HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 2021 BRCD Meeting Materials
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc.
Board of Director’s Meeting Agenda
January 21st 2021 1:00 P.M. – Zoom Meeting
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6579752514
Meeting ID: 657 975 2514
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,6579752514# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,6579752514# US (Houston)
Page 2
1:00 pm
2:30 PM
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Review November 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
4. Audit
New Board Members
Executive Committee
1. Executive Committee Activity Report
2. Staff Compensation
3. Executive Committee Nomination
CEDS
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
2. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson
3. Economic Development/ CRDC – Steve Simonson
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
March 18th, 2021 - Potential Zoom
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Knutson
Knutson
Knutson
Van Ballegooyen
Van Ballegooyen
Simonson
Bertolino
Knutson
Simonson
Carter
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Action
Information
Action
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Page 3
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 4
Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Director’s Meeting MINUTES November 19, 2020
Agenda
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 September Board Minutes
Congressional Updates
Molly Bell (Sen. Tester)
Dan Stusek (Sen. Daines)
Casey Collins (Rep. Gianforte)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
5. Treasurer Update
6. RC&D Financials
7. RLF Financials
Executive Committee
4. Executive Committee Activity Report
EDA CARES ACT
Staff Reports – Program/Project updates
5. Food/Ag Program – Joel Bertolino
6. Revolving Loan Fund – Jillann Knutson
7. 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
January 21st, 2021 - Potential Zoom
Adjourn
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All
Chair, All
Knutson
Knutson
Knutson
Van Ballegooyen
Simonson
Bertolino
Knutson
Simonson
Carter
et al
Action
Information
Information
Action
Action
Information
Action
Information
Information
Information
Information
Information
Page 5
ATTENDANCE
Board Members Present
Ryan VanBallegooyen, Billings Job Service , Chair
Jeffrey McDowell, Two Rivers Authority
Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
Don Jones-Yellowstone County Commission
Marvin Carter, City of Laurel, Vice Chair
Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA, SBDC
Stephanie Ray –Stillwater County Economic Development
Bill Foisy- City of Red Lodge
Barb Wagner, Yellowstone County Cons. Dist
Dan Stusek, Sen. Daines’ Office
Emily Ringer- Joliet City Council
Ex-Officio/Staff/Additional Attendees:
JV Moody- Sweet Grass County Commission
Joel Bertolino- FADC/ED
Jillann Knutson-RLF
Steve Simonson- Beartooth EDD
Myrna Lastusky- Operations Support Specialist
Board Members Not Present
Clinton Giesick, Carbon Cons. District
Page Dringman, City of Big Timber
Sidney (Chip) Fitzpatrick, Big Horn Co. Commissioners
Chris Mehus, Sweet Grass Co. Conservation District
Patty Sundberg, City of Columbus
Clayton Greer, Hardin City Council
Emily Ringer, Town of Joliet
Patrick Hill-Crow Tribe
Mike Waters- Greg Gianforte’s Office
Frank Ewalt, Billings City Council
Ty Hamilton, Stillwater County
Holly Higgins- Hardin First Interstate Bank
Dan Lowe, Big Horn Conservation District
Maddie Alpert, Sen Jon Tester’s Office (By Phone)
Randy Weimer, Sibanye-Stillwater Mining
Bob VanOosten, Stillwater Conservation District
Scott Miller- Carbon County Commissioner
Liz Ching- MT Dept of Labor and Industry (by phone)
Casey Collins, US Rep Greg Gianforte’s Office
Meeting called to order by Chairman Ryan Van Ballegooyen at 1:00 pm .
Page 6
Introductions/Welcome: Ryan gave a welcome and began introductions followed by the pledge of
allegiance.
Review of Minutes: Minutes from the September Board Meeting were available for review (and had already
been acted on by the Executive Committee).
Emily Ringer – Mentioned that the next meeting says “2020.”
Jeff moved to pass. Melanie seconded. Motion carried.
