5 MINUTES WITH
MIKE HOWARD
GOOD EARTH MARKET
NICK BLAKE
DESMOND’S MEN’S STORE
November 2015
SUCCESSION
SUCCESS Trying to sell your business? Make sure you know what it’s worth
Billings Business 401 N. Broadway Billings, MT 59101-1242
CONTENTS
November 2015
An indispensable business resource On the Cover Strategic Investment Strategies’ Leo and Gabe Lapito in at their office in Billings in October.
Photo by Bob Zellar
FEATURES
Succession success....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Having a detailed plan helps smooth the way for future owners
It pays to do your homework before filing for Social Security ................................................................ 8 Trying to sell your business? Make sure you know what it’s worth........................................... 16 In 25 years, Desmonds Men’s Store has changed with the times................................................. 18 Avitus Group continues rapid expansion........................................................................................................................ 23 COLUMNS
Economic Development.........................................................................................................................................................................10
24 Hour Emergency Flood & Fire Restoration Services Commercial & Residential
Steve Arveschoug - BSED and its investors are building a strong community
Better Business.................................................................................................................................................................................................14 Erin T. Dodge - Crooks are constantly dreaming up new ways to scam your business In 25 years, Desmonds Men’s Store has changed with the times, Page 18
Strategies for Success.............................................................................................................................................................................15 Joe Michels - Price is just one part of the price-value equation
Sales Moves..........................................................................................................................................................................................................21 Jeffery Gitomer -Why hire an athlete? Because they score BILLINGS BUSINESS EVERY MONTH
From the Editor.......................................................................................................................................................................................................4 By the numbers .....................................................................................................................................................................................................5 The local economy at a glance
Five Minutes with...........................................................................................................................................................................................12 Mike Howard - Good Earth Market
Chamber News................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
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Jennifer Reiser - When you shop local, the money you spend stays in your community
Business Briefs .................................................................................................................................................................................................25
Billings Business is mailed each month
Success Stories................................................................................................................................................................................................26
to area business owners, managers and
The Listings............................................................................................................................................................................................................27
decision makers for $19.95 per year. To subscribe, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to:
Page 12 Mike Howard of Good Earth Market.
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Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 BILLINGSbusiness
Billingsbusiness
November 2015
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the editor
F OR R OCK C REEK C OFFEE R OASTERS ,
NOVEMBER 2015 • VOLUME 22 • NUMBER 2
HARD WORK LEADS TO NATIONAL RECOGNITION
mike gulledge tom howard COPY EDITOR chris jorgensen GENERAL MANAGER allyn hulteng PUBLISHER
EDITOR
Not long ago I made a late-night trip to the post office to mail some bills. As I pulled up to the stoplight at Second Avenue and Broadway, just under Skypoint, I peered in the window at Rock Creek Coffee Roasters and saw owner Joel Gargaro at the roaster, packaging coffee beans that had likely come out of the roaster just a few minutes earlier. There’s nothing unusual about seeing the owner of a busy coffee shop working after hours. But a few weeks ago, Gargaro, and his wife, Peggy, received word that their hard work is paying off with national recognition. Rock Creek Coffee Roasters, which has been keeping downtown Billings happily caffeinated for the past 11 years, received a silver medal in Compak Golden Bean North America, a nationwide competition for gourmet coffee roasters. The Golden Bean competition originated in Australia and was introduced to the United States this year. It was held in Portland, Ore. The Gold Bean, goldenbeannorthamerica.com made awards in eight separate coffee categories. Specifically, Rock Creek received recognition for a sample of its Ethiopian Ardi coffee that was sent to the competition. It was entered in the “emersion filter” category. Over the years, I’ve consumed enough Rock Creek coffee to float a battleship, but I’ve never heard of an emersion filter. Gargaro helpfully explained that the brewing method is a little bit like a French press. Gargaro said he was encouraged to participate in the competition by a Bruce Milletto, a coffee industry consultant who he has known for several years. Perhaps the best part about entering the competi-
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tion, Gargaro said, was getting valuable feedback from the judges. “It’s kind of nice to know how we rank,” he said. “We try and do a good job. We spend a lot of time roasting and making sure everything tastes good, and we try to buy good beans.” Keep in mind, learning to roast coffee takes a little more effort than thumbing through the instruction manual that came with your smartphone. “It sounds like a cliché, but it’s something you spend a few hours learning, but it takes a lifetime to master,” Gargaro said. If you’re a certain age, you remember the bad old days when coffee choices were limited to bland massmarket brands such as “Mountain Grown” Folgers pitched by Mrs. Olson, or maybe “Good to the Last Drop” Maxwell House. Fortunately, specialty coffee shops like Rock Creek have educated Americans about good coffee. Whether you’re talking about coffee or beer, Billings is in the midst of a brewing renaissance. Local breweries frequently garner awards from a variety of brewing competitions. Recently, Uberbrew won the 2015 Alpha King Challenge for its new Alpha Force Double Tap in a contest decided in Denver by hop growers from the Yakima valley in Washington. Also, Montana Brewing Co. took home a bronze medal at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival in Boulder. Sorry, Mrs. Olson. There’s an adult beverage revolution brewing in Billings, and the locals are winning.
SALES
dave worstell ryan brosseau RETAIL SALES MANAGER shelli scott ADVERTISING SALES karen anderson ADVERTISING SALES milt lang ADVERTISING SALES arcadea scott ADVERTISING COORDINATOR linsay foley
SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR MAJOR ACCOUNTS, CLASSIFIED, DIGITAL SALES DIRECTOR
PRODUCTION
DESIGNER CREATIVE DIRECTOR
alyssa small bob tambo
SUBSCRIPTIONS Billings Business is mailed each month to area business owners, managers and decision makers. To subscribe for $19.95 per year, please send payment, name, business name, mailing address and phone number to: Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101 ADVERTISING For retail advertising call Karen Anderson, 657-1492; Milt Lang, 657-1275; or Arcadea Scott, 657-1244. For classified advertising, call 657-1212. Advertising deadline for the December 2015 issue is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. You may send material to ads@billingsbusiness.com or FAX to 657-1538. NEWS If you would like to submit a news tip, story idea, announcement about your business or press release, please e-mail it to: editor@billingsbusiness.com website: www.billingsbusiness.com Information published herein does not reflect the opinion of Billings Business. Contents are the property of Billings Business.
BILLINGSbusiness
Personal
By the Numbers
Business
LocaL and regionaL economic trends
real estate Member FDIC
agriculture Shiloh & Grand 655-3900
OIL BY RAIL
Downtown 655-2400
14th & Grand 371-8100
Worden 967-3612
Airport boardings
National park visitors
7
10
6
Between 2010 and 2015, U.S. Oil shipments by train have grown from 1 million barrels per month to 30 million barrels per month. However, oil shipments by rail have fallen by 13 percent since their peak in October 2014. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration
8
5 In ten thousands
Hilltop & Main 896-4800
In hundred thousands
King Ave 655-2700
www.stockmanbank.com
6
3 2
4
Billings housing starts
4
1 0
2
May
New single-family home building permits 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0
50 40 30 20 10 0
May
June
August
July
May to September 2014
275
302 0
2014
May to September 2015
Bozeman
Missoula May to August 2014 May to August 2015
June to September 2014 June to September 2015
Source: Montana Department of Transportation
5 3 2
50
April to August 2014 Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture
August
May to August 2014 May to August 2015
4
100
July
May to August 2014 May to August 2015
6
150
June
August
7%
(per cwt.)
200
0
July
Unemployment
Montana Beef Cattle
(per bushel)
Billingsbusiness
Sept.
Glacier National Park
2015
Ag prices
May
August
Source: National Park Service
Montana winter wheat
April
July
June to September 2014 June to September 2015
YTD Through Sept. 30
September
June
Yellowstone National Park
Source: City of Billings
$8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Billings
June
1 0 April
May
June
April to August 2015
July
August
March
April
Montana
May
June
Yellowstone County
July
August
U.S.
Source: Montana Department of Labor and Industry
November 2015
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SUCCESSION
SUCCESS
BOB ZELLAR/Gazette Staff Strategic Investment Strategies’ Leo and Gabe Lapito in at their office in Billings in October.
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BILLINGSbusiness
Having a detailed plan helps smooth the way for future owners By TOM HOWARD
authored by Sing Lin is based on a study of retirees from Boeing Corp. Leo said he still takes that study to heart. Leo’s son Gabe came to work at Strategic Leo Lapito built a successful Retirement Solutions in 2007. But it wasn’t until a few years later that the two began talking about career in financial services the possibility of the father eventually handing by reminding his clients that over the reins of the business to the son. Strategic Retirement Solutions is a wealth management firm careful financial planning is that helps create income streams for its clients. The firm manages some $165 million in assets for a pathway to a comfortable its clients. Hard work was nothing new for the younger retirement. Lapito. He attended Creighton University on a baseball scholarship and was already well on his As he neared retirement age after some 40 way to earning a master’s of business administrayears in the business, Leo made sure to practice tion degree when he graduated with an accounting what he had been preaching for all of those years. degree in the spring of 2005. After wrapping up his That involved setting up a detailed succession plan CPA certification and the MBA, Gabe worked for a for when it was time to sell the business. large accounting firm. But before long a young man Experts say that developing a sound succeswith a life-long love for numbers found himself sion plan is one of the most important decisions yearning to ditch the account’s green eyeshade. you can make as a business owner. In Leo’s case, he “I wasn’t built to be a CPA,” he said. “I wasn’t didn’t have to go far to find the right buyer. built for it mentally.” While he had developed conLeo often illustrated the importance of finansiderable expertise in accounting, “the language cial planning by citing a widely circulated study of business,” as he puts it, he decided a career that found that many people who worked until change was in order. That path led him to his dad’s they had reached full retirement age died just 18 business. months later. By contrast, those who retired at “I didn’t know for sure then if he would beage 55 had a 36-year life expectancy. A 2002 paper come the right person to take over the firm when
See related: Trying to sell your business? Make sure you know what it’s worth, page 16
As Gabe gained experience, he took over client meetings while Leo sat by to listen. Eventually, Gabe made the transition and began handing client meetings by himself. As the plan progressed, they consulted with I was ready to retire,” Leo said. “When it became accountants and attorneys to make sure everything clear that was the best choice, we worked closely was set up correctly. They established a value and together to create a succession plan that made agreed on a price. sense for both of us.” InvestmentNews, investmentnews.com, a When he started working for Strategic Retire- weekly magazine and video publication that caters ment Solutions, Gabe approached the challenge to financial planning professionals, featured the with the understanding that he would have to Lapitos and their succession plan in a five-part prove himself just like anybody else who went to series on business succession. The film crew work there. captured a slice of the Montana lifestyle, and the “It was like an ongoing job interview,” he said. Lapitos were shown doing what many Montanans “After about 18 months, I started pulling my own do — fishing and dressed up in hunting gear. weight, and we decided to discuss it. I wanted to be The show frequently features investment the best person he could find to buy the business, firms that are grappling with problems and need and I wanted to make sure it was one of the best a makeover. The feature on the Lapitos was a little businesses I could buy.” different from past programs because it showed As the transition plan started taking shape, a firm that had already taken steps for a smooth Gabe took over management of the firm’s day-to- transition. day operations. As one might guess, part of the It has been two years since Leo, now 64, process included updating technology and devel- decided to turn the operation over to Gabe, 32. The oping rapport with employees, several of whom transition went smoothly, he said, in part because got to know him before he went off to college. they had mapped out a detailed succession plan. Meeting with clients is an important part of Leo drops by the office on occasion, but Gabe financial services. still refers to him as his “deep bench,” a trusted As Leo explains, Gabe usually sat in and source who can provide advice on a variety of listened during client meetings early in his tenure. topics.
