Author: Press Room

Beef Imports Down, While World Beef Demand Up

26 July 2021
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From Northern Ag Network

Beef imports were up 1.5 percent year over year in April but are down 7.0 percent for the January to April period compared to last year.  Year to date beef imports are down 4.0 percent compared to the same period in 2019. U.S. beef imports are projected to decrease in 2021 by 10-13 percent year over year, which will put total beef imports below the 2015 – 2019 average.
In the 2015-2019 period, Australia was the largest source of beef imports, followed by Canada, with New Zealand at number three and Mexico ranked fifth.  Brazil, Nicaragua and Uruguay round out the top seven sources of beef imports.  From 2015-2019, the top seven countries accounted for 98.7 percent of beef imports with the top four accounting for 85.5 percent of total beef imports.  In 2020, beef imports spiked to the highest level since 2015 due the supply chain disruptions resulting from the pandemic.
Thus far in 2021, Canada has been the largest source of beef imports and is up 17.0 percent year over year.  Mexico is the number two source of beef imports for the year to date with imports down 6.0 percent compared to last year.  New Zealand is the third largest source of beef imports in 2021, down 9.9 percent year over year.  Australia is currently the fourth largest source of beef imports, down 48.1 percent from last year.  Australia is experiencing reduced production due to herd liquidation in previous years resulting from drought, wildfires and floods.  Australia is now attempting to rebuild herds, which further reduces beef production and exports in the short run.
Argentina does not make the list of major sources of U.S. beef imports but the country has rebounded sharply in recent years as a beef exporting country.  U.S. imports of beef from Argentina in 2020 were the highest since 2007 but represented less than two percent of total U.S. beef imports.  Recently, the government of Argentina announced a 30 day ban on beef exports from the country, which has disrupted the rebuilding of beef exports from the country and is indicative of the challenges faced by the Argentinian beef industry in recent years.
Global beef trade continues to grow.  Total beef imports by major world importers is expected to increase in 2021 along with increases in total beef exports by major world exporters.  U.S. beef exports and imports take place in the context of a much larger and growing global beef market.

Beartooth Bank Becomes Bravera Bank

26 July 2021
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After 100 years serving the families and businesses of North Dakota and Montana with a full range of banking, trust, investment and insurance services, Beartooth Bank, a division of American Bank Center, is changing its name to Bravera Bank. The new name, along with a new logo, tagline and visual identity, will launch this Fall. The change in brand does not reflect a change in ownership, as Bravera Bank is still employee- and director-owned.   
In recent years, American Bank Center has grown, expanding its network of branches across North Dakota and Montana. Its growth represents a continued investment in the region’s strong future, competitively positioning the bank to serve customers with more resources, a greater geographic reach and a broader promise to new people moving into the area. The new name unifies the current network and creates a consistent banking experience all under one brand: Bravera Bank.
“We are so proud to unite our banks under a new name and brand experience that reflects our bank’s strong future,” says Cill Skabo, American’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Bravera is a distinct and unforgettable name that captures our spirit and helps us stand out and connect with our customers and communities.”
The word Bravera combines “Bravery” and “Truth” for a new name with strong ties to the pioneer spirit and honest values that define the northern plains. The new name will be accompanied by a new logo, look and feel that will touch every part of the bank’s experience, from signage in the branches and the bank’s website to brand communications and advertising.
“The move to the Bravera Bank name is exciting and delivers on our mission of embodying a financial institution that supports the growth of the region’s future. From Bismarck to Billings, Dickinson to Devils Lake, we see tremendous opportunity in helping our customers forge success, under a single, powerful brand name,” says David Ehlis, American Bancor President and CEO.

