Author: Press Room

Billings Building Permits 5-15-24

21 May 2024
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Commercial

Crash Champions /Wovek Inc, 15 N 15th St, Com Remodel, $120,000

Crash Champions /Wovek Inc, 302 N 15th St, Com Remodel,  $120,000

Eric & Amanda Harmala/ Com Remodel – Change In Use, 1211 24th St W, Remodel Change In Use, $15,000

Cross Development/ MCP Development Inc, 1815 Main St, Com New Other, $2,200,000

Hayden Properties Llc|Beartooth Holdings & Construction Inc/ 2631 St Johns Ave, Com New Office/Bank, $1,400,000

Canyon Creek Industrial Complex Llc- Sean Kirby |EEC Inc, 1474 S 30th St W, Com New Other, 1,428,000

Billings Lodging West Llc |TCK Hospitality Llc, 1732 Spring Creek Ln, Com New Hotel/Motel, $8,000,000

Elevation Church Billings Inc|Ralph Dupea Contracting,  711 4th Ave N, Com Remodel, $100,000

Stock Properties |Stock Land Properties ,149 Shiloh Rd, Inc Com Remodel,  $60,000

Grayson Larry & Rhonda|ABC Seamless Of Billings Inc/ 838 Mullowney Ln, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $16,000

SSI Big Sky Llc|Studer Construction Company, 1100 6th Ave N, Demolition Permit Commercial, $36,000

Christina Duray |J And B Contracting Services Inc, 2711 1st Ave N, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $2,825  r

School District No 2|Wegner Homes, 1315 Lewis Ave, Com Fence/Roof/Siding, $305,415

M & S Businesses LLC|Advanced Protection Systems Inc, 1241 S 31st St W, Com Fire Systems, $9,500

Treasure State Land Co LLC |Langlas & Assoc. Inc., 900 S 24th St W, Com Remodel, $60,000

BHCC II Inc|KE Construction LLC, 1223 Mullowney Ln, Com Addition, $2,757,600

WWT Enterprises LLC|Yellow Ball Roofing & Solar LLC,  1460 17th St W, Com Remodel, $25,830

US Bank NA|John Houghtaling, 1645 Grand Ave, Siding, $80,000

State Of Mt Department Of Administration|Wegner Homes Roofing, 701 S 27th St, Roofing, $680,549

Single Family

Billings Best Builders |Billings Best Builders Llc,  5336 S Iron Mountain Rd, Res New Single Family, $250,000

J&S Development Co|Billings Best Builders Llc, 5330 S Iron Mountain Rd, Res New Single Family, $250,000

Mccall Development Inc|Mccall Development, 6207 Eva Marie Ln, Res New Single Family, $253,687

Hammond Sean, 2570 Keel Dr, Res New Single Family $360,000

South Pine Design |South Pine Design, S Iron Mountain Rd, Res New Single Family, $450,000

Michael Christensen |Michael Christensen Homes, 4944 Silver Creek Trl, Res New Single Family, $450,000

McCall Development Inc|McCall Development, 1822 St Paul Ln, Res New Single Family, $164,480

McCall Development Inc|McCall Development, 1857 St Paul Ln, Res New Single Family, $197,601

AGs Investigate Investment Company Over anti-Israel Policies

21 May 2024
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By Bethany Blankley, The Center Square

A coalition of Republican attorneys general has launched an investigation into MSCI, a New York-based investment company managing roughly more than $5 billion in assets, after allegations surfaced of its boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) policies against Israel.

The coalition, led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, gave MSCI chairman and CEO Henry Fernandez until April 18 to respond.

They contacted Fernandez after the Jewish News Syndicate reported that MSCI’s ESG policies appear to downgrade dozens of companies “that it said committed ‘human rights violations’ simply for conducting business in Judea and Samaria and eastern Jerusalem.”

JNS reported that it found “that MSCI has tagged nine companies that generated ESG controversy ratings at Morningstar for doing business in Judea and Samaria with its own such ratings” and contacted Florida officials.

In a letter to Fernandez, the AGs express “great concern” over the report saying, “the states we represent unequivocally support Israel’s right to exist and oppose the BDS movement.”

The coalition represents the states of Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

“While the BDS movement ‘markets itself as a nonviolent movement’ designed to pressure Israel to ‘withdraw to its pre-1967 borders,’ its leadership in reality ‘seeks nothing less than the elimination of Israel as a Jewish state,’” they said. “According to a cofounder of the BDS movement, it is ‘but the first stage on the road to fulfilling the vision of the dismantling of Israel.’ The movement often focuses on pressuring large investment portfolios – such as those run by municipality or university – to divest from companies that ‘aid Israel’s occupation.’”