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SPECIAL REPORT: RETIREMENT TRENDS, FORECASTS & PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES
It pays to do your homework before filing for Social Security By TOM HOWARD
until he reapplies for benefits at a later date. In general, your retirement benefit W ith millions of baby increases by 8 percent for each year that you wait to claim past your full reboomers reaching tirement age until you reach 70. Conversely, if you file for Social Security retirement age each benefits at 62 instead of full retirement age (currently 66 if you were born year , one of the most between 1943 and 1954) your Social Security benefit could be reduced by important decisions as much as 25 percent. Another strategy is known as they ’ ll face is how restricted application. This can work if the younger spouse has lower earnings and when to collect but wants to file for benefits early. Her husband, who has reached full retireS ocial S ecurity ment age, can file and receive spousal benefits, while waiting until 70 to benefits . receive his own benefits. Once the wife reaches full retirement, she can apply Financial planners frequently for spousal benefits on her husband’s tout the importance of investing in account. retirement accounts by reminding Daniel cautioned that there are their clients that Social Security many different options for receiving was never designed to be a compreSocial Security benefits, and the best hensive retirement program. strategy varies according to a person’s However, 53 percent of married own financial situation. couples and 74 percent of unmarFiling for Social Security at 62 reCourtesy photo sults in less generous benefits. Despite ried persons who have reached With careful planning, retirees can maximize their Social Security benefits, says Roger Daniel. retirement age receive 50 percent the financial penalty that option reor more of their income from Social mains fairly popular. Some 45 percent Security, according to the Social of men born in 1943 and 1944 signed Security Administration. figure it out,” Daniel said. that Medicare doesn’t cover. take benefits. “We try to arm people up for retirement benefits at age 62, Roger Daniel, a Billings Farm”When we sit down with people, ”With Medicare, the difficult part with Social Security knowledge so according to a 2013 Urban Institute ers Insurance agent and investment we look at what their current work is if you have a spouse who’s 62 or 63 when they apply for benefits they can study, as reported by U.S, News and adviser, helps his clients crunch the situation is, the benefits they have who may lose their health insurance do it in the most advantageous man- World Reports. numbers as they near retirement through work, their health insuronce you retire from your job,” Daniel ner,” Daniel said. Daniel said it can make sense for age. He agrees that careful planning ance, what they have saved for said. It’s not a problem if your younger Daniel said a couple of Social somebody to file for Social Security at can boost retirees’ Social Security retirement and whether they plan to spouse receives health insurance Security filing strategies work well for 62 in certain instances. It depends on a income by thousands of dollars per continue working,” he said. coverage through work, Daniel said. couples. Under the file and suspend person’s health and financial situation. year. But there’s no one-size-fitsWhen it comes to health insurBut buying an individual policy for an option, a spouse who has reached ”If they need the income and don’t all strategy for everybody who is ance, the decision is fairly straightuninsured spouse who isn’t covered full retirement files for benefits but have any other way of generating innearing retirement, he said. forward. When you reach 65, you by Medicare can cost somewhere then suspends them until he reaches come, it can make sense,” Daniel said. ”When you think about Mediqualify for Medicare, the governbetween $450 and $800 per month, 70, at which time he receives a larger However, there’s also a decent chance care and Social Security, everybody ment health insurance program for he said. monthly benefit. Under this opthat somebody who recently entered hears information for their friends retirees. A variety of Medicare supThe more complicated part of the tion, the wife can file for and collect their 60s will live well into their 90s. and family. But really, it takes a plemental insurance programs can retirement equation involves when to spousal benefits, while the husband For them, a larger Social Security meeting (with a professional) to fill in the gaps for medical expenses file for Social Security, and when to accrues delayed retirement credits benefit could be essential.
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Billingsbusiness
RETIREMENT
BY THE NUMBERS
Social Security Facts The state of Social Security, as of June 2015 The nation’s 39.5 million retired workers receive $53 billion in benefits, or about $1,335 per month on average. Social Security is the major source of income for most of the elderly. n Nine out of 10 individuals 65 and older receive Social Security benefits.
n 51 percent of the workforce has no private pension coverage.
n Social Security benefits represent about 39 percent of the income of the elderly.
n 34 percent of the workforce has no savings set aside specifically for retirement. In 1940, the life expectancy of a n Among elderly Social Security benefi- 65-year-old was almost 14 additional ciaries, 22 percent of married couples years; today it is almost 21 years. and about 47 percent of unmarried By 2035, the number of older Americans persons rely on Social Security for 90 will increase from 48 million today to 79 percent or more of their income. million. An estimated 165 million workers are Source: Social Security Administration covered under Social Security.
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CLIENTS
|
COLLEAGUES
|
COMMUNITIES November 2015
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SPONSORED BY THE BIG SKY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
BSED AND ITS INVESTORS ARE BUILDING A STRONG COMMUNITY We want to hear your ideas and add to our list. What do you believe should be on the Building Remarkable Imperative list?
Steve Arveschoug Steve Arveschoug is the executive director of Big Sky Economic Development. Contact him at 406-869-8401.
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First, thank you, Big Sky Economic Development Member Investors, our business and civic partners, and Yellowstone County taxpayers. Together you are all contributing in so many ways to the work of Big Sky Economic Development, and together we are building a remarkable community. As we begin our 26th year at Big Sky Economic Development, here are a few takeaways from our work during the last year. 1. Results: With your support of time and resources, the staff and programs of BSED are producing results — helping businesses grow, supporting their financing needs, funding workforce training needs, partnering in privateinvestment projects through incentives, and adding value to community development and redevelopment projects. 2. Help Wanted: The sign of the times in Yellowstone County is “help wanted.” Our businesses need workers, with the right training and ready to work. After two years of sharing ideas and planning, issuing the State of Workforce Report and Action Plan — March 2015, and confirming the support of several key partners, Big Sky Economic Development has hired the first director of BillingsWorks Workforce Council and, with the council, we will help lead the commu-
nity’s workforce development strategies. 3. Building Remarkable: Each of you is contributing to building a remarkable community. You’re building a business, taking risks, creating jobs. Together we’re investing in our schools, improving our infrastructure, parks and trails. But we have a challenge ahead that may prove to be a critical turning point for our community. We absolutely have to be a community that continues to invest in itself — that is critical to retain and attract talent, and talent is fundamental to growing business. Next, we ask you to take the “Building Remarkable Challenge” with us. Here are our four Building Remarkable Imperatives that BSED has identified for our work in the coming year. Some are in progress and some need a big PUSH! 1. Develop the must-have, shovel-ready industrial space that prepares for the growth of existing industry and new industry. BSED is in process on this investment with the Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) concept identified in the Lockwood Area. 2. Modern state-of-theart convention center. 3. Expanded air service and a modernized airport.
4. Make investment in higher education, increasing capacity at both MSU-Billings and Rocky. Both need new science facilities, essential to our long-term workforce needs and we must move forward with becoming the leader in healthcare workforce education.
Now it is your turn! We want to hear your ideas and add to our list. What do you believe should be on the Building Remarkable Imperative list? You can send you ideas directly to buildingremarkable@ bigskyeda.org. Over the next several
months, please watch our website, www.bigskyeconomicdevelopment.org, and our Facebook page for your ideas and how we are moving forward with Building Remarkable. Steve Arveschoug is executive director of Big Sky Economic Development.
Big Sky Economic Development has been Accredited by the International Economic Development Council The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) announces that Big Sky Economic Development has been recognized as one of 45 economic development organizations accredited by IEDC as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO). Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community that Big Sky Economic Development has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well-placed and their business is in good hands.
406.256.6871 WWW.BIGSKYECONOMICDEVELOPMENT.COM
BILLINGSbusiness
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billingsclinic.com/ortho Billingsbusiness
November 2015
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Mike Howard
A short journey from
FARM TO TABLE BY TOM HOWARD IF YOU’RE THE KIND OF EATER WHO PAYS ATTENTION TO WHERE YOUR FOOD COMES FROM, YOU’LL ENJOY GETTING TO KNOW OF
MIKE HOWARD, THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER
GOOD EARTH MARKET IN DOWNTOWN BILLINGS.
