiary of Caterpillar, Inc. will supply the RICE units and Burns & McDonnell Engineering Company, Inc. was selected as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor.

The Caterpillar RICE units are highly reliable and efficient with low emissions. The selected engines are capable of rapid ramping and multiple daily starts and stops. These units have the flexibility to provide power on-demand, baseload power, flexible capacity, and regulation services. These characteristics will facilitate the integration of existing and new intermittent renewable energy resources.

— Powerex Corp., a subsidiary of British Columbia-owned BC Hydro, has entered into a five-year power purchase agreement with NorthWestern Energy for 100 megawatts of capacity and energy products originating predominately from hydroelectric resources.  The Powerex Corp agreement, “… will provide our customers with capacity mainly from the BC Hydro system starting in Jan. 1, 2023” said NorthWestern Energy Director Long-Term Resources Bleau LaFave. “Our Montana customers require this capacity as soon as it is available. This market product can be delivered on our existing transmission assets.”

—Contract pending on an Energy Storage Project that will be a 50 megawatt battery storage system utilizing lithium-ion technology.

The 50 megawatt battery energy storage system, is expected to be available to serve NorthWestern Energy’s Montana customers by the end of 2023. 

 “The energy storage project will provide the opportunity to store some excess energy from the grid to use when customer demand is high,” according to LaFave. “Today, NorthWestern Energy most frequently has excess energy on the grid from wind resources. Now we will have the opportunity to store a portion of that excess energy to improve matching the generation with customer demand and higher market pricing.”

“This selection of diverse projects will provide critically needed flexible capacity from a combination of thermal and renewable resources,” said NorthWestern Energy Vice President Supply and Montana Government Relations John Hines.  

NorthWestern Energy is still short of the capacity resources needed to produce energy reliably at the times when Montana customers require it the most, say officials.

The strategies to meet future energy needs is the result of a bidding process for proposals that they issued in January 2020.

In a press release the company said that the new contracts will fill the gap between what they anticipated as needed for future energy supplies and what is currently available. It will also help decrease risk associated with the ups and downs of the market, and potential lack of availability. Overall, it will increase reliability for Montana customers..

The additional capacity will address more than half of NorthWestern Energy’s deficit in its supply portfolio. The deficit is becoming, said the press release, more critical as some regional coal plants and other capacity resources are being shut down, compromising reliability during extreme weather conditions, including multi-day weather events, when energy demand is high.

NorthWestern Energy’s independent, third-party request for proposals evaluator, Aion Energy, received 180 proposals representing a wide variety of technologies from 21 bidders.

The selected resources provide diversity in ownership and technology, including owned and market-based resources and the largest battery-storage project within Montana.

“This resource portfolio addresses a key portion of our immediate need for generation capacity while also allowing us to make progress toward our goal of an energy supply portfolio in Montana that reduces the carbon intensity of our electric generation by 90% by 2045,” said NorthWestern Energy Chief Executive Officer Bob Rowe.

“The 2020 RFP process provided an opportunity to see what projects and technology are available,” said NorthWestern Energy President and Chief Operating Officer Brian Bird. “NorthWestern Energy’s new Laurel Generating Station will be able to provide on-demand capacity for long durations. With that asset added to our Montana portfolio, NorthWestern Energy can consider other, shorter duration capacity projects in future RFPs.”

“Developing a diverse portfolio of resources capable of producing the energy our Montana customers need any time they need it is the responsible path forward as we all work together toward an affordable, reliable and cleaner energy future,” said Rowe.

Montana Unemployment Rate 3.8%

6 May 2021
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Montana’s unemployment rate declined in March to 3.8 percent, the state’s third consecutive month of lower unemployment rates. Nationwide, the unemployment rate was 6.0 percent in March.

“For the third consecutive month this year, Montana has seen the benefits of a safe reopening as our unemployment rate continues its downward trend,” said Governor Greg Gianforte. “As we continue to reopen and get back to normal, too many of our businesses struggle to find workers, and I remain committed to getting more Montanans back into the workforce with good-paying jobs.”