They also said the BDS movement has two goals: “to economically cripple Israel and create a false narrative of Israel’s occupation and colonization.”

Businesses Seek Tax Abatements

18 April 2024
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Several local businesses are requesting tax abatements from Yellowstone County on their investment in new equipment. The abatements are for qualifying Class 8 Property – primarily manufacturing concerns that generate economic growth. A recent change in state law (SB 530) requires that county commissioners grant the abatement requests, with the only options available to them being whether to apply the abatement at the 80 percent, 90 percent or 100 percent.  The abatement is phased out over the next five years at which time the company pays the full property tax.

The County Commissioners approved a supplemental application for a tax abatement request from CHS. In January, the County Commissioners approved, at 80 percent, an initial property tax abatement request from CHS for manufacturing equipment totaling in value $38,872,419.88.

They have also approved, at 80 percent, an abatement request of Class 8 property from Phillips 66 on the investment of $7,459,311 of equipment.

The Commissioners also approved a tax abatement for Signal Peak Energy and Coca Cola are requesting abatements on new investments in their businesses.

Signal Peak Mine will receive a 80% abatement n $36,841,583 of manufacturing equipment located in Yellowstone County.

Coca Cola received an 80% tax abatement on $47,150,873 involving the construction of their new manufacturing plant.

Stockman Bank Ranked as One of Top 50 Community Banks in US

18 April 2024
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Stockman Bank has been recognized by S&P Global Market Intelligence as one of the top 50 best-performing U.S. community banks of 2023, among banks with $3 billion to $10 billion in assets.

S&P Global Market Intelligence ranks institutions based on returns, growth and funding but places a premium on the strength and risk profile of balance sheets. The rankings were launched in 2011 to assess the performance of community banks.

“This recognition reflects not only our exemplary financial performance, but the dedication and expertise of our staff, who put the needs of our customers and communities first,” stated Bill Coffee, CEO of Stockman Bank. “For more than 70 years, as a family-owned, privately held community bank, we have not wavered from our focus on serving the financial needs of all Montanans through outstanding service based on western values, local management and prompt decision making.”

Par Montana Gets Safety Award

18 April 2024
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Par Montana, a subsidiary of Par Pacific Holdings, Inc., was recently honored for its 2023 safety performance by the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufactures (AFPM).  The award is part of the refining and petrochemical industry’s ongoing commitment to enhance and recognize outstanding workplace safety.

The awards are considered the premier recognition of the industry and are part of a comprehensive program developed by the AFPM Safety and Health Committee to promote safe operations in the refining and petrochemical industries.

The Par Montana refinery in Billings was elected for an Elite Silver Award, recognizing sites that have attained top industry safety performance in 2023 while demonstrating excellent program innovation and leadership over time. Elite Silver status represents the top 10 percent of industry safety performance.

The past year also represented a year of change for the Billings refinery employees as they prepared for ownership transition from ExxonMobil to Par Pacific Holdings. George Graham, the Health, Safety, Security and Environment manager at Par Montana, said being recognized for a year of safety excellence shows that leaders, frontline workers and contractors all prioritized personal and process safety when it was need most.

Kim Jakub, Senior vice President of Rocky Mountain Refining for Par Pacific and former refinery manager in Billings, said the award demonstrates a continuing commitment to safety by everyone at the site. “It is a well-deserved recognition for the Billings team,” she said.

As an example of new initiatives in 2023, the refinery completed the rollout of a new homegrown, safety program as a result of the transition to Par Pacific. This initial rollout was only the first step in a series of new leadership growth and development initiatives, as a component of a sustainable program. The refinery has also implemented new technologies to help monitor for potentially dangerous gases and improved personal protection for planned maintenance activities.

Opposition Mounts to Strict EPA Emissions Standards

18 April 2024
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By Kevin Bessler, The Center Square

Saying it’s too much, too soon, numerous groups are denouncing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s recently announced emission standards, with the Illinois Corn Growers Association being one of them.

On March 20, 2024, EPA announced a final rule, Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles, that sets new, more protective standards to further reduce harmful air pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles starting with model year 2027.  

The EPA said the new rules, which are less strict than what the agency proposed last year, will avert 7 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“The standards announced today are a step forward for cleaner air and lower costs for drivers,” said Peter Huether, senior research associate with the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. “They will lead to the cleanest vehicles to date and help us meet the president’s climate pledges.” 

As EVs sit on car dealer lots, some companies are scaling back their electric offerings, including Ford and GM.

A new poll by The Center Square Voters’ Voice shows that nearly two-thirds of voters say the government is pushing EVs too hard because there is insufficient demand. 

