LiNK - September 2017

2017 legacy award: bruce macintyre

YELLOWSTONE KELLY INTERPRETIVE SITE OPENS

GET TO KNOW CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER

LISA PERRY

IS S U E 15 | S E P T E M B E R - N O V E M B E R 2017

ELECTIONS HAVE

consequences THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS

GLOBALLY INSPIRED MENU | SOCIAL DINING EXPERIENCE

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Good insurance supports you, Guides you and empowers you, And so should a good broker.

Looking out for your most valuable assets.

HUB International Insurance 3533 Gabel Rd - Billings, Montana 406.652.9151 Business Insurance ∙ Personal Insurance ∙ Employee Benefits ∙ Risk Management

table of contents

9.17 CONTENTS ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES: THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS

p.20

features Transformational Opportunity for Downtown Billings

YELLOWSTONE KELLY INTERPRETIVE SITE OPENS

LEGACY AWARD BRUCE MACINTYRE

p.12

p.18

p.23

NEXTGEN ACCESS/EDUCATION/CONNECTION

p.24

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

4 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

p.26

departments

9.17 EVERY ISSUE

PRESIDENT'S LETTER Reflection and action.

Grow

p.6

p.7

360 Degrees of Business Development.

HORIZONS

p.8

Some of the latest statistics and economic data impacting businesses in Billings.

ADVOCATE

p.9

Chamber appoints State and Federal Advocacy Board.

MONTANA’S TRAILHEAD The importance of partnership in tourism.

GET TO KNOW BRENDA MAAS Visit Southeast Montana Marketing Manager

p.13

TRIPS ON A TANKFUL Fall in love with hunting and fishing in southeast Montana.

CONNECT

Get to Know LISA PERRY

p. 30

p.10

p.14

p. 28

Shop Small Business Saturday

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 5

FROM THE PRESiDENT/CEO

Top Investors

Reflection and action

THE

Big Sky level DELP TEAM

REALTOR

kwPREMIER BROKERS KELLERWILLIAMS®

Granite Peak level

and private sector on a couple of convention center development opportunities; continued air service expansion; further engaging NextGEN’s 270 young professionals; and much more.

I

t’s Annual Meeting time around the chamber offices, a great time to reflect on and celebrate recent successes. More importantly, it’s a time of vision, action and excitement as we run full speed toward the new year filled with opportunity.

At the Annual Meeting we shared the vision behind what makes Billings Montana’s Trailhead to Business and how your Chamber leads the way.

As a regional hub for business, finance, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and education, Billings is Montana’s City and we’re well-positioned to connect your business to growth opportunities.

What’s on the horizon? A greater emphasis on the importance of agriculture; launching BillingsNOW’s first community project; working with the public

The key to success will be the leadership pulling these projects forward as well as pushing them across the finish line. Elections Have Consequences and we need to support candidates with a vision to move forward and the ability to create teams and conversations making visons into reality. The election is under the spotlight in our feature story, pages 20-21. Learn about the importance and be sure to VOTE! Speaking of leaders, we were so proud to hear that Bruce MacIntyre, former Director of Government Affairs at the Chamber, was selected as Billings’ 2017 Legacy Award recipient for lifetime achievement. We toasted Bruce at the Annual Meeting and thanked him for his years of service to our community.

As Yellowstone Kelly would say, “keep not standing fixed and rooted, briskly venture, briskly roam.”

Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives

2015 Chamber of the Year

®

DoubleTree by Hilton MSU Billings EBMS NorthWestern Energy Holiday Station Stores U.S. Bank

Beartooth level Albertsons District Office Big Sky Economic Development Big Sky Executive Search, LLC BNSF Century 21 Hometown Brokers CMG Construction LLC Computers Unlimited Crowley Fleck PLLP Denny Menholt Chevrolet Devfuzion DiA Events Enterprise Holdings ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Co. Gainan's Flowers & Garden Center Kampgrounds of America Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. PayneWest Insurance Phillips 66 Radisson Hotel Rocky Mountain College Spectrum Business Stockman Bank The Western Sugar Cooperative Underriner Honda Vertex Consulting Group Walmart Walmart, Heights Western Security Bank

LiNK is proudly distributed at these member businesses: • Atlas Chiropractic of Billings • Barnett Opticians • Beartooth Vision Center • BioLife Plasma Services • Brewer Dental Center • Crowley Fleck PLLP • Doc Harpers • Double Tree by Hilton & Starbucks • EBMS • Fringe Salon & Boutique • Grand Avenue Dental Care • Heights Eye Care • Jiffy Lube • KTVQ

Published by: The Billings Gazette Project Management/ Editor: Kelly McCandless Creative Designer: Nadine Bittner Photo Contributors Billings Gazette Staff Photographers, Billings Chamber, Visit Billings, Rhea Wolpoe Advertising Sales: Kevin Cremer 406-245-4111 www.billingschamber.com PO Box 31177 Billings MT 59107-1177 406-245-4111 • 800-711-2630

Fax 406-245-7333

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• L P Anderson Point S Tire – both locations • Masterlube - all locations • MorningStar • Moulton Bellingham • Olsen Ortho Studio • PayneWest • Picture Perfect Ultrasound • RiverStone Health • Sanctuary Spa • St. Vincent Healthcare • Starbucks • Thomas Smile Designs • Western Heritage Center

GROW

New for Small Businesses: 360 Degrees of Business Development

BY JENNIFER REISER, IOM CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

I

f you were to ask someone “What is business development?” you’re likely to get many answers. Some will say it is sales, others will say it’s partnerships, and still others will say it’s focused on start-ups. According to Forbes Contributor Scott Pollack, Business Development is “the creation of long-term value for an organization from customers, markets, and relationships.

Business development entails tasks and processes to develop and implement growth opportunities within and between organizations.”

Chamber Ambassadors Rob Lowe (Pierce Flooring), Brandon Scala (Valley Federal Credit Union), and Leif Welhaven (EEC) all have “Business Development” in their titles or job descriptions, but they don’t operate exactly the same. Business development activities extend across different departments, including sales, marketing, project management, product management and vendor management. In some cases, business development specialists work with these separate departments and sometimes they wear multiple hats. Ultimately all use business development to work with customers, generate business, increase company visibility, and generate new sources to support their business.

The Billings Chamber offers many opportunities for our members to grow their business through advertising, marketing,

relationship-building and networking events. In a direct effort to assist our small business members in creating long-term value for their businesses, we are pleased to announce the creation of a Business Development Resource Group, “360 Degrees of Business Development.” Even the smallest businesses can adopt the concept of development to work with customers, generate business, increase company visibility and generate new sources to support their business.

Lowe, Scala, and Welhaven have been instrumental in the formation of this group. Through presentations, research, and conversations this group will work together to support ideas, initiatives and activities aimed toward making your business better. In the end creating relationships outside of the office will benefit your business in new ways.

