HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeartooth RC&D Correspondence July 2021
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc.
Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda
Lunch at 12:30 / Meeting 1:00 P.M.
Thursday, July 15th, 2021
Conference Number
605-475-5900
Access code 8472365
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review May Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Maddie Alpert (Sen. Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
Cade Overstreet (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
1. Treasurer Update
2. RC&D Financials
3. RLF Financials
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
2. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson
3. Economic Development/ CRDC –
4. Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
Regional Roundup – News and updates from regional
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories….
(see topics on next page)
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
September 16th, 2021 - Red Lodge
Adjourn- Social
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Knutson
Knutson
Knutson
Bertolino
Knutson
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Information
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Action
Action
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Information
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Regional Roundup
Our goals for the Roundup are to find out what’s happening in the area, keep the conversations
focused, inform the others attending the meeting, and to tie it all back to and reinforce the importance of
the CEDS. Please help us identify the projects in their area that fit into our CEDS categories:
• Infrastructure
▪ Housing
▪ Transportation
▪ Broadband
• Economy
▪ Upturns or downturns in industry sectors
▪ New business openings (or closures)
• Communication
▪ Marketing and outreach
• Services
▪ Health care
• Natural Resources
▪ Agriculture
▪ Energy
• Human Capital
▪ Workforce
▪ Education
NOTES:
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Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting MINUTES May 20th, 2021
Agenda
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review March Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Maddie Alpert (Sen. Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
Vacant (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
4. Treasurer Update
5. RC&D Financials
6. RLF Financials
7. De Federalization of RLF Funds
Executive Committee
1. Executive Committee Activity Report
Deb Brown-EDA Grant Update
Department of Energy Rare Earth Mineral Research
Joliet Funding Request
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
5. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
6. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson
7. Economic Development/ CRDC – Steve Simonson
8. Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
Regional Roundup – News and updates from regional
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories….
(see topics on next page)
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
July 15th, 2021 - Joliet Luncheon
Adjourn- Tour of Beckys Berries new Processing Facility
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Knutson
Knutson
Knutson
Knutson
Van Ballegooyen
Van Ballegooyen
Simonson
Simonson
Simonson/
Ringer
Bertolino
Knutson
Simonson
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Action
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Action
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ATTENDANCE
Board of Directors Meeting
May 20th, 2021
Minutes
Members Present:
Joel Bertolino, BRCD
Jillann Knutson, BRCD
Steve Simonson, BRCD
Myrna Lastusky, BRCD
Ryan Van Ballegooyen, Billings Job Service
Bill Foisy, City of Red Lodge
Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA
Molly Bell, Sen. Tester’s Office
Barb Wagner, Yellowstone Conservation District
Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
Holly Higgins, First Interstate Bank of Hardin
Steve Riveland, Stillwater County
Marvin Carter, City of Laurel
Dan Lowe, Big Horn County Conservation District
Guests:
Deb Brown, SaveYour.Town
Location: Columbus Fire Hall
1:00: Meeting called to order.
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review March Board Minutes – Minutes were approved by the Board.
Congressional Updates
• Molly Bell (Sen. Tester)
o ARPA updates for the region.
o Taking input on infrastructure before putting the package together.
▪ Steve asked her to explain the definition of infrastructure.
• Roads bridges, broadband, etc.
• Also, money for fire stations, police stations possibly. Think about things
outside the realm of typical infrastructure projects, and let them know of needs.
• Might be able to add to some existing grant programs.
• Probably this summer is when this will happen.
▪ Steve asked about housing, senior living. Molly wasn’t certain, but she said affordable
housing is a big issue all over the country. She will share it with policy staffers.
▪ Molly_bell@tester.senate.gov
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Treasurer/Financial Reports
1. RC&D Financials
a. Pg. 13: Things are status quo at this point. One red flag is non-budgeted income – was the
result of Stillwater County grants that came through us (just pass-through money).
2. RLF Financials
a. One loan getting ready to close soon – goal is June 15. Construction loan.
b. Loan activity is very slow – people are holding out to see if and what grants might be
available. Beginning of year was crazy, but now people are waiting. Jillann is a little
frustrated right now. Clients are less willing to jump on loans.
c. Got payoffs from clients, so those are going well.
3. De-federalization of RLF Funds
a. EDA funding has $38,000 in it. Partial EDA grant that was given from back when they did
golf tournaments about 20 years ago. Jillann still reports on quarterly and has to go to
trainings yearly.
b. Funding is so old, they are allowing us to de-federalize the money. It’s a whole process, and it
must be approved by our Board.
c. Each program has a different set of rules, but once it’s de-federalized, we can do more with it.