HERE, HOWARD SHARES HIS INSIGHTS ON RETAILING, LOCAL FOOD AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. Customers of Good Earth Market have noticed that the store has gone through a few changes since your arrival. What kinds of feedback have you been getting about the changes in merchandising and display? The feedback I have gotten is very positive. Shoppers like the vibe in the store as we still have the same friendly knowledgeable staff as before. I’ve been told the new layout is more organized and easier to shop. We have expanded variety in most categories so we can be a “full shop” for anyone who likes good healthy food. We have worked very hard to bring a lot of “value” items into the market as well. Shoppers are really liking better pricing on everyday items identified by the purple Co-op Basics tags in addition to our co-op deals, manager’s specials, and member prices throughout the store. Good Earth Market has long been a proponent of the local food movement. What kind of success have you experienced in attracting new and different producers? Well, Montana is a great state for local foods. I’ve noticed when people think of local, the first thing that comes to mind is produce. And yes, we have a lot of local produce suppliers, but we also have just as many others throughout the entire store: organic beef, pork, dairy, specialty 12
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jams and honey, fresh salsa, cereals, breads, beer and wine, even apparel. I can go on all day. I guess what I’m trying to say is there is a lot of excitement, and passionate folks out there who are good at what they do whether it be on a farm or in a factory and they want to share their food with us. I get new local producers in here often, and the excitement and demand for tasty, healthy, local and sustainable foods continues to build. Just as we will continue to support our local economy and sell great-tasting food that’s also good for you. What has been the co-op’s best strategy for attracting new members? Our member price program is a big one. When people realize how much they can save, and that being a member is well worth the price of membership, they sign right up. Also, member referrals, wordof-mouth, is one of our best strategies for attracting new members. Our staff talking to non-members about the benefits of membership. Hosting events such as the local producer fair Oct. 24. I think being involved in the community helps. For example, Elation’s recent Fired Up Friday took place at the Good Earth Market. We’re an integral part of the Billings ArtWalk, and many more community events we are a part of. And of course the
deli and the great food service. We’re a lunchtime destination that also provides introduction into the market. Montana’s cold winters can limit the availability of locally grown produce. Has there been any progress on addressing this? Greenhouse-grown produce, perhaps? A few of our produces do have greenhouses or root cellars and can offer a limited variety. As we grow our business, it will increase the demand and resources for our producers for growing in the winter months. Just another reason why shopping your co-op is so impactful to our community. I’d like to say this again, produce is only a piece of the local products available at Good Earth Market. We have so many others available year-round. Can you share a little about your business background and what motivated you to come to Billings? I have been in the natural foods business now for five years and grocery retail for 20. I worked for a corporation. It was good experience but no sense of community, and innovative thoughts are not welcome because corporate already has “the plan.” Then I went to work for an independent and learned the benefits of buying and selling local products and the positive impact it has on the local economy, and the community. And that is a big reason why I wanted to work for a co-op. Good Earth Market presented me with the opportunity I was looking for. When I came up to visit the board and the current staff of Good Earth, I met a group of people who love their co-op and are committed and passionate about what they do. It excited me. What an amazing group of people. I knew I could help lead this team to success. As for the market, all I saw was opportunity and a chance to utilize my skills and experience to impact the co-op and the Billings community in a positive way.
Mike Howard of Good Earth Market. Photo by LARRY MAYER
BILLINGSbusiness
Upcoming Chamber/ CVB Functions More details and RSVP: www. billingschamber.com or call 245-4111
SPONSORED BY THE BILLINGS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
November Business After Hours December Business After Hours Wednesday, Nov.11. Olsen Ortho Studio, 1241 N. Transtech Way. 5-7 p.m. Cost is $8.
Wednesday, Dec. 9. Central Wellness, 1010 Central Ave. Ste. 1 5-7 p.m. Cost is $8.
Small Business Saturday
W HEN YOU SHOP LOCAL , THE MONEY
Nov. 28. Shop Billings. Shop local merchants and enter to win great giveaways.
YOU SPEND STAYS IN YOUR COMMUNITY
When you shop locally, the money you spend is reinvested into Billings — jobs, taxes, schools and other businesses all benefit.
Jennifer Reiser Jennifer Reiser is chief operating officer at the Billings Chamber of Commerce. Contact her at 406-869-3734 or Jennifer@ billingschamber.com.
BILLINGSbusiness
Did you know that 48 cents of every dollar spent locally stays right here in our community? That’s what the American Independent Business Alliance found in 2012. When you shop locally, the money you spend is reinvested into Billings — jobs, taxes, schools and other businesses all benefit. The Billings Chamber is based on small businesses; in fact, 88 percent of our membership base is comprised of small businesses. The Billings Chamber supports all businesses through a combination of advocacy, facilitated business connections and opportunities for growth. In particular, our advocacy efforts aim to be a voice for small businesses in general, speaking out in favor of legislation, policies and movements that are pro-business, and advocating against those that will do harm to small businesses. Small Business Saturday and our Shop Billings movement are a perfect example of these efforts.
hood stores. Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express, this day is celebrated on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which is Nov. 28 this year.
Development thrives
When a product is sold at a local business, the circulation of that money in our community has an immediate effect. Ultimately, this increased revenue leads to the employment of local people and the ability to give back. Local businesses use that revenue to sponsor kids’ teams, donate to nonprofits, and more. Billings Chamber member Sean Graves with Montana Brewing Co. and Hooligans finds that giving back is an important part of being part of our community and a responsibility as a small business to say thank you to patrons. “Community Monday has been the best thing we have ever done at Hooligan’s. We have been able to help out so many groups, local families Join shop local and charities. Each Monday In 2014, an estimated has its own uniqueness that $14.3 billion was spent at makes it special to my staff small independent businesses and me,” he said. on Small Business Saturday The weekly event invites nationwide. For small busipatrons to eat dinner or drink nesses, the Small Business a beer, and Hooligan’s donates Saturday campaign marked 20 percent of sales that night our community’s commitment to the identified group. “From to support our local neighbor- helping out cancer patients to
a local PTA, we have been able to donate to so many,” Graves said. “It is all about helping our community.”
Keep Billings unique
Billings is filled with diverse boutiques and restaurants. Whether it’s walking into one of the brand new stores at Shiloh Crossing or Rimrock Mall, stepping on the creaky, wooden floors of an authentic downtown
shop, sipping a hand-crafted microbrew, or eating at a farm-to-table restaurant, Billings has many small and large businesses that make our city unique. This holiday season, take a moment to think about the local businesses in our community. After the holiday rush is over, they will still be here supporting community events, providing one-of-akind items, employing our neighbors, and partnering
with other small businesses while delivering the highest level of personal customer service. The Shop Small Movement inspires people to shop with and support these small businesses as well as give back to the places that have given their communities so much. We hope to see our community do the same by shopping small on Nov. 28, and shopping Billings throughout this holiday season.
BillingsChamber.com
Shop Local at
Montana’s trailhead this holiday season, and always, support local businesses and our local economy. Find a list of Chamber member businesses to shop with at BillingsChamber.com.
November 2015
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BETTER business
C rooks are constantly dreaming up new ways to scam your business
Business owners have a lot of responsibilities to manage. Unfortunately, avoiding scams is on that list.
Business owners have a lot of responsibilities to manage. Unfortunately, avoiding scams is on that list. I’ve written in-depth before on some of the following scams that target businesses, so they may seem familiar. Familiarity in this case is a good thing — better to know them before someone tries to scam you. You may even consider sharing this list with your employees as a proactive training step and to hopefully avoid a costly situation.
Erin T. Dodge
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Unordered supply
A box of supplies arrives with an invoice attached. Because the goods are in hand, someone pays the invoice and doesn’t think twice about it. But what if no one ordered the supplies in the first place? Every business needs supplies. Scammers take advantage of businesses without a formal purchasing process. To avoid this, designate one person to order all supplies that way you’ll know if someone is trying to get paid for something you didn’t order.
Directory listing scam
The scam starts when you receive a call asking you to verify your business name, phone number and location for an online or locally printed directory. The directory doesn’t exist, but the con artist records the conversation, manipulates the recording and then uses it as “proof” that money is owed. Urgent invoices are sent. Harassing phone calls are made, sometimes a dozen within a few hours and for days at a time. Sometimes those threats turn to sweet talk for discounted payoff deals. This scam may also come your way by fax, mail or email. To avoid it, keep accurate records on all advertising and directory listing purchases and agreements. Don’t let threats intimidate you into paying for something you didn’t agree to purchase.
Invoice look-a-like
Erin T. Dodge, is an editor for the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho and Montana in Spokane. Contact the bureau at spokane.bbb.org.
them up, then you are likely deal- when you get an email notice you can check to see if it lines up ing with fraud. with your records.
Scammers send advertisements and solicitations that look like invoices in order to trip up your accounts payable department. Such look-alikes are supposed to clearly state that they are not an invoice or bill. However, scammers ignore the law.
Courtesy photo Overpayment scam A customer sends you a In becoming familiar with the kinds of scams people commit, people are less likely to check for goods or services but fall for them.
To avoid this scam, designate exactly who will handle invoices and make sure they are keep vigilant records of all accounts and are able to sleuth out fake invoices from real ones.
Rebate/refund check
Some solicitations look like rebate or refund checks. What the fine print may or may not clearly state is that by depositing the check you are signing up for a subscription to a service. This means that soon you will start receiving invoices for a service that your company doesn’t want or need. To avoid this one, make sure you read the fine print carefully before depositing an unexpected check. Also, your accounts receivable records should link all checks and payments to an account. If you don’t have an account in your records that matches with a check, it is time
BBB consumer complaint scam
You receive an official-looking email saying that a consumer complaint has been filed with BBB against your company. But the email is a fake. If you click the link or open the file attachment, malware or spyware will load on your computer, allowing the hacker to gain access to you business financial information or to consumer information that they can exploit. To avoid scams like this one, never open email attachments from any unexpected emails.