Garrett Hawkins, vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association, said the rush by the government to convert to battery EVs would be devastating for the Illinois farming community.

“With this policy, we could have a 50% decrease in the price of corn, and with that you would have rural America and farmers not doing as well,” said Hawkins. “It’s going to be a direct hit to the Midwest.”.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said his goal is to have 1 million EVs on Illinois roadways by the year 2030. State officials said there will need to be around 36,000 charging ports to support that number. 

Critics also point to the high cost of electric vehicles. The Rivian R1T EV pickup truck, manufactured in Normal, starts at $73,000.

“It is disappointing that the Biden Administration continues to be actively working against its stated goal of ‘equipping the American middle class to succeed,’” said David Holt, president of Consumer Energy Alliance. “While electric vehicles clearly have a role in our vehicle mix, the middle class cannot succeed with the EPA forcing an unworkable, expensive EV quota on working class families.” 

NFIB Questions Feds Increase Minimum Wage

18 April 2024
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NFIB (National Federation of Independent Businesses) filed an amicus brief in the case State of Texas v. President Joseph R. Biden at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. This case questions whether the President and Department of Labor (DOL) have authority to increase the minimum wage for federal contractors. NFIB’s brief argues that the lower court correctly decided that the DOL rule, Increasing the Minimum Wage for Federal Contractors, exceeded the statutory authority delegated by Congress.

“At a time when small businesses are battling historic inflation and labor shortages, this decision will have economic consequences for many small business contractors,” said Beth Milito, Executive Director of NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center. “Small business owners already strive to provide their employees with the highest wages and benefits they can afford. Mandating further increases to their operating costs will only make it harder for them to do so.”

NFIB’s brief argues two main points: 1) the Procurement Act is a limited Congressional delegation of legislative authority, and 2) the court must subject the rule to meaningful judicial review. NFIB filed the amicus brief with the Pacific Legal Foundation.

The NFIB Small Business Legal Center protects the rights of small business owners in the nation’s courts. NFIB is currently active in more than 40 cases in federal and state courts across the country and in the U.S. Supreme Court.

New Businesses March 2024

18 April 2024
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Sky Creek Ventures Llc, 6715 Cove Creek Dr, (503) 931-0761, Elgas, David And Jamie , Real Estate Rental, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Emm Topnotch Construction Llc, 20 Allen Creek Ln, (406) 922-7266, Morales, Elda , General Contractors, Columbus, Mt, 59019

 Lower Llc/Ulhl, 2646 Grand Ave Ste 2, (406) 294-2660, Bauer  Tristi , Bank/Loan Agencies, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Scotty And I… Schneider Enterprises, 2609 4th Ave S, (406) 702-0984, Schuchard/Schneider, Jennifer/Scott – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Franco Siding & Remodeling Llc, 7841 Alderson Ave, (732) 799-8317, Franco, Maira – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Resilient Nails Llc, 2910 Grand Ave, (406) 633-5578, Hernandez/Nava, Sierra/Randall – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Artisancto Productions Llc, 342 Sioux Ln, (406) 861-0315, Verdell, Duhart , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Powerwash 406, 2424 1st Ave S, (406) 694-5757, Marks, Rachell – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Smoothie Lab, 212 N 29th St, (406) 465-6733, Jones, Zoe , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Ineedfitness, 2518 Custer Ave, (406) 647-5082, Lachenmaier, Megan – I, Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Billings Wing Company, Llc, 411 S 24th St W, (406) 294-9464, Goube, Steven – , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Dakava House Downtown, 224 N 29th St, (406) 371-5258, Grundhauser, William , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Cottonwood Construction, 2804 Hoover Ave, (406) 690-1660, Wright, Trevor – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Rare Motor Cars, 8270 Pond Rd, (406) 661-3988, Diament, Richard – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Wayne’s Handyman Service, 1606 Ash St  Ballantine #11, (406) 647-8001, Yates, William – , Service, Ballantine, Mt, 59006

 Decorative Concrete Artisans, 7003 Northwind Drive, (406) 876-0978, Devlin, Dustin – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Get Clean Llc, 1301 Alder Ave, (406) 794-2941, Stewart, Nicholas – , Service, Laurel, Mt, 59044

 Featherstone Llc, 2525 Minnesota Ave, (484) 888-2050, Lorenz, Paula – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Shaundel Krumheuer Dba 504 Square Feet, 1314 4th Ave N, (406) 647-0153, Krumheuer, Shaundel , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Ultra406 Enterprises Inc, 1208 N Frontage Rd #17, (406) 690-9634, Steffes, Justin L – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Mt Balloon Designs Llc, 1834 Bridge Stone St, (406) 690-1916, Derrick, Nicole , Service, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Doggy Duties, 2230 Fairway Dr, (406) 208-4814, Southard, Kevin & Cipriana , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Tck Hospitality Llc, 19580 West Indian School Rd Ste105-107, (605) 519-0901, Karli, Tim – , General Contractors, Buckeye, Az, 85396

