HomeMy WebLinkAboutBeartooth RC&D May 2021 CorrespondenceCommunity Leaders' Joint Planning Session
"Charting our Community and Economic Development Future Together"
Outcomes:
• Economic development organizations, board members and elected officials share key
priorities, hear commonalities and gather in a sense of "community"- "public spirit."
• Identify three top priorities the six partner organizations can and should work on together to
make the most impact
• Create 3 coalitions, l for each identified top priority, with a diversity of signed supportfrom
attendees as well as a list of additional needed players.
May 20, 2021
7:15 AM to 9:00 AM
MSUB—Glacier Room
Agenda
7:15 AM—Breakfast/Welcome and Purpose—Karen
• Why are we here?
o The English-language word. "community" comes from the Latin
communitas "public spirit" (from Latin communis, "common")
o Economic Response and Recovery guidance -to work together on a
select list of priorities.
o Acknowledge the power in the room and how much we could
achieve if we work together (exponential growth, trust, leadership,
community)
• Placement: what we want to get out of the next hour and'a half and how we
are going to get there (share desired outcomes and agenda)
7:25 AM—First Session- "Understanding our Respective Priorities" (sharing by Chamber, BSED, City,
County, DBA and Beartooth)
• Rapid Fire Priority Sharing- 1 slide per org., 3 minutes per slide. -18 minutes
• Share commonalities: What shared priorities do we have? -5 minutes
(Steve/Katy)
7:50 AM—Second Session -Table Top Dialogue -Top Three Common Priorities (identify three "must
do priorities" together)
• Top -Three
o Table Top Dialogue (30 minutes)
• What would success mean for our community? -how would
we know we've been "successful?" -what would we see,
hear, feel, etc.? 15 minutes
• What are the top three common priorities, if done together,
would make the most positive impact -15 minutes
Report Out (25 minutes)
o Polling -each table submits their top three priorities (in a
word/phrase: i.e. Housing, Downtown Development, Public Safety,
etc.)- 5 minutes
o Debrief "priority word art" -open dialogue -"what do you see? What
surprises you? What is affirming?" - 20 minutes
8: 45 AM—Third Session—Aligning Priorities and Support (10 minutes)
• Create Coalitions -8 minutes
o Attendees are instructed to take their colored -post it with their
name on it and go stick it on one of the Three Top Priorities
• Pay attention to the colors of post it notes and intentionally
"color" each priority ensuring the coalitions are diverse.
Write down names of people not in attendance who need
to be invited to the coalition
• Eco Devo Commitment -2 minute statement
o Next steps -Eco Devo organizations will gather and commit to
gathering each coalition within the next 30 days to move this
priority forward in "community."
9:00 AM --Adjourn
Notes for room set up:
• Attendees will each be given a colored post it when they enter the room. They will be instructed
to utilize their post it when locating a seat -"find a seat at a table with different colors, no "all
red" tables."
• While attendees are arriving, all 6 eco devo orgs' mission/vision statements will be on rotating
slides
• Three large easel size paper will be stuck on the wall (for three top priorities)
• Room will be arranged with circle tables -6 chairs per table.
• During the Second Session, 6 eco devo leaders and staff will divvy themselves up and join the
tables -to listen, provide answers to questions, take notes, etc.
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Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc.
Board of Director's Meeting Agenda
May 20" 20211:00 P.M. —Columbus Fire Hall
944 Pike Avenue Columbus, MT
Conference Number -605-475-5900 Access code 8472365
1:00 pm
Meeting Called to Order
Chair
Pledge of Allegiance, Introduction of Members and Guests
Chair, All
Review March Board Minutes
Chair, All
Action
Congressional Updates
Maddie Alpert (Sen.Tester)
Tory Kolkhorst (sen. oaines)
Information
Vacant (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
1. Treasurer Update
Knutson
Information
2. RC&D Financials
Knutson
Action
3. RLF Financials
Knutson
Action
4. De Federalization of RLF Funds
Knutson
Action
Executive Committee
Van Ballegooyen
Information
1. Executive Committee Activity Report
Simonson
Information
Deb Brown -EDA Grant Update
Department of Energy Rare Earth Mineral Research
Simonson
Information
Joliet Funding Request
Simonson/
Action
Ringer
Staff Reports - Program/Project updates
1. Food/Ag Program—Joel Bertolino
Bertolino
Information
2. Revolving Loan Fund —Jillann Knutson
Knutson
Information
3. Economic Development/CRDC —Steve Simonson
Simonson
Information
4. Operations Support -Myrna Lastusky
Lastusky
Information
Regional Roundup- News and updates from regional
Information
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories....