Charity scam
Like many businesses, you probably support local charities to do some digging. and causes that are meaningful to you and your customers. ScamPrepaid shipping scam mers posing as firefighters, police, Scammers target businesses veterans or youth sport groups that sell heavy or large goods ask companies to sponsor their with the prepaid shipping scam. cause, in return for getting sponThe scammer asks that you use sorship ad space in a calendar, their preferred shipping comprogram or on T-shirts. pany to deliver the goods. They Before writing that check pay with a stolen credit card to charity, you can search for that will go through successfully charities by name at give.org and because it hasn’t been reported URL expiration scam charitywatch.org. To learn more stolen yet. An urgent email shows up about charitable giving, including Once the card issuer catches stating that your company’s hiring a fundraiser, check out up to the fact that the card is domain name is about to expire the FTC’s Charity Scams page at stolen, liability for the credit card and you need to pay the renewal http://1.usa.gov/1jocHmJ. shifts to your company whenever fee right away in order to keep To keep your business safe the card is not present for the your website address. Your web- from scams, you have a lot to be sale. site is a vital company asset, so wary of. Even the best of us get To avoid this scam, never you may be inclined to click and tripped up by con artists and agree to use a customer’s shippay right away. But that email tricksters. If you believe your ping service, especially if it is one may be a scammer and not your business has been scammed or a you don’t know. Also, if the goods domain registrar. scam was attempted, report it to are available locally, pause and To avoid this scam, record the Montana Office of Consumer ask why the purchaser needs to the domain registrar name and Protection at app.doj.mt.gov/ have you ship them such a long website and the renewal date for apps/Oscar/ and to BBB at bbb. distance. If the question trips all of your domain names. Then org/scamtracker/. they “accidentally” overpaid. They ask that you wire the overpayment amount back to them or to a colleague. This is a classic fraudulent check scam. To avoid this scam, never wire money and always be extremely cautious of overpayments. In fact, make it a policy to never accept overpayments, which are a red flag for fraud.
Billingsbusiness
STRATEGIES for success
P rice is just one part of the price - value equation However, once your team knows why your product costs more, but also provides more value, then it is easy to address and answer the “Why is it more expensive?” question.
Joe Michels Joe Michels, PhD, P.E., C.P.I., is principal of Solomon Bruce Consulting LLC. Contact him at 406-672-6387 or at www. solomonbruce.com.
Billingsbusiness
A new taco parlor moved into a downtown location, just east of the Courthouse square. This eatery prides itself on fresh food, made daily, without using canned or pre-packaged products. The restaurant opened with a flurry of activity. However, customers soon began asking questions such as: “Why is this more expensive than the other taco parlors around the corner?” Interestingly, the new staff did not have a sharp, crisp answer. So, each server had to find the owner and ask the question, and the answer was always the same. “We use fresh product every day, nothing is ever canned or frozen and we make everything from scratch.” Well, that answer was the truth. When customers heard it, they understood why the food tasted so good: It was fresh, the ingredients were not preserved with unknown chemicals, nothing was frozen. But it took more time and labor to make fresh food each and every day. Interestingly, the owner did not anticipate that question when he moved into his new location. Soon, through word of mouth, advertising and talking with lots of satisfied customers, other individuals enjoyed the restaurant’s fresh products. The original question about cost evolved into an observation that good food costs more. It is fresh and it is never frozen or prepackaged. This issue illustrates a principle that all staff members should be trained on be-
fore the doors of a new facility are opened. What do we do? Why do we do it? Why is our product or service unique and different from others? This is not a hard question to address. However, as the owner or manager of the business, the question of price and value always arises. Having sharp, crisp answers that logically and rationally address any customer objection is the key to retaining current customers and gaining new customers. We have written before that “price is what you pay, value is what you receive.” This old saw, used in marketing for many years, is still true. Value is the key to any product that one is selling. There is nothing that someone cannot sell for a lower price. The question that one always has to ask is, “What is missing? What are they leaving out or not doing” to account for a cheaper price? This is an easy question to ask and even easier to answer. There is always something that is either left out, left off or the quality of ingredients or products is of lesser quality. Make sure that everyone on your team knows the real value proposition of your product. This requires staff training and continual refreshment training each and every day, week and month. However, once your team knows why your product costs more, but also provides more value, then it is easy to address and answer the Courtesy photo “Why is it more expensive?” Once your team knows why your product costs more, but also provides more value, then it is easy to address and answer the “Why question. is it more expensive?” question. November 2015
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Trying to sell your business? Do your homework first By TOM HOWARD
“We spend quite a bit of time looking at the business and trying to get the cash flow, looking at the numbers and trying to see what’s behind If you’re a business owner who’s thinking them,” Emerling said. about retiring or maybe just looking for a change Bryce DeGroot, president of Compass of scenery, make sure to do your homework beAdvisors of Bozeman, said getting a business fore hanging a “For Sale” sign in the window. valuation from a qualified professional is a good For more than 25 years, Tom Emerling, owner first step. He agrees with Emerling that there is of Yellowstone Business Acquisitions, has helped no universal rule of thumb. But most businesses clients put a value on their business and find a are valued based on a multiple of how much cash buyer. He also helps buyers find businesses for flow it generates, which can depend on a number sale. of variables. “People still call and ask if there’s a formula, DeGroot said valuations for Montana busia rule of thumb, for how much a business is nesses have been strong lately because of interest worth,” Emerling said. “I say it’s not real good to from buyers. “Right now, I would call it a seller’s use a rule of thumb, but it also depends on what market,” he said. kinds of earnings we’re talking about.” Montana’s quality of life continues to be a Emerling usually starts the process by looking draw for potential business owners. “There are at the owner’s tax returns or audited financial people coming to us from places like Wyoming statements. “We can’t put a business on the and Idaho,” said Damian Forrester of Benchmark market without that kind of information,” he Business Investments. said. When it comes to putting a value on a busi-
ness, a lot depends on what is being measured. One method is to calculate earnings before interest and taxes (revenue minus expenses, excluding tax and interest.) Another method is to calculate the owner’s discretionary income, which is designed to predict reasonable earnings that one can expect from running a particular business. Sometimes brokers calculate a business’s value by benchmarking it to other, similar businesses in the same industry. Return on investment is another calculation that Emerling will make whenever a buyer invests in a higher-valued business. “You want to calculate if you can make yourself a decent manager’s salary, plus a return on your investment for your down payment,” usually 20 to 30 percent of the sales price, Emerling said. “If you’re taking the risk of a business, you might want a higher return than what you would expect investing in stocks or bonds.” It’s always a good idea to consult financial professionals, Emerling said.
“I always recommend that they see an accountant, and if the sale is complicated, I also recommend that they see an attorney,” Emerling said. DeGroot said the most frequent snafu that a seller runs into is that their company is not ready to sell. “The common culprit is unrealistic expectations and a lack of planning,” DeGroot said. “It’s is easy to focus on daily operations and not think like a buyer. The best way to avoid a discounted value or a failed attempt to sell is to plan carefully in advance.” He recommends starting exit planning three years in advance. It doesn’t always happen, but the most capable business owners have already taken steps to prepare for what they want to do with the business when they’re several years away from retirement, Emerling said. “When people come in, you can usually tell if they’ve thought this out,” Emerling said. “They may have been to a financial planner, and that
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usually makes our job a little easier. It’s just really important in the sale.” Other issues have to be addressed. Sometimes the buyer agrees to let the seller remain involved in the business as part the transition to new ownership. “How a buyer transitions into the business is extremely important,” Emerling said. Employees are also part of the equation. “Most of the businesses we have for sale are confidential sales. Nobody knows it’s for sale. So when a business sells and we’re successful in keeping it confidential, we have to go to the employees and find out how it’s going to work for them,” Emerling said. “Most of the time they just want to know that they have a job. And the new buyer, the last thing he wants to do in lose those employees.” Emerling also helps with other aspects of the transition, such as arranging for the seller to train the buyer and helping the seller introduce the new owner to key customers. Financing is another important consideration. Emerling usually consults with a banker to see how much money the bank would be willing to lend. “Along with this process, a lot of buyers don’t know how much they need to put down,” Emerling said. If a bank isn’t willing to provide Tom Emerling of Yellowstone Business Acquisitions. the amount of capital required to close the deal, the owner will sometimes finance part of the “That can be a pretty good deal for the seller from the buyer, that can be a good deal.” transaction, with the understanding that he’ll be right now,” Emerling said. “Interest rates are pretDeGroot said buyers from both inside and repaid over time. ty low. So if a seller can get 5 to 6 percent interest outside the state have taken an interest in Mon-
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Photo by BOB ZELLAR Nick Blake has seen a lot of fashion trends in 25 years at Desmonds men’s store.
In 25 years, Desmond’ Men’s Store has changed with the times dress codes first gave way to casual Fridays. Sometime during the ’90s cotton khaki pants edged out wool slacks as everyday office attire, These days, it’s not unusual to see your acand office footwear for men no longer means countant, your attorney or your dentist dressed in wingtips. a polo shirt and khakis. “The dynamics have changed, and you have In 25 years that Desmonds Men’s Store has to evolve,” Blake said. “We still sell suits and sport been in downtown Billings, owner Nick Blake has coats, but we’ve added a lot of different categories seen quite a few fashion trends come and go. He in casual wear.” has also adjusted his merchandise to reflect the Some fashion observers have claimed there’s less formal atmosphere of the modern workplace. a correlation between necktie sales and the state Over the past several decades, strict office of the economy. One study from the United
By TOM HOWARD
18
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Kingdom found that tie sales boom during lean economic times, in part because workers want to avoid layoffs by demonstrating to their bosses that they’re serious about work. Others say that narrow ties come into fashion during an economic downturn. Blake said that tie widths do change over time, just as hemlines rise and fall. However, ties tend to match lapel widths on suits. When John F. Kennedy was elected president, his skinny ties matched the narrow lapels on his Brooks Brothers suits, he said.