Congressional Updates:
• Dan Stusek (Sen. Daines): Not many updates. Senate out of session until Nov 30th. Call with leaders
in Yellowstone County. Members of Senate on both sides trying to get COVID relief package and
spending package through by end of year. Trying to bridge the gap between Republicans &
Democrats in terms of what the package involves. Want to extend deadlines for fund spending – PPT,
Unemployment insurance, testing/health supplies. Contact Dan with any questions or concerns. They
know hospitality businesses are suffering - Christmas Stroll in Red Lodge cancelled, etc. Working
hard & calling people around state to finalize this by end of year.
• Dan mentioned that Molly is on maternity leave. Maddie is in Sen. Tester’s office but not on the call.
Treasurer/Financial Reports: Jillann Knutson presented the updated financials and discussed the current
figures.
• P. 13: Beartooth books – 3 quarters in. Some differences between budgeted vs what we have.
Travel/training & vehicle expenses are not what we had expected. Should end up great by end of the
year. Audit for 2019 is almost complete. Jillann has a draft and has a few questions for auditors.
Hoping to finalize very soon. Will have final by Jan. for sure.
o Non—profit “tax return”/proof of what’s happened: Already filed
• Pg.14: RLF Info. RLF committee met recently via conference call. Approved construction loan in
Yellowstone County – will be funded in April most likely.
• Impressed with how well loan clients have weathered this storm.
• Many requests for help. 70% of our clients got some form of assistance grant. One changed business
location to help with expenses – got out of commercial rent.
• 5 applications – hoping to get a couple of those across the line.
o Site visits to commissioners: If Jillann could have a pool of money for non-collateral loans,
she could have gotten rid of millions. People are relying on credit cards and high-interest
loans right now. People are also refinancing homes and business debts.
▪ Ryan: Interesting to see what kind of continued education we could provide clients –
what to do in hard times. Sometimes it’s better to go out of business than get further in
debt.
▪ Jillann: Downtime, loss of revenue due to people being quarantined has been a huge
struggle.
• Pg. 15: Draft budget of 2021 (very rough!). Tough year to budget for because of 2020. CRDC
number will likely change, along with some other items. Just don’t know how long COVID will
impact expenses. Likely a rise in insurance premiums.
o Ryan: Good discussion for Exec committee meeting in December. County commissioners /
city councils are having the same problem. Educated guesses is all we can do.
• Motion to approve. Melanie motioned. Jeff seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.
Page 7
Executive Committee Report: Ryan
• Steve will share some info from this.
• Back in September we were feeling optimistic, then October/Nov came along & lots of COVID cases
– now things have changed.
• Annual visits to commissioners for November/Dec.
Food and Ag Director Report: Joel Bertolino presented.
• Been busy lately.
• Upcoming deadline for GTA program is Dec. 7th. Record interest with small businesses. Up to 14 that
have shown interest in the program. Hard to know given the requirements how many will go through.
o One man wants to get out construction biz and build meat plant in Joliet.
o Hardin – Apiary
o Black Brew Coffee/Meat Processing
o Vineyards in Laurel
o Catering/meat processing
o Greenhouse in Roberts
o Bud’s Catering & Meat Processing in Hardin
o Yellowstone Valley Farms in Laurel
o Miller’s Meat Processing
o Miller’s Beef in Absarokee
o Toew’s Grain Corn in Hardin
o Distillery in Columbus
o Potential potato project in Huntley
• Lots of different businesses & localities!
• Continuing to work on MT Meat Processing grants – must expend funds by Dec. 30th. No extensions
at this point.
• Ag Adaptability and some others still out there – need to get money spent.
• Took a tour of the wind farm as a staff. Over 100 turbines up. Might want to have a meeting out
there for Board to visit.
• Joel thanked the Staff – with working from home and all the challenges, everyone has done a great
job.
• Jeff M: Asked about Hardin apiary – a couple. Joel gave them some templates to work on to get
registered with Sec. of State. Could be a tough one to get through.
• Joel also passed on some names to Lorene, who is working with them.
• Started our annual MOU/project updates with the counties and city councils. Did three already with
Stillwater coming this week. Will be pretty well finished by holidays.
Started recording right here.
Economic Development Director Report: Steve Simonson reported:
• Marvin Carter was on speaker phone listening in with Steve.
Page 8
• Pg. 21: Additional $25 million for business stabilization approved by Gov. Bullock. We’ve been
asking for this with CRDC, so good timing.
• CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) – met with them today, made sure our region was
well represented.
o Broadband: I have a couple requests. Will talk to Ryan after meeting.
▪ Request for demonstration of StarLink program
▪ Two Big Sky Trust fund grants to approve
• Laurel west end interchange
• Sandstone School – historic Absarokee school
▪ EDA SPRINT grant application to help our data centers
• Counties/Cities that have a high-tech sector have not seen the downturn that
others have during COVID. Important to build resiliency.
o Dan Stusek said it is something they are working on. He will follow up
with Steve after meeting.
▪ Cushing Terrell awarded contract for affordable housing study.
• Stephanie, Myrna & I were on call with them yesterday.
▪ Deb Brown – weekly phone calls to see what she can do to help the communities to
strengthen local businesses.
▪ Brownfields Study: Steve told Bill Foisy he got permission to share the Brownfields
study from the owners. Steve can provide a copy of that now.
• Steve will forward it to both Bill & James
▪ Detention Center – back on the radar. Carbon County Commissioners pulled plug on
project last summer, but it’s back on track. First meeting was last night. Myrna &
Steve attended.
▪ Any questions?
Regional Roundup: Ryan said he will go through Regional Roundup with CEDS category – our master
document every five years.
Infrastructure: Housing, Transportation & Broadband:
• Bill Foisy:
o Carbon County Transit System: RLACF support plus a couple of grants. Hired Transportation
Coordinator (David Kallenbach). This will help get people to doctor appointments, etc. in
Carbon County.
Economy:
• Jeff McDowell:
o First Interstate will be opening new branch soon.
o Shiptons Big R bought Shopko Hometown building & are getting it fixed up. Also installing a
1000 gallon propane tank for propane sales.
o Things are plugging along. Houses are selling.
• Bill: State Dept of Commerce report:
o Through June 30 (last 12 months): Resort tax collections down only 3.5% compared to
previous years. Surprising that it wasn’t worse.
o 4 new businesses opened
Page 9
o Roosevelt Center has 2 new tenants – one is a famous artist, one massage therapy.
o Moose outside the Roosevelt Center – big artistic wood moose that Rocky Fork Juniper
designed.
o Not too many have closed permanently. Some have closed seasonally.
• Lorene:
o We have to track the businesses. We have 15 new businesses this year.
o Through COVID, many people have come in interested in starting a business.
o There are many struggling, but also much good. Mom & Pops are the ones being hurt the
most.
• Ryan:
o Doing a survey of biz – what are you struggling with/concerned about? When we get results,
we can hopefully help them better.
o Help be informed to help guide legislature.
Communication/Marketing/Outreach:
• Steve asked Myrna to talk about IEDC (International Economic Development Corporation)
Marketing course she is taking.
o Myrna: Had first of several sessions this week. Lots of notes regarding how to approach the
economic downturns if anyone is interested.
Healthcare:
• Steve: Been a big push to telemedicine. Biggest challenge is patients who don’t have
internet/computers.
o Ryan: Often you can go to library or coffee shop to use their internet, but many of those are
closed now, making the problem worse. Influx for need of healthcare workers because one
person tested positive & then others need to quarantine. Governor announced they are
contracting for another 100 nurses to come to MT. Hospitals part of bigger network are
bringing in workers from other states. Statewide 63% of ICU beds are full (last number Ryan
saw). It’s a real challenge right now.
• Lorene: Last Friday Big Sky EDA celebrated healthcare works & gave out $80,000 in gift cards to
them last week. Got some great thank yous for recognizing how tough it is for healthcare workers
right now. Very uplifting.
• Ryan: Aunt checks in everyone at Iowa hospital and finally got Covid even with all her precautions.
Hi wife had a patient who got it. These healthcare workers also worry about bringing it home to
families.
Natural Resources / AG:
• Joel: in general, it was better than last year’s sugar beet harvest. Grain prices up, cattle prices down -
but it looks like next year might be better. Cause for optimism in ag economy.
• RCPP Program (last 5 years’ grant) is coming to a close. Doing final reporting on that.
• Ryan: Stock market – hopeful news from Pfizer & another big pharma company is coming close to
vaccine. Things are headed in the right direction. Any commissioners comment on distribution of
vaccine?
o Steve: Some super coolers required for Pfizer vaccine were distributed in Billings.
