Local city and county officials, state legislators and other local dignitaries turned out in full force in Billings last week to celebrate the opening of Amazon’s new $23 million delivery station at 6767 Tun Tavern Road. The 40,000 square foot facility is Amazon’s second location in Montana marking a total investment of $110 million in the state. The distribution network will serve over 1000 local sellers in the region and means faster delivery for all. In his welcoming remarks, County Commissioner Mark Morse noted that the city, Big Sky Economic Development and the county partnered in the development of infrastructure that facilitated the new addition to Billings. He also pointed out that Amazon’s investment in the community will garner over $48.6 million in economic impact.
Author: Evelyn Pyburn
In Seeking Fun, Billings Couple Founded Montana Wake
By Evelyn Pyburn
Starting a boat business in Montana may not seem like an inherently good idea at first glance, but then maybe you aren’t as passionate about water sports as are Nate and Lindsey Romain, and maybe you haven’t recognized that there is generally a lack of sales and service support in Montana for such enthusiasts.
Those two life experiences eventually prompted Nate and Lindsey to take the plunge and start their own business in Billings in 2023, called Montana Wake Co. They opened in a 3000 sq. ft. building with one employee.
So far it is proving to have been a good move.
In 2024 they serviced over 400 customers and sold over 70 boats and were being asked to deliver and service many more. “The shop was packed to the gills” said Nate, and they had 15 boats in storage and 8 at his home.
The key to their rapid success believes Nate, is their focus on customers. “We listen to the public,” he said, explaining that many boating enthusiasts have had the same experience he did in finding it hard to get the guidance and support needed. After buying his first boat, Nate said, the closest support business was in Kalispell.
Filling that niche has brought customers to the door of Montana Wake very quickly.
In trying to find a new location, the Romains encountered an offer for a building that had previously served a steel business at 7510 Entry Way Drive. The location offered a warehouse much bigger than the Romains had initially considered necessary. At first the building seemed to be “just a pipedream,” but as they looked at it and pondered its potential, Nate said, they began to realize, that even though it was bigger than anticipated, “if we didn’t get it, it would only be a matter of months and we would have to move again.”
So they bit the bullet and forged ahead. With a crew of helpers they worked for three, 20-hour days, getting it into shape. One exciting aspect of the huge building is that they can keep all their boats – new and used – inside, making it easy for customers to inspect them and ponder their choices without having to “brush the snow off,” said Nate. They opened in their new location in October 2024.
“As we moved into the building, we knew we were going to have to really step up our game to make it work,” said Nate – and that they have.
Just a couple months ago, at the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas in Orlando, Florida – the largest marine dealer group in the world — the Romains were recognized with three awards from Centurion, including “Rookie of the Year.”
Centurion (what Nate calls the “Bentley of boats”), is one of several lines of boats Montana Wake carries. Others include Supreme, Bennington and Balise Pontoons. Montanans, said Nate, really enjoy pontoons. For those who are novices about boats, a “wake” boat is one that is used for water sports, such as for water skiing. While there are a few other businesses in the area that sell boats, they mostly focus on boats designed for fishing.
Because Montana Wake focuses so much on support and service for their customers, Nate said that in a sense, they don’t have much competition. It was after all, that lack of such support and service that inspired the Romains to start their business.
Nate’s love of water sports began at a very young age. Although he lived on a ranch between Chester and Fort Benton, he was able to spend summers with his grandparents who lived on Flathead Lake. That’s where he learned to love everything that had to do with water.
“I didn’t want to do anything else,” said Nate.
When circumstances required that they move to Billings, he missed summers on the Flathead, but then discovered Yellowtail Dam and Big Horn Lake and fell in love all over again.
Nate went to work in the oil business and saved up quickly to buy his first boat. Lindsey played a role in that experience, even though they weren’t married yet, but they had discovered they had a mutual passion for water sports.
They soon married and spent all the time they could on the water – exploring other lakes in Montana. Montana’s lakes are scattered but they are often close enough that it’s possible to spend a day on the water and still be home for the evening, pointed out Nate.
The Romains now have a son and a daughter, ages 11 and 7, and all their family time is spent on a lake. “They love the water as much as we do,” said Nate.