Thinking about business development as a means to creating long-term value is the only true way to succeed in consistently growing an organization. At its core, business development is all about figuring out how the interactions of all forces combine together to create opportunities for growth.

This group will come together for the first time on Tuesday, October 10th from noon – 1:30 p.m. at the Billings Chamber. All Chamber members are welcome to attend. If you are interested in attending or learning more, please contact Jennifer Reiser, jennifer@ billingschamber.com.

Additional upcoming sessions: • November 14: 12-1:30 p.m. at the Valley Building, 207 N. Broadway.

• December 12: 12-1:30 p.m. at Pierce Flooring & Design Center, 2950 King Ave. W.

Chamber Statistics: What are we doing for you?

As of September 15, 2017, the Billings Chamber represents 1,332 members with approximately 50,293 employees.

Since the beginning of our fiscal year on July 1, 2017 through September 15, 2017: Number of Calls/Inquiries:.......................... 4,216 calls

Chamber Event Attendance:................................ 1,193

Visitors to the Visitor Information Center:..........1,248

hotel room nights booked for $1,842,750 total economic impact on the city of Billings.

(avg. 1,686/month)

Visits to VisitBillings.com:.................................45,028 Visits to BillingsChamber.com:..........................13,699

Convention and Meeting Tourism Bookings: 8,190

Conventions and Meetings Serviced by Visit Billings:.....................................1,560

Relocation Packets Mailed:.......................................19

convention delegate packets provided.

Visitor Information Packets Mailed:....................1,334

Is your info current? Make sure we’re sharing the correct information with potential clients! Check your listing at BillingsChamber.com and let us know if changes are needed

Business Meeting Attendees at Chamber:..........1,528

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 7

Community Statistics

KEY ECONOMIC INDICATORS Hotel Occupancy

80.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 70.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 60.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 50.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 40.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10.0%___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 0.0%____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2017

2016 Billings

2015 Montana

2014

United States

Unemployment Rate Comparison County Population

City Population

154,200 110,323

Yellowstone

3.3%

Montana

3.9%

COUNTY STATE

Percent change in county population 2010-2013

United

4.2%

STATES

4.4% Unemployment Rate as of August 2017 Yellowstone County

Median Household Income

$51,012

Montana

United States

Airport Deboardings: City Comparison 500,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 450,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Average Home Price

$240,135

400,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 350,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 300,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Number of Business Licenses

7,350

250,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 200,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 150,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________

School District #2 Enrollment

16,645

Sources: Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Billings Association of RealtorsÂŽ, City of Billings, School District #2, U.S. Census Bureau and the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research..

100,000_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 0_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2017 2016 2015 2014 Billings

Bozeman

Missoula

2013 Billings deboardings were impacted by runway maintenance in July/August. **2017 Deboardings reporting for January - June only.

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BUSiNESS ADVOCACY

PUBLiC POLiCY UPDATE

BY DANIEL J. BROOKS, business advocacy MANAGER

T

his issue of LiNK contains a pullout on our newly appointed Local Government Advisory Board in the feature story on page 22. We would also like to acknowledge and thank the members of our recently appointed State & Federal Government Advisory Board. Volunteering their time, these Chamber members have started to help shape our policy decisions to ensure we are leading the community in state and federal issues impacting business and our quality of life. Those members pictured below completed an application process to be appointed to this board by the Chamber's board of directors.

The Advisory Board recently discussed trade and the benefits Montana businesses, particularly our ag industry, gain through international trade. Partnering with the US Chamber of Commerce, the Billings Chamber signed onto a letter of support urging Congress and the administration to modernize the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), while preserving the benefits that we currently enjoy. Sharing a border with Canada, Montana exports approximately $635,000,000 of food, ag products, transportation equipment and mineral products. It is important we maintain and improve on the great benefits of trade with our northern neighbor.

The Advisory Board also watched intently as the healthcare debate progressed in the Senate.

Because of the continuous changes to the bill, and the need for passage in the House or a conference committee, the Billings Chamber has not taken a definitive stance on the bill.

While we support the repeal of health insurance mandates, Medicaid cuts would severely affect our state budget, sending legislators back to Helena for a special session.

Although a healthcare bill has not been passed, and a special session has not been called, Interim Committees met over the summer.

New to the list of committees is the Local Government Interim Committee (LGIC), created to specifically address local government issues. Senator Roger Webb from Billings was appointed chair, and the LGIC will work on issues such as tax increment finance (TIF), along with the Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee. The Billings Chamber strongly supports TIF as one of local government’s most effective tools to fund infrastructure.

During a time when state revenue projections are down, with mandatory cuts reducing services and resulting in layoffs, it is essential Montana takes a hard look at available funding mechanisms. The Billings Chamber advocates for local option authority, giving local government the choice to capture revenue from tourists and visitors who use local services without payment.

We will continue to keep you updated and work toward the priorities you, our membership, helped us shape.

STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ADViSORY BOARD

Jeff Walters (Chair)

Becky Bey (Vice Chair)

Heidi Duncan

Karen Fagg

Greg Kohn

David Mitchell

Barb Schneeman

Debbie Singer

Chuck Tooley

Ron Yates

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 9

Tourism The IMPORTANCE OF Partnership in by alex tyson EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VISIT BILLINGS

Partners across Montana rely on one another, and promote one another, to develop interest with potential visitors.

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eyond basic infrastructure, communities with a tourism focus look at super infrastructure. What are the area’s tourism products, the heritage, and the adventure-based offerings that will get people motivated to travel? What are those attractions today and what will they be tomorrow in order to continue to grow visitation and further develop Billings as a tourism destination? We need to be hot on the trail for answers and strategies to ensure Billings is a community to live, work and visit.

To that extent, partnerships are a catalyst for growth and excitement in the industry.

Constant evolution and planning are essential to maintaining relevance. By leveraging partnerships, in both the public and private sectors, we can gain access to opportunities that may be impossible alone.

Tourism partnerships in our area offer highly functioning and efficient structures that are respected and in some cases duplicated by our regional and national peers. Partnerships create opportunities for businesses and industries to leverage financial and promotional benefits.

Specific to the tourism industry, support is essential for destinations to develop and for stakeholders to realize growth. On the most basic, visitor-centric level, partnerships between hotels, restaurants, retailers, venues, parks, local government and cultural partners are essential for all involved to evolve a tourism destination and get people excited about visiting an area.

For Visit Billings, we cultivate partnerships outside of the organization that are equally as relevant as those we foster internally. One of Visit Billings’ strategies to grow visitation is to introduce Billings and its historic, cultural and natural offerings to national and international audiences by positioning the destination as a trailhead to major attractions. This includes venturing to Yellowstone National Park over the Beartooth Scenic Byway, promoting access to Little Bighorn Battlefield and Pompeys Pillar National Monuments as well as enticing travelers to visit Pictograph Cave, Chief Plenty Coups and Makoshika State Parks. To do this well, we are fortunate to have a strong network of relationships with regional tourism partners. Our relationships with the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development, the National Park Service, and Montana State Parks as well as managers of neighboring communities like Red Lodge and Miles City, all help stretch promotional dollars and help execute missions to increase visitation and support lodging partners across the region.