But despite the trend toward more casual workwear, one seemingly counter intuitive fashion trend has been a surprise even to Blake. “I still do as much neckwear business today as I did 10 to 15 years ago,” he said. “We still sell a lot of ties. In fact, we had to add a new tie line.” When Desmonds opened in the former Hart Albin men’s store in the Stapleton Building in 1990, it was one of four men’s stores in downtown Billings. Jason’s moved to the West End a few years later, and two other stores closed. A dozen years ago, Desmonds moved to its Billingsbusiness
current location, 2819 Second Ave. N. Sales boomed, even though the store was a little smaller than the previous location. Blake attributes the boost in sales to the fact that the new location is near women’s stores such as Neecee’s and Cricket Clothing. When women walked by the store, they either bought for their husbands, or they brought them along. “It makes sense for us to be near the better ladies’ bou-
tiques,” Blake said. Blake says a downtown location makes sense for a men’s specialty store. “The heart of the city is downtown,” he said. “We have a number of out-of-town clients, and they’re going to come through downtown.” Many young men seem to have taken their fashion cues from billionaire Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who frequently appears in public dressed in a gray T-shirt or a
hoodie. But that’s not true for all people in their 20s and 30s, Blake said. “One thing about young men is that they’re very involved in how they want to look,” he said. “They don’t let their mom or spouse or their girlfriend pick out their clothes.” Desmonds also carries three different fit options — traditional, modern and slim — in order to serve the wide range of body shapes.
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SALES moves
W hy hire an athlete ? B ecause they score
What I found most interesting was that the people who had played sports were among my best employees.
Jeffrey Gitomer Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling. Reach him at 704-333-1112 or email salesman@gitomer.com
Billingsbusiness
Everyone wants to hire the best person for the job. Here’s a concept: Hire an athlete. It may help you as an employer make the right choice, or at least a better choice. And it’s a reality check if you’re an individual striving for a career win. If you’re a salesperson looking for a job, ask yourself: Are you fit to be hired? Are you fit to succeed? Are you as physically fit as you are mentally fit? Is physical fitness tied to mental fitness? Do you think of yourself as a winner? And why am I asking all these questions? I went around my office and asked each person if they ever played sports on a team or competitively. Many said yes. Many had played competitive team sports in college, and most spoke about it enthusiastically and with fond memories. What I found most interesting was that the people who had played sports were among my best employees. Not just based on their job experience. That’s equally based on their athletic experience, their team experience, their competitive experience, their coaching experience and their winning experience. If you’re an employer, you may want to look past job experience, and read deeper into athletic experience. It will give you greater insight as to the person, not just their job skills. If you were a competitive athlete, you have qualities and a wealth of experience that most people don’t. You have the self-discipline and the dedication to get in shape and stay in shape. Your desire to
Courtesy photo The people who had played sports are often among the best employees.
win is high, and you’re willing to give it everything you’ve got to play and win the game. Think about that. Employers are always looking for “experience” when they hire. What kind of experience? Me? I look for smart, self-starting, happy people who know how to win. I’d rather have an eager athlete I can train (or should I say, willing to learn), than a know-it-all with 10 years experience that already thinks he knows everything before he walks in the door. An athlete knows he or she has to warm up before playing the game and is therefore more likely to be prepared for the job, the customer, and the sale. Athletes love to compete. Athletes know there are skills that must be learned and
mastered in order to win. And athletes have the drive, determination and self-discipline, to learn them and master them. There are other great, but subtle qualities that athletes have: 1. They have made friends with many of their teammates, but even the ones they have not made friends with, they still know how to get along, cooperate with, and play as a team. 2. They have made victory a habit. They know what winning feels like, and how to repeat it. 3. They have stamina, based on practice and desire. 4. They have superior hand-eye coordination, and are more observant of their surroundings. 5. They have the ability, in-
terest, and desire to learn “the game” not just “the job.” 6. They play by the rules, and have learned that there’s a penalty or a price for not playing by the rules. 6.5 They visit their old coach. There’s a pride in going back and telling your coach who and what you have become, often from the foundation that the coach helped create. And they bring this set of skills that they have learned over their early years, to the job. They bring those skills as part of their foundation. It’s part of their physical and mental make-up. They bring winning and a winning attitude to the workplace. One final personal note: If you don’t feel you fit into this
category, please don’t send me a bunch of emails defending your status or gender. This is a concept, not a postulate. Think about this: All athletes play to win. All athletes want to succeed. They have the internal drive not only to play the competition and beat them, but also to compete against themselves, always bettering themselves. Athletes are always raising their own personal standards — always aiming to achieve their personal best. Here’s an axiom that fits everyone: You can’t win every game, but you can always give your personal best. I want to be associated with people who are always willing to give their personal best. Play Ball! November 2015
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Avitus Group continues rapid expansion By TOM HOWARD A B i l l i ngs - bor n
com pa n y
that ha n d l es h u ma n r esou rc es , h ea lth car e adm i n i strat i o n , accou n t i ng a n d oth e r bac k - o f f i c e fu nct i o ns for l arg e a n d s ma l l b us i n ess es has add e d mor e tha n
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w i th i n th e past y ear i n th e wa k e o f ex p o n e n t i a l g rowth .
Avitus Group, a co-employment agency founded in Billings 19 years ago, now provides services to companies that employ a total of 22,105 people. By comparison, the company served 5,773 worksite employees in 2010. Speaking at the firm’s annual meeting recently in Billings, Willie Chrans, chairman of the board for Avitus Group, said the company experienced growth of 27 percent last year, compared to the industry’s average growth of 17 percent. Chrans predicted that the rapid growth will continue. The company expects to add an additional 70 to 80 employees per year over the next three years. Because it is growing so quickly, company officials believe that simply filling new positions will be a challenge. That’s why Chrans invited the roughly 220 employees in attendance this week to apply for new management positions that are being created. Last spring the Billings Chamber of Commerce named Avitus Group as its employer of the year. Avitus Group started in Billings but now has 12 offices located around the country, including company headquarters in Denver.
In co-employment, workers are technically employed by two separate entities. The business owner controls employees’ daily duties and core job functions. Officials at Avitus Group have also announced the acquisition of the tax and bookkeeping portion of Rowland, Thomas & Co., a Miles City CPA firm. The acquisition adds nine people to Avitus Group and establishes a physical presence in Eastern Montana. ”The team at Rowland, Thomas and Co. is highly qualified and adds a strong group of skilled professionals to our staff. We’re excited about this growth and an added presence in Eastern Montana,” said Jim Liddell, Avitus Group’s senior tax manager. ”We are impressed with this organization, the quality and variety of services they provide and their vision for the future,” said a statement from Doug Benge and Karl Rogge of Rowland, Thomas & Co. Also this year, Avitus Group acquired another co-employment firm, Swan Employment Services of Anchorage, Alaska. Swan has 85 clients and manages 2,000 worksite employees. Swan employees were in atten-
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dance Monday, and many met their current co-workers for the first time. Chrans said Avitus Group’s sales and marketing team is working to develop business opportunities in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Asia. ”This is a very critical part of our company growth,” said Ken Balster, president of Avitus Business Services Inc. and Avitus Payroll Services. The company announced its plans to expand into Europe three years ago. That effort focused on helping American companies enter the European market. The newest effort in Europe aims to help European companies do business in the United States, Balster said. Don Reile, president of Avitus Inc., said the prospect of expanding into the United States scares many European business owners. The United States has higher tax rates, is considered to be more highly regulated and has a more litigious business environment, he said. ”Our marketing people help them understand that operating in the U.S. doesn’t have to be scary,” Reile said.
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Business Briefs Local Commerce at a Glance
Local business among honorees
and Entrepreneurship and State Farm Insurance, in honor of Robert Jaedicke, Parker’s Hangover Tonic host the program. Adof Billings, the maker of a ditional support for the spicy drink mix, was among program has been provided seven Montana businesses by the Montana Chamber of honored during the 2015 Commerce. Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship BSED receives State Farm Insurance Fam- accreditation ily Business Day. The International EcoThe 2015 Family Businomic Development Council ness Day award winners (IEDC) announces that Big are: Cove Deli and Pizza Sky Economic Development of Polson in the very small has been recognized as one business category (fewer of 45 economic development than 10 employees); Moun- organizations accredited tain Valley Foods of Kaby IEDC as an Accredited lispell in the small business Economic Development category (10-30 employOrganization (AEDO). ees); George’s Distribut”Big Sky Economic Deing of Helena in the large velopment displays the probusiness category (more fessionalism, commitment, than 50 employees); Helle and technical expertise that Rambouillet and Associated is deserving of this honor,” Enterprises (Duckworth) said IEDC President and of Dillon in the old busiCEO Jeff Finkle. ness category (operating at The AEDO program least 50 years); and Parker’s is a comprehensive peer Hangover Tonic of Billings review process that meaand Triple Dog Brewery of sures economic developHavre in the new business ment organizations against category (operating 10 or commonly held standards fewer years). The special in the profession. The recognition award winner program consists of two is Williams Companies of phases: documentation Bozeman. review and an onsite visit. The Montana Family Each phase is designed to Business program is in its evaluate information about 22nd year. The MSU Jake the structure, organization, Jabs College of Business funding, programs, and staff
Billingsbusiness
of the candidate economic development organization. Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that Big Sky Economic Development has attained a measure of excellence assuring that their trust is well-placed and their business is in good hands. Maintenance of the AEDO status is required every three years and is accomplished through documentation submission and/ or onsite visits by a team of the AEDO subcommittee. The International Economic Development Council is the largest membership association serving economic and community development professionals in the world. With over 4,400 members nationwide and abroad, IEDC offers the economic development profession one source for information and professional development, one voice for the profession and one force for advocacy. For more information on IEDC or the AEDO program, call Tye Libby at 202.223.7800; fax 202.223.4745; write to IEDC at 734 15th Street NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005; email tlibby@iedconline.org; or visit IEDC’s Web site at www.iedconline. org/AEDO.