In order to pursue their sport, Nate became self- taught, acquiring and using his own equipment. He helped out friends, and he and Lindsay have forged many friendships and relationships, introducing others to the joys of water sports. That grew even more so when they started a Facebook page, which was really the beginning of Montana Wake.
The Romains designed a logo and began selling apparel for boating with the logo (all of it made in Billings). It became very popular, said Nate. They were getting orders from all over the world, such as Africa and Australia. People liked the “Montana stamp on it, and wanted to support us.”
Nate’s reputation for knowledge and expertise about boating began to spread, and he was frequently called upon by people seeking advice or needing help. The Romains would often take people out on excursions, introducing them to water sports and to Montana lakes. There are actually more lake options around the Billings area than people commonly realize. Yellowtail , Houser, Coney, Deadman’s Basin, Canyon Ferry and even Flathead Lake. There’s no need to spend lots of money on extended vacations, points out Nate, there is plenty of places to go not too far down the road.
For the Romains it was still all about “just wanting to get people out to enjoy all the beauty of Montana.” Encouraging them to start a business were requests for demonstrations and charters. “The business started picking up from there.” The fact that Nate found himself often referring people to dealerships was also a signal that here was a business opportunity.
Another, instance of encouragement was when he was approached by a local boat dealership who asked him for assistance. He started subcontracting his services, and was soon working full time as a salesman for the business. But as a salesman, “I wasn’t able to deliver the full experience to the customer, as I wished I could,” he said.
Starting the business was a challenge. Nate said they learned a lot very quickly about dealerships, licensing, insurance, zoning, getting financial backing and floor financing. “We were running into issue after issue.” At times “they were so overwhelming, we thought it was the end of it.”
“But what really kept us going was the public support. That is what drove us and kept us moving forward.”
Currently, the Romains employ 13 people, which include a nephew and his wife who moved to Billings from Michigan – so Montana Wake is truly a family business.
“We are getting employees who love to solve problems,” said Nate, about his staff.
As they have expanded, drawing more interest from adventurists seeking new experiences, they have acquired rental properties on lakes, which allow them to offer get-away packages for their customers.
In all that they find themselves doing, the Romains declare, “We are taking the pain out of having fun.”
Just saying….
By Evelyn Pyburn
It must be said. People losing jobs — as many federal government employees are– is a difficult and very bad turn of events for the individuals involved — no matter who you are or for what entity you were working. It is not a new kind of malady. OK, maybe it is for government, but it isn’t for the private sector.
For all the wringing of hands, crying and lamenting on media about the layoffs of thousands of government workers – not to mention law suits being filed in declaring that their employer has no right to fire them – one has to be amazed at the incredible angst that so many are exhibiting. Where was that concern — all those tears and media blitzes — during and after COVID when millions of people lost their jobs and even lost thriving businesses because of government coerced layoffs and the inhibition of people’s freedom to even leave their homes? Bureaucrats were actually the ones enforcing the dictatorial decrees with an arrogance of righteousness that often comes with unchecked power.
(Nonfarm payroll employment in the United States declined by 9.4 million in 2020).
“We need more compassion,” said one talking head this weekend. Really? I never heard anyone say that during all the COVID mandates.
Where? Where? Where was all this outrage, whining, indignation and compassion then? If you objected at that time you were considered criminal, and an adversarial spreader of misinformation and bureaucrats did all in their power to block citizen access to social media and free speech.
I recall most distinctly at the very beginning, in listening to the mandates that everyone not go to work, and that employers close their businesses, the very obvious lack of concern about what that was doing to people –- impacts that are still being felt today by many people. It was shocking. As I listened to the decree, I immediately thought of people like single mothers waiting tables to support their children, or of families working hard to meet monthly mortgage payments. Just one week of no income would be devastating to them.
When I asked a question about such impacts of the COVID official, resplendent in the glory of being able to exercise his new found power, he had the stunned, blank look on his face of someone who had never even thought of such a plight. He had no answer.
There was minimal concern expressed in national media about all the unemployed people. There were no demonstrations or any aspect of concern from bureaucrats anywhere. In fact many of them were enthusiastic participants as they went into businesses to shut them down, with threats of arrest to workers and customers.
Bureaucrats, of course, had guaranteed incomes, no matter what. For them it was little more than a paid vacation.