 Victor’s Tree Service, 1408 West Ramshorn, (406) 855-7841, Perez, Victorino – , Service, Laurel, Mt, 59044

 Balance Minds Bookkeeping, 1134 Central Ave, (406) 694-5850, Stoner, Jada-Rose – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Home Ready Services, Llc, 138 Northern Avenue Apt A, (406) 208-6864, Harper, Lorita , Service, Huntley, Mt, 59037

 Billings Auto Detail, 317 S 26th St, (406) 206-3756, Poppler, Austin – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Mvd Express, 3470 Gabel Rd Ste 1, (505) 304-1165, Fusco, Rick , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Treasures Rediscovered Llc, 8958 Belmar Court, (978) 728-9464, Blackburn, Chad – , Service, Saint Louis, Mo, 63126

 Knightshadow Properties Llc, 6133 Farmstead Ave, (406) 671-3711, Knight, Dan – , Real Estate Rental, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Heirloom Estate Services, 3215 Redwood Ln, (406) 697-3822, Hutchinson, Mary – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Phoenix Freight Services Inc, 439 S Lakeview Dr, (406) 781-4453, Faldzinski, Anthony – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Laces’ Luxuries, 7010 Shepherd Rd, (406) 629-0159, Robinson, Lacey – , Service, Shepherd, Mt, 59079

 Meschnark Cleaning Services Llc, 3040 Central Ave D108, (702) 232-3390, Meschnark, Brit – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Billings Best Comedy, 627 N 14th St, (406) 598-4343, Miller, Heather – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Al’s Crochet Critters, 424 Custer Ave, (509) 281-0341, Campbell, Alaura – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Sara Lynn Asap, Llc, 1106 Primrose Dr, (406) 670-8990, Baischi, Lynnette – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Starbucks Coffee #71295, 3049 Meadow View Dr, (206) 594-7273, Starbucks Corporation, , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Wild Gal Wardrobe, 410 E Alkali Creek Rd, (406) 927-5576, Wildman, Kaitlyn , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Hilmes Motorworx Llc, 2027 George St, (775) 299-8081, Hilmes, Dillon , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Black Hills Federal Credit Union , 4002 Montana Sapphire Dr, (404) 431-1204, Taylor, Tyson , Bank/Loan Agencies, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Julie Rocks & Gems, 321 Broadwater Ave, (406) 839-5768, Kraenzel, Julie , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Presence By Evot, 5852 Autumnwood Dr, (406) 855-0101, Oblander, Tove – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Magic City Roll Offs Llc, 100 Lakewood Ln, (209) 981-8205, Aynaga, Brandon – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 B&S Dirt Worx Llc, 1514 Rancho Vista Ave, (406) 230-0171, Maetzold, Samuel J – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Maid For It Cleaning, 26 Hartland St N, (406) 601-0964, Modine, Kacee , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Jesse Harris Photography, 427 Hallowell Ln, (406) 384-8549, Myers, Jesse – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Marble Coffee Co- Roastery, 3485 A J Way # 110, (406) 371-6529, Marble, Jen/Jason – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Don The Plumber, 1625 Front St, (406) 672-1587, Summens, Don , Plumbing Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Handy Home Services, Out Of City, (406) 640-8846, Skender, Jeremiah – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 The Sippin’ Waggin’, 1303 Concord Dr, (406) 371-2249, Boucher/Benson, Leigh/Evelyn , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Mastec Network Solutions Llc, 1825 Ponce De Leon Blvd #543, (949) 637-9674, Ruehle Kathi , General Contractors, Coral Gables, Fl, 3134

 Christy’s Treats, 315 S 2nd Street, (406) 425-4479, Coulimore, Christine – , Service, Bridger, Mt, 59014

 Mch Construction Montana Llc, 46 Cedar Pointe Loop, (406) 702-0219, Alkire, Hazen , General Contractors, Columbia Falls, Mt, 59912

 On Top Construction, 13 Lapin St, (406) 702-5268, Helms, Jessie – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Beauty And Balance Wellness Studio Llc, 1140 16th St W Ste 15, (406) 591-5182, Bernstein, Dawn , Cosmetology, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Omelio Constructions, 302 Jackson St Trailer #23, (406) 444-3665, Ramirez, Omelio – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Revington Properties, 930 Ginger Ave, (615) 330-8228, Cole, Morgan – , Real Estate Rental, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Black’s Portable Buildings, 2376 Main St, (406) 591-1961, Black, Karen – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Mark Ryan Arts, 483 S 44th St W, (406) 839-6835, Ager, Mark – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59106