More tax returns filed electronically
than 100 partners (Schedules K-1) are also required to e-file their tax returns. The Internal Revenue The IRS is seeing growth Service has announced that in e-filing by all business the number of tax returns segments. electronically filed or e-filed This year, a record by businesses rose nearly 100,000 large corpora9 percent this year, contions e-filed their returns, tinuing the growth in the an increase of 8 percent number of corporate and compared to the same time partnership returns filed last year. The greatest rate electronically. This year, an of growth in e-filing among additional 625,000 corpothese businesses is by large rations and partnerships partnerships. This year, chose to e-file their tax 142,237 large partnerships returns. e-filed their tax returns, up As of Sept. 20, almost almost 16 percent from the 8 million corporations and same time last year. partnerships e-filed their income tax returns. The IRS Drones used estimates that e-file accounts for 77 percent of all in oil industry corporate and partnership SAN ANTONIO — At a returns filed during 2015. South Texas ranch, a drone Many corporations and mounted with cameras flew partnerships operating on a above and around a flare calendar year receive filing stack that burned natural extensions. The due date gas. for filing a return after filing Live, high-definition for an extension is usually images were transmitted Sept. 15. back to the ground, where Most large corporacompany officials watched tions and partnerships are video of the flare stack as it required to electronically file was operating, asking that or e-file. the drone move this way or Large and mid-size that to get a better image or corporations, generally different angle. those with $10 million or It’s a scene that played more in total assets, are re- out recently, and it may quired to electronically file become more common. their Forms 1120 or 1120S. Though drones are in their Partnerships with more commercial infancy, their
use in the oil field is on the increase. In the case of the South Texas flare stack, a drone from San Antonio-based Midstream Integrity Services helped a client check its flare stack while avoiding a shutdown of equipment. “They could see what they needed to order to replace in the future,” said Landon Phillips, program manager for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at Midstream Integrity Services. “The image is very stable, and we can look straight down into equipment while it’s operating.” Jerry Hendrix, executive director of the Lone Star Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center of Excellence & Innovation at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, told the San Antonio Express-News (http://bit.ly/1FVRJoN) that Texas is a natural fit for drone use and research, and it’s not just the oil industry looking at how to use drones. Hundreds of companies and industries are looking into drones for inspection and monitoring of things such as railroad tracks, bridges, wind turbines, utility lines or agricultural fields. Drones can monitor red tide on the coastline, or might be used by first responders after a natural disaster such as a hurricane.
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Business Success StoriesBriefs Recognizing People and Local Achievements Commerce at a Glance
Riverstone workers honored, licensed
DEQ to a sanitarian who has demonstrated a commitment to protect, sustain, and Nikki Peterson, a regisimprove a healthful environtered sanitarian at RiverStone ment for future generations. Health, received the 2015 Harris received his bachelor’s William degree from the University of G. Walter North Carolina at Chapel Hill Outstanding in 2007 and joined RiverStone Sanitarian Health in 2008. DEQ conAward, which tracts with RiverStone Health the Montana to review subdivision proposEnvironmenals in Yellowstone County. Peterson tal Health Megan Herrenkohl passed Association the national presents at its annual meeting exam for to a member who has shown registered outstanding job performance environmenin the past year. Peterson, a tal health member of the RiverStone specialists Health team since 2011, joined and achieved Herrenkohl Environmental Health Serlicensure in vices in 2013. Montana Adam as a Registered Sanitarian. Harris, a In 2014, she graduated from registered California State Universanitarsity, Chico, with a bachelor’s ian, received degree in environmental the 2015 health science and a minor in Harris Department sustainable management. She of Environjoined RiverStone Health in mental Quality Excellence February of 2015. Award, presented by the state
Duncan earns CISR credential
was awarded Agent of the Year at the 84th annual Independent Insurance Agents Beatrice Kaye Duncan of Association of Montana the Darnielle Insurance Agenconvention. This award is cy in Billings has received the presented to a member of this Certified Insurance Service state wide group for outRepresentative designation standing contributions to the after her successful comple- improvement of the Montana tion of five, one-day courses Association. covering all areas of insurance risks and exposures, followed McNamer named by extensive examinations. The CISR designation is AAFP Fellow awarded by the Society of Deirdre McNamer, MD, CISR, a not-for-profit orgaFAAFP, a family physician in nization and member of The Red Lodge, has achieved the National Alliance for Insurdegree of Fellow of the Ameriance Education & Research, can Academy of Physicians the nation’s premier provider (AAFP), the national mediof insurance and risk manage- cal association representing ment education. Currently nearly 120,900 family physithere are more than 70,000 cians, residents and medical participants in the Society of students. The degree was CISR Program and more than conferred on more than 130 27,000 individuals holding family physicians during conthe CISR designation. vocation in conjunction with the AAFP’s annual meeting.
Darnielle named Agent of the Year
Deanna M. Darnielle of the Darnielle Insurance Agency
Man earns safety credential
Sam Buchanan has com-
pleted all requirements for the Certified Safety Professional certification. This highly respected certification is awarded by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals to individuals who meet eligibility criteria and experience in the safety, health and environmental discipline and have passed an examination. Buchanan works for Weave Consulting Inc. and may be reached at 670-2265.
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Jordan Hennessy has joined the Downtown Branch of Western Security Bank as a credit analyst. Hennessy was most recently with the State of Montana’s Banking Division as an examiner. He can be reached at 371-8257.
Johnson passes licensing exams
Shannon Johnson, with Strategic Retirement Plans, Farmers Insurance has completed her Series 7 names new agent and 66 Securities exams as Melissa Rehm has been well as her Life and Health appointed Insurance Licensing exams. as an agent She is licensed in both Monfor Farmers tana and Wyoming. These Insurance exams require hundreds of Group. Rehm hours of preparation. Johnson brings more comes to Strategic Retirethan 18 years ment Plans with over 12 years Rehm of Farmers experience in administrative experience management and customer from the claims department. service excellence. She may She may be reached at the be reached at the office at 208 office at 520 Wick Lane, No. 9, N. Broadway, Suite 450, or by or by phone at 259-9795. calling 256-5121.
BUSINESS is looking good. TO subscribe, Call 406-657-1298
Bank names credit analyst
Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101
Billingsbusiness
Business licenses The following business licenses were filed with the city of Billings in September of 2015. Rutschke Home Repair, 396 Jefferson St., 861-9677. Bargain Auto Sales, LLC, 1001 Fourth Ave. N., 927-6735. John’s Weedtastic Control, 2615 Lyman Ave., 861-0968. Youth Dynamics, 1250 15th St. W., 247-4947. Licia’s Littles, 3324 St. Johns Ave., 647-8507. Billings Auction House, 206 S. 24th St., 208-7664. Carpe Diem Massage, 928 Broadwater Ave., Suite 208, 5981040. Jasmine Janae Photography, 4332 Franzosen Drive, 690-8346. Majestic Cleaning, 1443 River Point Loop, 697-9371. Steve McCracken, 711 N. 15th St., 545-9064. Russell Hone Excavating Inc., 3634 Duck Club Road, 539-6394. Full Fusion, Shepherd, 8509430. Martha Rowe Coaching, 3218 Viola Lane, 575-642-9990.
Breakout Media LLC, 445 Laurie Lane, 351-9400. McNeal and Son’s Construction, 307 S. Billings Blvd., 855-0525. R.E.B. Window Remodel & Door Service, 802 Constitution Ave., 672-1403. Memorial Monuments & Vaults, 7010 Cowboy Way, 8763042. Crossway Counseling Incorporated, 1540 Lake Elmo Drive, Suite 6, 969-5183. Complete & Total Lawn Care Service LLC, 65 Vista Drive, 6975729. Winterholler Photography, 5320 N. Thunder Mountain, 6901904. Mind Right Money Right Branded, 841 N. 17th St., 3716851. Safeline Fire Protection, 1916 Chickadee Circle, 861-5515. Gorham Park Laundry, 1902 Broadwater Ave., 652-6296. JP Builders, 620 Lake Elmo Drive, 366-9903. Greasy Knuckles Mobile Main-
tenance, Laurel, 670-0753. T.B. Construction, Laurel, 307578-7838. Nye Enterprises Inc., 2534 Lillis Lane, 672-7541. National Contractors Inc., Minnetonka, Minn., 952-881-6123. Le’Indulgence, 1522 Howard Ave., 259-2146. Woodsmith Gallery Furniture, 3018 First Ave. N., 671-6761. Kopter Krazy, 300 S. 24th St. W., 208-371-8017. A and K Insurance of Montana, LLC, 812 Central Ave., 861-6377. Montana Pro Painters, Laurel, 850-4211. Montana Payee, 316 S. 37th St., 208-1452. K2 Electric Inc., Hardin, 6710893. Plumb Built Construction, 2823 Sixth Ave. N., 694-5805. Billings Smart Living Magazine, 709 Joyce St., 608-3469151. Cooper Construction, 331½ Alderson Ave., 850-7996. Heaven on Earth Therapeutic Massage, 928 Broadwater Ave.,
Suite 207, 598-2229. Applied Mechanical Inc., Kalispell, 755-6159. The Tub Guys LLC, Fishtail, 321-3342. Wild West Bullet Company, LLC, 1331 Mirror Lake Lane, 6901602. Preferred 1 Global, 3604 Decathlon Parkway, 281-2636. Janice Knudsen, 235 Emerald Drive, 390-3672. Montana Muffler and Automotive, 402 N. 15th St., 256-2052. Montana Summer One, 341 Sioux Lane, 281-0076. EJH Builders, 3937 Second Ave. S., 690-1225. A Better Service Caballero Brothers, 1625 Old Hardin Road, 860-9069. Easy Mobile Labs Inc., 2001 Rosebud Drive, Suite C, 360-8520302. Lower River Construction Inc., Fromberg, 212-7680. Valerie Ramsay PLLC, LCPC, 2475 Village Lane, Suite 102, 672-8770. Robichaux Renovations, 3441
Poly Drive, 861-6977. Just Meats Dog Treats, Reed Point, 930-1262. ENV Lighting and Recon, 303 S. 34th St., 670-1847. Beav’s Electronic Repair, 4407 Gators Way, 580-699-6681. Premo Construction, 3042 Boulder Ave., 493-7120. M. Pinter Construction Inc., Laurel, 530-4184. Smart Tech Montana LLC, 1302 24th St. W., 696-1530. Billings Auto Upholstery, 131 Brickyard Lane, 861-1903. Central Montana Construction LLC, 4100 McGirl Road, 380-0822. Donk’s HVAC and Handyman Services Inc., 2139 Phoebe Drive, 969-1451. Stitch & Willow, 331 Stonegate Circle, 671-9331. A Mama Whit’s Touch, 427 Lordwith Drive, 850-5359. Benita Construction Services, 210½ Broadwater Ave., 200-0779. Trueline Auto Body & Restoration, 1117 S. 27th St., 894-2277. Sola Salon Studios, 2545 Central Ave., Suite M, 272-2263.