Kind of a different response we are seeing now from government and other collectivists, don’t you think?
It is now rather surreal to see government factions concerned about being unemployed and declaring it to be unjust, and wanting the world to be concerned about their plight.
At a later point in time, the COVID official, who never even thought about how eliminating jobs for so many people would really hurt them, was heralded by some factions in the community as a noble, valiant and dauntless leader. If that was who he was, so most certainly is President Trump and his noble, valiant and dauntless volunteer, Elon Musk.
President Trump is doing exactly what so many leaders over the past five decades or more have promised to do and never did – cut the size and power of government. That he is doing it so quickly and relentlessly is probably the only way it can be done, which is probably why no one was ever successful in doing it in the past. Part of the reason for the lamenting and crying of those in opposition is because President Trump is giving them no time to develop strategies to oppose the cuts and layoffs.
That there are people who are being negatively impacted through no fault of their own, there is no doubt and one can certainly feel sorry for them, but welcome to the real world. Fortunately there is one good thing that is sure to come to the rescue of all the workers now flooding the labor market – the US private sector has more jobs than workers and it is a situation that is expected to continue for the next 15 years. You have more options than did the workers and businesses during COVID.
NWE Plans New Transmission Line to Meet Growth Needs
by Evelyn Pyburn
NorthWestern Energy has announced plans to build an additional 230 kV transmission line that will serve customers in Yellowstone County and the region that will provide “critical” additional electric transmission capacity.
The 21-mile long line – expected to cost between $25 million and $30 million – will run from NorthWestern Energy’s existing Shorey Road substation and head northwest, ending at NorthWestern Energy’s existing Broadview substation. The project includes upgrades to the Broadview Substation and Shorey Road Substation, both North of the Billings Area with construction anticipated in 2027 and 2028.
Project siting and right-of-way acquisition is intended to begin in 2025 and construction of the new electric transmission line anticipated in 2027, to be completed within the next 3 years.
The line will be subject to the Montana Major Facilities Siting Act, which requires NorthWestern to file a public notice in area newspapers and with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality describing the project details and approach prior to easement acquisition.
The line will “ensure “continued safe reliable electric service is provided to support growing electric load and Billings area economy,” according to Jo Dee Black, NorthWestern’s Public Relations Specialist, who added it is a “top priority to provide critical additional capacity to the electric grid that serves the region. Black explained, “The project will provide important new capacity and reliability improvements to NorthWestern’s transmission system . . . NorthWestern has seen significant residential and commercial demand growth in the Billings areas and expects that trend to continue.”
The new 230 kV line will consist of a combination of two-pole “H-Frame” steel structures and single pole steel structures, depending on terrain and engineering requirements, with potential pole heights from 70 feet to 120 feet. The news 230 kV line will be similar in appearance and design to other area transmission lines.
Montana Women’s Run Unveils Shirt Design
Registration Now Open for 2025 Race
For over four decades, thousands of participants have filled the streets of downtown Billings, wearing the uniquely designed Montana Women’s Run T-shirt. On May 10, 2025, walkers and runners will again take to the streets in the event’s signature pink shirt, featuring a vibrant design that symbolizes growth, transformation, and community.
The Montana Women’s Run artwork for the 2025 event shirt is a celebration of springtime renewal and personal achievement. At its center, a sprouting seed, opening leaves, and a blossoming flower represent growth and wellness, while radiating sun rays evoke optimism and energy. Surrounding elements—flower blossoms, a bumblebee, a butterfly, and multicolored dots—capture the spirit of activity, perseverance, and transformation. The Bitterroot flower shape reinforces the Montana Women’s Run brand, while the circular composition symbolizes wholeness and unity.
Registration is now open for the 44th annual Montana Women’s Run. As always the Run is on the day before Mother’s Day, Saturday, May 10, starting at 8 a.m. in downtown Billings. Proceeds from the event benefit charitable organizations in Billings that contribute to women’s and children’s health and wellness.
To register for any of the events, visit www.womensrun.org.
For announcements, updates and discussion about the many Women’s Run events, visit the Montana Women’s Run Facebook page or the Montana Women’s Run website.
