HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 2022 BRCD Meeting Materials
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc.
Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda
Meeting 1:00 P.M.
121 W 3rd Street 1st Floor Hardin, MT
Thursday, March 17th, 2022
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 January Board Minutes
Executive Committee Nominations
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
CEDS UPDATE
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
2. Revolving Loan Fund – Nan Knight
3. Economic Development/ CRDC – Jacy Head
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
May 19th, 2022 - Stillwater County
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Chair
Head, Lastusky
Bertolino
Knight
Head
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Page 2
Regional Roundup
CEDS SWOT
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 January 20th, 2022
Agenda
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review November Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Maddie Alpert (Sen. Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (Sen. Daines)
Cade Overstreet (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
4. Treasurer Update
5. RC&D Financials
6. RLF Financials
7. Audit
8. Annual Budget
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
5. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
6. Revolving Loan Fund – Nan Knight
7. Economic Development/ CRDC – Jacy Head
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
March 17th, 2022 - Yellowstone County
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Bertolino
Knight
Head
Lastusky
Roe
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Information
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Page 4
ATTENDANCE
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
January 20th, 2022 @ 1:00 P.M.
Billings Job Service, 2121 Rosebud Dr, Ste B, Billings, MT
Present:
Ryan Van Ballegooyen
Nan Knight
Joel Bertolino
Lorene Hintz
Marvin Carter
Melanie Roe
Dan Lowe
Holly Higgins
Steve Riveland
Steve Simonson, guest
Members who joined via phone:
Heidi Sparks
Jacy Head
Myrna Lastusky
Molly Bell (Jon Tester’s Office)
Scott Miller (tried to join conference call but was unable to get in)
NOTE: Myrna was on the conference call and had trouble hearing several speakers. Please let her know if
anything important is missing!
1. Meeting Called to Order. Ryan gave a little info on the Job Service.
Ryan: Requesting nominations for Executive Committee. That will be voted on in March.
2. Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Steve Simonson (Big Sky EDA, Senior Project Manager of Community Development) was
present to give an update on BSEDA’s Economic Response and Recovery Team and Housing
developments.
o Have had meetings with 10 of 11 City Council members.
o BRCD helped with the Housing Summit last August.
Good news: Cushing Terrell and Dave Dixon are finishing up Housing Study.
Presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 25th.
Billings Realtors Association are saying the need is 1200 housing units per year.
Underbuilt after 2009 recession and have been since – this has all created pressure
on homebuyers, esp. first-time homebuyers.
Page 5
Did 1-1 meetings with City Council members. Anticipating under 12-15%
appreciation in housing. The numbers include Carbon and Stillwater. Stillwater has
the most expensive houses, followed by Carbon. Don’t want to get like Bozeman
and lose affordability. Not many programs for first-time buyer assistance for
medium income.
Great connectivity with broadband.
Holly Higgins: Hardin home prices have risen dramatically. The owner of Tower
Internet said he’d been installing new service because 350 homes were sold in
Hardin last year. (that seems inflated in Holly’s opinion but anything is possible).
They are having out-of-staters moving to Hardin the same as they are to Billings
and Western Montana “to get away from BLM and Antifa” (exact quote from one
of the new residents from Eastern Oregon).
o S2A modular home company – 500 homes per year. Their model is to put 2 production
lines side by side. We could keep them busy in our region.
Some workforce shortages are childcare-related.
Resiliency is part of the CARES Act grant, and what have we learned? Some sectors are still
lagging – business travel, for example.
Dennis Clark, Billings Realtors Association, said that 50% of home sales last year for Billings
were from out-of-state.
Ryan discussed the increase in home prices. Homeowners can’t sell, though, because they can’t
afford to buy what is on the market. Wages have been flat the past 3 years.
Shortage of 40,000 workers over the next few years. Believe there will be a shift into patio
homes, HOAs, etc to accommodate older homeowners.
3. Review November Board Minutes: Holly motioned to approve, Melanie seconded. Motion carried.
4. Congressional Updates
Molly Bell (Sen. Tester)
o Many things happening in Washington.
o Infrastructure bill has $250 million for MT bridges alone.
o ARPA money getting into communities.
o Housing is still on Sen Tester’s radar – he’s looking into different solutions
o Melanie: asked about waters in the US?