 White River Janitorial & Security, Hwy 212 Mile North, (406) 591-0315, Risingsun Jr, Irvin – , Service, Busby, Mt, 59016

 Superior Tire, 1707 St Johns Ave, (406) 690-4630, Huskey, Dayton – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Two Buffalos Construction, 327 Jemstone Drive, (406) 371-6635, Moreno, Annie – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Alpine Chic Boutique, 1514 Prairie Meadow Ln, (406) 951-1317, Klein, Hailey – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Terry Watley Dry Wall And Paint, 2101 11th Ave N, (406) 647-9420, Watley, Terry – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Tire Despose-All, 4230 Carlton Ave Sw, (406) 672-0950, Nease, Joshua , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Sunrise Collectibles, 536 Avenue C, (406) 696-0754, Perez, Tajin , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59102

 One Of A Kind Handyman Llc, Out Of City, (406) 794-8475, Flattum, Lili – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Williams Photo Company, 429 N 33rd St Apt 610, (406) 670-7859, Williams, Rylee – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Electronic Toys, 300 S 24th St W, (347) 702-0504, Salem, Gasser – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59102

 North Fleet Services Llc, 2191 Overlook Dr, (509) 429-8379, Stalder, Bert & Kristi , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Mcp Development Inc, 3501 Sw Fairlawn Rd Ste 70, (785) 273-3880, Tolin Patrick – , General Contractors, Topeka, Ks, 66614

 Chloes Nails Llc, 1423 38th St W, (307) 461-3226, Wilson, Chloe – , Cosmetology, Billings, Mt, 59102

 Arnold Machinery Company, 8406 Rainy Lake Rd, (406) 927-5271, Pugmire, Jon – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Burger King #2195, 790 King Park Dr, (406) 656-6711, Stanfield,  Colin – , Restaurants, Billings, Mt, 59102

 R & J Concrete Llc, 2616 Old Hardin Rd #14, (406) 647-6914, Overhuls/Ahern, Rusty/Jonathan , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59101

 Big Sky Carpet & More, 1938 Saint Andrews Dr, (971) 400-4925, Mclaughlin, Justin – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Roofix Technologies Llc, 5 W Mendenhall St #202, (855) 614-0653, Miller, Byron – , Roofing Contractors, Bozeman, Mt, 59715

 Blue April Llc, 343 Quaking Aspen Ln, (406) 670-2225, Sheppard, Shawn – , Service, Billings, Mt, 59105

 Bigsky 406 Enterprises, 661 Light Stream Ln, (406) 601-2134, Page, Jeremy & Marion – , Retail Sales, Billings, Mt, 59106

 Hamilton Property & Construction, 2122 Bitterroot Dr, (406) 671-7100, Hamilton, Christopher – , General Contractors, Billings, Mt, 59105

New Business Licenses February 2024

18 April 2024
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Mc Properties LLC, 2205 Myrtle Dr, (406) 698-3675, Propp, Karin, Service, Billings, 59102

D Nez Studio Salon, 2906 1st Ave N, (406) 839-3595, Nez, Duane, Retail Sales, Billings, 59101

Magic City Commercial Cleaning, 484 Greenspring Pl, (406) 647-3607, Kephart, Erik  Billings, 59102

Platinum Exterior Solutions LLC, 2039 Pryor Ln, (406) 690-3434, Hall-Shipley, Vincent, General Contractors, Billings, 59102

Heights Inn Mobile Court, 496 Riley Dr, (406) 252-4581, McCune, Jeremy, Billings, 59105

Billings Vacation Rentals LLC, 1206 Cordova St, (406) 670-9790, Clancy-Loveridge, Megan,Service,Billings, 59102

Beartooth Sewing, 1441 15th St W,  , Weigel-Vernard/Weigel, Timber/Weigel,Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

One Sock Lizzy, 615 Avenue D, (812) 340-5039, Sloffer, Elizabeth Marie Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

The Pamper Cottage LLC, 1831 Main St Ste 1, (406) 500-1556, Egelans/Nelson, Jamie/Chantel,Service, Billings, 59105

Liz Enslow Counseling, 930 Jackson St, (406) 690-5937, Enslow, Service, Billings, 59101

Milk River Ag, 40350 Us Hwy 2, (406) 399-1113, Jensen (Member), Ryan, Retail Sales, Chinook, 59523