Back at home, Visit Billings is part of a prototypical tourism partnership. Visit Billings is the leading brand comprised of the Billings Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB) and Billings Tourism Business Improvement District (BTBID). The entities manage State Lodging Facility Use Tax and BTBID assessment funds which are expended for tourism marketing and sales. Visit Billings is managed by the Chamber of Commerce, which also manages Visit Southeast Montana tourism region. Together with great board leadership and experienced staff, the Chamber/Visit Billings/Visit Southeast Montana partnership allows us to make things happen for Billings and the region focusing on common goals for the destination, community, visitors and residents. At the same time, we are able to share expenses and employees allowing us to be more effective, efficient and deliberate with marketing and sales expenditures.

Taken a step further, our relationships with the City, County, MetraPark, Economic Development, Downtown Billings and local tourism partners like our cultural entities are hugely important, too. For a destination to develop and continue to be relevant in attracting visitors, partnerships must be fostered. Development and continued evolution of tourism infrastructure requires heavy lifting and failing to nurture the essentials can be detrimental to the quality of life for residents, let alone cringe-worthy from a tourism promotion point of view. At Visit Billings, we cherish all partnerships, but particularly those with leaders who are progressive.

For tourism to thrive, we must bring all resources together. Our best frontline staff, our best hotel and meeting experiences, amazing retail and dining offerings, incredible attractions, walkability - all of these assets are reasons for people to come, to stay, to spend and to return. They are also reasons why you and I may want to choose to stay in Billings for years to come.

The mission of Visit Billings is to generate room nights for lodging facilities in the city of Billings by effectively marketing our region as a preferred travel destination.

Visit Billings is managed by the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

VisitBillings.com

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 11

O F FI C ES H O TEL

CO N F E R E N C E C E N TER PA RK I N G S E N I O R L I V IN G

APARTM ENT S PEDES T RIA N MA L L

Rendering of One Big Sky Center in downtown Billings.

MontDevCO LLC

O N E B IG SKY CEN TER

|

B ILLIN GS M ON TA N A

Transformational Opportunity for Downtown Billings

BY John Brewer

B

illings is Montana’s City for business.

As the hub for healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, financial services, hospitality and education our community has enjoyed long-term, steady growth. However, sustaining continual 2-3% advances in our economy and population will require creative vision and investment as cities in our region and across the country reinvent themselves and become more appealing to young professionals.

Billings faces an exciting transformational opportunity to improve our community, economy and quality-of-life through the development of One Big Sky Center. This multi-use complex has the potential to provide solutions to challenges Billings has struggled with for decades, along with addressing a number of the Chamber’s long term strategic priorities: our need for meeting and convention space; workforce retention and

recruitment, offering exciting downtown living; redevelopment of the heart of our community; public green space; downtown recreation and entertainment; and improving our overall “place.”

Attracting young professionals to live, work and simply enjoy our city will foster retention and growth of NextGEN professionals and their families in Billings. Ultimately, this will grow our economy and our talent pool. Drawing visitors to town through a convention or conference facility will bring new money, retain convention business and propel Billings ahead of our regional competition.

Public/private partnerships such as these tend to drive further private investment in the immediate area. The One Big Sky Center project will generate hundreds of local jobs during construction and into the future while substantially increasing the tax base that is

12 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

needed to support city and county government.

Project developers MontDevCo and Hammes Company along with community groups such as CTA Architects Engineers, Downtown Billings, Big Sky Economic Development and the Chamber of Commerce are working together to develop a comprehensive vision for the project.

The next step for the Chamber will be to update the 2014 convention center feasibility study to specifically address the best way to approach meeting space at this specific location. By the end of this calendar year, the developers will present an action plan and funding proposal to the City of Billings for their support and permission to move forward.

We encourage you to stay involved and stay informed by learning more at http://www. onebigskycenter.com/.

GET TO KNOW CHAMBER STAFF:

Brenda MAAS

Describe your position in 5 words: Ever-changing. Fast-paced. Creative.

Forward-thinking. Challenging.

photo COURTESY rhea wolpoe

If you could make one change in Billings today, what would it be?

Position:

Public river access via parks and trails – one of the greatest rivers in the lower 48 states literally flows past Billings. Crafting multi-use public spaces both in and out of the water will give citizens and visitors alike a connecting place.

Visit Southeast Montana Marketing Manager

Years on Staff: 1 Year

One adjective that describes you: Bubbly (or so I am told). I prefer sharp-witted.

The dish you’re known for cooking: Anything with wine… actually, my boys request lasagna for their birthday dinners. And, I love to can (it’s relaxing) things like dilly beans, tomato sauce and hot pepper jelly – just ask my neighbors!

If you could have lunch with one famous person, who would it be and why?

Jimmy Carter – He didn’t let politics change him.

He quietly lives by what he believes is right and sees the good in all, not allowing the negative to redirect his moral compass. (Plus, I need apologize for staging a “strike” when all TV networks carried the Iranian Crisis rather than my fav show – precable TV, folks!) Disclaimer: This is not a political statement, rather an admiration of integrity.

Words you live by: Color outside the lines.

Tell us about your photo: Norm’s Island is one of my favorite local places.

It has trails, dogs, river access and plenty of opportunities to just sit and be – plus the huge deciduous trees remind me a bit of my Midwestern roots.

What book is on your nightstand?

I am a book hound and typically read several books simultaneously – everything from a “no-brainer-who-doneit” to classics like To Kill a Mockingbird to poetry. Words are my addiction.

The TV show you can’t miss: The Green Bay Packers vs The Losing Team

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 13

TRiPS on a TANKFUL

Fall in Love with Hunting & Fishing in Southeast Montana

By BRENDA MAAS, MARKETING MANAGER

Whether fishing from a drift boat or by wading, fall provides steady flows that more locals enjoy.

Outfitters provide guide services, boat rentals or shuttle service, depending on the anglers’ needs.

Photo courtesy: Visit Southeast Montana

SoutheastMontana.com The mission of Visit Southeast Montana is to increase tourism to Southeast Montana by increasing awareness of our region, showcasing our cultural heritage, developing memorable experiences and educating our residents about the economic benefits of tourism.

ool nights and warm, sunny afternoons are the harbinger of fall in Southeast Montana. Cooler nighttime temperatures signal to both man and beast that winter is on the horizon.

Those who long for the calm sound of water lapping against a drift boat or the thwat-thwat-thwat of an upland bird taking flight know that autumn is hunting and fishing’s prime time.