E.g. we can’t fund alcohol or gaming if it’s federal, but possibly we could in the future.
d. There are still 4 outstanding loans on that.
e. Jillann asked the Board to allow the de-federalization.
f. Steph asked if it will go into regular set of funds.
i. Jillann would love to put the money into another source, but other funding sources
have rules attached. We’ll have to keep the account as is, but the rules of it will be
gone.
ii. Before taking a loan to committee, Jillann makes sure it would fall under the set of
rules for it.
g. Mel asked if the goal is to put the money in a fund with less strings attached. Jillann said yes.
h. Bill asked why the loans are so slow – what can we do to help the process in our counties?
i. Jillann: We can present to different groups, like Lions, Elks, etc. Reach out to those
who do a lot of loans with us. For example, Holly knows what we are doing and refers
us quite a bit. Jillann has reached out to some bankers in the area (wrote a letter and
sent to area lenders). Jillann has had a referral to someone regarding a daycare center.
A guy in Billings she works with hasn’t seen much activity, either. Royce from Bank
of Red Lodge sends us stuff, too, but he also hasn’t seen much lately. She talked to
someone that was a bank referral a few months ago, and he said he loved our program
but was holding out to see if there was going to be free money offered.
1. Bill will talk with Jillann about maybe talking to First Interstate Bank in Red
Lodge.
2. Dan asked which loans just paid off:
a. MAV Properties (across from Pub Station). They are a lending
institution and just paid us off.
b. Wildflower Gardens in Red Lodge (we were in legal with them. They
sold the business. We received $178,000 that was paid out).
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i. Jillann had long discussions with RLF Committee on that one to
figure out all the expenses/interest.
c. Dan said his memory is that we knew some loans would fail when we
started the program.
d. Jillann said about 95% of the losses have NOT been from the business
itself failing, but gambling issues, divorce, death, etc. There was one
that was just a bad business model, but MOST are personal.
i. Holly moved to accept the Financials. Dan seconded. Motion carried.
j. Jillann asked everyone to keep us in mind when working with different organizations for
lending or presentations on it.
k. Mel moved to allow the Treasurer to continue the process of de-federalizing the money,
allowing the RLF Committee and Board to give input on how to use the funds in the future.
i. Dan seconded. Motion carried.
ii. Mel asked how much it would be coming in. Approximately $40,000 right now – but it
could be up to $100,000 if everyone pays off.
l. Dan asked if the money could be used as a secondary support to other loans. Jillann said yes,
although it’s not her favorite because they would have to write separate checks. It’s more
complicated, but it could definitely be done.
Executive Committee
1. Executive Committee Activity Report
a. Discussed having an in-person meeting and had a report from all staff.
b. Bid on a new door for the office. Permission granted to obtain bids.
c. Discussion of legislation on our radar and whether we needed to advocate for something to
support BRCD.
d. Bill asked if all the positions are filled on Executive Committee. Ryan said yes, including
Marvin in advisory committee.
Deb Brown-EDA CARES Act Grant Update
• Steve introduced Deb, who works with SaveYour.Town. She’s working on recovery in the region
with BRCD.
• Deb submits a quarterly report of her work with Steve and BRCD.
• Iowa State University did a study and found that the towns that are succeeding are open to new
things, not stuck in old ways.
• Idea-friendly Method:
o Gather your crowd
o Build connections
o Take small steps
o Example: Rose Williamson of the Crow tribe helps people write grants who want to start a
new business.
o Deb posed the question: What if you want a splash pad in your town? But it’s so expensive.
So set up some little pools and sprinklers with parents and kids in town and sit around and talk
about it. Will people show up? (Gather your crowd).
▪ Build connections – talk to city council
▪ Take small steps – what can you do to move closer to a solution?
• Another example is the Bozeman Trail project we are doing.
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o We have been gathering our crowd, and it continues to grow. Working together to build
connections and crowd. People are in action, not sitting around a table scheduling more
meetings.
• Housing in Lodge Grass is another example.
o Deb met Mayor Dabney last October. He hired 5 men, and they were cleaning up sidewalks,
shot video, and it was shared online. Mayor went and cleaned up two properties on his own,
and others started cleaning up their own. Be a role model.
o We were on tour in Lodge Grass on Tuesday, and they have done SO much now – hauled off
broken-down cars, old trees, mowing empty lots, etc.
o We met with Amish shed guy yesterday and explored the idea of using sheds as tiny houses.
Little Big Horn College program can put in plumbing and electrical.
o Dan mentioned that Lodge Grass has had a bad reputation for years, but they are turning
things around.
• Every month Deb and her business partner Becky shoot videos. They have Watch Parties each money
(www.saveyour.town). The first 3 watch parties had more people from Montana than anywhere else.
• 18 months ago Deb spoke at the National Brownfields Conference about filling empty buildings.
There are many Brownfields locations just in Carbon County. As a Board we should look for
opportunities in this area. Is anyone working on some?
o Steph: individually in counties, we are aware and want to get them cleaned up.
o Steve said DEQ has been helpful, but we don’t have an assessment grant or RLF to get the
program going.
