The Montana Example
Friday, 10 September 2010 04:56

 

An Editorial by Governor Brian Schweitzer
 
Montana is making national headlines lately, and for a very proud reason: We are one of only two states in America operating without a deficit.
 
The State of Montana has balanced its checkbook five years in a row with no tax increases, no cuts to education or other essential services, and with $327 million in cold hard cash left in the bank.   The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, FOXNews, MSNBC and CNN (among others) have all taken notice, describing our work as a national example of fiscal discipline.
 
When people from out-of-state ask me why Montana is doing so well, I say it’s because we’re running government like a ranch.  
 
They think I’m joking when I say that.  I’m not.  Since ranching is what I knew before running for governor, my administration uses the same basic common-sense principles that a rancher or farmer (or for that matter, any small businessman or household) must use in order to survive. It works surprisingly well.
 
The rules are:
 
1. Keep some grain in the bin.  A few years ago when the economy was strong, like other states we ran a surplus.   We sent part of that money back to Montanans in the form of a $400 tax rebate -- the largest tax relief in Montana history -- and then put the remaining $250 million in the bank.  That money has allowed us to get through the recession in solid shape.  Contrast this to the behavior of 48 other states, not to mention the federal government. When they had extra cash, they found ways to spend it.  Now they are raising taxes or borrowing money--or both.
Last Updated on Friday, 10 September 2010 05:00
 
Camelina Growers Seeing Strong 2010 Harvest Results
Friday, 10 September 2010 05:06

Sustainable Oils' Camelina Production will Fuel U.S. Military, Commercial Contracts

BOZEMAN-- Camelina growers across Montana, North Dakota and southern Canada are wrapping up the 2010 camelina harvest.  Growers who planted proprietary seed varieties developed by Sustainable Oils are seeing strong yields and good harvest conditions.

"We're seeing good product performance across all of our growing areas, with consistent yields from Sustainable Oils camelina varieties across the entire region," said Mike Waring, sales representative for Montana and the Dakotas.

Waring noted that growers producing camelina on contract with Sustainable Oils also benefit from good management practices outlined in the company's camelina production protocol.  The protocol was developed with input from leading researchers and experienced camelina growers and provides guidelines to follow in all stages of production, from planting and fertilizer application to combine settings.
 
SBA's The Advocate Newsletter, September 2010
Friday, 10 September 2010 04:51

 

U.S. Small Business Administration
Office of Advocacy

--The Advocate--

September 2010, Volume 29, number 6

The Small Business Advocate is a periodic newsletter that details economic developments and regulatory trends related to small business as well as the latest initiatives of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy.
Last Updated on Friday, 10 September 2010 04:53
 
Business Profile: Western States Insurance
Thursday, 09 September 2010 05:33

 

Business:            Western States Insurance
 
Founders:           Bob Wuttke and Mike Rooney, Founded 1981
 
Location:              Headquartered in Missoula, we have 16 locations across Montana, as well as 14 additional locations throughout Idaho, Washington and Oregon.
 
Product/s:           Insurance Sales and Service
Business, Personal, Health and Life Insurance
Bonding, Group Personal Insurance, Medical Malpractice, School Program
 
Website:              Western States Insurance
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 September 2010 05:38
 
Jobs for Montana’s Graduates Program Ranked Number One in Nation
Thursday, 09 September 2010 05:18

(Helena) - The Department of Labor and Industry’s Jobs for Montana’s Graduates Program (JMG) is ranked number one in the nation by the Jobs for America’s Graduates Program (JAG).  The national program recognized JMG with the “Number One Outstanding State Organization Award” and the prestigious “5 for 5 Award” for the fifth year in a row along with several other awards.
 
“The success rate of the JMG program is phenomenal,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “I would like to thank all the dedicated teachers and students that have made this program so successful.”
 
In school year 2008-2009 the graduation rate for students who participated in JMG was 95% and 87% in schools on or serving Reservations. “This success is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of both the students and the specialists.  It is because of them that this program is what it is today,” said Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly.
 
Non-Profit Management Workshop October 8th at Montana Tech
Wednesday, 08 September 2010 05:04

 

Today there are approximately 1.5 million non-profit organizations in the U.S. and, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics, 8.1 % of wages are paid by non-profit corporations. This one-day seminar will provide information to participants on a variety of topics including:
 
  • Structuring Non-Profit (Tax-Exempt)Organizations
  • The Role and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
  • Rules Governing Non-Profit Organizations
  • The Importance of Strategic Planning
  • Non-Profit Accounting
 
Friday October 8th, 2010
9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Montana Tech, Butte
Chancellor’s Lounge – Mill Building
 
A Montana Tech Partnership Series Offering Sponsored by the Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research
Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 September 2010 05:07
 
Big Sky 2.0 & Beyond: Montana Brewers Association
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 05:26

The Montana Brewers Association was created in 2008 and is a statewide association of breweries organized for the purpose of promoting the production and sales of the freshest and highest quality Montana made beers. The MBA is the outgrowth of the earlier Montana State Brewers Association, created in 1997, and the members of the MBA are dedicated to education, public awareness and support for their products, profession, and history while documenting their economic impact and legal responsibilities throughout the state of Montana. The MBA members are committed to actively supporting and interacting within their respective communities as permissible under Montana law.
 