Payroll employment posted strong growth of 4,000 jobs over the month, reflecting large gains in industries severely impacted by the pandemic. The Leisure and Hospitality sector added 1,300 jobs, while the Manufacturing, Education, and Health sectors each added 800 jobs. Montana’s total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural, and self-employed workers, grew by 1,210 jobs in March. The labor force grew by 439 workers in March, signaling a rebound from recent declines.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased by 0.6 percent in March, the largest one-month increase since August 2012. Prices for gasoline, which rose 9.1 percent in March, and natural gas were major contributors to the increase. Over the last 12 months the CPI-U has increased 2.6percent. The index for all items less food and energy, referred to as core inflation, increased 0.3 percent in March.

Montana Highlights May 1 2021

6 May 2021
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection will continue to operate six ports of entry in Montana and one in Idaho at reduced hours in order to limit the further spread of coronavirus. On April 22, 2021, these measures were extended for an additional 30 days.

Early Stage Montana, a nonprofit working to accelerate the growth of Montana technology start-up companies has hired Jenni Graff as its first executive director. Adam Gilbertson of Laurel and Dan Rausch of Sioux Falls, SD have joined the Board of Directors.

The Montana Science Center of Bozeman is celebrating 20 years. The center was founded in 2001 by city residents, who wanted to experiment with STEM learning opportunities for all ages. The center offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, weekly programs as well as summer camps.  

The Gallatin Association of Realtors will use a $4,500 Placemaking Grant from the National Association of Realtors to help with the development of a new half-mile trail within the Highland Glen Nature Preserve, which is a Bozeman Health property. GAR will provide a $450 grant match, and Realtor members will participate in the construction of a bridge on the trail. The new half-mile trail will provide a connection to the existing 4.5 miles of trails within the Highland Glen Nature Preserve. A number of organizations are providing funding for the $47,000 project, including the Gallatin Valley Land Trust, Bozeman Health, the City of Bozeman, the Gianforte Family Foundation, Sanderson Stewart, AMB West Philanthropies, Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply and the One Valley Community Foundation. 

Gallatin County’s residential real estate saw strong sales, increased prices and high demand for homes in March. The average number of days homes spent on the market was half of what it was in March 2020. Median sale prices jumped 45.3%, and on average sellers received more than their asking price for single family homes. The number of new listings decreased 10.5% in March compared to last year, from 172 to 154. Pending sales were up 41.1%, going from 107 to 151. The number of closed sales decreased 14.3%, from 119 to 102. The average days on market decreased 52.9%, from 85 to 40. The median sales price increased 45.3% from $485,000 to $704,750. Sellers received 100.4% of their list price, up from 99.1% last March. The inventory of available homes dropped 69.8%, from 414 to 125, while the months’ supply of inventory fell 75%, from 3.2 to 0.8.  

After 38-years in business, the Women’s Club of Missoula has decided to shut their doors. The Women’s Club isn’t the only business shutting its doors in Missoula. At Southgate Mall two corner stores have closed, JC Penney and Lucky’s Market and The Green Light.

Also in Missoula, construction continues on an old department store as crews work to transform the space into a Scheel’s in time for its October grand opening. And in other positive news the Pink Elephant is now open.

The Bozeman Health Cottonwood Clinic and Surgery Center has opened. The new space has family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics. CEO John Hill said they hand-picked the team to be a part of this clinic. Over the next six to nine months radiology surgery, ambulatory surgery, and a gastrointestinal clinic will open at this location too. 

Samar International Food Market has opened in Missoula. The business offers a wide variety of spices and specialty foods. It is located in Paxson Plaza.

Medellee Antonioli is the new owner of Books & Books at 206 W Park St, Butte. Current plans call for a move and expansion at 43 E. Broadway St by the end of summer.

Mountain Berry Bowls has opened at 2200 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena. The food truck is open  Wednesdays – Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They feature combinations of fruit, toppings, and more. All bowls are gluten and dairy free.

Casey and Ann Brooks  are the new owners of RB Drive-In at 932 Helena Ave. in Helena. 1948. The menus has been updated but the original favorites have been retained. You can check them out on Facebook.

HomeBase Partners, has begun the planning stages for a development on four blocks between Villard and Lamme streets  Tracy and Grand Street. new buildings will hold a combination of residential and business spaces. The area is now home to a building with medical offices, houses, other office buildings and parking lots.