▪ Deb asked Molly Bell to put it on her list.
o Deb said a small step could be posting some info on Facebook to spread the word.
• Joel asked about the timeline of Deb’s consultant process. It’s a 2-year project, but after the 2 years
are up, Deb will still continue to be in touch with BRCD and our region to make sure things are
continuing.
• Steve: Different chambers have engaged at different levels – some are willing to try while others
don’t want anything to do with new ideas.
o Deb: Not just young people! 2 older men on our Bozeman Trail project have been very
excited to get involved & help. We want tourism and economic development in the counties.
People who come to see stuff will stay and spend money.
Department of Energy Rare Earth Mineral Research
• Jim Atchison at Coal Strip called Steve. Coal mining and revenues are going downhill. There is an
opportunity with the rare earth minerals. Sibanye-Stillwater is doing some things that might fit in
with this. Stay tuned.
o Molly: What is outlook for rare earth minerals in our region? What is available?
▪ Steve: Looking to tail the fly ash ponds, but there are residual rare earth minerals in
the coals. China has a lock on the market of rare earth minerals, so this could be an
opportunity to return an industry to USA.
o Mel asked Randy:
▪ He said they are tracking some of the rare earth minerals and are looking at it a bit –
nothing local, but it’s on their radar.
o Steve said there are some pockets in a few counties. Places friendly to mining have a leg up.
It’s good to have a backup plan in interest of national security.
Joliet Funding Request (Steve)
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• We’ve done community assessments in Big Timber, Laurel, Lockwood, and Red Lodge. We haven’t
helped financially, but based on Joliet’s size, they are asking for some help to do a community
assessment.
o Bill asked about the one in Red Lodge. It was before Steve’s time and even before Sue. Jillann
thought it was with Chris Mehus.
o Steve said this would fit in the CRDC budget.
o Ryan suggested the Board give the Executive Committee a dollar amount to consider & vote
on.
▪ Steve said Joliet Town Council is meeting on Monday night and will vote whether or
not to fund the entire thing.
• Follow-up Note: Joliet Town Council DID approve funding.
• Bill: How is this different than a growth policy?
o Steve: Former mayor brought beautification project (to improve facades on Main Street), there
is a Bozeman Trail crossing there, etc. Trying to get more community involvement. It’s a
small step in the idea-friendly method.
▪ Deb said she took the mayor and others out in Joliet on Monday to look at things they
could do. They got excited about possibilities.
▪ Joel said Red Lodge did Main Street revitalization back in 1986, updated in 2006. It
brought together a group of people, increased involvement, and gave them a document
to look back on. Joliet has none of these things, so this process could be very helpful.
o We will wait to see what the City Council decides this week.
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
a. Value-added producer grants – 2 projects referred to us by USDA. Both were direct-market
beef projects. Both grants for operating capital to expand business. One in Big Horn County,
one in Sweet Grass. Sweet Grass one was completed and sent in, so we’ll see.
b. FADC refunding:
i. Background: For a long time, we had to fight for funding every year with legislature
and would get one-time funding. Finally got statutory funding. There were 4 centers,
then expanded to eight 2 years ago with more funding. Every year there are more
organizations who want their piece of the pie.
ii. More organizations this year, so there will probably be cuts. There is talk of the Dept
of Ag taking funding for administration, which they haven’t done in the past. BRCD
may take a cut for the FADC.
c. MT Ag Resiliency Program – ARPA funding for ag projects. Proposal on how to allocate
those funds. Looking at Covid-impacted businesses especially.
i. We have 6 businesses already interested in those funds if available.
d. GTA Projects – funding opens in July and is usually due in November.
i. Joe Murdock
ii. F Bar 3 Vineyard
iii. JWK Enterprises LLC
iv. Basin Inc. – just completed working with them. Asked for about $100K
v. Charter Ranch Vermicast Soil Amendment – process where they develop soil in an all-
natural way to generate low-quality soils.
vi. Yellowstone Valley Food Hub – received $20,000 GTA to expand operations.
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vii. Pryor Mountain Wind Farm – completed. It was the first project Joel worked on when
he came to BRCD in 2007. $400M project. 6M went directly to local governments.