Roe
(see topics on next page)
et al
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
Information
2:30 PM
July 15th, 1021 - Joliet Luncheon
Adjourn- Tour of Becky's Berries new Processing Facility
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 2
BeartOOth RUD Area, Inc. Board of Director's Meeting MINUTES March 18th, 2021
Agenda
1:00 pm I 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)
Vacant (Rep. Rosendale)
Treasurer/Financial Reports
5. Treasurer Update
6. RC&D Financials
7. RLF Financials
B. De Federalization of RLF Funds
New Board Members
Executive Committee
Chair
Chair, All
Chair, All Action
Information
Knutson
Information
Knutson
Action
Knutson
Action
Knutson
Action
Van Ballegooyen
Action
2. Executive Committee Activity Report Van Ballegooyen Information
3. Board Training httos://nextmoveondemand.com/ed-101-training- Van Ballegooyen Information
for-newly-elected-officials-board-members/?Purchased=t rue
55imonsonNMG2021
CEDS Simonson Information
Staff Reports - Program/Project updates
S. Food/Ag Program -Joel Bertolino
Bertolino
Information
6. Revolving Loan Fund -Jillann Knutson
Knutson
Information
7. Economic Development/CRDC - Steve Simonson
Simonson
Information
B. Operations Support -Myrna Lastusky
Lastusky
Information
Regional Roundup- News and updates from regional
members on projects and activities in key CEDS categories.... Roe Information
(see topics on next page) et al
2:30 PM Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting
May 20th, 2021 - Columbus or Potential Zoom Information
Page 3 - -
ATTENDANCE
Members Present:
Joel Bertolino, BRCD
Jillann Knutson, BRCD
Steve Simonson, BRCD
Myrna Lastusky, BRCD
Ryan Van Ballegooyen, Billings Job Service
Jeff McDowell, Two Rivers Authority
Bill Foisy, City of Red Lodge
Heidi Sparks, Laurel City Area
Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA
Molly Bell, Sen. Tester's Office
Barb Wagner, Yellowstone Conservation District
Melanie Roe, Sweet Grass County
Holly Higgins, First Interstate Bank of Hardin
Scott Miller, Carbon County
Don Jones, Yellowstone County
Steve Riveland, Stillwater County
Marvin Carter, City of Laurel
Heather Ludtke, Guest from Town of Bridger
Meeting Called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Introduction of Members and Guests
• Heather Ludtke — potential Board member from Bridger
• Molly Bell, welcome back from maternity leave!
Review January Board Minutes
• Jeff McDowell motioned to approve the minutes, Lorene Hintz seconded, motion carried.
Congressional Updates
Molly Bell (Sen. Tester's Office):
• Large Rescue package just passed Congress.
o Extension of UI benefits and stimulus payments
o Extended PPP loans, IDLE Loans
o About 1.3 billion for State of MT and local governments
o $382 million for MT schools
o ` Includes some money for farmers & ranchers (topline is $3.8 billion but unsure how much is going to
MT).
• USDA will have grants for small and mid-size farmers and processors.
• Working out specifics & how to distribute.
o Specific grant for restaurants — about $25 million.
o Live venues can apply for some relief funds.
o Money for State's small business credit initiative.
Page 4
o Extra money for vaccine distribution. Sen. Tester has pushed to make sure MT gets its fair share, and
we are.
• Holly: Has March 31 PPP deadline been extended?
o Molly isn't sure, but more money has been added, so they will likely adjust deadline. Molly will look
into it.
• Steve: Any numbers on what money for counties will be?
o Molly will try to get this.
• Holly: The loans that will be forgiven at 120% - are those on FSA direct loans or FSA guaranteed loans? Any
more information on that?
o Molly will look into that for Holly.
• Can also contact Molly if you have questions.
Treasurer/Financial Reports
9. Treasurer Update
a. Pg. 15 in packet — Beartooth Books. Plenty of money in both checking and savings account. We are
where we need to be at this part of the year.
b. Contractual Expense = part of the Audit fee
c. Pg.16—RLFBooks
i. Plenty to lend — getting more payoffs than loans right now.
ii. 1 loan ($200K) approved for spring is ahead of schedule.