Yellowstone County News Brings Home State Awards

26 July 2021
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Yellowstone County News reports that the weekly newspaper bought home three awards from the Montana Newspaper Association’s annual convention, including an award for Evelyn Pyburn, who won first place as “Best Editorial.” The Yellowstone County News moved into a different category of newspapers throughout the state because of an increase in its circulation.
Comments from the judges in the contest wrote about Evelyn Pyburn’s editorial writing skills, “Evelyn Pyburn contrasts the calm of local government in her community with what’s happening for much of the nation. Crisp, easy-to-read writing. Pride in her community is strong.”
In its other awards, Yellowstone County News’ Production Specialist and Graphic Artist Elisa Schlosser was recognized for her skills in the category of Best Ad to Sell and Promote Services.
YCN Submitted a portrait photo from the Carol William’s funeral and gathering where many of the participants were reading the YCN newspaper resulting in a third-place award.
Yellowstone County News was also recognized at the MNA Awards banquet for selling the most statewide Display Ads (out of 63 newspapers) throughout 2020 – the fifth year in a row that YCN has won this award.
Publisher Jonathan McNiven stated, “Our newspaper continues to be recognized for all the hard work that is being put towards making our newspaper the best we can and it shows with the new recognition of these new awards for our staff. Many thanks go out to our great staff who deserve the recognition for all they do to make our hyper-local newspaper a success. I look forward to the day when our newspaper is recognized as the best weekly newspaper in the state. In the meantime, we will focus on the little wins we receive each year.”

Fort Benton Industrial Park Planned

26 July 2021
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A proposed new industrial park at Fort Benton has been awarded a $1.7 million grant from the federal government to provide transportation, water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure. The grant is expected to be matched with $1.7 million in local funds, according to an announcement from U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA)
The project is projected to create 75 jobs and generate $12 million in private investment.
Raimondo said the expenditure of federal funds “will provide critical infrastructure for a new 105-acre industrial park that will support the growth of the local agricultural industry and diversify the regional economy.”
Governor Greg Gianforte said, “Through infrastructure improvements like these, Fort Benton and Chouteau County will boost their thriving agricultural community and attract businesses to locate, bringing more good-paying Montana jobs to the area.”
This project is being proposed by the Bear Paw Economic Development District (EDD).

Gun Sanctuaries Grow

26 July 2021
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Most of media is remaining silent on a huge movement sweeping the country regarding gun rights.
States are not only passing strong “Constitutional Carry” laws, but 61 percent of counties are now “Second Amendment sanctuaries”, according to a report in The Epoch Times.
As of June 20, there were 1,930 counties “protected by Second Amendment Sanctuary legislation at either the state or county level.” The count does not include specific cities, townships, boroughs, etc. that has taken action at the local level.
The movement is a grassroots movement from the bottom-up, according to a website called Sanctuary Counties, which notes that becoming a sanctuary county is different from passing Constitutional Carry laws which many states have done, and which has had more media attention. Sanctuary counties or other communities vow not to enforce “new / unconstitutional gun laws.”
Constitutional carry means laws are in place that allow citizen’s to carry a weapon without a permit. Some states have enacted both approaches in support of the Second Amendment which asserts, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.”
Democrats and gun-control organizations usually oppose such legislation, saying it will increase the number of mass shootings and criminal use of firearms.

Billings Building Permits 07-01-21

26 July 2021
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Commercial
City Of Billings (Airport)/Elcon Corporation, 1901 Terminal Cir, Installation Of Three Electric Car Chargers At The Airport, Com Addition, $50,000
1943 Main Street LLC/Adan’s Construction LLC, 1943 Main St, Com Fence/Roof/Siding $31,000
J E M LLC/Adan’s Construction LLC, 4005 1st Ave S, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $67,000
Van Binsbergen, Greg & Carla/Jones Construction, Inc, 1411 38th St W, Com Footing/Foundation, $110,000
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 864 Daytona Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $417,024
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 869 Miami Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $417,024
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 874 Daytona Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $312,768
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 863 Daytona Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $392,768
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4102 Cocoa Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $392,610
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4110 Cocoa Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $392,610
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4112 Palm Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $240,000
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4111 Cocoa Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $392,610
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4103 Cocoa Beach Way, Com New 3+ (Multi Family), $392,610
NA/McCall Development, 1624 St George Blvd, Com New Townhome Shell, $584,064
Wal-Mart Real Estate Business/Pettus Plumbing And Piping Inc, 2525 King Ave W, Com Remodel, $402,000
Daleco LLC/Chinook Billings, 1503 13th St W, Com Remodel, $10,000
Thomas & Tate Holdings LLC/Empire Roofing Inc, 1145 Central Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $19,000
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1687 St George Blvd, Com New Other, $490,234
McCall Development/ McCall Development, 6165 Farmstead Ave, Com New Townhome Shell, $467,252
Magnus Land Development LLC/Brown Builders Inc., 6440 Signal Peak Ave, Com New Townhome Shell, $305,827
Jacquelyn Hughes/B & W Builders, 1690 Rimrock Rd, Com Remodel, $67,500