Local land owners are getting paid well for having turbines on land.
viii. 406 Bovine – great project. Check out the Youtube video: Montana AgTech Showcase
- 406 Bovine - YouTube. Can identify sick animals sooner, source-verify, etc. This
technology would be a huge jump from the tags they use now.
ix. Stillwater Packing / Emmett’s Meats – one of 3 to receive MT Meat Processing
Infrastructure grant last summer. Slow expansion.
x. Pioneer Meats
xi. Miller’s Customer Processing – received $104,000 to expand their space. Done with
shell and now trying to expand cooler space. This is the choke point for the processors
due to aging beef. If he can complete this, he can process 3-4 times more animals.
e. Workforce has become a big issue for these businesses – can’t find workers, and that will
hamper growth.
i. Jillann: She is on the 4-H Board in Carbon County, and they reserved spots for next 5
years just to ensure they will have a processing facility.
ii. Joel: Large demand on direct-market beef, especially in the last year. Markets are
growing, but you can’t build a direct market in meat without timely processing.
iii. Controlled Environments Construction: Good conversation with Gary Guesman this
morning. Project is still moving forward. Have purchased 2 sites for a medium-sized
processing plant (big for the state of MT). This would be a huge change – 500-
1000/week kill facility for Montana-branded beef. This is a great opportunity.
iv. Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project – great project. Public/private with
Western Sugar, Miller-Coors, and 3 counties. Received $500-600,000 over the course
of 5 years. One final project, and then it will be done. This dealt with conservation of
water to produce beer products and soil erosion – helping farmers to develop new
technology without the huge cost. Incentivized farmers using gated pipes to change to
pivot irrigation that can be controlled from smartphone – and this prevents
overwatering. Also put some drip tape on some. Trying to schedule some tours this
summer. One producer was amazed at how quickly he could get a quarter-inch in
fields; he had been overwatering, so he conserved water and can be more sustainable.
1. Dan: They are looking more at underground drip irrigation, which prevents the
loss of water through evaporation.
v. Becky’s Berries: We’ll tour today, but Steph Ray and Joel both helped her with grants
last year. Becky received both.
2. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson. See above.
3. Economic Development/ CRDC – Steve Simonson
a. Pg. 21: Affordable Housing in the region.
i. S2A (modular homes) could develop a factory in our region.
1. $20 million investment
2. 50% return rate
3. These are NOT mobile homes. Configured in a factory.
4. Hardin, Lockwood, Laurel are possibilities.
5. Steve and Steph met with Stillwater commissioners to see if this is an option
for their county.
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6. Bozeman: 61,000 new houses needed in next 20 years. We won’t get ahead of
the curve with traditional stick-built houses. Need to find creative solutions.
We’re losing affordability for first-time homebuyers.
7. Considering sites in Stillwater County and Laurel. Didn’t have enough
infrastructure in those places. We have one-time money with ARPA and need
communities and county leadership to look at some planning opportunities to
have shovel-ready sites.
b. Joint Planning Meeting – see packet.
i. Big Sky EDA invited us to this.
ii. Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Quality of Life
1. Joel: Great meeting because they had county, city, chamber, BRCD all at the
table. No silver bullet, but the leaders came up with some tangible goals and
steps to take going forward.
Regional Roundup – News and updates from regional members on projects and activities in key CEDS
categories…. (see topics on next page)
Infrastructure (Housing, Transportation, Broadband)
Economy (Upturns or downturns in industry sectors, New business openings or closures)
Communication (Marketing and Outreach)
Services (Healthcare)
Natural Resources (Agriculture, Energy)
Human Capital (Workforce, Education)
• Lorene: SBDC received CARES money and used some for training. They are creating a documentary
to be filmed and produced this summer – inspiring entrepreneurs in unexpected places. Big Timber,
Harlowton, Red Lodge, Big Horn County, Billings – people who started from ground up, what they
faced in Covid, how they pivoted. We hope it’s inspiring as well as educational and entertaining. Will
be shown in theaters in Big Timber, Harlowton, Red Lodge, Hardin, and Billings.
o Medical School was approved to come to Billings. Big step forward. Plenty of hurdles past
and present, but a good thing.
• Marvin: Trains going in and out in Laurel. 5 different trains going east. Going to get a power plant in
Laurel – NorthWestern is putting it in. Marvin is encouraging the City to put in new water towers to
expand west, but he isn’t sure if they will listen. Producing oil/gas and thriving.
• Steph: New lumber store is opening tomorrow. Pinnacle Properties just opened. Working with local
property owner to utilize a Brownfields site for a new brewery. Working with Steve on Bozeman
Trail. EDA Road project. Feasibility study for a business park and to address infrastructure needs – a
huge need here.
• Barb: Yellowstone Conservation. This morning had a realtors’ workshop dealing with permits in
selling land on the Yellowstone. There were about 100 people there. Very successful, lots of good
questions on restrictions. They are planning to have more of these in the fall. Barb asked if Jillann
would like to present, and Jillann said yes.
o Also have a pollinator workshop and soil workshop in June.
o Lots of 310 permits. Barb brought the 310 booklets if anyone would like one.