Visit Southeast Montana is managed by the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Upland bird hunting, with the exception of sage grouse, in southeast Montana runs from September 1 to January 1, allowing for a variety of weather conditions that can give the hunters and dogs greater challenges Photo courtesy: C. MAAS

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Southeast Montana is home to serene lakes and plentiful fishing rivers – the Yellowstone, Musselshell and Bighorn – along with thousands and thousands of acres of public hunting land, including Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Forest Service (NFS) and Block Management Access (BMA) areas. For those who might want a more focused trip, regional guides do some of the legwork in advance.

Go Fish!

While rainbow trout spawn in the spring, brown trout spawn in the fall, leaving them hungry and feisty – making the change of season a great time for fly-fishing.

Photo courtesy: Courtesy of Cottonwood Camp

Amy Morin, co-owner of Cottonwood Camp on the Bighorn River, notes that fall fishing is some of the best fishing. While serious anglers still make the trek to the mecca of fly-fishing, the traffic thins and the locals dedicate their efforts to out-smart the trout.

“The river in fall is just beautiful and the water is more consistent in flow and temperature,” she said and noted that Cottonwood Camp includes self-catered cabins, RV hookups and tent sites, a full-service fly shop with guide service, boat rentals and shuttles.

For enticing the elusive trout, she recommends hoppers; then again, it depends on the day.

Fish are fickle creatures and therein lies the challenge of the sport.

In Golden Valley, Musselshell and Rosebud Counties, the Musselshell River meanders quietly but hides some prize brown trout. And, while the Yellowstone River’s flow may flatten out, the fishing action doesn’t with bass being primarily pursued.

Traditional bait casters likely prefer larger lakes like Tongue River Reservoir or Bighorn Lake for their chance at crappies, bass, walleyes and northern pike. Warm, sunny autumn afternoons give these excursions an extra punch of adventure.

Big Game When it comes to stalking critters of the large, four-legged variety southeast Montana offers some of the best hunts to be had. In fact, the world-record elk was shot on public land in eastern Montana last fall (see article in Outdoor Life, September 2017).

Finding a place to hunt may pose a bit of a challenge – there are so many choices – but all are within a few hours-drive of Billings. Randy Newberg, Montana-based hunter and host of Fresh Tracks details options in this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAMWY8eJ3F4.

Newberg, a public-land advocate, honors private land and urges hunters to share that respect.

FWP’s Region 7 is known for excellent big game hunting, AKA: monsters in hunting lingo. The combination of badlands, farmland and rolling prairies gives both the game and hunter ample opportunity for success – and failure – which is all part of the adventure.

According to FWP data, whitetail numbers in the region are holding steady and mule deer numbers in Region 7 have bounced back. Spring 2017 surveys indicate populations are 45 percent above long-term average.

Antelope numbers are also up, having increased 74 percent from the low in 2012. As a result, the FWP is offering more licenses than in previous years.

When it comes to the “grand-daddy” of big game, the FWP reports that elk populations in Region 7 continue moderate growth and gradual expansion into unoccupied habitat.

Fetch!

Outside of big game, bird hunting is a huge draw throughout southeast Montana. Pheasants, grouse, partridge and turkeys cover the uplands while ducks and geese take to the water. FWP reports that while the upland birds had a strong spring after a mild winter, drought conditions will make the birds a bit sparse and wily – all conditions that make for a challenging hunt.

Waterfowl fall mainly under migratory patterns with the strongest chances for success coming later in the season, after the cold weather in Canada pushes birds south. A skilled hunter and his dog can typically limit-out on geese while the ducks run hot or cold, depending on the hunter’s masterfulness, Mother Nature’s finicky mood and good, old-fashioned luck.

Then again, that’s what hunting is all about, right?

“In just five years, we’ve gone from extremely low to extremely high deer numbers,” said FWP biologist Melissa Foster.

Note: At publication time, 19 BMAs were closed to hunting due to droughtrelated fire danger, but conditions can change daily. Be sure to check with Region 7 Headquarters in Miles City (406-234-0900 or fwp.mt.gov/regions) for the latest information on Block Management Access or other related changes.

2017 Montana HUNTING SEASONS* 2017 Big Game Season:

Antelope

Archery General

Bighorn Sheep Archery

General

Sept. 2 – Sept. 14 Sept. 15 – Nov. 26

Moose Mountain Goat Mountain Lion Archery

Fall

Winter

Bison

Nov. 15 – Feb. 15

2017 Upland Bird Seasons

Black Bear

Deer & Elk

Sept. 2 – Sept. 14 Sept. 15 – Nov. 26 Sept. 2 – Oct. 15 Oct. 19 – Oct. 20 Oct. 21 – Nov. 26

Archery General Archery Youth/deer General

Sept. 2 – Oct. 6 Oct. 7 – Nov. 12

Mountain Grouse Partridge Pheasant Sage Grouse Sharp-tailed Grouse Turkey

Sept. 15 – Nov. 26 Sept. 15 – Nov. 26 Sept. 2 – Oct. 15 Oct. 21 – Nov. 26 Dec. 1 – April 14

Sept. 1 – Jan. 1 Sept. 1 – Jan. 1 Oct. 7 – Jan. 1 Sept. 1 – Sept. 30 Sept. 1 – Jan. 1 Sept. 1 – Jan. 12

2017 Waterfowl Seasons (Central Flyway) Duck & Coot

Goose

Youth Only Zone 1 Zone 2 and Youth Only Zone 1 and Zone 2 and

Sept. 23 – Sept. 24 Sept. 30 – Jan. 4 Sept. 30 – Oct. 8 Oct. 21 – Jan. 16 Sept. 23 – Sept. 24 Sept. 30 – Jan. 7 Jan. 12 – Jan. 17 Sept. 30 – Oct. 8 Oct. 21 – Jan. 24

*Always verify exact season dates with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 15

East just got $ easier. 29

* each way

from

Hop on a fast flight from Billings for family visits, vacation, business and more. Why drive when you can fly?

Havre

Glasgow

Wolf Point Sidney Glendive

Billings

N

E

W

S

Enjoy the ride.

capeair.com

800-CAPE-AIR

*Including all taxes and fees. Fares are subject to availability and other conditions. Fares may change without notice, and are not guaranteed until ticketed.

16 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

be. here.

Are you an individual artisan, a small retailer testing a new concept or an e-tailer expanding into brick-andmortar? Rimrock Mall can provide your business with: • Flexible terms from three days to three years.

• Personalized support, marketing, advertising, and management guidance.

Call Tyler Scoggin at 406.656.3398 to learn more today!

SW17_0307 Rimrock Ad

7.625” x 10”

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 17

YELLOWSTONE KELLY INTERPRETIVE SITE OPENS,

Celebrating A Legendary Veteran

Bill Cole led the charge to bring the interpretive site to fruition.

Donors, featured on the structure here, made the project possible.

A

PHOTOS BY RHEA WOLPOE

n event 89-years in the making! A promise made in 1928 by the Billings Chamber, the City of Billings and the State of Montana has been fulfilled: a final resting place for Luther Sage “Yellowstone�

Kelly, befitting a western legend and a United States veteran, is complete.