The Montana Women’s Run began in 1982 with just 200 registrants and celebrated last year with over 5,600 women participating, including virtually, from around the world. Today, the race is recognized as the largest running event for women in the state of Montana, and one of the largest all-women’s races in the country. To date, the Montana Women’s Run has donated more than $1,827,500 to local organizations that promote women’s and children’s health and fitness.
The major sponsors of the 2025 Montana Women’s Run are AVA Law Group, Billings Clinic, Par Montana, First Interstate Bank, Graphic Imprints, The Planet 106.7, and KTVQ.
BSEDA Announces New Executive Director
Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) announced that Paul Green has been selected as the organization’s next Executive Director. Green has resigned his position as Director of the Montana Department of Commerce in order to accept the position. Green was appointed as Commerce director in January 2024.
BSED conducted a national search to replace retiring BSED Executive Director, Steve Arveschoug. Arveschoug will continue leading the organization through mid-April, to ensure a smooth transition. A start date for Green has not been determined; additional details will be announced as they become available.
The search for Arveschoug’s replacement was conducted by Jorgenson Pace, a search committee led by BSED Board Members and Montana State University Billings Chancellor Stefani Hicswa, along with other BSED board members and stakeholders.
Green brings extensive experience in economic and community development, project management, and public-private partnerships. As Director of the Montana Department of Commerce Green oversaw multiple divisions focused on business attraction, infrastructure development, tourism, housing, and economic growth. Throughout his career, he has led initiatives that drive job creation, streamline regulations, and enhance stakeholder engagement. His leadership spans roles in both public and private sectors, including serving as Executive Director of the Montana Business Incubator and Two Rivers Economic Development Authority, where he successfully implemented strategic growth initiatives, secured major infrastructure investments, and worked with business and government leaders to foster economic resilience.
“Our selection committee worked hard to find an Executive Director who can lead our organization into the future,” said Nick Pancheau, EDC Board Chair, “As one of the leading Economic Development Organizations in the state with a talented team, it was important to select a candidate that both understands our local economy, and one who is ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work on day one. We believe we have found those attributes in Paul Green and we look forward to his leadership.”
“I am very pleased that the results of our national search resulted in an outstanding pool of highly qualified applicants,” said Chancellor Stefani Hicswa, “Paul will serve us well as our new Executive Director. I appreciate the hard work of the search committee and the excellent feedback from staff and stakeholders.”
Debbie Desjarlais, BSED EDA Board Chair, commented, “I’m pleased with the outcome of the search. The search committee, along with Jorgenson Pace, has worked long and hard on this search. I believe Paul Green is the right person at this time for BSED. Congratulations, Paul. We have the greatest confidence in the world of future success. Not just for the organization, but for the city of Billings.”
Governor Greg Gianforte has appointed Deputy Director Mandy Rambo as acting leader of the Department of Commerce.
Rare Earth Minerals Add to Montana’s Treasures
By Evelyn Pyburn
Sophisticated- analytical testing results from a rare earths mineral deposit in southwestern Montana are nothing less than “transformational from a United States government and world perspective,” stated a very enthusiastic Harvey Kaye, adding that the technology that the mineral exploration and technology development company, US Critical Materials, is developing in collaboration with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) can be just as transformational to the industry.
US Critical Materials, a Nevada -based company with corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, announced almost three years ago their discovery of high grade rare earth minerals at Sheep Creek near Darby, Montana. Even then, company representatives were quite excited about what they suspected to be the superlative quality of their find, which has since been independently confirmed.
Results from Activation Labs (actlabs.com), an independent geochemical and geo-metallurgical analysis lab, confirm that Sheep Creek holds the highest reported grades of any known deposit in the United States, along with the highest concentrations of gallium—a material essential to national security. “The US Critical Materials deposit in Montana has sufficient rare earths and gallium to provide the world with the critical elements it needs to help meet demand well into the future,” stated Harvey Kaye.
Kaye and Ed Cowle, both directors of US Critical Materials, announced the company’s recent exciting developments in an interview with the Big Sky Business Journal.
US Critical Materials mineral claims in Ravalli County, Montana cover approximately 10 square miles. The initial 800-acre site contains over 60 carbonatite formations, which have the potential of holding more rare earth minerals at depth, underscoring Sheep Creek’s vast potential.