10. De -federalization of RLF Funds — need a motion for this
a. Jillann has begged for this for years. See p. 16 bank balances — Bank of Joliet EDA line item: this was
a $125K loan we started in 1994, we matched with $83K. Have reported on this quarterly since 1994
& EDA requires that we do training once a year — flying out of MT, staying at hotels, etc to do training
on a grant that is 27 years old.
b. They have a process that we can now de -federalize that money.
c. The money will remain in the fund to be loaned out.
d. Everything will remain the same except for the reporting — a great step by EDA to encourage people to
apply for funding.
e. Jillann will need to give them about 12 things to meet their requirements, including the Board approval
to de -federalize.
f. Lorene Hintz motioned to de -federalize the loan, Jeff McDowell seconded. Motion carried.
g. Ryan: Can we put it into the same account as others? Jillann says no — other agencies won't allow that.
11. Approval of the RLF Financials & BRC Financials: Ryan Van Ballegooyen motioned, Melanie Roe seconded.
Motion carried.
New Board Members
• Charli Smith from Big Timber joined us for our last meeting. Would like to invite her to be a special
appointment on the Board since she represents Chamber & Economic Development in Big Timber/Sweet
Grass County.
o Melanie Roe motioned to approve Charli, Scott Miller seconded. Motion carried.
Executive Committee
4. Executive Committee Activity Report
a. Discussed what next Board meeting would involve.
b. When to have in-person meetings again. .
c. Addition of special appointment (Charli Smith).
d. Steve discussed that CEDS comes due one year early (2022). Also discussed Broadband & potential
Economic Development Director in Big Horn County.
Page 5
e. Legislative updates: Things that might impact the BRCD region economically/legally.
i. Joel said that program funding has been going well so far.
ii. $350 million will be dedicated to Broadband/internet improvement in MT.
I. Ryan said this is huge for MT. Many opportunities for companies/employees.
iii. Bill regarding outfitters and how it could impact the hunting economy.
1. Melanie said the local guy who was sponsoring it pulled out.
iv. Ryan: Unemployment Insurance — 80% of people are probably better off than they ever have
been with stimulus packages.
1. Unemployment rates in many parts of MT are approaching pre -pandemic levels.
2. Legislators working on cleaning up unemployment fraud —which is a big issue. A bill
is on the table to help decrease fraud and clean up the system.
v. PPP updates
f Steve has a training opportunity for interested Board members:
i. ED101 Board Training httos://nextmoveondemand.com/ed-101-training-for-newly-clected-
offi cials-board-members/?ourc hased--true
1. Login: ssimonson(2beartooth.org
2. Password: SSimonsonNMG2021
CEDS: Steve Simonson
• CEDS = Regional planning document for 5 counties we serve.
• EDA put us on a fast-track so all MT EDs are renewed at the same time.
• Need to update the planning document by end of 2022.
• We need your input for any county/local planning you have been doing.
o Note the CEDS topics, e.g. Affordable Housing, and give input
• Joel: CEDS is our guiding document for BRCD, required by US Dept. of Commerce & EDA. Provides us with
a vision for the future. Try to encapsulate the 5 areas of the economy.
o It's an opportunity for communities to point out anything in the next 5 -year cycle that we should pay
attention to — things that could help them.
• Ryan: said it's helpful as a support to communities as they write grants & do their own planning.
• Big Sky Trust Fund application (for example) —some energy requirements were captured in the CEDS and
made it easier to add to the application.
Staff Reports — Program/Project updates
9. Food/Ag Program —Joel Bertolino
a. P. 17 —new format
b. Capture the number of new businesses and clients, and number of hours worked with them.
c. Brief outline of new projects
i. Joe Murdoch -Lodge Grass. Raises sunflower & safflower. Wants to bag it and sell.
ii. JWK Enterprises — raise beef near Busby. USDA Value -Added Producer Grant. She is almost
done with the application. Looking for more money to get started. In 21 year. Good app.
iii. F -Bar -3 Vineyard — Growth Through Ag applicant in the final round. Great project outside of
Laurel —look up on Facebook. Harvesting grapes near Laurel.
d. Value -Added Producer Grants
i. Extended the deadline to May 4'.
ii. Doubled the amount of budget & increased staffing. Want to get money out to people who
need it.
iii. Reduced match money to 90-10. Can also use more in-kind contributions.
iv. 2 or 3 others interested in finalizing applications.
e. RFP for funding for Food & Ag Center — putting together for Dept. of Ag.
i. 6 -week process to put that all together.
Page 6
f. Meat processing Infrastructure grants
i. Construction part is taking longer & costlier than expected.
g. Pryor Wind Farm Project
i. Getting close to turning on turbines
g. RCPP Grant — final documents in packet & attachments on the economic impact of the grant in 3 -
county area (BHC, Carbon, and Yellowstone). Worked with Miller -Coors and Western Sugar. Created
over $2 million in economic output in the region. Great NRCS Conservation Districts project. Took a
lot of acreage and added a lot of economic impact.