• Dan: 310 permits. Purpose is to manage navigable stream flows within jurisdiction of property
owners. Deals with construction where erosion happens. The conservation districts in each county are
responsible to help landowners with those projects. For example, one application had a picture of
their garage hanging over the river bank where there was erosion. Work with Fish and Game and
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Army Corps of Engineers to visit the application site and talk with them about how to proceed, who
to help with the project, and stabilize areas. Part of challenge is remote areas where people aren’t
attuned to if they need a 310 permit. Education is important – let people know there is help available
in managing their property on a stream.
o Big Horn County put out about 400 trees this year – to stabilize soil and improve habitat.
o Doing a cover crop cost share – 40-acre applications to introduce cover crops to people
farming.
o When winter comes, freezing temps break out soil, making it erodible.
o Inspect all watercraft for invasive species.
o Managing a grant on underground rechargeable studies – put together by Montana Tech. Have
some monitoring wells and where water comes from.
o Local work group – NRCS and BHC developed a survey to mail out.
o Working with NRCS, DNRC, FWP, BIA, Army Corps of Engineers, Big Horn River
Alliance.
o Partner with MT Salinity Board. Easy to identify in spring when the white salt fields emerge.
Makes it tougher for vegetation to grow.
o Managing reserve water.
o Biological Weed Pollinator program.
o 4-H programs: They make two awards available to 4-H fair. Over the years, there has been
less and less interest in conservation-related projects with young people. Trying to pump up
interest in this.
o Conservation is the wise use of resources.
• Randy Weimer – Sibanye-Stillwater Mine.
o A little more normal after Covid.
o Very challenged with supplies – tough to get stuff in. Common for things to be 8-12 months
out.
o Markets are good.
o Expansion projects are proceeding. Hoping to wrap up in mid-2022.
o Employment is about the same. 1800. Plus 500 contractors. Trying to fill 200 positions, which
is challenging (including where they will live!).
• Steve Riveland:
o Stillwater County is busy. Feasibility study for business park.
o Moving ahead with law and justice center planning and more toward community awareness
gathering information.
o Thanks to Steph Ray – she works hard for us.
o Infrastructure, projects, City take up most of time.
o Thanks to Randy & Mine for tour of tailing pond
• Bill Foisy:
o Beartooth Highway opens a week from tomorrow.
▪ During its open months, Red Lodge does about 40% of their resort tax.
o MDT – 5-year state-approved program. Double-check this.
o New businesses in Red Lodge:
▪ East Rosebud Fly Shop
▪ Pizza Co is remodeling. Tom remodeled the Pollard.
▪ Roosevelt Center is completely full.
▪ True Value changed to Ace.
▪ Marketing – City got MT Main Street grant for parking and access study at Roosevelt.
Nonprofit got grant for trail access.
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▪ June 22: Deadline to submit names for local elections. Either run or find someone to
run.
• Holly Higgins – First Interstate Bank
o Visited Center Pole outside of Garryowen yesterday. Limited sources for food. It’s their own
food bank. It is also a local flea market. Lot of people coming in and out. The people running
it want someone to do landscaping to get water to where they want it. They have free food &
are doing a lot for the community. Bringing in solar. Any possible grants available for them?
• Ryan VanBallestrooyen – Job Service.
o Back to 3-4% unemployment.
o Many have left the workforce, so it’s worse than before.
▪ Some don’t have childcare.
▪ More women than men on UI now.
o Some who were going to retire in 2010 but didn’t have now retired.
o Workforce issues are getting worse.
o Real wage growth in MT is top 5 in nation, but housing has outpaced that.
▪ This happened even during Covid.
o Employers have to step up their game.
▪ Metaphor of using rice cooker, but employers are saying use the microwave.
o All tied together – we need housing for workforce, need new innovations, and still need to
balance it all.
o Come live in Montana – our message to tourists to try to beef up our workforce. But we need
housing!
o Job Service took 50,000 calls in April through July on unemployment.
o End of June = regular unemployment (no more extras), so hopefully that will get some people
back to work.
Next BRCD Board of Directors Meeting: July 15th, 2021: Joliet Luncheon
Adjourned at 3:07 – Tour of Becky’s Berries’ new processing facility
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Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending April 2021
Budgeted Actual
%
of budgeted
Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 38,728 46%
AG-MCDC 1,000 0 0%
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 55,907 42,664 76%
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 10 3%
BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 3,372 91%
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 0 0%
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 0 0%
CRDC 71,907 0 0%
MISC GRANT ADMIN $ 10,750 0 0%
EDA - GRANT 70,000 0 0%
NOT BUDGED INCOME - 354,999 0%
TOTAL INCOME 321,671 439,773 137%
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 256,044 83,166 32%
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 3,175 53%
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 1,110 13%
CONTRACTUAL 21,220 322,166 1518%
SUPPLIES 9,800 3,758 38%
TRAVEL 10,140 262 3%
OTHER 8,430 6,708 80%
RESERVE -
EXPENSE TOTAL 320,154 420,345 131%
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,474.10
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,422.56
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $130,057.33
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Revolving Loan Fund Books- April 2021
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $170,289
Stillwater 3 $429,198
Yellowstone 8 $388,027
Carbon 2 $20,900
Sweet Grass 2 $173,312
• A $200K loan was for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until Spring 2021.
