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Home My WebLink AboutJuly 2020 BRCD Meeting Materials Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda 12:00 P.M. – Thursday, July 16th, 2020 Beartooth RC&D Conference Room 128 S Main Street Joliet, MT 12:00 pm 1:00 pm 2:30 PM Lunch Meeting Called to Order Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests Welcome- Discussion Congressional Updates Molly Bell (Sen. Tester) Dan Stusek (Sen. Daines) Casey Collins (Rep. Gianforte) Treasurer/Financial Reports 1. Treasurer Update 2. RC&D Financials 3. RLF Financials Executive Committee 1. Executive Committee Activity Report 2. Part Time position Staff Reports – Program/Project updates 1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino 2. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson 3. Economic Development/ CRDC – Steve Simonson 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 17th, 2020 - Red Lodge, MT Adjourn All Chair Chair, All Chair, All Knutson Knutson Knutson Van Ballegooyen Van Ballegooyen Bertolino Knutson Simonson Carter et al Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Information Page 2 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: ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Page 3 Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting MINUTES January 16, 2020 1:00 pm 2:30 PM Meeting Called to Order Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests Welcome- Discussion Approve Minutes – November 2019 Board Meeting Minutes Congressional Updates Molly Bell (Sen. Tester) Dan Stusek (Sen. Daines) Casey Collins (Rep. Gianforte) Treasurer/Financial Reports 4. Treasurer Update/ Audit/ Budget 5. RC&D Financials 6. RLF Financials Executive Committee 3. Executive Committee Activity Report 4. Part Time position 5. Executive Board Resignation/ Executive Nominations Staff Reports – Program/Project updates 4. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino 5. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson 6. Economic Development/ CRDC – Steve Simonson 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 19th, 2019 - Big Horn County (DAYTIME meeting) Adjourn Chair Chair, All Chair, All Chair Knutson Knutson Knutson Van Ballegooyen Van Ballegooyen Van Ballegooyen Bertolino Knutson Bertolino Carter et al Decision Information Information Decision Decision Information Information Decision Information Information Information Information Information Page 4 Board Members Present Ryan VanBallegooyen, Billings Job Service , Chair Bill Foisy- City of Red Lodge Jeffrey McDowell, Two Rivers Authority Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County Don Jones-Yellowstone County Commission Frank Ewalt, Billings City Council Pitts DeArmond, Carbon County Ty Hamilton, Stillwater County Dan Lowe, Big Horn Conservation District Dan Stusek, Sen. Daines’ Office Maddie Alpert, Sen Jon Tester’s Office Mike Waters- Greg Gianforte’s Office Patrick Gill-Crow Tribe Denis Pitman- Yellowstone County Commission Ex-Officio/Staff/Additional Attendees: Heidi Sparks- Guest Laurel City Council John Ostlund- Yellowstone County Commission Joel Bertolino Jillann Knutson Board Members Not Present Clinton Giesick, Carbon Cons. District Page Dringman, City of Big Timber Sidney (Chip) Fitzpatrick, Big Horn Co. Commissioners Bob VanOosten, Stillwater Conservation District Chris Mehus, Sweet Grass Co. Conservation District Patty Sundberg, City of Columbus Casey Collins, US Rep Greg Gianforte’s Office Clayton Greer, Hardin City Council Liz Ching- MT Dept of Labor and Industry Emily Ringer, Town of Joliet Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA, SBDC Barb Wagner, Yellowstone County Cons. Dist Marvin Carter, City of Laurel, Vice Chair Randy Weimer, Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Staff Steve Simonson- Beartooth EDD Meeting called to order by Chairman Ryan Van Ballegooyen at 1:00 pm in the Yellowstone County Commissioners conference room in Billings. Page 5 Chairman VanBallegooyen gave a welcome with the Yellowstone County Commissioners and began introductions followed by the pledge of allegiance. Minutes from the September 2019 Board meeting were presented for approval. Jeff McDowell seconded by Ty Hamilton approved the minutes on motion. CARRIED Michael Waters of Representative Greg Gianforte’s office gave a report along with Dan Stusek of Senator Daines office and Maddie Alpert of Senator Testers office. Jillann Knutson presented the annual budget for approval following discussion there was a motion to approve by Jeff McDowell Seconded by Ty Hamilton. CARRIED Beartooth Financial Report/Revolving Loan Fund Report Financial Director Jillann Knutson reported on the RC&D financials- Motion by Jeff McDowell Seconded by Melanie Roe CARRIED Jillann Knutson reported on the Revolving Loan Fund Financials - a motion to approve was made by Ty Hamilton Seconded by Jeff McDowell CARRIED (see