Thank you to the recent project contributors: Joseph Sample, Boothill Inn, Stockman Bank, Midland Claims, NorthWestern Energy, Billings Parks and Recreation Foundation, and Dr. Cheryl and Chris Cook. For a complete list of donors, information on Yellowstone Kelly, and to view the live web cam, visit www.YellowstoneKelly.org.

The Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site opening celebration and site dedication was September 28 atop Swords Rimrock Park.

Congratulations to the entire Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site Committee, especially Bill Cole, for leading this vision.

Interpretive Site

thanks

Warrior Contributors

top right: The marble tomb celebrates the life and legacy of Yellowstone Kally.

BOTTOM RIGHT: The YKIS committee worked hard to bring this project to completion.

PHOTOS BY RHEA WOLPOE

www.yellowstonekelly.org 18 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Allure BEFORE

BEFORE

AFTER

WHY STAGE? AFTER

• Faster sales time • Higher sales price than competitive listings • More showings, especially during the first two weeks of listing

A NOTE FROM ME No staging job is too large or small: • Consultation and suggestions • Rearranging your belongings • Staging vacant rooms and homes Whatever your needs, I can make your money go further than you would ever expect.

BEFORE

AFTER

RETURN ON INVESTMENT BEFORE

AFTER

Staging costs less than your home sitting on the market or a price reduction. Return on your investment is my primary goal.

CALL ME TO SEE WHAT’S POSSIBLE!

P: (406) 672-2235

Shawna Goodman

E: STAGETOSELLNOW@GMAIL.COM • WWW.STAGETOSELLMT.COM

COME VISIT THE PARADE HOME I STAGED AT 4714 SILVERCREEK TRAIL! SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 19

Elections

Have

Consequences THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL ELECTIONS

BY DANIEL J. BROOKS

B

illings finds itself in a unique and pivotal moment. The leadership of our city is turning over, and a majority of our Council could be new to elected office. While a lack of experience doesn’t mean an absence of good ideas; conversely, incumbency and elected office experience doesn’t automatically equate to positive leadership. Ultimately, it is essential our community gets engaged, learns about the candidates, and understands that elections have consequences.

The Billings Chamber is grateful to each of the 21 candidates that competed in the primary election. The political interest inherent in the abundance and diversity of candidates is a positive sign that our city is healthy and ready to grow. It is not easy putting your name, reputation, and ideas into the ring of public opinion. We appreciate the time candidates have taken to campaign, knock on doors, and make a connection to their wards and our greater community. You have the sincere thanks of the Billings Chamber.

Close to Home It may not seem like it, but local government has an incredible impact, good and bad, on our daily lives. Recall last year’s decision by the City Council to save money and forego snow plowing on residential streets, resulting in massive, icy ruts for motorists to navigate. Bad example.

On the positive side, the City Council helped our city foster a great trail system, which is enjoyed by residents and attractive to those who would move here and find employment in our workforce.

Public safety is another big one. Every candidate has this on their radar as constituents continue to bring up the topic. And your vote will help determine whose solutions may get implemented at City Council. There are a number of other issues, listed below, which the Billings Chamber thinks are important to consider.

Voting You hear it every national election cycle: celebrities on television telling you how important it is for you to get out and vote. Well, it’s true, and perhaps even more so with your local elections. During our last city election, one seat was decided by a mere 53 votes! And with only around half of registered voters casting ballots in city elections, it is incredibly important that you cast yours.

Local government enacts policies that directly affect you, setting zoning regulations, determining a variety of fees, and addressing public safety. From raising water rates, to deciding on whether to allow pot-bellied pigs in the city limits, to funding for the police force, there is a broad range of issues you have the power to affect through your vote and your voice. In the near term, we have a number of very important upcoming issues.

20 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Upcoming Issues Mayor Mayor Tom Hanel is termed out and unable to run for mayor again. We are very appreciative of the leadership he has shown in our community and hope his replacement emulates the collaborative, community based approach Mayor Hanel brought to our city during his eight years of service. With our council-manager form of government, delegating only limited powers to the mayor, it is important that the mayoral position is filled by someone who will use the platform to unify our community and move Billings forward with a vision of progress and prosperity.

New City Administrator Our City Administrator, Tina Volek, retired September 30th after 13 years of service to our city. While this is a hired position, the new administrator will be selected by the Mayor and City Council. It will be critical her replacement, and our newly elected council, work together in the best interest of Billings. Fostering a positive working relationship between city administrator and council will help produce the progress and prosperity benefitting our entire city.

Local Option Authority The local option is one of the Chamber’s top priorities, with strong support from Chamber membership—83% support according to our 2017 survey. Outside of the Chamber, numerous Billings organizations supported the local option: Big Sky Economic Development, Downtown Billings Alliance, and BillingsNOW, accounting for an incredible number of Billings businesses and constituents. Past councils endorsed the Chamber’s local option proposals and we expect a new council to do so as well.

Without support from our city it is difficult to rally support from other cities who often look to Billings for leadership.

One Big Sky Center Our current Council decided to move the extension of a development agreement to December 11th. Although they will be tasked with the key decision of accepting a development agreement, our new council will undertake key votes regarding One Big Sky as well. We are very encouraged by the dialogue surrounding the project and the possibility of new economic development that will attract additional growth.

Our need for a new conference center will likely play a big role in the development, along with the council’s approval, and we strongly encourage voters to find out whether their candidates support a publicly financed conference center.

Tax Increment Finance (TIF) The Billings Chamber and numerous other organizations worked hard to preserve the availability and efficacy of TIF districts, which came under attack during the 2017 Legislative Session. Fortunately, the attempts to weaken TIFs by reducing revenues were thwarted, preserving one of local government’s most effective tools to fund infrastructure improvements. We encourage you to vote for candidates that will preserve and utilize TIF funding to improve our city.

Candidate Grading As a service to our over 1,300 Chamber members, we want to make available some information to help guide your decision on your vote. Our candidate grades, previously sent to membership, provide a representative snapshot into a candidate’s platform and are meant to inform our membership on whether a candidate compliments or conflicts with the Billings Chamber’s priorities. This grade in no way reflects a candidate’s character, but rather their alignment with Chamber priorities and demonstration of well-thought solutions for issues facing Billings. Some consideration was also given to a candidate’s background, including demonstrable community leadership.

Candidates were sent a Candidate Questionnaire from the Billings Chamber and given two weeks to return their answers. Every candidate submitted an answered questionnaire except one: the lone “F” grade on our list. Upon receipt of the answered questionnaire, the Chamber’s Local Government Advisory Board began the grading process. Individually the 11 members graded each candidate’s answers.

While there was some variation between graders, the overall grading was consistent. For good measure, each candidate’s highest and lowest grade for each question was removed to eliminate outliers and minimize potential bias.