• I had a loan paid off in May.
• Loan activity is very slow, people are holding out to see if and what grants might be available.
• Work is being done to de-federalize the EDA funding, I hope to have this completed and approved
soon.
Bank Balances as of April 2021 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $38,195 38,195
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $381,999 381,999
Bank of Joliet- IRP $373,224 118,612
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,836 29,836
$568,642
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Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending June 2021
Budgeted Actual
%
of budgeted
Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 59,495 70%
AG-MCDC 1,000 0 0%
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 55,907 42,664 76%
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 99 25%
BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 3,372 91%
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 0 0%
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 0 0%
CRDC 71,907 17,961 25%
MISC GRANT ADMIN $ 10,750 0 0%
EDA - GRANT 70,000 0 0%
NOT BUDGED INCOME - 355,149 0%
TOTAL INCOME 321,671 478,740 149%
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 256,044 124,969 49%
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 4,426 74%
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 1,879 22%
CONTRACTUAL 21,220 326,931 1541%
SUPPLIES 9,800 6,274 64%
TRAVEL 10,140 963 9%
OTHER 8,430 8,798 104%
RESERVE -
EXPENSE TOTAL 320,154 474,240 148%
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,475.22
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,470.79
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $115,738.62
Page 16
Revolving Loan Fund Books- June 2021
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $169,575
Stillwater 3 $429,149
Yellowstone 7 $370,720
Carbon 2 $20,900
Sweet Grass 2 $171,580
• A $200K loan was for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until Spring 2021.
• One Yellowstone Co loan was paid in full in April.
• Loan interest is very slow. I have been doing a lot of promotion.
• Work is being done to de-federalize the EDA funding, I hope to have this completed and approved
soon.
Bank Balances as of June 2021 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $39,417 39,417
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $396,566 396,566
Bank of Joliet- IRP $377,451 377,451
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,859 29,859
$842,885
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FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER REPORT
FOOD AND AG CENTER PROJECTS
Beartooth FADC
Beartooth FADC activities have been focused on assisting producers with the new USDA funding for food
chain resiliency and waiting on the Montana Ag Rescue Program funding updates as well as conference calls
with the Dept of Ag we have scheduled a visit with Stillwater Packing to introduce the Montana
Manufacturing Engineer for our Region Lane Gobbs.
Growth Through Ag Projects
Beartooth FADC has worked with several businesses Growth Through Ag grant some of these will have an
opportunity to be granted funding and we will continue to assist them in completing their business
expansion projects.
Business/ Project Name: Joe Murdock
Contact- Joe Murdock
Location- Lodge Grass, MT
Joe Murdock farms acreage in southern Big Horn County and raises sunflower and safflower. Beartooth
FADC has been in discussions with him on finance opportunities to purchase equipment to bag the seed for
sale as bird feed to supplement his farming operation. He is looking at developing a Growth Through Ag
grant for the next cycle in the fall of 2021.
Business/ Project Name: F Bar 3 Vineyard
Contact- Kasey Krum Felder
Page 18
Location- Laurel, MT
F Bar 3 Vineyard is a small family owned vineyard in Yellowstone County growing hybrid grape varieties
including Frontenac, Marquette, Itasca, Petite Pearls and Crimson Pearls. Beartooth FADC is working with
MMEC Engineer to visit the vineyard for an introduction.
On Going Projects
Business/ Project Name: JWK Enterprises LLC
Contact- Justine Kougl
Location-Busby, MT
The Kougl family raises grass fed hormone free beef in Big Horn County and is developing a profitable
business that adds value to their beef production busines s. This project takes the raw commodity of beef
cattle livestock and changes the physical state to packaged, labeled for re-sale meat products. These
products will be marketed as grass-fed grain-finished, locally grown, and made/produced by an American
Indian. Beartooth FADC is assisting this business with a USDA Value Added Producer Grant application to
help them expand their business to increase the number of animals processed and sold in an effort to meet
increased demand.
Business/ Project Name: Basin Inc
Contact- Judy Edwards
Location-Big Timber, MT
The Hagerman family raises natural grass fed beef in Sweet Grass County and is developing a fresh beef
business that will add value to their beef production business. These products will be marketed as grass-
fed locally grown beef. Beartooth FADC is assisting this business with a USDA Value Added Producer Grant
application to help them expand their business to increase the number of animals processed and sold in an
effort to meet increased demand for local beef.
Business/ Project Name: Charter Ranch Vermicast Soil Amendment
Contact-
Location-Sheperd, MT
Page 19
The Charter Ranch has developed a regenerative vermicast soil amendment using the cultivation of worms
adding non-chemical nutrients to soil. Beartooth FADC assisted them with the development of a Growth
Through Ag Grant that was funded for $14,000 to expand their operation.