Molly will check with Natural Resource people & see if they know anything.
o Joel: We’ve seen Pres. Biden talk about increase in transparency in livestock processing.
Are there any programs unrolled with that? They had $500 billion?
Molly: Money for small plants. Not sure if there’s anything else. She will check
with Ag guy. Senator Tester has some legislation going to help small processors
and help break up some of the big conglomerates and provide more accountability.
Some small processor funding was already disbursed
5. Treasurer/Financial Reports - RC&D Financials
Treasurer Update: Pg. 13: Exec Committee requested a comparison, so Nan did a 4-year
comparison of the last 3 years with the budget for 2022. Account balances are at the bottom.
Joel: We put in for a Specialty Crop Block Grant and received it – additional $30,000 a year
Page 6
Ryan: So they took $40,000 away (when they restructured the FADCs) and now we got most of it
back. Good!
Nan: I’m learning LOTS about reporting.
Joel: 2021 budget inconsistencies were a little up and down due to Covid & uncertainties on
certain expenses. We ran the small business grants for Stillwater County through our program, so
that explains some of the unbudgeted expenditures.
6. RLF Financials
Nan: Learning a lot about this. Each county with outstanding balances. One Stillwater County loan
was just paid off yesterday. Hopefully the Yellowstone County one will be finalized. Working with
EDA to de-federalize the loan has been a chore. Working with auditors to get audit back. A couple
new inquiries for revolving loans – one in Carbon and one in Stillwater. It’s been a busy month!
Motion to approve January budget report. Melanie motioned to approve. Dan seconded. Motion
carried.
Dan asked a question about RLF. Nan said it’s a balance they owe us, and another number is the
amount we can loan out.
7. Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
a. P. 15: GTA deadline on main round of grant. 3 we were assisting. Basin, Inc. pulled out
because they were uncomfortable with some of the requirements.
b. Primitive Meats and Pioneer Meats got theirs in.
c. About 5 or 6 clients got to 2nd round of Value-Added grants.
d. Joel & Nan visited Yellowstone Valley Farms. He’s made it more profitable and efficient, got
rid of pest problems. Wants to build a 60x100 additional greenhouse. Went from total
shutdown of Covid to now where he’s getting 200% the orders he had before Covid. Most
profitable and most high demand he’s seen. Grows mostly fresh basil. He staggers the
growing and harvests a couple times a week. We have helped him for 8 years on different
aspects.
e. Mill Creek Farms – new client Joel is working with.
f. Blue Creek Marbled Beef
g. Carbon County Meats – work with quite a bit as they try to expand. Small processing plant in
Belfry.
h. Toews Family Farm – bagging corn for resale. Grow every year, huge demand. Need more
storage
i. Prime Meats – St. X
j. Primitive Meats
k. Yellowstone Valley Food Hub – trying to grow but need a bigger space
l. Brian Elliot – 406 Bovine. Tech grants are hard to come by. He’s done a great job of
fundraising.
i. Steve mentioned an SSBC program
m. Stillwater Packing
n. Pioneer Meats – great job on GTA application
Page 7
o. Big Sky Beef
p. F Bar 3 Vineyard – maintain contact, visited with Nan.
q. Lot of opportunities for funding so it’s been busy. Will be discussing more on RBDG and
Value-added Producer grants
r. Joel had heard of Blue Creek Marbled Beef but didn’t have chance to meet with them until
recently. Should be a good plant that absorbs some pressure of the other plants.
Revolving Loan Fund – Nan Knight – see above, also
o Ryan: Jillann is still helping with transition.
o Joel: Nan has encountered plenty of frustrations with EDA and IRP reporting and some loan
clients.
o Nan: January has been extremely busy – lots of rabbit holes! Challenging, but by the end of
this, I will be a pro! Thankfully, her contacts with EDA and IRP have been excellent. Jillann
was in this week and they got taxes done.
Economic Development/ CRDC – Jacy Head
o EDA CARES Act – efforts still continuing. Meet with Deb Brown for monthly Watch Parties
and coordinating with Bozeman Trail team and GIS mapping.
o Big Sky EDA – working with YC to help businesses recover
o Cushing Terrell – presentation next Tuesday
o BSTF
Pea Cannery – still working with this
Sandstone School – completed
Stillwater Industrial Park – completed RFP and are listing for that
o ARPA – meetings to educate on funding opportunities
o MT Health Co-op – haven’t heard back from that contact on possible healthcare for Lodge
Grass or Busby.
o USDA RCDI Grant – Big Horn County is advertising for the position. Lindsay (Big Horn
County Personnel) thinks more apps will be coming in (only 1 received so far).
o CDBG-CV application on behalf of Big Horn County– turned down by DOC
o Recently re-granted money $9870 to be used toward Sweet Grass (Sheepherder Square
project) and Stillwater (Stillwater Legacy Trails project).
Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
o Jacy & Myrna recently submitted the EDA Partnership Planning Grant, a 3.25 year grant that
helps fund Beartooth’s activities. Just got word that we received it ($227,500).
o Continue to assist with Bozeman Trail project work & other Deb Brown-related work.
o Assisted Jacy in completing the CRDC 4th Quarter Report.
o Working with Jacy to complete other upcoming reporting deadlines – CRDC Annual Report,
EDA Annual Report, etc.
o Jacy & Myrna have begun work on the CEDS process.
o Joel: SWOT Analysis was included in Board Materials – we will keep on agenda and please
let us know via email if you have anything to add.
Page 8
Regional Roundup
1. Steve Riveland, Stillwater County
a. Busy in Stillwater. Working on broadband, housing issues, building issues due to elevated
costs of construction materials.
b. Joel asked about the Fairground project – couldn’t hear the discussion following.
c. Steve discussed challenges of building project with old courthouse – not EDA-friendly, some
foundation issues.
2. Marvin Carter, City of Laurel
a. New mayor – former city worker. Quit City job, took retirement, and became mayor. Sounds
like he’s trying to do a good job. Spoke with City Council person – they lost right-of-way
with Northwestern. Some opposition across the river.
b. _________?? is thinking of leaving, which will be a job opening.
c. We need more money to build roads.
d. City Brew going in and getting a new four-story hotel by Jimmy Johns. There will also be a
bar there.
3. Holly Higgins, First Interstate Bank of Hardin
a. Consignment store: The owner of the consignment shop purchased the building from the
hardware store that closed when Shipton’s opened. The old Ben Franklin that closed last year
was purchased by a long-time Hardin resident who is opening the space to vendors to rent
space.
b. Dollar Tree opening
c. Family Dollar is there too but may not last long
d. Shipton’s
e. Chamber of Commerce is getting geared up
f. Steve asked if anything has been done with the old bank building? No
4. Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA
a. SBDC conference in April
b. If you want a tour of new bank building, they are offering tours at 1:00 pm every Thursday.
c. Supposed to be in there in June – they have run into asbestos problems. Doing capital
campaign to raise funds
5. Scott Miller, Carbon County
a. Commissioner Scott Blain is up for re-election and has registered for re-election.
b. Carbon County has seven medical and recreational marijuana locations to buy marijuana
legally.
c. The commission is doing a Resolution to put a 3% sales tax on recreational marijuana in the
June election.
d. The county has hired a new HR person and she is currently working and has already begun
helping our employees.
e. Our Public Health Department continues to grow as we have hired an admin clerk to help with
paperwork and medical payment insurance relief.
Page 9
f. The county might be getting a big event at the Red Lodge rodeo grounds in June – the
Renaissance Fair might bring some more revenue to our county.
6. Dan Lowe, Big Horn County Conservation District
a. Shiptons (couldn’t hear discussion)
7. Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
a. NO marijuana places coming in – some talk of putting it back on the ballot. We do have a
medical marijuana place . . .
b. Sheepherders Square had several events and looked really pretty over the holidays.
c. Housing, childcare, workforce are still issues.
8. Molly, Sen. Tester’s Office: WOTUS – got answer from her Natural Resources person
a. There was updated rule-making during Obama, which was litigated. Then Trump admin put in
new rules, which was also litigated. Biden admin is taking input. Folks should weigh in if you
have input. Lots of litigation and it’s a controversial area.
i. Melanie: There were some questions on what was navigable and what isn’t.
ii. Joel: Something about temporary waters and drainage??
b. Molly will loop Melanie in with Henry, the Natural Resources guy.
9. Ryan, Billings Job Service
a. Job Service serves the same counties that BRCD serves. If you made less than $32K last year
and can show that some 12 to 16-week training could help, send them to Ryan and he may be
able to help. Easiest eligibility Ryan has seen. Training must lead to some sort of credentials
or certificates – the list is large. CDL, EMT, etc.
b. Melanie mentioned the huge need for bus drivers and that it will just increase because the
average age of current drivers is so high.