5. Revolving Loan Fund —Jillann Knutson
a. Pryor Mountain Wind Farm: down to 3 campers on Jillann's property, about 20 workers onsite.
Looking at mid-May for completion now. They have hired the 10 permanent workers (4 in Bridger).
b. Wildflower Weddings — loan written in 2014, they defaulted right away. Going through legal process
of unwinding that payoff. Able to capture the full principal, 7 years of interest, and legal fees. $120K
loan; they paid out $180K.
c. Stillwater County grants to small businesses. Awarded 77 businesses (of 99 apps) that had complete
applications. $2,857 grant to each business who qualified. Checks went in the mail on Monday. Kudos
to Stillwater County for this. They also gave BRCD $1500 to administer the program.
i. Source of the funds came out of the Metal Mine Economic Dev. Fund (per Steve Riveland).
d. Encouraged by how many people want to start businesses. Struggling to get money OUT because
people are waiting to see what grant money will be coming, as well as stimulus dollars. People want to
be given the money rather than borrowing.
e. Encourage everyone to get paperwork in for PPP loan forgiveness — if they don't get that in, it has to
be repaid! Jillann has reached out to clients.
6. Economic Development / CRDC — Steve Simonson
a. P. 21
b. 3 legs of the stool — affordable housing, targeted economic recovery, and general economic recovery —
all are going well.
c. Housing is much less affordable due to an increase in constructions costs. Wages are not keeping up.
Concern in all the counties. Myrna & Steve were on a call again this morning with Dept. of Commerce
and Big Horn County.
d. Big Horn County Economic Director position — 3 -year grant application submitted to build capacity
within the county for economic development and housing. It was a lot of work to get across the finish
line.
e. Carbon County — Scott Miller & Steve working on Bridger Senior Center repairs. Engineering
drawings submitted last week.
f. Pryor Mt Wind Farm project — maybe a tour of that this summer for the Board.
g. Big Sky Trust Fund letters of support.
Jr. Pea Cannery owners — working on building and transition. Hope to hear something by April 1.
i. Stillwater County mini -grants — helped review with ED committee.
j. Approved for BSTF grant for feasibility study of repurposing Sandstone School in Absarokee.
Targeted Brownfields Assessment underway.
k. Rapelje students took 3`s place in statewide MT Chamber of Commerce Business Plan study. They
won last year.
1. Sweet Grass County:
i. Melanie: Sibanye-Stillwater Mine: Progressing with expansions. Expanding tailings pond &
other odds & ends. Depends on price of metals. Everything is on track. 50 new employees
coming - but nowhere to live here!
ii. Possible housing development on east side of town — Steve is meeting with them in April.
in. Yellowstone County:
i. Meet on bi-weekly basis with economic recovery team.
ii. Approved for BSTF grant for feasibility study on Laurel West Interchange.
Page 7
iii. S2A Modular Homes —possible project; meeting with them next week.
1. Could produce 500 homes, 250jobs - $70K per job.
2. We have a need for 1400 new homes per year in Yellowstone County. That was before
the new medical school, which brings another 700 homes on top of that.
3. Huge hole in housing across the region.
4. This would be a great help to the housing needs in the area. Payback is 2 years. $20
million upfront investment, but $20450,000 per home net profit level. Labor force &
materials will be an issue.
a. Little Big Horn College put in a trades program recently. Started with 13 and
are down to 4. We need workers!
iv. Affordable Housing Conference May 18-19. If anyone is interested in being part of that,
Myrna can register you under the BRCD registration.
7. Operations Support- Myrna Lastusky
a. Primarily assisting Steve in his work.
b. Bozeman Trail work
i. Working with group of regional people to find economic & recreational opportunities in the
region.
ii. Many new contacts for this. 21 meeting is Mar. 19'h
iii. Steve mentioned that there is NO risk to landowners and their rights. Please spread the word
on this!
c. Assisted Steve on RCDI grant app.
d. Lots of communications!
Regional Roundup: Report on what is happening in your area & also ask for help/advice on anything on this list.
• Infrastructure: Housing, Transportation, & Broadband
• Economy: Upturns or downturns in industry sectors & New business openings (or closures)
• Communication: Marketing and outreach
• Services: Healthcare
• Natural Resources: Agriculture & Energy
• Human Capital: Workforce & Education
Ryan:
Unemployment numbers are at almost pre -pandemic levels.
Job postings are through the roof — 2,000 just in Yellowstone County.
Some people getting stimulus money that may choose not to go back to work because they are getting extra
money. That money is also supporting some people who can't go back.
o Keep discussing this with people —that the extra money won't always be available, and what will you
do then? Make a move before jobs disappear.