Then the Advisory Board met to discuss the compiled average grades. As a form of peer review, members were required to defend their grades and reasoning to the satisfaction of the other members. Although members varied on individual grades, ultimately consensus was reached on the aggregated average grades for each candidate.

Before they could be finalized, candidate grades were subject to the scrutiny of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, 17 exceptional leaders of the Billings business community.1 Additional debate arose and culminated in unanimous approval of the averaged grades submitted by the Advisory Board.

Again, the Billings Chamber would like to thank all of the great candidates we have running for elected office. We encourage our membership to get involved, discuss the issues with candidates, and make sure to vote. For information on how to contact candidates, please visit billingschamber.com/publicpolicy/#cityelections.

1 The Billings Chamber of Commerce has 18 board members. However, for all discussion, debate, and decisions related to candidate grading, Bill Cole was excused.

One-Two-Three-

Vote!

1

A re you registered to vote?

Make sure you’re registered by going to app.mt.gov/voterinfo. Click “Start” and type in your name and date of birth to check your status. If you aren’t registered, please call our County Election Administration (406-256-2740) and they will help get you registered. Just make sure you are registered before October 10th so you can vote in the upcoming general election.

2 3

D o you know which ward you live in?

This one is easy. Just go to https:// goo.gl/YEH8y2 and zoom into your address or use the address search. Or, check out the Ward Map on our website for a quick look at how the city is divided.

W ho should you vote for?

The Billings Chamber does not endorse candidates and believes that decision is up to you. We encourage Chamber members to use our candidate grading as a reference in regard to a candidate’s alignment with Chamber priorities and vision. Talking to people who have met the candidates is a great way to gather some insight, but personally meeting them is the most informative way to shape your vote. Our website, billingschamber. com/public-policy/#cityelections has the contact information for the candidates.

Give them a call, send an email, or schedule coffee. Our candidates are great people who would like to meet you.

Members of the Local Government Advisory Board volunteered many hours to evaluate and grade each candidate’s questionnaire responses.

We are incredibly appreciative of their enthusiasm and thoughtfulness throughout the candidate grading process. Thanks go out to:

Local Government Advisory Board

Julie Seedhouse (Chair) Jared Le Fevre

(Vice Chair) Daniel Brooks

(Chamber Staff)

Dan Carter Shea Dawson Kolten Knatterud

Luke Kobold Jennifer Owen Brandon Scala

Harvey Singh Lori Walker

22 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

The Advisory Board was selected through a competitive application process open to all Chamber members from May 1st through May 26th. The members selected bring a wide range of background experience in the business community and represent the community leadership we aim to embody at the Billings Chamber of Commerce.

Our Local Government Advisory Board is tasked with giving recommendations to our Billings Chamber Board of Directors on advocacy issues. The Advisory Board meets quarterly to discuss items of importance and decide on an appropriate stance for the Billings Chamber to take. This is the first time our Local Government Advisory Board has looked at candidates rather than just the issues.

CELEBRATING

Bruce

MacIntyre

B

ruce is a third-generation Montanan and native of Billings who remembers when Billings ended at 8th Street West, the Heights was a series of small farms, and Rocky Mountain College was Billings Polytechnic with its own post office since it was “way out of town.” He has enjoyed being involved in the business community for most of his life, both as a business owner as well as an employee.

Over the course of his impressive career he owned and operated MacIntyre Motors, managed Briarwood Golf Course, and served in a variety of capacities for both MasterLube and City Vineyard.

His career also included community dedication, serving on non-profit boards including Billings Family Service and Project Homeless Connect. He has a passion for government he credits to the mock Democratic Convention during his college days at Notre Dame. After promising his late wife, Linda, he would not run for elected office, he became involved with the Billings Chamber on the Legislative and Civic Affairs Committees. He served on the Chamber board of directors and later, when the position of Director of Government Affairs was created, was among the first to apply.

Bruce worked for the Chamber from 2006 until his recent retirement in the spring of 2017. His role as the Government Affairs Director fueled his political interests, allowing him to deal with issues affecting Chamber members on every level: city, county, state and national. Soon after retiring, Bruce secured a seat on the School Board for School District 2 and applies his experience and breadth of knowledge to impacting tomorrow’s leaders.

Getting acquainted with his new retirement, Bruce enjoys making time for his few hobbies. He treasures his fishing outings, going as often as he can. For the past three years, he has raised wine grapes and even bottled a few bottles of his own wine. He may eventually be brave enough to try it!

Bruce is a valued member of the Billings community. His perspective and expertise are appreciated by all and his sense of humor brings smiles to many. Bruce’s diverse history offers invaluable experience and knowledge to all who spend time with him.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 23

Billings’

S S E C C a EDUCATION CONNECTIO

By Jennifer Reiser, IOM; Emily Petroff and Kyle Schlichenmayer

N

B

illings’ NextGEN enters its fourth year 267 members strong. Much of this success can be attributed to our energetic and committed Leadership Team and active membership. Over the past year the Leadership Team expanded its professional development series, enhanced our relationship with MSU Billings and Rocky, increased networking offerings, and established a mentoring program for NextGEN members.

In addition to those successes and goals, NextGEN co-hosted the 2nd annual Montana Young Professionals Summit presented by PayneWest Insurance, celebrating the success with 159 participants. This event not only provided statewide recognition for Billings’ NextGEN, but also sparked additional new local interest and participation. Special thanks to all our sponsors, presenters, and volunteers. Since the Summit we have welcomed over 20 new NextGEN members.

As we enter the 2017-18 NextGEN year, the Leadership Team will shift its focus to visibility, expectations and engagement with the intention to become more visible not only to our own membership, but to the broader community.

We encourage all members to introduce themselves as NextGEN members and include NextGEN membership on their resumes and profiles. While spotlighting NextGEN Members to facilitate member interactions, we will also create a larger member audience that better understands the focus and function of each Action Team.

Another emphasis will be solidifying communications through the use of monthly e-letters, Facebook Live video, and website improvements.

Each Action Team has been asked to revisit their focus and establish goals for the upcoming year: NextGEN Grow works to advance the Mission of NextGEN through focus on membership growth and retention. This year the focus will be to increase member participation in quarterly action team meetings, engage new members quickly after joining, and expand membership through workplace presentations and outreach.

NextGEN Connect organizes social events showcasing the Billings community while providing a positive environment for networking and developing connections. This action team will emphasize monthly meetings, increased attendance at NextHOUR by using targeted locations and developing member spotlights.

NextGEN Learn fosters professional relationships, career development and community involvement through programs and activities. 2017-18 efforts include once again offering a five-part professional development series running January – May 2018 and facilitating the second year of NextGEN Exchange, a mentoring program which matches NextGEN members with seasoned professionals in the community.

NextGEN Inspire offers mentorship to college students residing in Billings, Montana.

The program aims to help students get a head start on their career goals and better connect them to the community To join Billings NextGEN submit registration at BillingsNextGEN.com or contact Jennifer Reiser at Jennifer@billingschamber.com.