reports below). Executive Committee Chairman Van Ballegooyen explained the executive committee’s items discusses at the December Meeting Joel Bertolino gave a report on the hiring process for the part time position, approximately eight people had responded to the job posting but only two resumes have been received to date. Depending on how many applications are received by February we may need to set up a time to interview applicants with the Executive Committee. Bertolino reported on the resignation letter received from Board Member Ken Gomer following discussion a motion was made to accept by Bill Foisy Seconded by Jeff McDowell CARRIED A discussion regarding nominations for the executive committee was facilitated by Ryan VanBallegooyen resulting in nominations of Marissa Hauge for Treasurer, Marvin Carter as Vice Chairman, Ryan VanBallegooyen as Chairman and Tyler Hamilton and Jeff McDowell as alternates a motion to accept the slate of officers was made by Bill Foisy Seconded by Jeff McDowell CARRIED Food and Ag Director Report Joel Bertolino presented the current Food/Ag project report and provided oral updates on major projects including the Growth Through Ag Grant recent cycle. Updates were given on the RCPP project and the existing Growth Through Ag projects and recent business inquiries. Economic Development Director Report Steve Simonson was absent but Joel Bertolino asked member to review his written report on all the projects that are currently active for the Economic Development Director position and send in questions if they have any. Regional Roundup Ryan VanBallegooyen led a discussion among the attending members concerning regional activities, projects and problems related to the several categories tracked in the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which include Infrastructure, Economy, Communication, Services, Natural Resources, and Human Capital. Next Meeting: The next meeting will be in Big Horn County March 19th at 1pm Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm and the owner led a tour of the Stillwater Building APPROVED: _____________________________________________________________ ________________________ Page 6 Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending December 2019 Budgeted Actual % of budgeted Income AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 65,000 80,325 124% AG-MCDC 1,000 1,070 107% BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 50,767 49,932 98% BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 843 211% BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 3,373 91% RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 0 0% RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 2,377 48% CRDC 43,500 43,492 100% FUELS-TOTAL 11,000 1,674 15% EDA - GRANT 70,000 70,000 100% NOT BUDGED INCOME - 11,374 0% TOTAL INCOME 268,367 264,460 99% Expense TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 210,300 190,898 91% COMMUNICATIONS 4,000 5,018 125% EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 5,000 6,616 132% CONTRACTUAL 25,000 26,693 107% SUPPLIES 4,000 13,246 331% TRAVEL 6,000 7,561 126% OTHER 11,700 11,987 102% RESERVE - EXPENSE TOTAL 266,000 262,018 99% Account Balances Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,465.79 Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,068.65 Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $85,618.80 Page 7 Revolving Loan Fund Books- Ending December 2019 Loan Client Review County # of loans $ Loaned out Big Horn 2 $177,820 Stillwater 4 $512,935 Yellowstone 8 $412,028 Carbon 4 $145,594 Sweet Grass 2 $190,789 2019 Updates 5 Loans were paid in Full Sweet Grass County (3) Big Horn County (2) 3 Loans were made (all 3 in Yellowstone County) $252,525 funded $975,738 additional money funded 4 jobs created 12 jobs retained Bank Balances as of December 31,2019 Total available for lending Bank of Joliet- EDA $12,960 12,690 Bank of Joliet-CDBG $165,978 165,978 Bank of Joliet- IRP $261,911 203,427 Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,679 29,679 $411,774 Page 8 2020 Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Budget Income ITEM Income AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 AG-MCDC 1,000 BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 51,072 BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 CRDC 71,907 FUELS AND CGWG - EDA - GRANT 70,000 TOTAL INCOME 306,086 Expense TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 233,104 COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 CONTRACTUAL 20,000 SUPPLIES 12,900 TRAVEL 11,080 OTHER 10,420 RESERVE EXPENSE TOTAL 302,024 4,062 PROJECTED NET INCOME 12/31/2020 Page 9 Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending May 2020 Budgeted Actual % of budgeted Income AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 41,543 49% AG-MCDC 1,000 0 0% BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 51,072 