With grades approaching 9% (89,932 ppm) and combined neodymium and praseodymium concentrations of 2.4% (23,810 ppm), Jim Hedrick, President of US Critical Materials, and the former Rare Earth Commodity Specialist at the US Geological Survey (USGS), said, “US Critical Materials has higher rare earth grades than those found in Greenland and Ukraine. . . Recent discussions have highlighted US interest in Ukraine’s and Greenland’s rare earth deposits. However, according to data from each territory’s official Geological Surveys, Sheep Creek’s rare earth grades exceed known deposits in these two areas. Furthermore, the scientific verification of Sheep Creek’s mineral content is more comprehensive and precise than in Greenland or Ukraine.”
“Over my 30+ year career evaluating properties for the U.S. government, I have never encountered a deposit with the high rare earth and gallium grades being generated at Sheep Creek,” stated Jim Hedrick.
Another advantage of the Sheep Creek rare earth mineralization is the unusually low levels of thorium, a radioactive element often associated with rare earths deposits that require special permitting, extra processing steps, and disposal protocols.
“The high-grade rare-earth indications together with the low thorium readings are a unique combination,” stated Cowle.
Rare earth minerals (REM) and gallium are crucial elements for almost every technology in the future but especially for national defense, a growing concern since the US has few domestic sources for rare earth metals, and imports about 80 percent of what it needs from China. Recently China began to weaponize its control of rare earths and rare earths processing, and in the past year has banned the export of gallium, germanium, and antimony, to the United States.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) uses rare earth elements for a variety of purposes in its weapon systems – in radar, guidance systems, precision-guided munitions, lasers, satellites, and equipment including night vision goggles, yet mostly depends on China for its supply.
Rare Earths are also essential for the production of a full range of industrial and consumer goods including batteries, mobile phones, laptops, hard drives, lasers, electric vehicles, semiconductors, computer chips, 5g technology, solar panels, wind turbines and medical diagnostic devices.
Emphasizing Montana’s historic role as the “Treasure State,” Kaye said the discovery of rare earth metals and gallium heightens that status. Sheep Creek will be a better resource for the US because of its accessibility and higher critical mineral grades.
Montana, declared Kaye, will be “the point of the spear for national defense.”
According to Cowle, “Sheep Creek contains at least thirteen of the critical risk elements defined by the US Geological Survey. The key elements identified include neodymium, praseodymium, and gallium. The Properties also contain cerium, dysprosium, europium, gadolinium, lanthanum, niobium, scandium, strontium, barium and gallium.”
Gallium is not technically a rare earth mineral but it is rare. Gallium is defined as a critical mineral. In fact, the US is entirely dependent on imports for it, and it is vital to high-performance chips, which are foundational to semiconductors, 5G technology, smartphones, satellite systems, medical diagnostics and therapeutics, and next-generation defense platforms.
The measured gallium grades at Sheep Creek range from 180 to 385 ppm— far exceeding the 50ppm that the U.S. had been importing, predominantly from China.
The Sheep Creek project represents the nation’s only viable domestic gallium initiative, providing a pivotal opportunity to secure and stabilize the U.S. supply of the mineral.
Since their initial announcement in 2022, US Critical Materials entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA), with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to develop a new technology to extract the minerals from the ore with the least environmental impact possible. Kaye emphasized that US Critical Materials is focused upon future mineral extraction in the most environmentally sensitive way possible – “We don’t want to create environmental problems, we want to solve them,” he said.
Most recently, the company has extended its cooperative agreement with INL through February 2027.
The new technology which is being developed is called “Electrochemical Extraction and Purification.” The process is expected to extract gallium and the full spectrum of rare earth critical minerals from the ore through use of a novel Electrochemical Membrane Reactor (EMR). It will, in fact, be adaptable and useful for the recovery of many value-added metals. The proposed EMR consumes only electricity, water and nitrogen. Chemical and waste generation are anticipated to be dramatically reduced, while also reducing costs.
US Critical Materials plans to file national and international patents on the new technologies. They plan to license this cutting- edge technology to other deposits in the United States and friendly countries, which will give the U.S. a strong “bargaining chip” in its desire to work with overseas critical mineral deposits.