Residential

McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1695 St George Blvd, Res New Accessory Structure, $40,000
McCall Homes/McCall Development,1687 St George Blvd, Res New Accessory Structure, $40,000
Robert Lively ,6309 Ridge Stone Dr S, Res New Single Family, $300,000
Tri B Property Solutions LLC/Kutil Inc, 975 Siesta Ave, Res New Single Family, $252,737
Diverse Construction/ Diverse Construction LLC, 487 Winged Foot Dr, Res New Single Family, $301,545
Formation Inc/Formation Inc, 4714 Sky Vista Ct, Res New Single Family, $271,962
Formation Inc/Formation Inc, 4717 Sky Vista Ct, Res New Single Family, $295,800
Formation Inc/Formation Inc, 4639 Elk Ridge Trl, Res New Single Family, $324,498
Bob Pentecost/Bob Pentecost Const, 402 Montecito Ave, Res New Single Family, $432,000
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1757 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $139,936
Bob Pentecost/Bob Pentecost Const, 3026 Forbes Blvd, Res New Single Family, $403,000
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1751 St George Blvd Res New Single Family $140,798
NA/McCall Development, 51624 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $58,407
NA/McCall Development, 61624 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $58,407
NA/McCall Development, 71624 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $58,407
NA/McCall Development, 81624 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $58,407
Billings Sapphire LLC/ABCO Billings LLC, 4107 Palm Beach Way, Res New Two Family, $261,740
Carroll, Nicholas R & Morgan A/Miner Construction Inc, 4403 Jansma Ave, Res New Accessory Structure, $41,472
Infinity Home/ Infinity Home LLC, 1031 Matador Ave, Res New Single Family, $226,848
Infinity Home/ Infinity Home LLC, 7014 Shiny Penny Way, Res New Single Family, $282,384
South Pine Design / South Pine Design, 2252 Gleneagles Blvd, Res New Single Family, $301,314
Lorenz Construction LLC Lorenz Construction, 1310 Jean Ave, Res New Single Family, $216,223
CDH, LLC/CDH, LLC, 5426 Dovetail Ave, Res New Single Family, $316,471
Emineth Custom Homes Inc Emineth Custom Homes, 4214 Woodgrove Dr, Res New Single Family $381,899
Legacy LLC/CDH, LLCs, 710 52nd St W, Res New Single Family, $224,586
CDH, LLC/CDH, LLC, 5215 Dovetail Ave, Res New Single Family, $315,045
CDH, LLC/CDH, LLC, 5301 Dovetail Ave, Res New Single Family, $276,921
Kercher, Elissa R Perchall LLC, 4313 Smohawk Trl, Res New Single Family, $367,365
Design Builders Design Builders, Inc., 2518 Blue Mountain Trl Res New Single Family, $294,582
Kienitz, Timothy & Lisa Wells Built Inc., 6116 Autumnwood Dr, Res New Townhome, $385,618
McCall Development McCall Development, 16165 Farmstead Ave Res New Townhome, $58,407
McCall Development McCall Development, 26165 Farmstead Ave, Res New Single Family, $58,407
McCall Development McCall Development, 36165 Farmstead Ave, Res New Townhome, $58,407
McCall Development McCall Development, 46165 Farmstead Ave, $58,407
Magnus Land Development LLC, 6440Signal Peak Ave, Res New Townhome, $38,228
Magnus Land Development LLC, 6440 Signal Peak Ave, Res New Townhome, $38,228
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1687 St George Blvd, Res New Townhome, $61,280
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1687 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $61,280
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1687 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $61,280
McCall Homes/McCall Development, 1687 St George Blvd, Res New Single Family, $61,280

Out-of Staters, Not So Much

25 June 2021
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The commonly asserted claim that home prices are rapidly escalating because of out-of-staters coming to Montana to escape the economic and social restraints in other states because of the COVID-19 pandemic, might not be as true as most have accepted it to be – at least not in Missoula.

Data gathered from Realtors in Missoula and lenders do not support that commonly asserted claim, as much as one might expect. In an examination of where customers of Missoula mortgage lenders are coming from indicates that much of the home buying is going on because of Montanans moving to different communities. Only about 13 – 19 percent of the borrowers were coming from out- of- state.

Washington and California represented the largest sector of buyers arriving from outside Missoula. Oregon, Colorado and Kentucky also made the list, as did Ohio, New York and Illinois.

Interestingly in monitoring “home searches” by people who were looking for a new home, two percent of those exploring Missoula’s market came from Bozeman. Most were from Seattle, followed by Salt Lake City, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas.

