Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutSeptember 2020 BRCD Meeting Materials Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda 1:00 P.M. – Thursday, September 17th, 2020 Bridger Civic Center 210 S Main Street Bridger, MT CONFERENCE CALL IN INFORMATION PH#-1-605-475-5900 ACCESS CODE-847-2365 1:00 pm 2:30 PM Meeting Called to Order Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests Welcome- Discussion and presentation on Bridger Wind Farm Review July Board Minutes 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 Brownfields EDA Cares Act Space X Broadband 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 November 19th, 2020 - Big Timber, MT Adjourn Chair Chair, All Chair, All Chair, All Knutson Knutson Knutson Van Ballegooyen Simonson Simonson Simonson Bertolino Knutson Simonson Carter et al Action Information Information Action Action Information Information Action Action 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 Financials will be provided at the Meeting Page 4 Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting MINUTES July 16, 2020 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 4. Treasurer Update 5. RC&D Financials 6. RLF Financials Executive Committee 2. Executive Committee Activity Report 3. Part Time position 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 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 5 Board Members Present Ryan VanBallegooyen, Billings Job Service , Chair (by phone) Jeffrey McDowell, Two Rivers Authority Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County Don Jones-Yellowstone County Commission Ty Hamilton, Stillwater County Dan Lowe, Big Horn Conservation District Maddie Alpert, Sen Jon Tester’s Office (By Phone) Molly Bell Sen John Tester’s Office ( By Phone) Marvin Carter, City of Laurel, Vice Chair Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA, SBDC Holly Higgins- Hardin First Interstate Bank ( By Phone) Stephanie Ray –Stillwater County Economic Development Ex-Officio/Staff/Additional Attendees: Joel Bertolino- FADC/ED Jillann Knutson-RLF Steve Simonson- Beartooth EDD 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 Barb Wagner, Yellowstone County Cons. Dist Randy Weimer, Sibanye-Stillwater Mining Bill Foisy- City of Red Lodge Patrick Hill-Crow Tribe Mike Waters- Greg Gianforte’s Office Dan Stusek, Sen. Daines’ Office Frank Ewalt, Billings City Council Meeting called to order by Chairman Marvin Carter at 1:00 pm in the Beartooth RC&D Conference Room Joliet, MT. Page 6 Vice Chairman Carter gave a welcome and began introductions followed by the pledge of allegiance and lunch provided by Beartooth RC&D. Minutes from the January Board Meeting were available for review and had already been acted on by the Executive Committee. Molly Bell and Maddie Alpert of Senator Testers office attended by phone and gave a report on the Senators proposed legislation on regarding business and community assistance programs related to COVID -19 and a Report on Agricultural bills including support for Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. Jillann Knutson presented the updated financials and discussed the current figures. 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 Marvin Carter and Joel Bertolino explained the executive committee’s items discusses at the June Meeting Joel Bertolino gave a report on the hiring process for the part time position, approximately three people had provid ed resumes to date. We will need to set up a time with Executive Committee members to interview applicants late July or Early August. Food and Ag Director Report Joel Bertolino presented the current Food/Ag project report and provided oral updates on major projects including the various state covid relief business Grants. Updates were given on the RCPP project and the existing projects and recent business inquiries. Economic Development Director Report Steve Simonson reported on the new EDA funding that was applied for that will pay for a position that will be housed with Big Sky EDA working on business reopening and resiliency going forward, he also reported on all the projects that are currently activ e for the Economic Development Director position including Big Sky Trust Fund Projects and Brownfields work as well as the work being done on the Yellowstone and Carbon County Economic Committees. Steve Simonson led a discussion regarding a grant to purchase personal protective gear for businesses needed including face masks that could then be made available to businesses. The board voted on a motion directing Knutson to visit with our auditors/ accountants at wipfli to determine the best place to make a budget adjustment for the expenditure which will be reimbursed by the state grant. Motion Ty Hamilton Second Don Jones CARRIED Regional Roundup Marvin Carter 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 Carbon County September 17th at 1pm Meeting adjourned at 2:30 pm Page 7 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 Page 8 Revolving Loan Fund Books- Ending May 31, 2020 Loan Client Review 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 Page 9 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 10 Beartooth RC&D Staff Project Update September 2020 FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER PROJECTS 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 staff with a better picture of how some programs are still bein g developed through the USDA Farm Services Agency to assist Farmers and Ranchers with emergency programs that started sign ups in June. Many existing