Melanie — Sweet Grass County update:
• Entrepreneurs and ranchers trying to take product into niche markets.
• Discussion with commissioners on how to spend the stimulus money — not sure what rules & parameters will
be. Having some Town Hall meetings to see what constituents think.
• MT DOT is putting Rapelje Road up for bid — may bring more people to town. Still nowhere to live.
o Put gravel on 23 miles of dirt road & hope to fix some other county roads
• Civic Center had big fundraiser — almost $500K raised to replace the floor, put in new baskets, fix the
bleachers, etc.
Lorene Hintz, Big Sky EDA:
• Doing Road Map training.
Page 8
• Doing a Pitch Competition — 6 business startups and 8 investors involved.
• Working on a documentary with some CARES Act money — hope to partner with BRCD on that. Upcoming
meeting with Steve to discuss that.
Steve Riveland, Stillwater County:
• Redirection on facility's capital improvement project. Different approach to what that plan looks like.
• Working on other grants/funding for county roads & other programs.
• Business as usual.
Bill Foisy:
• Carbon Area Rural Transit project (CART) — has been fully operational for a month.
0 1 vehicle
0 3 days a week
o Doing great — taking people to clinic, pharmacy, Covid shots, etc.
o Will start making trips to Billings once per week.
o Funded by MT DOT and MT Healthcare Foundation.
• MDT doing Hwy 212 between Roberts and Red Lodge
o Starts in 2022
o Running fiber along is an issue
• Flashes on Broadway closed — was there 50 years. Owner retired.
o Grizzly Peak Outdoors moved in (Red Lodge Mountain).
• City Planning Board approved design for HS trade school/tech center.
• City Council approved bid for $1.7 million for new city pool.
• A couple of local tourism grants that are pending — waiting for State to announce.
• Historic preservation grants at state level — 80 apps for redevelopment projects, only funding 15.
• Red Lodge Mountain fully open and will be for another 2 weeks.
o Typically have 150 -day season at the Nordic Center. Only open about 50 days due to snow deficiency.
o Snow is half -melted in Red Lodge.
Holly Higgins:
• Shipton's opened on March I"—very busy, good addition to Hardin.
• Hospital wants to do improvements to long-term care/assisted living facility.
• Meat Processing plant that Caleb Scott bought - have someone that used to work at IGA as a butcher.
Jeff McDowell:
• Nothing to add - Holly hit the high points.
Barb Wagner—Yellowstone Conservation District:
• April 301, is annual Arbor Day tree giveaway. Giving away 600 trees.
• Zoo Montana is planning new waterfowl exhibit. Hoping to finish by fall.
• Lake Elmo has done their water drawdown and working on AIS solutions. Going well.
• Working on Realtors Education Workshop to educate realtors as they sell land to new owners on a stream or
the river — make them aware of 310 laws and other issues they need to be aware of. Hope to be ready to do
those in June/July when things open up.
• Audubon Center & Community Gardens: Doing education workshops on pollinators and conservation
methods.
• . Many 310 permits and applications. Approved 6 of those.
• Busy spring and will get even busier!
Scott Miller, Carbon County:
Page 9
• Broadband is a big deal here — need to get it to farmers/ranchers. Thanks for BRCD's hard work on that.
• Chance Bridge — start in 2023. Doing an Open House at Belfry High School. Over $1 million. It has taken a
long time to get DOT down here, so this is a big deal.
• Road project on 212 — everything is moving forward.
o Small issue with a property that has a spring/pond. Making sure the property is being taken care of
correctly due to the pond.
o Lot of people moving in, including Amish, so we need to get this project done to keep everyone safe.
• Big Sky Rail Authority coming into southern part of MT. Resolution for us to go into that Authority (Carbon
will be the 13' county & this will happen in April — Scott will be on Board).
o Only county to go north & south). $2.9 billion for Amtrak. MT Rail will be host of it. Sen. Dairies &
Tester are part of it.
0 3-5 years before it's done.
o Will not go through Big Horn because they're not part of the Rail Authority.
o Want to put depot in Bridger — create some jobs.
o Will not cost taxpayers in Carbon County any money.
• Carbon County Detention Center
0 50-53 beds
o $19 million
0 20-25 jobs
o Going to MT legislation & asking for Covid money
o Bond/levy vote in August
o Good support from federal entities and counties who want to be part of it/rent beds.
• Revamping road crew management — changing how commissioners run the 3 road crews. Hope to put a
supervisor over the 3 road crews.