FWP to Acquire Cottonwood Island

6 May 2021
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) is in the process of purchasing two islands in the Yellowstone River east of Reed Point for a fishing access site and to fulfill a need for woody debris and wildlife habitat. The acquisition will replace habitat that was removed during the cleanup on July 1, 2011 of the ExxonMobil Pipeline Company oil spill at Laurel. 

The purchase must be approved by the commission in April and the entire transaction will be completed by mid-summer, according to Robert Gibson, FWP Program Manager.

The 45 acres of islands are currently owned by the Montana Department of Transportation, which acquired them when it bought a ranch as part of a plan to abandon an old bridge across the Yellowstone River. FWP has agreed to buy the islands with $54,050 from the Department of Justice Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP). 

NRDP was funded through a settlement with Exxon Mobil Pipeline Company following the rupture the Exxon Mobil Pipeline petroleum pipeline in 2011. During cleanup of the spill, crews altered riverside wildlife habitat and removed large woody debris – primarily downed cottonwood trees. Such debris is responsible for creating and maintaining islands and other natural structures that form a healthy, meandering river. 

The islands being acquired will remain undeveloped to leave habitat intact..

Elkin Named Senior Vice President

5 May 2021
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Ty Elkin has joined Stockman Bank as Senior Vice President-Billings Market. His responsibilities include managing new and existing banking relationships, business development and assisting the Billings Market President in bank operations, employee supervision and management, and all phases of lending for the six Stockman Bank Billings area locations.

Elkin brings over 20 years of banking and leadership experience to the position, which includes branch supervision, small business and commercial lending, customer relations and business development. He most recently served as the President/CEO of St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation.

 Elkin earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Montana State University Billings in 1995. He graduated with honors from the Pacific Coast Graduate School of Banking at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington in 2006. He also completed the Chamber’s Leadership Billings program and recently received the 2020 MSU Billings Distinguished Alumni award for his professional accomplishments and community involvement. He is located at 2700 King Avenue West.

Business Owners Become More Confident, But Threatened by Lack of Workers

5 May 2021
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The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose 2.4 points in March to 98.2. March’s reading is the first return to the average historical reading since last November. The NFIB Uncertainty Index increased six points to 81, which was primarily driven by owners being more uncertain about whether it is a good time to expand their business and make capital expenditures in the coming months.

“Main Street is doing better as state and local restrictions are eased, but finding qualified labor is a critical issue for small businesses nationwide,” said NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Small business owners are competing with the pandemic and increased unemployment benefits that are keeping some workers out of the labor force. However, owners remain determined to hire workers and grow their business.”

Other key findings include:

—Seven of the 10 Index components improved and three declined.

—Sales expectations over the next three months improved eight points to a net 0% of owners, a historically low level.

—Earnings trends over the past three months declined four points to a net negative 15%.

As reported in NFIB’s monthly jobs report, 42% of owners reported job openings that could not be filled, a record high reading. Owners continue to have difficulty finding qualified workers to fill jobs as they compete with increased unemployment benefits and the pandemic keeping some workers out of the labor force.

A net 28% of owners reported raising compensation (up three points) and the highest level in the past 12 months. A net 17% plan to raise compensation in the next three months, down two points.

Seven percent of owners cited labor costs as their top business problem and 24% said that labor quality was their top business problem. Finding eligible workers to fill open positions will become increasingly difficult for small business owners.

Fifty-nine percent of owners reported capital outlays in the next six months, up two points from February. Of those making expenditures, 41% reported spending on new equipment, 26% acquired vehicles, and 14% improved or expanded facilities. Six percent acquired new buildings or land for expansion and 11% spent money for new fixtures and furniture.

Twenty percent of owners plan capital outlays in the next few months, down three points from February. Owners are not planning on investing in their businesses as expected future sales and business conditions remain below average.

A net negative 6% of all owners (seasonally adjusted) reported higher nominal sales in the past three months, down eight points from February. The net percent of owners expecting higher real sales volumes improved eight points to a net negative 0%.