42,768 84% BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 183 46% BOARD-FOUNDATION MONEY 3,700 3,390 92% RLF-STAFF REIMBURSE 18,000 0 0% RLF-ORIG FEES 5,000 0 0% CRDC 71,907 28,834 40% FUELS-TOTAL - 0 #DIV/0! EDA - GRANT 70,000 35,000 50% NOT BUDGED INCOME - 1,875 0% TOTAL INCOME 306,086 153,593 50% Expense TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 233,104 86,442 37% COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 3,160 53% EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 3,562 42% CONTRACTUAL 20,000 1,325 7% SUPPLIES 12,900 5,721 44% TRAVEL 11,080 705 6% OTHER 10,420 7,996 77% RESERVE - EXPENSE TOTAL 302,024 108,911 36% Account Balances Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,469.63 Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,171.78 Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $130,359.44 Revolving Loan Fund Books- Ending May 31, 2020 Loan Client Review Page 10 County # of loans $ Loaned out Big Horn 2 $175,322 Stillwater 4 $484,825 Yellowstone 8 $403,765 Carbon 4 $144,281 Sweet Grass 2 $185,043 • I have 4 potential loans in various stages to get to committee. I have had a lot of interest, but potential clients are still looking for grant money, not money that must be repaid. • We are still expecting to receive the money from Big Horn County, but that process has been stalled due to Covid. • Overall, most of my clients have weathered the Covid storm so far! Bank Balances as of May 31,2020 Total available for lending Bank of Joliet- EDA $20,894 20,894 Bank of Joliet-CDBG $176,399 176,399 Bank of Joliet- IRP $310,222 255,802 Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,729 29,729 $482.824 Beartooth RC&D Staff Project Update March 2020 FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER PROJECTS Page 11 Beartooth FADC Beartooth FADC Staff has been working to assist businesses with the development of Montana Department of Ag Mini Grants, Emergency Ag Adaptability grant and MT Meat Processing Infrastructure grant programs. Beartooth FADC has also been in contact with the Montana Ag Marketing staff on FADC conference calls discussing their activities through the Made in Montana and other marketing programs. A discussion with our US Senate staff has given FADC staf f with a better picture of how some programs are still being developed through the USDA Farm Services Agency to assist Farmers and Ranchers with emergency programs that started sign ups in June. Many existing buisnesses are still trying to determine the m arket environment and Beartooth staff has been able to successfully assist several with applying for assistance through the covid related programs that are available. On Going Projects Business/ Project Name: Trembling Prairie Farms Contact- Jill Herold Location- Huntley Project, MT Trembling Prairie Farms is producing a unique type of Ag commodity they are in the development phase of processing into a value added product that will add value to Montana agriculture if fully developed. We have signed a non-disclosure agreement with this business to protect their innovative intellectual property rights but will be able to share more about the business once their concept is commercialized. Carbon County Mud Springs Wind Development Location- Warren, MT Contact- Pacificorp The wind development South of Bridger, MT began construction on schedule in March and April and are working towards having the majority of construction completed by the December time frame. Page 12 Business/ Project Name: 406 Bovine LLC Contact- Bryan Elliott Location-Laurel, MT 406 Bovine LLC has worked with Beartooth Staff due to Steve assisting in the development of a Big Sky Trust Fund grant they have now received funding for planning, and are moving forward with the scope of work on the project. Midland Bull Test Location-Columbus, MT Contact- Melissa Kramer Midland Bull Test has been an client of Beartooth FADC over the years as their business of testing and marketing beef seedstock is one of the best in the nation at providing excellent data on registered bulls from all over the nation covering multiple breeds and test carcass data and weight statistics feed consumption and efficiency statistics. Beartooth FADC was able to assist their business with a successful Ag Adaptability Grant for $10,000.00 in increased marketing to make the business more resilient in this new business environment. Page 13 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, if the proposal is funded it would provide over $100,000.00 towards an effort to build more square footage for meat coolers and processing space to better accommodate the increase in demand for locally processed animals. Pioneer Meats Location- Big Timber, MT Contact- Brian Engle Beartooth FADC staff contacted Brian Engle to see if he had a need that could be served by the new Montana Meat Processors Infrastructure grant and he was very interested and developed