AI (artificial intelligence) and geophysics plays a significant part in the exploration of the Sheep Creek project. US Critical Materials engaged aerial services to gather a wide range of geographical data over the 6700 acres of mineral claims that US Critical Material owns at Sheep Creek. That data was then be analyzed by AI to determine the geographical characteristics of the initial 800 acre, and then applied to the rest of the property to identify other potential sites worthy of exploring. The process identified an additional 30 areas that can be developed over time.
Another aspect of Sheep Creek that makes it so extraordinary is that the rare earth deposits are concentrated in “tight veins.” The reality is rare earth metals are not so rare – they can be found in many places but seldom in quantities that make them economical to mine. And, usually when they are found in productive quantities they are broken up and scattered which requires digging large pits and processing tons of material to gather the ore.
And more for Sheep Creek – the geophysical and AI data suggests that there may be a continuous source of ore deeper in the earth from which the “tight veined” outcrops extend. The project includes three adits or tunnels that were developed in the late 1950’s for niobium mineralization by the Continental Columbium Company. These adits go as deep as 450 feet below the surface. They provide a visual “window” into the deposit—at depth. Sampling of minerals in the adits has shown high grade rare earths and critical minerals
“We don’t anticipate doing any open pit mining,” said Kaye.
According to Cowle, US Critical Materials will be completing a form, SK-1300, within the next 60 days. This is a Securities and Exchange document which will include, among other things, a third party resource estimate valuing the minerals found at Sheep Creek. The company also expects to file a Plan of Operation with the US Forest Service in the second quarter of 2025 . The Plan of Operation will include drilling sites that the company would like to have permitted for exploratory drilling. The company does not have control over when the Plan of Operations would be approved and drilling permitted.
If the drilling results are positive, US Critical Materials will search for a joint venture partner to file for a mining permit. US Critical Materials is an exploration and technology development Company, and not a mining company. Management would seek an established mining company, or possibly an end user of rare earths to file for a mining permit. “We would like to establish a joint venture with a major mining company or an end user– some of which are already investing directly in US or overseas mining projects,” stated Cowle.
Although difficult to estimate regulatory time horizons, US Critical Materials believes that the timing of their domestic critical minerals project could not be better.
There are only two active rare earth mining projects in the world outside of China: MP Materials in California, and Lynas in Australia.
US Critical Materials has substantial mineral holdings in Montana and Idaho. A company press release states that the company is “dedicated to securing a domestically sustainable, high-grade supply of rare earth elements and gallium, reducing US reliance on imports, and ensuring a stable, independent supply chain for national security. We are currently utilizing and developing multiple environmentally friendly technologies for the exploration and processing of rare earths and critical minerals.”
County Sets New Rate for State, Feds to Hold Prisoners in YCDF
The Yellowstone Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution increasing the inmate reimbursement rate for Montana Department of Corrections an Federal inmates, held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility (YCDF). The Montana rate will increase from $82.80 to $117 per inmate/day. The Federal government rate will increase from $85 to $117 per inmate day.
For several years, YCDF has been reimbursed a daily rate per inmate less than actual cost. Approximately 10+ years ago, the State of Montana provided their formula to Yellowstone County to calculate daily inmate rate. Since that time, the Board of County Commissioners and the Sheriff’s Office have attempted to recover actual inmate costs from the state. Montana officials have always claimed Yellowstone County improperly calculated the rate and imposed a rate set by the Legislature. The result has been Yellowstone County taxpayers subsidizing the State to hold their prisoners.
Over the past year, Commissioners, Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s office have worked to make YCDF and the criminal justice system, in Yellowstone County, operate more efficiently. While this has helped, it has not relieved pressure on the jail. YCDF routinely houses an average of 575-600+ inmates/day. On average, YCDF houses 50+/- DOC inmates and 50+/- Federal inmates per day.
The effective date of this resolution will be April 1, 2025. This provides an opportunity for the Montana Legislature, during this session to take appropriate action, states the press release.
They are Coming Back
The Blue Angels are returning. Following their hugely successful show in Billings in 2023, the Blue Angels have announced that they will be returning on August 22 and 23 in 2026 for the Yellowstone International Air Show. And, this show will be bigger and even better, according to Mathew McDonnell, who will once again co-chair the event with Jake Penwell.