No matter where they are coming from the demand in Missoula, as in most areas of the state, exceeds supply. In the first quarter this year, Missoula’s median home price jumped 20 percent, following a 11 percent increase last year. The median price is currently $420,000.

Western Heritage Seeks Donations To Meet Challenge for Make-Over

25 June 2021
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The Western Heritage Center (WHC) has received a $12,500 Challenge donation from Stockman Bank in support of the Center’s 50th Anniversary Landscaping Project. Stockman will match donations up to a total of $12,500.

“Through its exhibits, walking tours, traveling displays and historic artifacts, WHC continues to give our community a deeper understanding and appreciation of the people, places and historical events of south-central and southeastern Montana,” stated Bill Coffee, Stockman Bank CEO. “As Montana’s premier community bank, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of the communities we serve. We congratulate the Center on its 50 years of service and are proud to support their continued dedication in preserving and sharing our regional history.”

The Stockman Challenge gift will help WHC meet its fundraising goal for its 50th Anniversary Landscaping Project.  “2021 marks not only the 50th Anniversary of the Western Heritage Center, but also the 120th Anniversary of our home base, the historical Parmly Billings Library,” said Kevin Kooistra, Executive Director. “We feel this is the right time to make much needed landscaping improvements to revitalize and celebrate the beauty of this historical building and all of the history it holds.”

The Landscape Project targets the west side and front of the Center with new, decorative planters, walkways and four historical interpretive panels. Land Design, Inc. (Stacey Robinson, Principal) provided the initial consultation and design. The project will revitalize the museum grounds on the corner of Montana Avenue and North 29th. Plans are to break ground in early summer of 2021.

How to Donate

Stockman Bank will match donations, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $12,500 through July 31, 2021. Matching contributions can be made via mail or by phone. To have a gift matched, simply make a donation between now and July 31 online at www.ywhc.org or call the Western Heritage office (406) 256-6809. Gifts can also be mailed to Western Heritage Center, 2822

Montana Avenue, Billings, MT 59101. Be sure to indicate your gift is for the 50th Anniversary Landscaping Project.

MSU Billings, Northwest College Establish a Partnership

24 June 2021
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MSU Billings and Northwest College have established a 2+2 partnership that will allow Northwest College graduates who have completed an Associate of Science degree the opportunity to seamlessly transition to a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree with the general business, accounting, finance, management, or marketing degree option at MSU Billings.

“We’re excited to partner with Northwest College to create a streamlined pathway for their graduates to further their educational opportunities. Their students are a good fit to finish their degree at MSUB. Our College of Business is AACSB accredited and properly prepares our graduates for the workforce,” said MSUB Chancellor Stefani Hicswa.

Interim President Lisa Watson noted, “For many students at Northwest College, finding a university with good programs and flexibility is key. Many of our students are also regionally close and like the feel of a smaller institution. Creating a 2+2 partnership with MSU Billings for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration is a wonderful fit designed to support our students and their success for years to come.”

Northwest College graduates who choose to participate in the 2+2 program will be able to obtain an MSUB business bachelor’s degree completely online or in person in two years assuming they are full-time students. They will also be afforded the same treatment and protection as other MSUB students enrolled and the criteria for acceptance into MSUB is the same.

Wyoming and Montana are part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program, which is an agreement among Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education’s 16 member states and territories, through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide significant nonresident tuition savings for western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.

Montana Program Aimed to Bring Montana’s Progeny Home

24 June 2021
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A campaign to bring Montana’s progeny back home has been launched.

Governor Greg Gianforte announced a website as part of the administration’s new campaign to encourage Montanans, who have moved to other states, to come back home to Montana.

“For too long, Montana’s most valuable export has been our kids and grandkids,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Our quality of life is second to none, and we’re reminding former residents of what a great place Montana is to live, work, and raise a family. We’re growing opportunities and creating an environment so more Montanans can thrive and prosper. Let’s bring our kids and grandkids back home.”

The campaign and new website, ComeHomeMontana.com, encourage Montanans who have relocated to other states to return to Montana to work remotely, start a business here, or take advantage of job opportunities across the state’s industries.

To bridge the digital divide and make working remotely more accessible than ever, the administration is in early stages of deploying $275 million for broadband expansion.

In addition to highlighting opportunities for remote work and employment, the campaign highlights the value of a Montana education.