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 projec ts in
your 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
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting: March 17th, 2022 - Big Horn County
Meeting adjourned at 2:19 pm.
Page 10
Beartooth RC&D Budget Comparison
INCOME Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 65,000 81,396 85,007 83,340 85,007 73,538 45,000
AG-MCDC 1,000 1,070 1,000 270 1,000 500
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 50,767 50,305 51,072 54,823 55,907 54,614 56,979
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 845 400 459 400 300 400
BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 3,373 3,700 3,390 3,700 3,373 3,300
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 18,000 18,000 18,000
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 2,377 5,000 5,000 7,500
CRDC 43,500 43,492 71,907 69,751 71,907 71,844 71,000
CGWG/ fuels 11,000 13,048 1,875 6,147
MISC GRANT ADMIN $10,750 12,750
EDA - GRANT 70,000 70,000 70,000 170,000 70,000 70,000 70,000
SW-GRANT 224,357
BSTF 44,220
EDA-CARES ACT 200,000
Total Income 268,367 265,906 306,086 383,908 321,671 748,393 285,429 0
EXPENSES
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 210,300 190,898 233,104 214,386 256,044 245,234 231,429
COMMUNICATIONS 4,000 5,018 6,000 6,712 6,000 7,194 4,500
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 5,000 6,501 8,520 9,938 8,520 4,970 4,500
CONTRACTUAL 25,000 26,693 20,000 106,640 21,220 442,632 21,100
SUPPLIES 4,000 13,246 12,900 19,335 9,800 10,908 5,000
TRAVEL 6,000 7,561 11,080 2,001 10,140 1,534 7,800
OTHER 11,700 11,987 10,420 15,912 8,430 10,618 10,000
Total Expense for the year 266,000 261,903 302,024 374,923 320,154 723,091 284,329 0
Net Income 2,367 4,003 4,062 8,985 1,517 25,302 1,100 0
The above income figures currently include both "net income" and "pass-through" funds. We are working on the ability to state
these amounts independently to provide a more accurate picture of the budget.
Bank of Joliet-Building Account$4,476.88
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account$75,544.36
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account$105,203.79
2019 2020 2021 2022
Account Balances
Page 11
Revolving Loan Fund Books- December 2022
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $167,094.91
Stillwater 3 $428,907.11
Yellowstone 7 $345,400.18
Carbon 2 $20,900.88
Sweet Grass 2 $163,569.10
A $200K loan was for Yellowstone County that hasn’t been funded yet. Completion soon
Loan interest is very slow.
Work is being done to de-federalize the EDA funding, I hope to have this completed and approved
soon.
Expecting one Stillwater loan payoff by end-of-month
Bank Balances as of December 2021 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $49,699.62 49,699.62
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $424,541.35 424,541.35
Bank of Joliet- IRP $366,181.91 110,789.91
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $30,938.66 30,938.66
$631,465
Page 12
Revolving Loan Fund Books- February 2022
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $166,176.89
Stillwater 2 $145,779.59
Yellowstone 7 $343,486.16
Carbon 2 $17,946.55
Sweet Grass 2 $161,730.90
A $200K loan for Yellowstone County & A 210K for Carbon County set for closing this month.
RLF funding inquiries has been very active.
EDA De-federalization application completed an accepted, waiting on EDA signature.
One of Stillwater County loans paid off in January.
Bank Balances as of February 2022 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $78,964.78 78,964.78
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $426,940.59 226,940.59
Bank of Joliet- IRP $157,117.43 37,117.43
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $31,238.77 31,238.77
$374,261.57
Page 13
Budgeted Autual
%
of budgeted
Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 45,000 11,235 25%
AG-MCDC 500 0 0%
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES56,979 42,731 75%
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 11 3%
BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,300 0 0%
RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 0 0%
RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 0 0%
CRDC 71,000 0%
CGWG - 0 #DIV/0!