Micah Olds Construction, 2406 Brentwood Ln, (406) 224-2225, Olds, Micah, General Contractors, Billings, 59102

Bar 10 LLC, 1236 South Hay Creek Rd, (406) 224-2945, Barlow, William, General Contractors, Pryor, 59066

Evergreen Services, 3201 Leeann Blvd, (812) 704-3456, Elkin, Bethany, Service, Billings, 59102

Heishman Custom Engravers, 3867 Avenue C, (406) 860-4400, Heishman, Steven, Service, Billings, 59102

Redmex Billings LLC, 4110 Bennett Ave, (307) 251-2779, Solorzano, Alex,  Restaurants, Billings, 59105

Dan Sullivan, 1802 Alderson Ave, (406)671-5038, Sullivan, Dan – Dan Sullivan, Real Estate Rental, Billings, 59102

Price Unlimited, 416 Gay Pl, (406) 717-9778, Price/Fry, Adam/Jill – Price Unlimited, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

NHJ Properties, 1103 Cook Ave, (406) 579-4903, Pancheau, Hannas, Real Estate Rental, Billings, 59102

American Cornhole League Montana, 2901 Beech Ave, (406) 839-0723, McDuffie, Melvin, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

Liberty Title & Land Company, 1575 Shiloh Rd Ste F, (406) 204-7020, Wells/Dawson, Steve/Mark, Service, Billings, 59106

Mountain Peak Counseling & Consulting, 2048 Overland Ave Suite 102a, (406) 298-0979, Jansma, Phyllis, service, Billings, 59102

Destefano Consulting LLC, 1780 Shiloh Rd Ste B, (307) 299-9431, Destafano, Quinn,  Service, Billings, 59106

Switzer Land Holding LLC, 2147 Poly Dr, (406) 656-4288, Switzer, Karen, Real Estate Rental, Billings, 59102

Solid Ground Rentals LLC, 241-259 Westchester Sq S, (406) 656-4288, Switzer, Karen, Service, Billings, 59105

Baileys Frozen Novelties, 133 Clark Ave, (406) 860-7034, Beals, Christi, Restaurants, Billings, 59101

B&B Equities LLC, 8428 Stillwater Dr, (541) 232-0401, Burns, Coby, Real Estate Rental, Billings, 59106

7f Services LLC, 6620 12 Mile Rd, (406) 647-9424, Finch, Lindsey, General Contractors, Shepherd, 59079

Concordance Health Care Solutions, 1535 Industrial Ave, (406) 371-2052, Cheek, Brianna, Wholesale, Billings, 59101

Zac Birdinground Construction, 1223 Cortez Ave, (406) 861-5187, Birdinground, Zac,  General Contractors, Billings, 59105

A & Z Construction LLC, 1777 Birdie Ln, (406) 850-4424, Leep/Norris, Austin/Zach, General Contractors, Billings, 59106

Picture Perfect Landscaping And Sprinklers LLC, 3101 Buttercup Dr, (406) 839-0641, Sheridan, Patrick, Service, Billings, 59102

Just Vapes, 1313 Grand Ave 8b, Brockman, Cathie, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

West End Farmers Market, 3201 Hesper Rd #5, (406) 702-0283, Leberger, Marc, Service, Billings, 59102

Angel-Up Remodeling Construction, 3810 Bestrom Cir, (406) 860-2245, Moreno-Sandoval, Pedro Angel, General Contractors, Billings, 59101

Giftedbird Massage, 2215 Broadwater Ave, (406) 691-9000, Raffaell, Tina, Solo Practitioner, Billings, 59102

Cleaner Office LLC, 3820 Avenue C, (406) 839-3904, Adams, Cheyann, Service, Billings, 59102

Bruguier Design & Construction LLC, 972 Senora Ave, (541) 419-1737, Bruguier, Julene, General Contractors, Billings, 59105

Elite Property Solutions LLC, 331 Howard Ave, (406) 860-9179, Wilson, Dawn,  Service, Billings, 59101

Fine Line- Residential Home Improvement, 1204 Fairvale Dr, (406) 606-9754, Stauffer, Direlle, Service, Billings, 59101

Grime Scene Unit LLC, 435 19th St W, (406) 608-7373, Jenkins, Andrea, Service, Billings, 59102

Morning Star Cleaning, 670 Revolution Ave, (406) 539-5727, Fishel, Marlen, Service, Billings, 59105

NCI Group Inc Dba Fortify Building Solutions, 7570 Entryway Dr, (406) 970-2039, Ruvalcaba, Edith,  Manufacturing, Billings, 59106