The NextGEN network exists to foster relationships among young professionals, develop business opportunities, support civic involvement, and promote an overall investment in the future of our community.

NextGEN offers the following ongoing programs:

Cahoots meets Fridays

11a.m.

at the Billings Chamber.

This is an open-format networking/professional development group with no attendance requirements.

Quarters a NextGEN membership meeting held the third Thursday of August, November, February and May from

3:30-5 p.m.

Quarters includes an update on an area of interest (advocacy, civic engagement, current issues, community projects, etc.) and is followed by a social gathering meant to further professional relationships and networking.

NextHour a no-host social occurs the third Thursday of each month from at varying locations.

5–7 p.m.

The NextGEN mission is to connect, enhance and inspire Billings’ young professionals to make a positive difference within the community. Through development, attraction and retention, NextGEN seeks to accelerate the influence of diverse emerging leaders, leading to positive community growth.

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 25

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

W

hen it comes to Medical Imaging, did you know you have a choice in where you can have exams performed? Picture Perfect Ultrasound specializes in all aspects of medical-diagnostic ultrasounds for men, women and children and is a Quality choice for you to consider. Insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, IHS & Selfpay patients accepted. Referrals or scripts are welcome from all providers.

In addition to medical imaging for the whole family, we perform elective ultrasounds for pregnancy. Gender Reveal and 3D/4D Ultrasounds are the latest craze with regards to family bonding during pregnancy.

Picture Perfect Ultrasound’s special niche is custom cards

BUFFY STILES, RT(R), RDMS RVT OWNER

"Taking Care of Men, Women & Kids" and plush animals where the baby’s heartbeat can be recorded within. Families are welcome to come for this special sneak peek at baby.

Buffy Stiles, owner of Picture Perfect Ultrasound, has been performing medical ultrasounds in our community for 23 years. Having worked in the hospital setting for 18 years and independently for 5 years, Buffy remains committed to quality, personalized patient care. What sets Picture Perfect Ultrasound apart is their family friendly atmosphere, top notch customer service and quality Ultrasound imaging at affordable prices.

Open Monday-Friday 7:30am4:30pm. Future scheduled or same day appointments are available. Call (406) 969-4340 for more information.

1216 16TH STREET WEST • ALPINE VILLAGE SUITE 21 • BILLINGS • 969-4340

THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING US!

ENJOY ALL THAT YOU ENJOY IN LIFE. Protect your thumb, feet, arms, head and the rest of you by working safely. Learn how by visiting safemt.com.

26 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

CUSTOM HANDCRAFTED

PIZZA

,

PANINI

,

& SALAD CRAFT BEER & WINE IN MINUTES BILLINGS

824 Shiloh Crossing Suite #4 Billings, Montana 59102 SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 27

p

Sh o

al | Billin g

s

T

The Scoop on Small Business Saturday

Lo c

,M

CONNECT

By Jessica Hart EVENTS MANAGER

A

s an organization constantly looking forward, the Chamber team looks forward to what is next on our event calendar. Small Business Saturday takes place on November 25th this year – the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Small Business Saturday was started in 2010 by American Express in hopes of building a day dedicated to shopping small businesses and offers an inspiring way to celebrate the holiday shopping season. For the past four years the Chamber added a fun spin to the shopping day through the Shop Small game board, allowing us the opportunity to promote our small business members and help drive sales by engaging our community. In fact, Small Business Saturday 2016 reported $15.4 billion in sales for independent retailers and restaurants nationwide on that day alone.

Interested in participating? Here is how it works:

Events

YELLOWSTONE BANK

Upcoming

Business After Hours

Business After Hours is the premiere networking event for business professionals in the Billings area. It is held on the second Wednesday of each month from 5 – 7 p.m and the cost to attend is just $8.

Retailers: Sign up with the Chamber to reserve your spot on the Shop Small game board by November 10th and provide $50 worth of Gift Cards in any denomination. We will provide you with marketing materials as well as feature your business on the game board, our website and our social media outlets.

Consumers: Find the Shop Small game board on the Chamber website or in the Billings Gazette on Thursday 11/23 or Saturday 11/25. Once you have the game board all you have to do is shop! At each participating merchant you visit, have an employee mark your board. Once you’ve visited ten, leave your game board there

OCTOBER 11 • 214 n. 30th st.

CAMELOT RANCH, MAGIC CITY PRODUCTIONS & VaNDE studios November 8 • 8736 Camelot Lane

Territorial Landworks December 13 • 3333 2nd Ave. N.

28 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

to be entered to win one of the many prize baskets full of goodies from the participating member businesses! (Prizes valued up to $500 each.) You’re a key part in helping small businesses thrive. By shopping or dining at small businesses, you’re showing your support for fellow member businesses in our community.

The game actually lasts all weekend – meaning you don’t have to cram all your shopping into Saturday. Start on Saturday, November 25th and shop through November 27th. We’ll pick them up on November 28th and announce winners December 1st!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 25th to shop and support our local businesses.

To be featured on our Small Business Saturday game board, please contact me at Jessica@ billingschamber.com

Save

the Date: Ag Banquet January 19th Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark 5:30pm-10pm

Our goal at RAE “Contracting is to

take the stress out of your repairs: no hassle, no hidden cost, just straight to the point.

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Q360 Health Suzie Eades Owner

NSCA-CPT, ACE-HC

Exclusive for Chamber Members.

Ask about QFitness Connection For your company/employees.

50 27th St, West, Suite A Q360health.com | 406-208-1167

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 29

GET TO KNOW THE BOARD:

Why did you initially choose to get involved with the Chamber?

Lisa

I was NextGEN before there was such a thing! I started attending Chamber meetings right after college believing it would be a good place to start meeting people. That really proved to be the case.

There are a group of us that started about that same time and we still meet for birthday lunches!

perry

photo COURTESY rhea wolpoe

Business: NorthWestern Energy, Community Relations Manager

If you had a super power, what would it be?

Fly – no question. I frequently dream that I am flying.

What was your first job?

My first W-2 job was a car hop at A&W, but I was a seasoned babysitter by then.

You get to make one change for the Billings community today – what would you do?

I love downtown, so I would continue working on downtown and public safety. It has become so vibrant! So much progress has been made but we still have work to do to ensure people are confident they are safe downtown.

Favorite movie and why?

Wizard of Oz. I have probably seen it at least once a year my entire life, and each time I watch it I catch something I missed the time before. Plus, it is so fun to watch!

Recommendations for young women in business: • Show up • Be on time • Learn to Golf

As a board member, you have the inside scoop. What would you share about the Chamber that other members may not know?

Tell us about your photo:

My passions are in the photo! My family which includes my dog, Rocky, my home, and golf.

Words you live by:

Joie de Vivre. Live each day to the fullest.