• Thank you, Steve, for your work at Bridger Senior Center. Hope to finish it in next couple months so the senior
citizens can finally get back together.
Heidi Sparks:
• Infrastructure projects in Laurel
o Storm water study on south side of Laurel — part of bigger picture.
o Hoping to re -do West Railroad Street (from 81h to P).
o Many other little infrastructure projects with water system —new reservoir in next 3-5 years.
Next Beartooth RC&D Area, Inc. Board of Directors Meeting:
May 20th, 2021 in Columbus (or Potential Zoom)
Meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.
Page 10
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE
I
Beartooth Books- Rept
6,000
EQUIPMENT&VEHICLE
8,520
Budgeted
21,220
SUPPLIES
Income
TRAVEL
AG -FOOD AND AG CENTER
85,007
AG-MCDC
1,000
BOARD -EDASPONSORDUES
55,907
BOARD -INTEREST INCOME
400
BOARD -FOUNDATION MONEY
3,700
RLFSTAFF REIMBURSE
18,000
RLF-ORIG FEES
5,000
CRDC
71,907
MISC GRANTADMIN $
10,750
EDA -GRANT
70,000
NOT BUDGED INCOME
-
TOTALINCOME
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
IXPENSETOTAL
1 320,154
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet -Building Account $4,473.00
Bank of Joliet -Savings Account $75,365.55
Bank of Joliet- CheckingA.ccount $104,140.12
>rting Ending
Actual
41,793
1,419
425
10,600
1,671
55,907
Page 11
2021
Of
21
0%
0%
16%
24%
5%
50%
17%
0%
0%
17°/
Revolving Loan Fund Books- FebruM 2021
Loan Client Review
County
# of loans
$ Loaned out
Big Horn
2
$171,075
Stillwater
3
$429,198
Yellowstone
8
$388,712
Carbon
3
$23,081
Sweet Grass
2
$175,435
• A $200K loan has been approved for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until Spring 2021
• Our loan clients (so far) are weathering the COVID storm. We had one very large payoff, and I
anticipate another payoff soon.
• I have 4 pending applications in various forms that will hopefully head to the RLF meeting.
Bank Balances as of February 2021 Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet- EDA $37,177 37,177
Bank of Joliet-CDBG $380,671 380,671
Bank of Joliet- IRP $368,480 117,480
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg $29,811 29,811
$565,139
Page 12
Beartooth Books- Reporting Ending April 2021
Budgeted Actual of budgeted
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
MISC GRANT ADMIN $
10,750
EDA - GRANT
70,000
NOT BUDGED INCOME
-
TOTAL INCOME
321,671
Expense
TOTAL STAFF EXPENSE
256,044
COMMUNICATIONS
6,000
EQUIPMENT & VEHICLE
8,620
CONTRACTUAL
21,220
SUPPLIES
9,800
TRAVEL
10,140
OTHER
8,430
RESERVE
EXPENSE TOTAL
320,154
Account Balances
Bank of Joliet -Building Account
Bank of Joliet- Savings Account
Bank of Joliet- Checking Account
$4,474.10
$75,422.56
$130,057.33
Page 13
83,166
32%
3,175
53%
1,110
13%
322,166
1518%
3,758
38%
262
3%
6,708
80%
420,345 I 1 131
Revolving Loan Fund Books- April 2021
Loan Client Review
2021
Total available for lending
County
# of loans
$ Loaned out
Big Horn
2
$170,289
Stillwater
3
$429,198
Yellowstone
8
$388,027
Carbon
2
$20,900
Sweet Grass
2
$173,312
• A $200K loan was for Yellowstone County. This will not be funded until Spring 2021.
• I had a loan paid off in May.
• Loan activity is very slow, people are holding out to see if and what grants might be available.
• Work is being done to de -federalize the EDA funding, I hope to have this completed and approved
soon.
Bank Balances as of April
2021
Total available for lending
Bank of Joliet -EDA
$38,195
38,195
Bank of Joliet-CDBG
$381,999
381,999
Bank of Joliet- IRP
$373,224
118,612
Bank of Joliet-Fromberg
$29,836
29.836
$568,642
Page 14
FOOD AND AG CENTER MANAGER REPORT
MONTANA FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
DEVELOPMENT CENTER REPORT
Beartooth Food and Ag Center
Beartooth FADC activities have been focused on assisting producers with the USDA Value Added Producer
Grant, which closed April 28th. Our FADC has been completed a proposal to the Ag Development Council
for refunding and will be doing a short zoom presentation on May 18th. The Department of Ag has released
a preliminary program proposal called the Montana Agriculture Resiliency Program utilizing American
Rescue Plan Act funding this will be presented to the Economic Transformation & Stabilization Workforce
Development Advisory Commission for approval. To view the proposal you can go to their website using
this link
his://agr. mt.gov/Porta Is/168/Documents/Resi lien cv%2OProgra m/MARP%2OProgra m%200verview.pdf?v
er=2021-04-29-170351-290
Growth Through Ag Projects
Beartooth FADC has worked with several businesses Growth Through Ag grant some of these will have an
opportunity to be granted funding and we will continue to assist them in completing their business
expansion projects.