Vaccination state-wide plan drafted by St. Vincent’s. Steve sent it to Carbon County
Page 10
commissioners. Can send it on to Sweet Grass commissioners, too. Melanie said they saw
some info on it come through.
o Ryan: Lots of questions to figure out with distribution.
Human Capital: Workforce/Education:
• Schools closing down for a week here and there due to COVID cases. Elder Grove 6-8 grade.
Principal said only 6 identified cases since start of school (out of about 200). When people take the
right precautions, it really helps.
o Laurel shut down several grade levels last week.
o Not so much kids getting it, but staff has & they can’t find substitutes.
o If you have a day to give, please substitute to help keep kids in school
o Myrna commented that many subs are retired teachers & in the higher-risk category.
• Lorene: Robust training schedule coming for 2021. All virtual trainings provided by COVID dollars.
Let Joel know or type name in chat if you want to be on the email list for these trainings. Marty Butts,
Small Potatoes Business coming in December– ways to fund business & survive.
o Joel will forward the list of trainings to the Board.
• Bill: State tourism grants are due Nov. 30th. Got rink grant last year, wayfinding signs year before.
National Cross Country Ski Association says outdoor activities, especially CC skiing, will be off the
charts this year. Shout out to Steve & BRCD for the work we do, CEDS docs, growth policies, etc.
When applying for grants, those are so important to have. Thank you! The Nordic Shoppe is only one
in 150 mile radius. Red Lodge Mountain is opening the day after Thanksgiving.
Ryan: Ready to wrap up. Marvin & Marissa stay on to go over Steve’s requests.
Probably will do Zoom in January, maybe in person in March or May. Once we’re through this, the
economy is going to roar!
• Marissa had 2:00 meeting, so she couldn’t stay on.
• Ryan & Marvin approved Steve’s projects.
• Forward emails for documentation on expenses for Executive Committee approval.
Next Meeting: January 21, 2021 – Potential Zoom
Meeting adjourned at 2:03
APPROVED:
_____________________________________________________________ ________________________
Page 11
Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending September 2020
Budgeted Actual
%
of budgeted
Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 62,311 73%
AG-MCDC 1,000 0 0%
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 51,072 42,768 84%
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 204 51%
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 46,795 65%
FUELS-TOTAL - 0 #DIV/0!
EDA - GRANT 70,000 35,000 50%
NOT BUDGED INCOME - 6,900 0%
TOTAL INCOME 306,086 197,367 64%
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 233,104 156,201 67%
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 4,375 73%
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 6,299 74%
CONTRACTUAL 20,000 9,325 47%
SUPPLIES 12,900 14,665 114%
TRAVEL 11,080 3,793 34%
OTHER 10,420 14,752 142%
RESERVE -12,043 #DIV/0!
EXPENSE TOTAL 302,024 197,367 65%
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,471.87
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,300.66
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $74,820.63
Page 12
Revolving Loan Fund Books- October 2020
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $173,049
Stillwater 3 $436,746
Yellowstone 8 $396,603
Carbon 3 $142,100
Sweet Grass 2 $180,935
• A $200K loan has been approved for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until spring.
• Our loan clients (so far) are weathering the COVID storm.
• I have 3 applications in various forms that will hopefully head to the RLF meeting.
Bank Balances as of October 31, 2020 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $29,783 29,783
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $189,481 189,481
Bank of Joliet- IRP $388,787 152,413
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,783 29,783
$401,46
Page 13
Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending December 2020
Budgeted Actual
%
of budgeted
Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007 83,070 98%
AG-MCDC 1,000 270 27%
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 51,072 49,812 98%
BOARD-INTEREST INCOME 400 204 51%
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 69,751 97%
FUELS-TOTAL - 1,875 #DIV/0!
EDA - GRANT 70,000 70,000 100%
NOT BUDGED INCOME - 104,807 0%
TOTAL INCOME 306,086 383,179 125%
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 233,104 214,386 92%
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000 6,711 112%
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520 9,937 117%
CONTRACTUAL 20,000 106,640 533%
SUPPLIES 12,900 19,335 150%
TRAVEL 11,080 2,001 18%
OTHER 10,420 15,912 153%
RESERVE #DIV/0!