Crosstruction, 1208 Howard Ave., 698-3464. B&B Exterior Designs, 531 Judith Lane, 208-4534. Valet Today Cleaners, 2474 Enterprise Ave., 655-9420. Michels Corporation, Brownsville, Wis., 920-583-3132. Junior’s Construction Inc., 3055 S. 53rd St. W., 839-8899. Bromon Construction, 2018 Main St., 545-4582. Christian Brothers Automotive, 1525 Zimmerman Trail, 647-0454. One Eighty Communications, Vancouver, Wash., 360-558-4227. Electrical Professional Services Inc., Roseburg, Ore., 541637-5050. KNJ Construction, 4125 Jansma Ave., 850-8698. Cutright Construction, Laurel, 304-439-4157. B & B Drywall, 2913 Sixth Ave. S., 876-1773. Portable Extreme Solutions LLC, Shepherd, 702-0387. High Plains Steel & Concrete, 5225 Montana City Drive, 8602905.
Nancy J. Shelby of Anchorage, Alaska; Steven M. Scott of Salt Lake City; Benjamin P. Luchsinger of Bozeman; Gregory A. Juda of Bozeman; Kelly R. Kirker of Bozeman; Darrel L. Homes of Bozeman; and Jesus Hernandez of Universal City, Texas: Process for demineralization of bone matrix with preservation of natural growth factors. 9,114,191. Aug. 25. Bacterin International Inc. of
Belgrade. Ronald E. Zook of Bigfork; Laurence K. Sampson of Denver; Timothy E. Braun of Kalispell; Kenneth A. High of Helena; Steven W. Jackinsky of Denver; Pete W. Kroehl of Denver; Davey B. Palmer of Highlands Ranch, Colo.; David W. Wright of Littleton, Colo.; and Paul P. Burek of Centennial, Colo.: Dilator apparatus. 9,114,228. Aug. 25. Swan Valley Medical Incorpo-
rated in Bigfork. Mark Andrew Manger of Missoula: Grab opener for crown bottle caps. 9,114,968. Aug. 25. Joe Scheffel of Three Forks; Troy E. Lanes of Belgrade; Pierre H. Parent of Denton, Texas; Richard Burtner of Broadlands, Va.; and Jeffrey Smith of Dallas: Satellite based tracking and data device with multi-function radio frequency interface. 9,119,013.
Aug. 25. Numerex Corp. of Atlanta. Alan Wanderer of Bozeman; Ewan R. Grantham of Castle Rock, Colo.; David Yakos of Bozeman; Seth Carlstrom of Bozeman; Ross Walker of Belgrade; and Rebecca K. Berg of Bozeman: Devices to dilate nasal airways for various applications involving activities using goggles with a helmet or goggles alone; swimming with goggles, without or with a swim
cap; sleep; sleep with a CPAP mask; and for physical activities. 9,119,708. Sept. 1. Nozewair LLC of Bozeman. Dan Leary of Shelby: Sex toy. 9,119,763. Sept. 1. Bryan J. Bergelin of Houston, Texas; Chris A. Ihrke of Hartland, Mich.; Donald R. Davis of Novi, Mich.; Douglas Martin Linn of White Lake, Mich; Adam M. Sanders of Huntersville, N.C.; R. Scott
Montana patents Below are listed U.S. patents issued to Montana inventors Aug. 25-Sept. 15, 2015. For assistance in patent filing, call Billings patent attorney Antoinette M. Tease at 406-294-9000. Ethan Frederic Imboden of San Francisco, Calif., and Jeff Wyatt of Bozeman: Systems, devices and methods for personal massage. 9,114,056. Aug. 25. JJ Acquisition LLC of San Francisco, Calif. Billingsbusiness
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Montana patents, continued Askew of Houston; Evan Laske of Troy, Mich.; and Kody Ensley of Polson: Control of a glove-based grasp assist device. 9,120,220. Sept. 1. GM Global Technology Operations LLC of Detroit, and The United States of America as represented by the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Washington, D.C.
Francisco, Calif.; and Roland J. Wyatt of Bozeman: Rechargeable personal massager. 9,132,058. Sept. 15. LELO Inc. of San Jose, Calif. Kevin Larry Scharfe of Billings; and Karl Joseph Schwartz of Billings: Portable combination dishware set. 9,132,932. Sept. 15. Warum Studios LLC of Billings.
Paul Beard of Bigfork: Systems and methods for causing a rotational force to be applied to a vehicle. 9,120,511. Sept. 1. Horizon Hobby LLC of Champaign, Ill. Ronald G. Turner of Havre; David Yakos of Bozeman; Kyle Gunnarson of Bozeman; and Ross Walker of Bozeman: Anchor retrieval device. 9,120,541. Sept.
1. Ronald G. Turner of Havre. Mark Rhoads of Bozeman: Logic validation and deployment. 9,122,804. Sept. 1. Oracle International Corporation of Redwood Shores, Calif. Stephen A. Yanuszka of Great Falls; and John W. Meyer of Cascade: Ornamental design for a tool kit and sheath combination
for chainsaw. D737,573. Sept. 1. Joshua 2011 LLC. William J. Ritter of Bozeman: Boot binding system with foot latch pedal. 9,126,099. Sept. 8. Michael Holland of Missoula: Hitch guide assembly with displaceable guide member. 9,126,465. Sept. 8. Like Products Inc. of Missoula.
Jonathan Y. Walther of Missoula; and Jeffery M. Hollenback of Missoula: Traffic management system. 9,129,526. Sept. 8. Superior Traffic Systems, LLC of Missoula. Eric Payne of Whitefish: Roping training device. 9,129,534. Sept. 8. Ethan Imboden of San
474, Absarokee, Sept. 8. Donald Charles Berger, Nancy Fay Berger, 5610 Creek Drive, Sept. 14. Lindsy Marie Harp, 4440 Bowman Drive, Sept. 16. Loretta Mary Pometta, 4302 N.
Carlton Ave. SW, Sept. 18. Theodore W. Trejo, Kim M. Trejo, 1094 Lincoln Lane Apt. 216, Sept. 22. Gerald Timothy Maynard, Brenda Janette Maynard, 1661 Hawthorne Lane, Sept. 23.
Duane Eddie Hobbs, 27 Meadow Drive, Sept. 23. Jason Vincent Hemmer, Krystal Renee Hemmer, 302 Foundation Ave., Sept. 23. Sonja Simeon, 635 St. Johns Ave., Sept. 24.
Burt, 104 Norris Court, Sept. 30. Heidi Lynn Anderson, 5 WakeSarah Jenay Bisset, 3309 field, Sept. 25. Ashley Leann Durell, 915 New- Seventh Ave. S., Sept. 30. port Beach No. 3 , Sept. 29. Dawn Suzanne Mayes, 301 Chapter 13 Durland Ave. No. A, Laurel, Sept. 29. John Harry Starr, Kimberly Ann Jared Michael Burt, Laura Jean Starr, 104 Wyoming Ave., Sept. 16.
$49,500 639 Highland Park Drive, Grover, Jordan L. & Gail D., Kale Construction Co., $5,000 415 Terry Ave., Emerson, Pat, $3,600 4031 Audubon Way, Morrison, Russell L. & Mary Lea, Freyenhagen Construction Inc., $17,000 331 Bohl Ave., Bohl Properties LLC, Billings Remodel And Paint Inc., $8,000 28 Berg Ave., Ronan, Pat, Bedrock Construction LLC, $134,810 2632 Cook Ave., Johnson, Loren & Brett M., $6,495 131 Crestline Drive, McGill,
James & Elizabeth L., Wolf Construction, $2,580 817 N. 31st St., Murphy, Jenna F. & Brian M., Bent Nail Carpentry, $16,940 4269 Cedarwood Lane, Knight, Crystal & George, Thompson Const. Co. Inc., $15,000
Dale E. & Judith G., Storage Office Arts & Crafts,$6,480 2647 Yellowstone Ave., Wells, Dawna Lynn, $22,750
Enterprises LLC, Eggart Engineering & Construct, $117,000 715 N. 17th St., Eggart Enterprises LLC, Eggart Engineering & Construct, $112,425 717 N. 17th St., Eggart Enterprises LLC, Eggart Engineering & Construct, $117,000 5639 Mountain Front Ave., Trails West Homes LLC, Trails West Homes LLC, $249,275 914 North Fork Trail, Trails West Homes LLC, Trails West Homes LLC, $203,380 1738 Hollyhock St., McCall Development Inc, McCall Development, $296,820 1710 Island View Drive, McCall Homes, McCall Devel-
Bankruptcies Billings area filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Sept. 1-30, 2015. Addresses are in Billings unless otherwise noted.