Business/ Project Name: Joe Murdock
Contact -Joe Murdock
Location- Lodge Grass, MT
Joe Murdock farms acreage in southern Big Horn County and raises sunflower and safflower. Beartooth
FADC has been in discussions with him on finance opportunities to purchase equipment to bag the seed for
sale as bird feed to supplement his farming operation. He is looking at developing a Growth Through Ag
grant for the next cycle in the fall of 2021.
Business/ Project Name: F Bar 3 Vineyard
Contact- Kasey Krum Felder
Location- Laurel, MT
F Bar 3 Vineyard is a small family owned vineyard in Yellowstone County growing hybrid grape varieties
including Frontenac, Marquette, Itasca, Petite Pearls and Crimson Pearls. Beartooth FADC has assisted the
business in applying for a Growth Through Ag Grant to expand their operation. Their proposal was not
funded
Page 15
On Going Projects
Business/ Project Name: JWK Enterprises LLC
Contact -Justine Kougl
Location -Busby, MT
The Kougl family raises grass fed hormone free beef in Big Horn County and is developing a profitable
business that adds value to their beef production business. This project takes the raw commodity of beef
cattle livestock and changes the physical state to packaged, labeled for re -sale meat products. These
products will be marketed as grass-fed grain -finished, locally grown, and made/produced by an American
Indian. Beartooth FADC is assisting this business with a USDA Value Added Producer Grant application to
help them expand their business to increase the number of animals processed and sold in an effort to meet
increased demand.
Business/ Project Name: Basin Inc
Contact -Judy Edwards
Location -Big Timber, MT
The Hagerman family raises natural grass fed beef in Sweet Grass County and is developing a fresh beef
business that will add value to their beef production business. These products will be marketed as grass-
fed locally grown beef. Beartooth FADC is assisting this business with a USDA Value Added Producer Grant
application to help them expand their business to increase the number of animals processed and sold in an
effort to meet increased demand for local beef.
Business/ Project Name: Charter Ranch Vermicast Soil Amendment
Contact-
Location-Sheperd, MT
The Charter Ranch has developed a regenerative vermicast soil amendment using the cultivation of worms
adding non -chemical nutrients to soil. Beartooth FADC assisted them with the development of a Growth
Through Ag Grant that was funded for $14,000 to expand their operation.
Business/ Project Name: Yellowstone Valley Food Hub
Contact- Schahczenski
Location -Billings, MT
Page 16
The Yellowstone Valley Food Hub is looking to expand their business and add space for aggregating locally
produced foods. Beartooth FADC assisted them with applying for a Growth Through Ag Grant that was
approved for $20,000.00 to expand.
Carbon County Pryor Mountain Wind Farm
Location- Warren, MT
Contact- Pacificorp
The wind development South of Bridger, MT is nearing completion, the construction of all the wind towers
is completed and they are finishing the final phase of the project with all the towers erected the project is now
completed.
Page 17
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. httns://youtu.be/kTwkhU49leA
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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.
Page 18
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 Iamb processing at their main facility. Beartooth FADC staff will continue to work with Pioneer to
utilize any new funding opportunities in completing their expansion.
Millers Custom Processinn
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 in December that unfortunately was not funded, Beartooth FADC staff
assisted him with the development of a Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant for equipment and
building a larger processing space that will increase his cooler space. They have purchased and installed the
equipment and are close to completing the construction portion of the project.
Page 19
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 21" to discuss the project and initial steps and potential barriers to
the project with Allison Corbin, Ty Thompson, Joe Goggins, Weston Merrill from Montana Department of
Ag as well as Gary Guesman. Beartooth FADC staff look forward to the potential to utilize MARP funding
to assist with this project.
Yellowstone Region Ag Sustainability Project- RCPP
Location- Huntley,
Contact- Dave Dougherty
The group had their last meeting in September, to discuss the final reporting for the project and the success
of the funded projects. The final reporting completed by NRCS shows the positive impacts this project has
had on value added agriculture. The final summary of the economic impacts of this project was submitted
to us by NRCS and is on our website for review and we have met with the group to determine the final
reporting and the possibility of having field tours of the projects this summer.