EXPENSE TOTAL 302,024 374,921 124%
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet-Building Account $4,473.00
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account $75,365.55
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account $94,213.62
Page 14
Revolving Loan Fund Books- December 2020
Loan Client Review
County # of loans $ Loaned out
Big Horn 2 $172,709
Stillwater 3 $429,198
Yellowstone 8 $392,146
Carbon 4 $144,281
Sweet Grass 2 $178,645
• A $200K loan was approved for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until spring.
• I have 7 applications in various forms that will hopefully head to the RLF meeting.
Bank Balances as of December 31, 2020 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $36,912 36,912
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $197,463 197,463
Bank of Joliet- IRP $361,024 113,018
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,811 29,811
$377,204
Page 15
**DRAFT****2021 Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development Budget
Income
ITEM Income
AG-FOOD AND AG CENTER 85,007
AG-MCDC 1,000
BOARD - EDA SPONSOR DUES 55,907
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 -
MISC GRANT ADMIN $ 10,750
EDA - GRANT 70,000
TOTAL INCOME 321,671
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE 256,044
COMMUNICATIONS 6,000
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE 8,520
CONTRACTUAL 21,220
SUPPLIES 9,800
TRAVEL 10,140
OTHER 8,430
RESERVE
EXPENSE TOTAL 320,154
1,517
PROJECTED NET INCOME 12/31/2021
Page 16
FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER PROJECTS
FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER PROJECTS
Beartooth FADC
Beartooth FADC Staff has been working to assist businesses with the development of Montana Department
of Growth Through Ag Grants, this round has seen a record number of applicants and will be very
competitive. 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
new round of assistance for agriculture producers appears to be included in the new round of stimulus
funding through the USDA Farm Services Agency to assist Farmers and Ranchers with emergency programs.
The FADC network has our bi-annual reporting due in February and we have been notified the Ag
Development Council will be issuing a new request for proposal for all centers that will be sent out in
February so we will be working on that in February and March.
Growth Through Ag Projects
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.
Yellowstone Valley Food Hub-Billings
County-Yellowstone
Contact-Michele Schahczenski
Black Brew Coffee/ Meat Processing Business- Columbus and Joliet
County- Carbon
Contact-Joel DeBruycker
Hardin Apiary- Hardin, MT
County-Big Horn
Contact- Karen Reins
Buds Catering and Meat Processing- Hardin
County- Big Horn
Contact-Steven Hardt
Page 17
Millers Beef- Absarokee, MT
County- Stillwater
Contact- Celeste Miller
Green House- Roberts, MT
County- Carbon
Toews Grain Corn- Hardin, MT
County- Big Horn
Contact- Aron Toews
Yellowstone Valley Farms- Laurel, MT
County- Yellowstone
Contact- Reuben Stahl
Columbus Micro Brewery- Columbus, MT
County- Stillwater
Contact- Joe Morse
Park City Distillery- Park City, MT
County- Stillwater
Contact- Justin and Ty Hamilton
Trembling Prairie- Huntley Project, MT
County- Yellowstone
Contact- Jill Herold
Millers Custom Processing – Roberts, MT
County- Carbon
Contact- Tom Miller
Joliet Meat Processing Plant- Joliet, MT
County- Carbon
Contact- Jeremy Sweeny
Laurel Vineyard- Laurel, MT
County- Yellowstone
Contact-Kasey Krum Felder
Charter Ranch- Sheperd, MT
County-Yellowstone, MT
Contact-Susan Elder
Vermicast Soil Amendments
Page 18
On Going Projects
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.
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
product.
Page 19
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.
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.
Page 20
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
expand his cooler and freezers and is now looking to build even more cooler space and processing space as
well as upgrade 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. The Montana Meat Processing Grant application been approved for $104,000.00 and the
equipment has been installed and the plant expansion is nearly complete.
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. They are working with Big Sky EDA on a potential location for this project.
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.
Page 21
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 is on schedule to have the new makeup air system installed.
Page 22
Beartooth Economic Development Director Report January 21, 2021
SEE ATTACHED CEDS REPORT
Page 23
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