Business/ Project Name: Yellowstone Valley Food Hub
Contact- Schahczenski
Location-Billings, MT
The Yellowstone Valley Food Hub is looking to expand their business and add space for aggregating locally
produced foods. Beartooth FADC assisted them with applying for a Growth Through Ag Grant that was
approved for $20,000.00 to expand.
Carbon County Pryor Mountain Wind Farm
Location- Warren, MT
Contact- Pacificorp
The wind development South of Bridger, MT is nearing completion, the construction of all the wind towers
is completed and they are finishing the final phase of the project with all the towers erected the project is now
completed.
Business/ Project Name: 406 Bovine LLC
Contact- Bryan Elliott
Location-Laurel, MT
406 Bovine LLC has worked with Beartooth staff and is nearing the commercialization and launch of his Ag
Tech product. Bryan Elliott has developed a facial recognition software that can be used on computer and
Page 20
iphones to track livestock. He has produced a youtube video outlining his product that can be viewed via this
link. https://youtu.be/kTwkhUj9leA
Stillwater Packing Co/ Emmett’s Meats
Location- Columbus, MT
Contact- Jason Emmett
Stillwater Packing has been working through an increase in business due to the COVID 19 having shut down
some large national meat plants shifting some buyer interest to smaller plants like theirs. Beartooth FADC
staff assisted them with a proposal for funding to expand their business through the Montana Meat
Processing Infrastructure grant their proposal was funded late in August. They are now working on a USDA
Meat and Poultry Inpection Readiness Grant.
Page 21
Pioneer Meats
Location- Big Timber, MT
Contact- Brian Engle
Pioneer Meats received a Montana Meat Processors Infrastructure grant of over $100,000.00 which will
allow them to expand their meat processing business, they have purchased another meat processing location
in Big Timber that will allow them to process wild meat at one location while expanding their beef, pork,
bison and lamb processing at their main facility. Beartooth FADC staff will continue to work with Pioneer to
utilize any new funding opportunities in completing their expansion, they are working on a USDA Meat and
Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant.
Millers Custom Processing
Location- Roberts, MT
Contact- Tom Miller
Tom Miller became a custom exempt meat processor approximately three years ago and has experienced an
increase in demand every year and a dramatic increase in demand lately for processing Beef and Pork. FADC
staff assisted him with the development of a Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant for equipment
and building a larger processing space that will increase his cooler space. They had purchased and installed
the equipment and were close to completing the construction portion of the project when a fire started in the
plant and their plant and house were lost to the fire.
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Controlled Environments Construction
Contact- Gary Guesman
Gary Guesman is working with Big Sky EDA the Department of Ag and Beartooth FADC on their potential
300-500 head a day meat processing project they are interested in developing in the Yellowstone County
area. Beartooth FADC staff met August 21st to discuss the project and initial steps and potential barriers to
the project with Allison Corbin, Ty Thompson, Joe Goggins, Weston Merrill from Montana Department of
Ag as well as Gary Guesman. Beartooth FADC staff look forward to the potential to utilize MARP funding
to assist with this project and we have sent them the information on the USDA Meat and Poultry Inspection
Readiness Grant however it appears this grant is only for existing businesses.
Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project- RCPP
Location- Huntley,
Contact- Dave Dougherty
The group had their last meeting in September, to discuss the final reporting for the project and the success
of the funded projects. The final reporting completed by NRCS shows the positive impacts this project has
had on value added agriculture. The final summary of the economic impacts of this project was submitted
to us by NRCS and is on our website for review and we have met with the group to determine the final
reporting and the possibility of having field tours of the projects this summer .
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Becky’s Berries- Absarokee, MT
Location-Absarokee
Becky Stahl has been a client of Beartooth for several years and we last assisted her with development of an
expansion plan for her Jams, Jellies and Barbeque sauce business. She has completed construction of the
facility. Beartooth staff assisted Becky with the development of a successful Ag Adaptability Grant for
$9,000.00 for a makeup air system in her new processing facility and a commercial food processor. She has
installed the commercial food processor and the new makeup air system has been installed. We had an
excellent tour of Beckies new processing plant and looked at possible future needs for their business.
Potential New Projects
Yohannes Tedesse- Billings
Beartooth Fertilizer-Red Lodge
Crazy Peak Brewing-Big Timber
Cory Wilson Mushrooms- Billings
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Economic Development Director Report for May 2021
Regional projects on the CARES ACT economic recovery plan continue. Interviews with key
businesses and housing service providers in the region are underway on the affordable housing
study. Partner meetings with Big Sky EDA, Big Horn County, and Red Lodge Area Community
Foundation housing committee continue. The Billings Area Realtors Association reports an annual
shortage of 1400 new homes and an additional 700 will be needed if the new medical school
comes to Billings. Discussion with a modular home building system (S2A) is underway. A possible
CDBG/BSTF or other planning grant may be sought in June for a feasibility study.