Becky's Berries- Absarokee, MT
Location-Absarokee
Becky Stahl has been a client of Beartooth for several years and we last assisted her with development of an
expansion plan for her Jams, Jellies and Barbeque sauce business. She has completed construction of the
facility. Beartooth staff assisted Becky with the development of a successful Ag Adaptability Grant for
$9,000.00 for a makeup air system in her new processing facility and a commercial food processor. She has
installed the commercial food processor and the new makeup air system has been installed.
Page 20
Economic Development Director Report for May 2021
Regional projects on the CARES ACT economic recovery plan continue. Interviews with key
businesses and housing service providers in the region are underway on the affordable housing
study. Partner meetings with Big Sky EDA, Big Horn County, and Red Lodge Area Community
Foundation housing committee continue. The Billings Area Realtors Association reports an annual
shortage of 1400 new homes and an additional 700 will be needed if the new medical school
comes to Billings. Discussion with a modular home building system (S2A) is underway. A possible
CDBG/BSTF or other planning grant may be sought in June for a feasibility study.
Deb Brown, with Save Your Town, continues to host watch parties with interested Chamber
directors, staff and businesses in the region. Deb plans to attend the BRCD board meeting in May
and I would encourage you to ask questions on the targeted small business recovery efforts
underway.
The third leg of the CARES Act funding with Big Sky EDA taking the lead continues to explore and
develop economic recovery efforts primarily in Yellowstone County. A joint strategic planning
session is scheduled for Thursday morning in Billings with City/County elected officials, board
members, and staff with BSEDA, BRCD, Billings Chamber and Downtown Billings Alliance.
The initial CDBG public hearings have been held in all five counties in our region. An additional
round of planning grant funding was recently announced with applications due by June 18th to the
Montana Department of Commerce.
Countv specific proiects underwav:
Big Horn County: Progress continues on the affordable housing calls with city and county elected
officials. A grant to establish a full time Economic Development and Housing Director Position was
submitted to USDA Rural Development. We won't know until September/October if the grant
application was successful. Interactions with tribal economic developers continue with coordination
of economic recovery efforts and remote worker training. A business lead was responded to by Jeff
McDowell and me for the Hardin Industrial Park that would create 125 new jobs.
Carbon County: Projects include the regional detention center, wind farm, business assistance in
Edgar and Bridger are underway. Joliet has formed a community improvement group to spruce up
Main Street. A community assessment through the Montana Economic Developers Association
(MEDA) is under discussion in order to get the Montana Main Street program application submitted
later this year. $25,000 is available through the Montana Main Street program to assist a
community with a project that was identified through the community review process. Community
housing and workforce shortages continue to dominate the discussions in Red Lodge.
Stillwater County: The Sandstone School Big Sky Trust Fund application was approved. MT
DOC is reviewing the bid document from High Plains Architecture which was determined by the
review committeeto be the best bid and fit the budget. I have discussed assisting the City/County
with a planning grant for a business/industrial park that could be the location of S2A modular house
building system. A Targeted Economic Development District has been mentioned to the County as
a possible economic development tool to consider.
Page 21
Sweet Grass County: A housing developer met with me who is considering building up to 43
homes near the City limits of Big Timber. I've asked the developer to submit the required
documents for the subdivision to the County planner before we can get involved further in the
discussion of assisting with grant or loan programs.
Yellowstone County: Regional economic recovery efforts dominate the discussion and meetings
across the county. The Laurel west interchange project, using the BSTF was approved for a
feasibility study on industrial/commercial development and infrastructure is taking shape. I'm
waiting on the City for documentation of the procurement process to hire the existing engineering
firm KLJ, and the scope of work as part of the requirements before starting the project.
New Funding: EDA has informed us that additional money will most likely be going to the State
and not the 11 Economic Development Districts as originally reported. In addition, the State will be
also be supplementing local funding as the rules most likely will be announced after the current
legislative session.
As a side note, BRCD has had as much business development activity in the first quarter as we
experienced all of last year. This has led to discussing a tracking system to keep everyone
informed about projects and progress so that clients don't slip through the cracks.
Respectfully submitted,
Steve Simonson
Page 22
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
MDF WP — 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
Page 23
April 27, 2021
As a Joliet City Council person and liaison to Beartooth R C & D, I have been asked to
appeal to your board for consideration for the Community Grant Assessment Project, in
reference to creating a local beautification committee for the town of Joliet.
Sincerely,
Emily Ringer
P.O. Box 75
Joliet, MT 59041