It would be to share how hard the employees work. Not all of them get the limelight, so they aren’t all known or recognized. This is my second time serving on the Board, and both times I have had my eyes opened about what a hard-working and dedicated bunch they are.

30 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY | 31

BUSINESS GROWTH: GETTING TO KNOW

LANGLAS & ASSOCIATES

By RENÉ BEYL

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT SPECIALIST Langlas & Associates, Inc. has been impacting Billings’ growth since they came to Montana in 1982. With over 130 employees delivering on their motto of “Quality, Service and Delivery,” they have completed numerous projects including renovations, new construction and expansion in both commercial and residential areas. I recently caught up with two of their Project Superintendents, Ben Flanagan and Lane Huffman. These “Ship Captains” brought the Ben Steele Middle School and St. Francis Primary School to completion under budget and on time.

RenÉ:

What makes Langlas successful?

Ben:

It takes building strong relationships, organization, and communication to achieve success.

RenÉ:

What would you like to share about the school projects?

Lane:

Knowing these buildings are going to impact students’ futures made it even more important to achieve perfection.

The collaboration with the design teams and owners from the beginning to the finish line made these two projects successful. As the projects came to a close, we worked very closely with each administration and staff to make the transitions smooth for everyone. We hosted tours for donors, future parents, members of the community, and staff.

RenÉ:

Billings has seen growth over the years in many industries.

Ben:

What are some of the other businesses you have impacted?

• The Northern Hotel renovation was a favorite due to the history & uniqueness.

• Expansion at Sysco of Montana’s top of the line warehouse.

• Improvements at the Boys & Girls Club and the YMCA impacting children & families.

• The Mint Carwash, Goodwill Heights, and Jiffy Lubes are examples of new construction creating jobs.

• Home2Suites brought 95 new hotel rooms near the hospitals.

• Dehler Park was an opportunity to aid in improving our community.

• Other projects include Rio Sabinas, St. Vincent Healthcare, Applebee’s, and First Interstate Bank.

RenÉ:

What is the Billings Chamber is doing right?

Lane:

Focusing on improving our city’s amenities attracts new workers and businesses. The Chamber’s leadership and aspirational visits to other places help to bring in better talent.

“

It takes building stron and communication to ac

Ribbon Cuttings The following Chamber member businesses recently celebrated grand openings, anniversaries, rebranding, relocation, and ground breakings.

Congratulations to each of them!

Sleep Number

hosted a ribbon cutting for their new location on May 17th.

CMG Construction

is under new ownership and celebrated with their staff on May 18th.

Anytime Fitness

showed off their Heights remodel on May 18th.

Syverson Tile & Stone

has opened in Billings and celebrated on May 24th.

Veritiv

moved into a new location and showed off the space with an open house on June 7th.

Camelot Ranch

is open as a lovely new events venue and hosted an open house on June 28th.

Black Dog Coffee House

We surprised them the day they opened, June 30th.

OrangetheOry Fitness

was celebrated as the 1,300th member of the Billings Chamber on June 30th.

Taqueria Zapotlan

celebrated their first year in business on August 4th.

Seva Kitchen

showed off the new restaurant and patio addition on August 7th.

Photos by Zakara Photography

Mel’s Lunch Box

showed off the retro restaurant space on August 11th.

Head Start

unvailed the Explorers Academy in a second location on August 14th.

Billings Catholic Schools

“

ng relationships, organization, achieve success.

opened the doors to the new school, St. Francis Primary, on August 23rd.

Easter Seals second GoodWill

store promoted the Grand Opening on August 23rd.

Cricket Wireless

has a third location in town and held a grand opening on August 25th.

Stacked

has been in the restaurant business for two years and shared a new menu August 28th.

The City of Billings and TrailNet commemorated the new Broadwater Trail Extension on August 29th.

Ballistic Barbershop

is now open and held an open house to celebrate on August 30th.

Does your business have a momentous change in the future? Schedule a ribbon cutting celebration! This complimentary member benefit is available to all members – simply contact us to schedule yours by calling 406.245.4111.

SURPRISING BENEFITS OF OWNING A HOT TUB

After a long day at work, few things are more relaxing than a soak in a hot tub. Once the stresses of the day have faded, you may find that more than just your nerves have taken a turn for the better.

Time spent daily in your hot tub can also enhance relationships, contribute to your overall wellness, and even reduce body aches and pains.

E M I T Y L I FAM

Unplug & Engage

Soaking in a hot tub can give your mind (and your smartphone) a rest, allowing you to disconnect from technology and connect with what’s most important.

Open Up Hot tubs help promote active relaxation that encourages you to be more aware of yourself and open with others.

Benefit

Cut out distractions and connect with the people in your life.

Connect with Each Other and Your Surroundings

Benefit

You’ll want to share and enjoy more meaningful conversations in a comfortable, no-stress setting.

Soaking keeps your body contained but lets your mind wander and connect with the environment around you.

Benefit

Bask in the beauty of nature while sharing the experience with family.

406.652.7727 2217 Grand Ave. | Billings, MT www.lovethetub.com 34 | SEPTEMBER-NOVEMBER 2017 | LiNK BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Your Wind River adventure is right around the corner!

Not only is the Wind River Hotel and Casino the only place where you can Play, Stay and Win but we also have the perfect adventure packages waiting just for you.

Dinosaur Dig Prepare to get your hands dirty as you dig into the past and help find the remnants of a world thought lost. With our Dinosaur dig package, you can spend your day unearthing the bones of a T-rex, Triceratops or a Supersaures. This is an activity the whole family will enjoy with the recent release of the Disney/Pixar film, “The Good Dinosaur,” which was inspired by Wyoming. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis is also home to over 300 skeletons, various dig sites and a gift shop.

White water rafting For the really adventurous, join us on a white water rafting trip through the scenic Wind River Canyon. Wind River Canyon Whitewater & Fly Fishing is a Native American-owned business based in Thermopolis.

Guiding the canyon for 20 years, they offer a variety of trips from Memorial Day through Labor Day. One of the most popular trips is the Upper Canyon - Enjoy both the peaceful and calm beginning of this trip and the biggest longest rapid on the river! You are surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the upper Wind River Canyon at the launch site; then it’s time to get soaking wet!

Golf Looking for something more low-key? Take in two rounds of golf at the highly rated Riverton Country Club. Take on the green and enjoy a day with your friends or partner. We offer great hotel packages and other discounts to make this trip a winner.

Northern Arapaho Experience Song and Dance Every Tuesday night during the summer, the Northern Arapaho Experience Song and Dance is a celebration of music, dancing and friendship. These free performances give viewers a glimpse into the world of the Arapaho people. When the music stops, take a walk through our Cultural Room to learn more about our tribe. An Arapaho elder will guide you through the museum that tells the story of our people through paintings, artifacts and stories.

Visit windrivercasino.com to find out more information about our packages and book your adventure today.

Billings Chamber of Commerce 815 S. 27th St. Billings, MT 59101