and application that would allow him to expand his meat processing business and potentially purchase another location that would process wild meat. Millers Custom Processing Location- Roberts, MT Contact- Tom Miller Page 14 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. We assisted him with a GTA grant two years ago that was not funded, since then he invested $30.000.00 to expanding his cooler and freezers and is now looking to build even more cooler space and processing space as well as upgraded equipment which would allow him to more than triple the number of animals he can process in a week. Beartooth FADC staff has assisted him with the development of a Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant for business expansion that would help him upgrade and potentially apply for full state inspection. Restoration Beef Project Contact- Jess Peterson Restoration beef has developed a feasibility studay around building a high quality beef plant that processes between 300-500 per day, they are in the process of developing interest and funding but are interested in the Yellowstone Valley area. 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. Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project- RCPP Location- Huntley, MT Contact- Dave Dougherty The group had their last meeting in February in Huntley to set the annual deadlines for applications and complete reporting, there was discussion about developing field tour of projects this summer in Carbon County, the recent social distancing guidelines will require additional planning for this tour to go forward. 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 Page 15 facility.Beartooth staff has assisting Becky with the development of a Mini Grant but the funds ran out in approximately 10 days so staff then developed a successful Ag Adaptability Grant for $9,000.00 for the addition of a makeup air system and a commercial food processor for her new facility. Funding was also requested for the development of labels for a new line of products and improvements to her on line ordering presence. Becky’s Berries Website http://www.beckysberries.com/ Steve’s Economic Director’s Report July 2020 to the Beartooth R, C& D Board The two programs I administer on behalf of the organization are listed below. Certified Regional Development Corporation (CRDC) current work activities include: 1. Targeted Brownfields Assessment grant applications submitted to EPA for Red Lodge pea cannery building, Joliet & Laurel affordable housing projects. Resource meetings with Kansas State University staff regarding the pea cannery project are ongoing. 2. Two successful Big Sky Trust Fund (BSTF) grants were approved. BSTF are for the Pea Cannery and 406 Bovine an Artificial Intelligence start up firm. 406 Bovine has since withdrawn their BSTF as the company’s attorney had issues with the control of intellectual properties and the State’s requirements for public disclosure. I also assisted 406 Bovine with a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant application that is pending approval. The USDA Rural Business Development Grant for the pea cannery is still pending approval as well. 3. My work continues on both the Yellowstone and Carbon County economic recovery teams. I’m serving on both committees as a resource and liaison between the local groups and State/Federal organizations. I’m participating in a series of public meetings are occurring in Yellowstone County to gain input on the draft economic recovery plan. In addition regular outreach to other County leadership teams, Chambers of Commerce, and economic development organizations are ongoing. 4. Business assistance to connect people and resources across the region and State is ongoing. Page 16 Economic Development Administration (EDA) has indicated an additional $400,000 will be made available to help our region with additional staffing over a two year period for assisting us with economic recovery efforts. The grant application has been submitted. EDA is reviewing the work plan and Beartooth RCD should be notified about the award any day. Focus areas for the funding include: • Hiring an independent contractor to serve as a regional economic recovery specialist that will serve our five county region. Budgeted: $200,000 • Complete an affordable housing study across the region. $100,000. • Targeted industry assistance for most impacted sectors of the economy including tourism. $80,000. • Administration of the grant for Beartooth RCD. $20,000. $400,000 We’re in the second year funding of a three year grant cycle from EDA for $210,000, or ($70,000/year). Under the 2019 Disaster Declaration funding with EDA, Stillwater County has received approval for a $3.1 M road rebuilding grant with our assistance. Respectfully submitted, Steve Simonson 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 Page 17 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