Deb Brown, with Save Your Town, continues to host watch parties with interested Chamber
directors, staff and businesses in the region. Deb plans to attend the BRCD board meeting in May
and I would encourage you to ask questions on the targeted sm all business recovery efforts
underway.
The third leg of the CARES Act funding with Big Sky EDA taking the lead continues to explore and
develop economic recovery efforts primarily in Yellowstone County. A joint strategic planning
session is scheduled for Thursday morning in Billings with City/County elected officials, board
members, and staff with BSEDA, BRCD, Billings Chamber and Downtown Billings Alliance.
The initial CDBG public hearings have been held in all five counties in our region. An additional
round of planning grant funding was recently announced with applications due by June 18 th to the
Montana Department of Commerce.
County specific projects underway:
Big Horn County: Progress continues on the affordable housing calls with city and county elected
officials. A grant to establish a full time Economic Development and Housing Director Position was
submitted to USDA Rural Development. We won’t know until September/October if the grant
application was successful. Interactions with tribal economic de velopers continue with coordination
of economic recovery efforts and remote worker training. A business lead was responded to by Jeff
McDowell and me for the Hardin Industrial Park that would create 125 new jobs.
Carbon County: Projects include the regional detention center, wind farm, business assistance in
Edgar and Bridger are underway. Joliet has formed a community improvement group to spruce up
Main Street. A community assessment through the Montana Economic Developers Association
(MEDA) is under discussion in order to get the Montana Main Street program application submitted
later this year. $25,000 is available through the Montana Main Street program to assist a
community with a project that was identified through the community review process. Commun ity
housing and workforce shortages continue to dominate the discussions in Red Lodge.
Stillwater County: The Sandstone School Big Sky Trust Fund application was approved. MT
DOC is reviewing the bid document from High Plains Architecture which was determined by the
review committee to be the best bid and fit the budget. I have discussed assisting the City/County
with a planning grant for a business/industrial park that could be the location of S2A modular house
building system. A Targeted Economic Development District has been mentioned to the County as
a possible economic development tool to consider.
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Sweet Grass County: A housing developer met with me who is considering building up to 43
homes near the City limits of Big Timber. I’ve asked the developer to submit the required
documents for the subdivision to the County planner before we can get involved further in the
discussion of assisting with grant or loan programs.
Yellowstone County: Regional economic recovery efforts dominate the discussion and meetings
across the county. The Laurel west interchange project, using the BSTF was approved for a
feasibility study on industrial/commercial development and infrastructure is taking shape. I’m
waiting on the City for documentation of the procurement proc ess to hire the existing engineering
firm KLJ, and the scope of work as part of the requirements before starting the project.
New Funding: EDA has informed us that additional money will most likely be going to the State
and not the 11 Economic Development Districts as originally reported. In addition, the State will be
also be supplementing local funding as the rules most likely will be announced after the current
legislative session.
As a side note, BRCD has had as much business development activity in the first quarter as we
experienced all of last year. This has led to discussing a tracking system to keep everyone
informed about projects and progress so that clients don’t slip through the cracks.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Simonson
Page 26
Frequently Used Acronyms
BEAR – Business Expansion and Retention
BIA – Bureau of Indian Affairs
BLM – Bureau of Land Management
BRCD – Beartooth RC&D
BSEDA – Big Sky Economic Development Association
BSTF – Big Sky Trust Fund
CDBG – Community Development Block Grant
CRDC – Certified Regional Development Corporation
CEDS – Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
CTEP – Community Transportation Endowment Program
EDA – Economic Development Administration
EDD – Economic Development District
ESRI – Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.
GIS – Geographic Information Systems
GPS – Global Positioning System
HOME – Montana Home Investment Partnerships Program
HUD – US Department of Housing and Urban Development
IRP – Intermediary Relending Program
LESA – Land Evaluation Site Assessment
MBI – Montana Board of Investments
MDOC – Montana Department of Commerce
MDOL – Montana Dept. of Labor
MDOT – Montana Dept. of Transportation
MDFWP – Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
MEDA – Montana Economic Developers Association
NADO – National Association of Development Organizations
NCOC – National Carbon Offset Coalition
NHS – Neighborhood Housing Services
NRCS – Natural Resource Conservation Service
RBEG – Rural Business Enterprise Grant
RBOG – Rural Business Opportunity Grant
RC&D – Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc.
RCDI – Rural Community Development Initiative
RD – Rural Development (a division of USDA)
RCPP- Regional Conservation Partnership Program
RLF – Revolving Loan Fund
RTA – Resource Team Assessment
SBA – Small Business Administration
SBDC – Small business Development Center
TIFD – Tax Increment Finance District
TSEP - Treasure State Endowment Program
USDA – United States Department of Agriculture
USFS – United States Forest Service