MISC- GRANT ADMIN$12,750 4,013 31%
EDA- GRANT 70,000 0 0%
EDA- CARES 100,000 100,000
TOTAL INCOME 382,929 157,990 41%
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 233,104 38,617 17%
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 1,563 26%
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 630 7%
CONTRACTUAL 20,000 47,270 236%
SUPPLIES 12,900 1,784 14%
TRAVEL 11,080 65 1%
OTHER 10,420 8,465 81%
RESERVE -
EXPENSE TOTAL 302,024 98,394 33%
Bank of Joliet-Building Account$4,476.88
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account$64,604.78
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account$176,181.79
Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending February 2022
Expense
Account Balances
Page 14
Beartooth RC&D Staff Project Update
March 2022
FOOD AND AG CENTER PROJECTS
Beartooth FADC
Beartooth FADC activities have been focused on assisting producers with the Growth Through Ag Grant and
Loan program and waiting on the Montana Value Added ARPA grant funding as well as conference calls
with the Dept of Ag. Beartooth participated in a face to face meeting March 10 th in Helena with the
Department of Ag and the other Food and Ag Centers across the state.
Growth Through Ag Projects and ARPA Value Added Ag Grant
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.
Yellowstone Valley Farm
Contact-Reuben Stahl
Location-Laurel
Reuben Stahl has a family greenhouse business growing basil and selling to FSA and Sysco, he would like to
add another greenhouse to keep up with increased demand this last year. He has applied for the Montana
Value Added Ag ARPA funding. Beartooth FADC and Nan Knight toured Yellowstone Valley Farms operation
and discussed their plans for expansion as they are currently unable to meet the increased demand for
their products and would like to add another greenhouse to their operation.
Page 15
Mill Creek Farms
Contact- Josh Sian
Location-Pompeys Pillar
Josh Sian manages Mill Creek Farms they farm and ranch in Yellowstone county and operate a value added
feedlot where they specialize in heifer development for other producers offering a custom feeding program
tracking their weights, carcass traits and reproduction suitability. Beartooth FADC assisted Josh in
developing a Value Added ARPA grant for improved infrastructure in their heifer development operation.
Blue Creek Marbled Beef
Contact-Nels Pearson
Location-Blue Creek South of Billings
Blue Creek Marbled beef are developing a state inspected meat processing plant South of Billings they are
under construction and expect it to be a 2-3 million dollar project. Beartooth FADC assisted this business in
applying for the Value Added ARPA grant for construction and equipment costs. Beartooth FADC
organized a tour of their new plant with Lane Gobbs of MMEC and Lorene Hintze and Kayla Vokral from
SBDC. Their new plant is located next to their feedlot, which they are now expanding as well to include
more pens for finishing beef, we plan to continue to assist them with any grants that will assist them with this
project, they hope to be ready to open for business this summer.
Carbon County Meats
Contact-Sabina Giovetti
Location-Belfry
Sabrina and Shane Giovetti have built a custom exempt meat processing plant in Belfry, MT and opened this
Fall, they have been busy but have a need to expand already especially their cooler space, Beartooth FADC
have assisted them with the development of a Value Added Ag ARPA grant for expansion. They so far have
been unable to secure grant funding we will continue to work with this business on grant opportunities as
they become available.
Page 16
Toews Family Farms
Contact-Aaron Toews
Location- Hardin
Aaron Toews has been working with Beartooth FADC for the last two years discussing his startup business
working off the family farm he plants several hundred acres of corn for grain, which he harvests, bags and
sells direct to the public both off his farm and through local feed stores. This business has growth each year
and Beartooth worked with them on a GTA last year but they did not make the deadline, they have
submitted a GTA and Value Added Ag application for the deadline this year for equipment to help their
business continue to grow.
Business/ Project Name: Prime Meats
Contact-Lamont Herman-
Location- St Xavier Big Horn County
Lamont Herman has a cattle ranch and is looking to add profit by finishing some beef having then processed
and packaged and then selling directly to consumers and restaurants. He began direct selling over a year
ago and the demand has grown he is now looking for increased cooler space to store his processed
products before they are delivered and other delivery equipment. Beartooth FADC assisted this business in
the development of an application for the ARPA funding through the Department of Agriculture.
Business/ Project Name: Primative Meats
Contact- Kelsey Grice
Location- Worden, MT
Kelsey Grice and her husband are looking for funding assistance through the GTA grant to help them with
construction costs and equipment for their start up meat processing business. This Business also applied
for an ARPA Value Added Ag Grant, Beartooth FADC put the business in contact with a local engineering
firm to discuss the plans for their plant.