Beartooth Mountain Creative, 1709 Sagebrush Rd, (858) 952-8949, Kelso, Alethea , Service, Billings, 59105

All In The Details LLC, 487 S 44th St W Apt 5-309, (406) 850-1639, Pearl, Edward A,  Service, Billings, 59106

Dumpster Direct LLC, 8930 Longmeadow Dr, (307) 267-1722, Entrekin/McClure, Josh/Dylan, Service, Billings, 59106

Kiss From A Nose Dog Bakery, 1125 Custer Ave #5, (406) 894-9926, Alvarez, Debbie,  Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

Billings Mediation Center, 100 N 27th St Ste 255-A, (406) 672-4570, Mclean, Temple,  Service, Billings, 59101

Full Throttle Auto & Cycle Sales Inc, 2506 Phyllis Ln, (406) 259-1347, Mitchell, Cord  Auto Business, Billings, 59102

Crisp & Green, 1595 Grand Ave #240,  , Gisi, Phil,  Restaurants, Billings, 59102

Atlas Retail Services, 5176 Waring Road 46, (760) 420-1276, Bloor, Craig, General Contractors, San Diego, 92120

Health Haven Vending LLC, 2451 Bonito Loop, (406) 318-9633, Dewiter, Douglas,  Retail Sales, Billings, 59105

Healing Minds, 944 Avenue B, (406) 696-5260, Lewis, Breanne, Service, Billings, 59102

P1n3-Tech Solutions, 1601 Lynn Ave, (406) 927-3310, Newman, James, Service, Billings, 59102

The Tin Tavern LLC, 40 Jefferson St, (406) 850-5058, Child, Amber, Service, Billings, 59101

Treasure State Improvements, 2611 7th Ave N, (307) 262-1441, Gray, James, General Contractors, Billings, 59101

Lindaland Embroidery LLC, 8455 Black Marlin Dr, (406) 860-7483, Werbelow, Linda,  Service, Billings, 59106

Raymond Handling Concept Corp (General Construction, 41400 Boyce Rd, (562) 745-7500, Lopez, Sonny, Corp (General Construction, General Contractors, Fremont, 94538

Blick’s Body & Paint, 6552 South Frontage Road #4, (406) 647-4858, Blickley, John,  Auto Business, Billings, 59101

Fifth Click, 626 S 38th St W Unit 1, (406) 200-2493, Sullivan, Andrew, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

Sunshine Massage, 511 N 30th St, (406) 503-2561, Jia, Sujuan, Solo Practitioner, Billings, 59101

Ks Chuckwagon, 152 Whitebird Crk Rd, (406) 780-1540, Kornick, Kyle & Sarah,  Restaurants, Columbus, 59019

Sc Salz LLC, 3835 Avenue C, (406) 672-6699, Salz, Claire, Retail Sales, Billings, 59102

Yellowstone Investigative Services LLC, 1125 Kootenai Ave, (406) 698-2097, Wallis, Vincent, Private Investigators, Billings, 59105

Precision Warehouse Design LLC, 1408 S Main St #319, (972) 251-0999, Dewall Marc, , Service, Carrollton, 75006

Sapper Tile, 911 Washington St, (406) 208-1791, Johnson, Matt, General Contractors, Billings, 59101

Elite Health And Wellness, 1532 Sage Dr, (406) 855-7126, Shvets, Alyona, Service, Billings, 59105

Finpro Solutions LLC, 1239 Harvard Ave, (406) 861-8546, Gillen, Lyman, Service, Billings, 59102

Midwest Shooting Center, 1020 Central Ave Ste 4, (406) 239-9320, Mcquillan, Thomas ,Retail Sales, Billings, 59101

La Cocina Filipina, 2260 St Johns Ave, (406) 861-7453, Vicente, Lain, Restaurants, Billings, 59102

Laura Rumba (Libra Ventures), 1636 Touch Stone St, (406) 750-7818, Rumba, Laura , Real Estate Rental, Billings, 59106

Contra Enterprises LLC, 2012 Storehouse Rd, (307) 258-5964, Dvarishkis, Christianna, Real Estate Rental, Shepherd, 59079

Stevens Equipment Supply LLC, 220 S 8th St W, (406) 206-7029, Levra (Vp), Karen,  Wholesale, Billings, 59101

Kaur LLC-Bullwackers, 1517 Broadwater Ave, (406) 248-9855, Kaur, Amandeep,  Billings, 59102

Antoinette’s Cajun Cuisine, 410 Pennsylvania Ave, (406) 200-1919, Lowery, Antoinette,  Restaurants, Laurel, 59044

Rebecca Baumgardner Psycotherapy LLC, 208 N Broadway Ste 313, (406) 894-0179, Baumgardner, Rebecca, Service, Billings, 59101

H & T Arms: Custom Works Of Montana, 2142 Harnish Blvd, (910) 835-7036, Hanson, Chandler, Service, Billings, 59106

Mountain Movement Rehab And Training, LLC, 4109 Palm Beach Way, (727) 686-0702, Lukas, Cara,  Service, Billings, 59106

Music Teacher & Class’ Performance Gives Gift

18 April 2024
Press Room
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by Jose Bustos

What A Wonderful World. 

