Category: Business
-
Home Sales Still Struggle, Consumer Sentiment Drops
From the National Association of Manufacturers comes an update for October on economic indicators in the US: * Existing home sales fell 4.1% to 3.79 million units at the annual rate in October, the lowest since August 2010, according to the National Association of Realtors. With sharply higher mortgage rates, homeowners are less willing to…
-
Comparison Shopping Cuts Healthcare Costs
By Christen Smith, The Center Square Comparison shopping for the best prices – whether it’s car insurance, appliances or toilet paper – helps consumers stay on budget. Healthcare services, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Foundation, shouldn’t be any different. “The personal option is a crucial step toward putting the patient first,” said…
-
Firm Launches Tech that Reduces Emissions 62%
A company in Bozeman, MagDrive Technologies, has revealed that oil and gas refineries can reduce their emission footprint by 62% through the adoption of magnetically actuated valves. This innovative technology presents a significant leap in the industry’s efforts to meet climate regulations. MagDrive claims the technology will bring true zero emission components to industries like…
-
Small Businesses Continue to Oppose Government Reporting Mandates
Small businesses continue to oppose onerous reporting burdens, reports the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) 1071 Small Business Lending Rule, commonly referred to as the CFPB 1071 rule, would add extra paperwork and small business lending complications. On October 18, NFIB announced that it will consider S.J. Res.…
-
NAR Says Existing Home Prices Increased
The National Association of Realtors reports that single-family existing-home sales prices rose in 82 percent of metro areas – 182 of 221 – in the third quarter, up from 58 percent in the previous quarter. The national median single-family existing-home price grew 2.2% from one year ago to $406,900. The monthly mortgage payment on a…
-
Homeschooling Increasingly Popular
Age of Learning reports that interest in homeschooling is escalating dramatically. * Searches for “homeschooling online” went up 365% in the past year compared to the previous 12 months. * Homeschooling interest is greatest in Portland, Atlanta, and Miami based on online search volume. * 42% of parents felt more capable of homeschooling kids in…
-
Farm Bureau Elects Officers
Cyndi Johnson, a wheat farmer from Conrad, was re-elected as the Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) president during the organization’s 104th Annual Convention in Billings. Voting delegates from 30 county Farm Bureaus elected MFBF leaders during their Delegates Session where policy brought forward by the delegates was discussed and voted on. The 104th Montana Farm…
-
Equity Fund Purchases Mountain Plains Equity Group
National Equity Fund (NEF), a nonprofit multi-family, affordable, real estate investment manager has expanded its reach in the west with the acquisition of the assets of Mountain Plains Equity Group, Inc. (MPEG), including the ownership of MPEG Acceptance Corporation (Acceptance Corp.). Based in Billings, MPEG began operations in August 2003 as a small Low-Income Housing…
-
College Recognizes Alumni
Two College of Business alumni were given awards Oct 7, 2023 at the MSUB Alumni Awards Brunch. Jeff Cysewski, Class of 1985, Business Administration, received the Exceptional Achievement Award. This award recognizes the accomplishments of alumni who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in their chosen professions, made positive impacts on their communities, and are involved with…
-
Opening of Senior-focused Primary Care Clinics to Expand Access for Seniors
Humana and Greater Good Health have announced the opening of primary care clinics in Missoula, Billings and Great Falls, Montana. The clinics are in-network with all Humana Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans offered in Montana, as well as a Humana Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan for certain patients qualifying for both Medicare and Medicaid.…