The net percent of owners reporting inventory increases decreased two points to a net negative 5%. A net 3% of owners view current inventory stocks as “too low” in March, down two points but remaining at historically high levels. A net 4% of owners plan inventory investment in the coming months, up two points from February.  

The net percent of owners raising average selling prices increased one point to a net 26% (seasonally adjusted). Eight percent of owners reported lower average selling prices and 36% reported higher average prices. Price hikes were the most frequent in wholesale (65% higher, 5% lower) and retail (48% higher, 5% lower). A net 34% (seasonally adjusted) plan price hikes.

The frequency of reports of positive profit trends declined four points to a net negative 15% reporting quarter on quarter profit improvements. Sales have not yet improved enough for owners to report higher earnings.

Among those owners reporting lower profits, 46% blamed weaker sales, 15% cited the usual seasonal change, 10% cited a higher cost of materials, 5% cited labor costs, 5% cited lower prices, and 4% cited higher taxes or regulatory costs. For owners reporting higher profits, 68% credited sales volumes, 12% cited usual seasonal change, and 7% cited higher prices.

Two percent of owners reported that all of their borrowing needs were not satisfied. Twenty-seven percent reported all credit needs were met and 59% said they were not interested in a loan. A net 1% reported that their last loan was harder to get than in previous attempts. One percent of owners reported that financing was their top business problem. The net percent of owners reporting paying a higher rate on their most recent loan was 0%, up two points from February.

Billings Building Permits May 1 2021

5 May 2021
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Commercial

Watford Enterprises LLC/Dale Jones Construction LLC, 825 Grand Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $33,000   

Valley Mt Property Holdings LLC/Lobo Construction Inc, 1807 24th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding,  $240,000 

Valley Mt Property Holdings LLC/Lobo Construction Inc, 1807 24th St W, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $4,000

904 Main LLC/ Summit Properties And Development, 1904 Main St, Com New Other, $900,000

Target Corp T-1333,  403 Main St, Com Remodel, $39,270

Stockman Bank Of Montana/Hardy Construction Co, 1405 Grand Ave, Com Remodel, $405,000

Sisters Of Charity Of Leavenworth, 1233 N 30th St, Com Remodel, $140,000

Daniel Property LLC/Reichenbach Construction Inc, 2045 Broadwater Ave, Com Remodel, $38,000

JMS Properties, LLC/Karv LLC, 24 Orchard Ln, Com Remodel, $39,000

Hill Crest, Inc/Neumann Construction, 1601 Lewis Ave, Com Remodel, $5,000

Shiloh Silver Screen Partners/Jones Construction, Inc, 1027 Shiloh Crossing Blvd, Com Remodel, $20,000

Jon Switzer/Brown Plumbing & Heating, 2147 Poly Dr, $20,000

The Back Forty LLC /B & W Builders, 331 Calhoun Ln, Com Remodel – Change In Use, $45,000

Vallie Properties LLC/ Red Lodge Rock & Retainers, 2143 Lampman Dr, Demolition Permit Commercial, $23,000

residential

Mountain Range LLC/Formation Inc, 4710 Sky Vista Ct, Res New Accessory Structure, $7,080

Lande, Caleb D & Kristin, 1720 Iris Ln , Res New Accessory Structure, $20,000

Infinity Home LLC/ Infinity Home, 2434 Bonito Loop, Res New Single Family, $238,712

Jeff Kreitzberg/Jeff Kreitzberg Homes, 2216 Entrada Rd, Res New Single Family, $238,910

Infinity Home/Infinity Home LLC, 1015 Matador Ave, Res New Single Family, $212,376

Worthington, Scott & Becky, 4231 Creekwood Dr, Res New Single Family, $386,506

Krivitz, Justin T & Elizabeth A/Steve Gountanis Homes Inc, 5425 Riesling Ln, Res New Single Family, $384,854

Bob Pentecost/Bob Pentecost Construction, 7021 Copper View Way, Res New Single Family, $378,000

DCL Ventures LLC/Zuhaus Construction LLC, 5315 Riesling Ln, Res New Single Family,   $650,000

Wagenhals Land And Livestock L, 1110 Daybreak Dr, Res New Single Family,  $300,000