Visit the Montana Brewers Association online and on Facebook

 
Six Businesses Honored with 2010 Montana Family Business Award
Thursday, 09 September 2010 05:22

Businesses from Billings, Bozeman, Fairfield, Great Falls and Havre are the winners of the 2010 Montana Family Business awards.

The businesses, which range in size from fewer than 10 employees to more than 50, will receive their awards at the 2010 Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Day, set for Friday, Sept. 24, at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman.

The 2010 top family businesses in Montana are: TwoMedicine Health & Financial Fitness of Bozeman in the very small business category (fewer than 10 employees); Red Rock Power, Inc. of Havre in the small business category (10 to 30 employees); Montana Merchandising, Inc. of Great Falls in the medium business category (30-50 employees); BioScience Laboratories, Inc. of Bozeman in the large business category (more than 50 employees); Teton Banks of Fairfield in the old business category (at least 50 years); and Agri-Best Feeds, Inc. of Billings in the new business category (operating 10 years or less).
 
New Vertical Wind Turbine Integral Part of MSU Billings Sustainable Energy Program
Wednesday, 08 September 2010 05:25

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — A state-of-the-art vertical axis wind turbine will soon be the newest learning tool for faculty and students at the Montana State University Billings College of Technology thanks to a partnership between the university, a local renewable/sustainable energy consulting company and a Japanese technology firm.
 
Ground was broken for what will be a 42-foot, 10-kilowatt wind turbine. The turbine, designed by Taisei Techno Co. of Japan, will be used by faculty and students the MSU Billings College of Technology who will enroll in the new Sustainable Energy Technology program.
 
“This is an incredible opportunity for our students,” said John Cech, dean of the MSU Billings COT. “Having this equipment there is equivalent to having a modular home available for our construction trades students.”
 
Cech said faculty and students will be able to get hands-on experience with cutting edge sustainable energy technology. The wind turbine will be just one of the facets of the new Sustainable Energy Technology program, but will be the most visible.
 
“I think they’ll have a lot of fun with it,” Cech said.
 
Montana Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Sherry Cladouhos Announces Retirement
Wednesday, 08 September 2010 04:58

HELENA-- Sherry L. Cladouhos, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (BCBSMT) announced her intention to retire from her leadership position at the company before the end of 2010.  Concurrently, the BCBSMT Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Mike Frank, who most recently served as President of the company, to the position of President and CEO-Elect of BCBSMT.  Upon Ms. Cladouhos's departure, Mr. Frank will become President and CEO of the company.

"Sherry's strong leadership and keen ability to collaborate with our stakeholders throughout the U.S. and in Montana is truly remarkable," said Jerry Lusk, Chair, BCBSMT.  "As she steps away from her leadership position, the company is in a powerful financial position with customer service and satisfaction at historic high points.  Under Sherry's leadership, Mike Frank has played a significant role in this success.  As the torch of leadership is passed from Sherry to Mike, the people of Montana can have confidence BCBSMT will continue to provide the highest quality, most affordable health care benefits and services available in Montana."

During her more than 36 years of service to members, health care providers, employers, customers and employees of BCBSMT, Ms. Cladouhos performed a number of leadership and management roles.  Cladouhos started her career in health care benefits and insurance in 1974.  During her career at BCBSMT in the 1980s and 1990s, Cladouhos's leadership responsibilities were many.  She supervised the administrative services and facilities of the company.    She ran the membership and customer service divisions.  By 2001, as senior vice president, marketing and operations, Cladouhos led a number of departments of the company, including marketing and sales, underwriting/actuarial, member services and support, information technology, government programs, finance and corporate treasury.  She directed the strategic planning, budgeting and implementation of corporate strategies as well.  In addition to her responsibilities at BCBSMT, Cladouhos served on the Boards of Directors for a number of the company's subsidiaries, including Western States Insurance, Insurance Coordinators of Montana and Health-e-Web.  In 2005, after many years of earning a proven track record of developing, implementing and achieving strategic and corporate objectives at the company, Ms. Cladouhos was appointed to serve as the senior executive of the company in her role as President and Chief Executive Officer.
 
Montana Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau Endorse CI-105
Tuesday, 07 September 2010 05:17

 (Helena) – Two of Montana’s most prominent employer groups have endorsed CI-105, an amendment to Montana’s Constitution that would prohibit new taxes on the sale or transfer of real property. The Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Montana Farm Bureau Federation join the dozens of other business and industry groups that make up the Coalition to Prevent Double Taxation, the primary ballot committee supporting CI-105.
 
“CI-105 is a pro-growth, pro-jobs proposal,” said Webb Brown, President/CEO of the Montana Chamber. “The last thing our economy can afford right now is a new tax, especially a new property tax.”
 
The Montana legislature has considered nine proposals to implement a Real Estate Transfer Tax (RETT), a tax that’s applied when real property changes ownership. The proposed tax rate has been 1% of the property’s value, or a $1000 tax on a home sold for $100,000. Some advocates have suggested a tax rate as high as 4%. A RETT would be in addition to the property taxes Montanans already pay.
 
“A second tax on property would have far reaching effects,” Brown said. “It would hit homeowners, meaning fewer dollars for consumers to spend, and it would affect business property, adding yet another hurdle for already-struggling businesses to clear. CI-105 is a simple, straightforward proposal to prevent this tax from being imposed.”
 
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