On January 26, 2024, my wife, Zee and I were gifted with a resplendent invitation to Will James Middle School 8th Grade music class sessions conducted by Erin Grummett.  Delightful is saying it lightly. And, as one who is long on words, I find myself short for words that gives justice to this most gratifying and captivating performance by a most talented 8th grade music class.  A class most accomplished in band wind instruments and percussion.  A masterly rendition of songs we listened to, gives credence to the person responsible for these exceptional musicians, Erin Grummett, a gifted music instructor.  We witnessed a virtuoso conducting her class of 43 8th grade musicians. 

Mrs. Grummett’s class performed George Weiss and Bob Thiele’s composition of “What A Wonderful World,” with a touch that seemed as though all her musicians were recording it for the world to listen to, yet there was an audience of only two, my wife and myself.  That song was recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1967, and of course now has become what is called in the music entertainment world as a “standard.”  Another song they performed for us was “Get Back,” written by one of the world’s most prolific and popular song writing teams of John Lennon and Paul McCartney, (my guys), The Beatles.

Most heart wrenching though was a Military medley embracing all the uniformed services.  Knowing that I had spent many years in the Air Force and Army, Mrs. Grummett chose this medley.  As we are a military family, our daughter a sailor, and son a Marine — both Mrs. Bustos and myself poured forth with emotional, heart-felt tears, our gratitude overflowing.  

Erin Grummett received her initial music degree, Bachelor of Music Education at University of Montana at Missoula and then credentialed with her Masters in Conducting from the American Bands College at Southern Oregon University in 2009.  She and her husband, Bryan Grummett, complement each other in their professions, as both are music educators, and were both hired by the School District 2 on the same day in 1995.  Bryan Grummett teaches music at Lewis & Clark Middle School, and has actually taught at this school since 1995.  Erin will be approaching her 30th year with Billings Public Schools and her 15th year at Will James in April of this year.

I found Erin Grummett to be a fascinating individual, most pleasant and ever smiling, humble, yet so very talented. She is proficient in 12 different wind instruments, but favors and specializes with the saxophone, as that instrument was the one she first played in primary and junior high school and was “instrumental” in helping her fall in love with music and the aspiration to eventually teach music.  Her mother told her that she could play anything she wanted except for the drums and the oboe, thus her decision to choose the saxophone.

Erin Grummett is also gifted with the discernment of evaluating a student’s interest, i.e., the ability to tell if a student should be assigned to her class and, or most importantly, the ability to define which instrument may be most appropriate for a student, or is it really one that fits with that child’s personality? 

And now for the diamonds of Will James, the Music Class.  I interviewed Grace Waller, Isla Hardin, Allie Treese, Ava Prescott, Lincoln Pearson, Paige Loberg, Sloan Shulund and Wynstin Olson.  One of the first of things that kindled my interest in these most talented musicians, is the distinctive first names, they are so unique and simply attest to the exclusive, vogue culture of America.  These names I find, are students simply stating, “I am different, I am unique there is no other like me, see me, see my talent.”  Obviously when they were born, mom and dad knew this child would be gifted, outgoing and with a drive for their own future independence. 

Many of these students shared with me their visions for their lives after high school and college.  One of Erin’s students will be working with his very successful dad in the construction industry.  Another will pursue medicine.  Some of the other musicians simply want to attend college in a discipline they have not yet decided on.  All the students, these gifted musicians I interviewed, had additional current interests, such as helping out fellow classmates with life skills, library assistance, ballet, and a greenhouse environment class.  This latter was most interesting, as the students that attend this class learn about growing various types of produce and decorative flowers that are then marketed at a spring sale on May 11, 2024 at Ben Steele Middle School.

I asked each student what brought them to their love for music, and what keeps their interest in this God-given talent, and of course each had their own story to tell.  The one thing that they all seemed to share, is that they enjoy a cohesion they can’t find in any other class.  Each felt they play a small, but most significant part of their own classy school music “family.” Practicing (studying) their instrument is homework, it has to be done, but when in class playing any song, this environment for each student is their group unity, their individual reward.

We look whole heartedly towards attending one of their concerts.