businesses are still trying to determine the market environment and Beartooth staff has been able to successfully assist several with applying for assistance through the covid related programs that are available. Growth Through Ag Beartooth FADC has responded to five inquiries about the upcoming Growth Through Ag deadline, the registration information and applications guidelines have been provided and we are working with applicants to navigate the application process. Millers Beef- Absarokee, MT Green House- Roberts, MT Toews Grain Corn- Hardin, MT Yellowstone Valley Farms- Laurel, MT Page 11 On Going Projects Carbon County Pryor Mountain Wind Farm Location- Warren, MT Contact- PacifiCorp The wind development South of Bridger, MT began construction on schedule in March and are working towards having the construction completed by the spring 2021 time frame. 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 eventually decided not to use the funding due to concerns over the public disclosure of proprietary information on the project, Beartooth FADC will continue to assist them as needed on this project. Page 12 Midland Bull Test Location-Columbus, MT Contact- Melissa Kramer Midland Bull Test has been a 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, they have since been approved for Business Stabilization funds and invited to apply again for additional funds. 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, unfortunately their proposal was not funded. Page 13 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 business 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. 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. 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. Their application has been approved for $104,000.00 in expanded cooler and processing space as well as new larger more efficient equipment that will allow them to increase the number of beef processed in a week four fold as well as increasing their pork processing. Restoration Beef Project Contact- Jess Peterson Restoration beef has developed a feasibility study 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 Page 14 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. We will continue to meet with the group and be available to assist in the project as needed. Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project- RCPP Location- Huntley, Contact- Dave Dougherty The group had their last meeting September 10th virtually to discuss reporting, there was discussion about the potential for field tours next summer and potential future funding opportunities. 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 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. Stephanie Ray of Stillwater County Economic Development assisted Becky in applying for a Business Stabilization grant as well. Becky’s Berries Website http://www.beckysberries.com/ Page 15 Economic Director’s Report August/September2020 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. A Targeted Brownfields assessment grant application for Red Lodge pea cannery building has been completed. Phase one and two environmental reports are underway. I’m waiting on the final phase two report before moving forward. Our organization may be asked to be an intermediary in the clean-up process as needed. South Billings, Joliet & Laurel affordable housing projects continue to move forward. Letters of support were submitted to funding agencies to support these projects. The marketing study for the proposed Billings project shows a shortfall of 700 affordable housing units in Yellowstone County. 2. The approved Big Sky Trust Fund grant for the pea cannery is on hold as the USDA Rural Business Development Grant for the pea cannery wasn’t funded. A one-to-one match is required. I will be seeking other sources of funding to complete the reuse feasibility study. 3. I’m serving on the economic recovery committees in both Yellowstone and Carbon Counties. A final recovery plan for Yellowstone County is currently being reviewed by the recovery committee. In addition, I am executing regular outreach to other county leadership teams, Chambers of Commerce, and economic development organizations. 4. The Bighorn County commissioners have asked for our help in setting up a housing authority in the county. I have offered to serve as a resource for the commissioners, but Beartooth RCD lacks the staffing and funding to fully take on this endeavor, as housing funding was shifted from our organization to HRDC Region 7 several years ago. 5. Business assistance to connect people and resources across the region and state. 6. Sibanye-Stillwater Mine has expressed financial support for a low-altitude satellite based internet system that offers better coverage and speed than existing technology. I have presented the project to the Carbon and Stillwater County Commissioners where the test sites would be located. Economic Development Administration (EDA) has approved an additional $400,000 to help our region with economic recovery efforts in the region over a two year period. 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. Big Sky EDA submitted the “best bid” to complete the work plan. • Completing an affordable housing study across the region. Bids are being reviewed. • Targeted industry assistance for most impacted sectors of the economy including tourism, entertainment and travel related industry and business sectors. • Administration of the grant for Beartooth RCD. $20,000. Respectfully submitted, Steve Simonson Page 16 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