Their previous Billings show drew more than 15,000 people to watch their aerial displays.
The event will be more patriotic and celebratory, declared McDonnell, noting that 2026 is the United States’ 250th birthday, and they plan to add to the show to truly recognize this historic date.
McDonnell said that most of the volunteers who were involved in producing the Blue Angels air show in Billings in 2023 are on board. They were all asked about their willingness to do it again, shortly after the 2023 air show, and before the request for a return visit was submitted to the Blue Angels. Everyone was enthusiastic about doing it again, said McDonnell – “even the airport for whom this is a lot of work gave an enthusiastic ‘yes.’”
Edwards Jet Service and Billings Flying Service will also return as important participants. Their support is vital in its success, according to McDonnell.“A lot of people are even more optimistic about the event, because they saw it done.”
This time, the event won’t be competing “back to back” with Montana Fair, added McDonnell.
Equally enthusiastic, said McDonnell, are the Blue Angels. The Billings event will be special for them too because it is the one they selected to invite their friends and families to, because Billings showed them such a good time in 2023. The Blue Angels and their families will be arriving a week early just to enjoy Billings. Arriving early is not something they normally do. “They all remember us,” said McDonnell, although he noted that none of the pilots will be the same.
The board has already held its first meeting. “So far we are ahead on everything,” said McDonnell.
Because of their earlier experience, they are going hire someone to manage and coordinate the event and that someone is going to be Joey Domicoli, a former crew chief for the Blue Angels. “We couldn’t have a better person,” said McDonnell.
“We will be focused on shoring up our short comings,” said McDonnell, adding that parking is their biggest concern because many of the airport buildings have changed.
Minnesota Business Moves to Billings
It works.
Promoters of Montana as a great place to do business quite often achieve great success in convincing entrepreneurs to move their businesses to Big Sky Country. It certainly worked in convincing Peter Johnson to move his businesses – Archway Defense and Deep Attic to Billings from Minnesota.
A ribbon cutting last month at Big Sky Economic Development welcomed Johnson to offices at Rock31 in downtown Billings.
The businesses of this US Airforce veteran and former Federal Air Marshal are quite unique. Archway Defense, which Johnson founded in 2014, is a training program that provides training to local and federal law enforcement, as well as serving a vast array of corporate clients regarding workplace violence and active shooter mitigation training – all of which requires travel all over the county. The training is often provided at no cost to local governments because of sponsors and contributors who support the training. In fact, the Billings SWAT team has already benefited from such sponsor generosity.
In 2019, Johnson co- founded a tech startup called Deep Attic, which uses immersive, generative training, which is “augmented virtual and mixed reality” that is used in training to build skill sets faster “with an infinitely scalable business model in the deployment of VR AR technology.”
According to Johnson he really hadn’t thought much about moving his business until he encountered a cadre of Montana promoters (including the Governor) at the world’s biggest gun and outdoor gear show – the Shot Show in Las Vegas. He approached the Montana Chamber of Commerce booth and got invited to a reception for Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen.
Johnson said that the Governor spent 20 minutes telling him all about Montana’s pro business climate. The Governor and others at the event convinced Johnson that Montana was the place to be. He spent much of 2024 moving and opened for business in October.
According to BSEDA, Johnson served five years as Federal Air Marshal (FAM) International Team Leader conducting counter-terror missions and surveillance around the globe. During his time with the FAMS, Peter achieved “Top Gun” at the Federal Air Marshal Academy in 2010. Prior to FAMS, Peter served six years in the USAF Air Base Defense deploying internationally for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Johnson’s experience included designated marksmen, clearing ordinance, conducting reconnaissance, and gathering intelligence with local nomads. CONUS Peter served as a pre-deployment trainer, combat arms instructor, and assisted the Inspector General’s Office in testing base defense vulnerabilities. Academically, Johnson achieved a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a heavy emphasis on Counter-Terrorism. His undergrad culminated with his capstone research focused on the Radicalization of Somali Youth in Minneapolis.
Rock31 is a program of BSED. It offers co-working space with a range of customizable membership tiers, amenities and resources for any business and at every stage of career development. In addition to being part of a entrepreneurial community at Rock31, members have easy access to all of the resources Big Sky Economic Development provides to the community.