On Going Projects
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 assisted this business with a successful 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. Beartooth FADC assisted them
with developing a GTA application as well they were accepted to present a full proposal but decided not to
pursue the grant and pulled their application.
Page 17
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. Beartooth FADC has reached out to follow up with this business and
determine any further needs; they are still working with the department of Ag on their GTA project and
have needed to change their initial project scope.
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
iphones to track livestock. He has produced a youtube video outlining his product that can be viewed via this
link. https://youtu.be/kTwkhUj9leA Beartooth will continue to assist this business as needed. Beartooth
FADC followed up with 406 Bovine to give them the updates on the status of state and federal funding
sources. Bryan had been granted investments from two entities that have developed funds specifically for
supporting new technologies such as facial recognition. He does have interest from a large Agricultural
business in investing in the business he is trying to rais 3- 5M in order to fully launch and commercialize the
product. They have refined the app and worked hard on the company pro forma for potential investors.
Bryan was given the information on the Value Added ARPA grant and was determining if we would apply.
Beartooth FADC also provided information on the USDA guaranteed loan programs that they would be
eligible for and did research on any food security programs available.
Page 18
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 supply chain bottlenecks
shifting some buyer interest to smaller plants like theirs. Beartooth FADC staff has visited the business to
discuss upcoming funding opportunities. We have visited about potential future funding needs, the
difficulties they are having with their incinerator and workforce, they are having a difficult time finding
workers. Beartooth has posted their job openings on our Facebook page and attempted to get in touch with
them to assist with their incinerator.
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. Brian has also submitted a Growth through Agriculture Grant, and we
have assisted them with developing a Value Added ARPA grant. Beartooth FADC has sent the business a
USDA grant opportunity for meat plants seeking federal inspection.
Big Sky Beef
Contact- Gary Guessman
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 with the project leads in November. Beartooth FADC staff look forward to
the potential to utilize funding to assist with this project. We had a follow up meeting to discuss the
challenges they are having finding a site for this project. They have looked at sites in Lockwood as well as
Hardin but are now looking at areas just outside of Yellowstone County, the major obstacle is to find a site
that has the infrastructure they will need. The plant will need either a municipal water supply or several large
wells as well as water treatment. Beartooth FADC has given them information on the Value Added Ag
ARPA grants as well as information on the USDA Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loans up to $40 Million.
Page 19
Becky’s Berries- Absarokee, MT
Location-Absarokee
Contact- Becky Stahl
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. Becky has
purchased a new commercial freezer needed to keep up with increased demand for her products she said her
business has been very busy this summer and fall. She has also recently was able to secure a contract with
western sugar to get bulk sugar for her operation increasing her efficiency and profitability with a local
product.
F Bar 3 Vineyards
Location- Laurel, MT
Contact-Kasey Felder
Beartooth FADC has had follow up discussions with the business and assisted them with developing an
application for the Value Added Ag ARPA grant for improved irrigation, which would allow them to expand
their business and add more vines.
Beartooth FADC initiated contact with the following businesses
Kathy Bauer- Roberts
North 40 Ag- Huntley
Robin Whalen- Columbus
Patrick Certain- Billings
Bio Economy Solutions- Hardin
Millers Custom Meats
Page 20
Economic Development Director Report for March 2022
. Economic Development/ CRDC
o EDA CARES Act – efforts continuing until June 2022
Deb Brown- watch parties and Bozeman Trail
Big Sky EDA- ERRT
Cushing Terrell-regional housing study is complete; presenting to MT’s Housing
Coordinating Team in April
o BSTF
Pea Cannery – 75% completed based on High Plains Architect reports
Stillwater County Industrial/Business Park Feasibility Study – KLJ was selected for
the project’s contractor; contracts will be executed by the end of the month
o ARPA – meetings continue to educate on funding opportunities
o USDA RCDI Grant – Big Horn County interviewed 4 applicants for position. It will remain
open until filled
o CEDS- Beginning to create draft document and still meeting with CEDS Strategy Committee
for additional input; anticipated completion of first final document will be June and open for
public comment for 30 days
o Reporting in April: EDA’s Partnership Planning Grant; 1st Quarter Report for CRDC; BSTF
Quarter Reports for 2 Projects; USDA RCDI 1st Quarter Report
Page 21
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