Chapter 7 Norbert C. Dirkson, P.O. Box
Residential Permits Demolition Permit Residential — 109 N. 35 St., Marks Steve, Springline Construction Inc., $8,000
Addition Single/ Duplex/Garage — 1036 El Rancho Drive, Sieders Edward A., $3,600 261 Quiet Water Ave., Michalies, Richard H. & Kathlee, Bearrd Construction, $10,290 889 Solita Drive, Sikveland, Karsten L., Reule Builders,
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New Single Family
— 1507 Jean Ave., Honey Do Homebuilding & Remodel, New Garage Honey Do Contracting, $223,340 5135 Clemson Drive, — 2252 George St., Naasz, Oldenburg, Oldenburg Const & Daniel A. & Georgia E., $30,240 Design, $234,295 711 N. 17th St., Eggart 1711 Broadview Drive, Enterprises LLC, Eggart EngiMorrill, Joshua A. & Rebecca neering & Construct, $112,425 N., $25,200 713 N. 17th St., Eggart 210 N. 16th St., Hanson,
opment, $299,815 935 Grouse Berry St., Trails West Homes LLC, Trails West Homes LLC, $228,305 1833 Island View Drive, McCall Development, McCall Development, $254,820 5314 Denali Drive, Wells Built Homes, Wells Built Homes Inc., $138,620 1135 Jordan Circle, Habitat For Humanity Mid Yellowstone, Habitat For Humanity, $144,570 1505 Anchor Ave., Had Inc., $199,215 1306 Benjamin Blvd., Ziegler, Leighton & Karen, RJ Mac Homes Inc., $193,880
Billingsbusiness
Residential Permits, continued 4243 Creekwood Drive, Wells Built Homes, Wells Built Homes Inc., $248,905 2946 W. Copper Ridge Loop, Infinity Homes, Infinity Roofing & Siding Inc., $184,150 6304 Ridge Stone Drive N., Picard Company, Picard Development, $275,000 6302 Ridge Stone Drive N., Picard Company, Picard Development, $275,000 1134 Vera Cruz Circle, Oakland Built Homes Inc., Oakland Built Homes Inc., $146,280 1130 Vera Cruz Circle, Oakland Built Homes, Oakland Built Homes Inc., $144,290 1129 Vera Cruz Circle, Oakland Built Homes Inc., Oakland Built Homes Inc., $141,340 1126 Vera Cruz Circle, Oakland Built Homes Inc., Oakland Built Homes Inc., $147,015 1836 Island View Drive, McCall Development, McCall Development, $130,685 5301 Sundance Mountain Circle, J & S Development Co, Jeff Junkert Construction Inc., $214,790 1436 Benjamin Blvd., Lais Development Inc., Lais Development Inc., $156,875 918 Royal Ave., Kisling Quality Builders, Kisling Quality Builders, $250,000 1340 Benjamin Blvd., High Sierra II Inc., Green Jeans LLC, $270,000 2158 Burnstead Drive, Langford, Aaron D., $138,615 4037 Hyalite Court, Classic Design Homes Inc., Classic Design Homes, $225,170 1289 Twin Lakes Drive, Art Ahl, Art Work Builders, $182,920 1265 Twin Lakes Drive, Art Ahl, Art Work Builders, $183,320 1277 Twin Lakes Drive, Art Ahl, Art Work Builders, $180,220
Billingsbusiness
1832 Island View Drive, McCall Homes, McCall Development, $141,745 6141 Timbercove Drive, Wells Built Homes, Wells Built Homes Inc., $259,890 1830 Island View Drive, McCall Development, McCall Development, $152,840 1370 Twin Lakes Drive, Bo Smith, Newman Built Quality Homes, $209,080 447 Boca Raton Road, Hill, Ron S. Trustee, Specialized Construction, $217,935 5120 Amherst Drive, Gayvert Construction Inc., Gayvert Construction, $329,000 1723 W Thunder Mountain Road, Jeff Junkert Const., Jeff Junkert Construction Inc., $223,240
Remodel Single/ Duplex/Garage — 3003 E Macdonald Drive, Speer, Douglas T. & Deborah G., TB Construction, $1,200 544 Broadwater Ave., Lehman, Carl William, Craigo Construction, $1,000 842 Yellowstone Ave., Schreibeis, Jacob E. & Alicia L., Northwest Custom Improvements, $2,000 2705 Cook Ave., Candy Tweety, Craigo Construction, $500 1027 Yellowstone River Road, Fuhrmann, Darlene M., Lynnrich Inc., $3,504 3635 Olympic Blvd., Boysun, Carrie, Lynnrich Inc., $6,298 815 Howard Ave., Kirkpatrick, Cory, Lynnrich Inc., $812 3757 San Juan Drive, Schulke, Cody & Sarah, Lynnrich Inc., $2,957 1441 Parkhill Drive, Krueger, Mark R., Mattern Remodeling, $6,500
2120 St. Andrews Drive, Redman, Alan E. & Kathleen L., Pella Window Store, $3,100 3524 Glenfinnan Road, Madsen, Mardi J. & Lynn L., C Squared Construction, $500 815 Avenue B, Becker, Bret A., Lynnrich Inc., $2,162 3921 Chamberlain Drive, City Of Billings, Van Arsdale Construction, $5,500 1132 Minuteman St., Ray, James E. & Karen Y., AlphaOmega Disaster, $6,000 2147 Phoebe Drive, Wayne & Betty Anderson Living, WinDor Industries, $8,558 918 Maywood Drive, Land, Margo T., Win-Dor Industries, $1,633 1918 Lyndale Lane, Sullivan, Brian M., Win-Dor Industries, $1,841 35 White Sands Drive, Astle, Joseph, Win-Dor Industries, $2,723 816 Parkhill Drive, Poulos, Francie, Jim Besel Repair, $2,700 711 N. 15th St., McCracken, Steven A.|Steve McCracken, $1,000 1019 Avenue C, Trichler, Jeanette M., K-Designers, $1,721 1127 Lynn Ave., Howse, James Callan, K-Designers, $5,994 3270 Gregory Drive W., Merchant, Robert K. & Linda J., Billings Window and Door, $12,250 301 Yellowstone Ave., Miller, Brett W., Patrick Cary, $4,000 436 Miles Ave., Verseman, Michael D., Les Nouveau Milieux-Bob Habeck, $200 2111 Green Valley Drive, Christianson, Richard L., One Source Construction LLC, $2,400 3318 Shenandoah Drive, Berger Trust, Win-Dor Industries, $3,092
610 Alderson Ave., Tuss, Sheila M., C Squared Construction, $500 2636 Terry Ave., Michaels, David B. & Donna J., C Squared Construction, $500 3341 McMasters Road, Ricci, Andrew J. & Brenna K., Six Sigma Contracting, $8,000 2412 Miles Ave., Casey, Donald B., Billings Window And Door, $6,126 868 Sapphire Ave., Witt, Kyle J. & Jennifer L., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $4,600 736 Lewis Ave., Proctor, R. Kelly & Lola J., R.E.B. Window Remodel & Door, $5,000 1834 Grand Ave., Capitol Land & Building Co., Robert Nelson Const., $4,000 1041 Strawberry Ave., Poser Interiors, JP Builders, $5,500 50 Shadow Place, Frank Sonja, MDJ Construction LLC, $2,000 835 Lewis Ave., Archie P Barnard 2001 Revocable Trust, Colossal Construction, $800 937 Miles Ave., Pett, Sue E., Colossal Construction, $500 205 Avenue E, Waddington, Eric, Colossal Construction, $800 525 Howard Ave., Wehmeyer, Katie J, ABC Seamless Of Billings Inc., $10,800 2108 Beloit Drive, Stoltz, Regina E., ABC Seamless Of Billings Inc., $6,898 5555 Bobby Jones Blvd., Bouboutsis, Rebecca Kellum, Win-Dor Industries, $4,510 1364 Valley Heights Road, Vonbergen, Bradley L., Win-Dor Industries, $3,592 134 Grand Ave., Smith, Jay A. & Donna M., Win-Dor Industries, $2,285 2914 Terry Ave., Hartl, Margaret A., Win-Dor Industries, $7,208 8 Parkside Drive, Darcy Love, One Source Construction LLC, $2,000
2215 Wingate Lane, Shannon, Jack L. & Donna L., Colossal Construction, $700 3537 Briarwood Blvd., Duin Dian K., Big Sky Exterior Designs Inc., $1,350 1041 Miles Ave., Guilford, Judah & Sara-Beth, $1,700 515 Glen Drive, Haworth, Brandon J., American Exteriors LLC, $8,527 1127 Reece Drive, Kostelecky, Troy J. & Lori A., One Source Construction LLC, $1,500 720 Revolution Ave., King, Annie Louise, Freyenhagen Construction Inc., $30,000 2620 Riveroaks Drive, Donovan, Jennifer & Timothy, M., Pinter Construction, $6,000 2412 Woody Drive, Engebretson, Jeremy L. & Doniel, Les Nouveau Milieux-Bob Habeck, $200 1136 Alderson Ave., Stoddard, Connie Wardell, Phil’s Glass, $1,800 2942 Vermillion Drive, Larsen, Jonathon A., Win-Dor Industries, $2,114 1043 Miles Ave., Hill, Joshua & Stephanie, $30,000 5415 Billy Casper Drive, Michelotti, Robert G. Jr., Pella Window Store, $6,500 4306 Pine Cove Road, Holden, Donna, Ty Nelson Construction, $2,500 407 Russell Drive, Simpson, Kevin C. & Kathy E., K-Designers, $4,421 502 Luther Circle, Eddy, A. John Jr. & Daisy C., Lynnrich Inc., $10,147 845 Parkhill Drive, Haynie, Nathan & Sally, Colossal Construction, $700 4015 Wildridge Meadows Drive, James, D. & Paula A. Griffin Trustees, C Squared Construction, $1,000 There were 380 Fence/ Roof/Siding permits issued in September.
an indispensable business resource
CalL 406-657-1298 to subScribE
Billings Business 401 North Broadway Billings, MT 59101
November 2015
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Billings Commercial Building Permits Sept. 1-30, 2015
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Addition
213 N. 29 St.
Zoot Properties LLC
Langlas & Assoc. Inc.
$250,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1643 24 St. W.
Allie Nathan A.
Foss Construction LLC
$50,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
15 N. 22 St.
Topel Richard H. & Deena
Bradford Roof Management Inc.
$32,150
Fence/Roof/Siding
323 N. 24 St.
C R R Land LLC
Highsmith Construction
Fence/Roof/Siding
2727 Central Ave.
Central Realty Inc.
M W Construction
$88,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2225 Broadwater Ave.
MMJAS LLC
EEC Inc.
$99,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2014 Alderson Ave.
Kovash Bryan D.
DLV Roofing Inc.
$18,800
Fence/Roof/Siding
2646 Grand Ave.
Ray Jerry T.
Adan’s Construction LLC
$42,000
New Store/Strip Center
4010 Montana Sapphire Drive
Millennium Circle LLC
Stock Construction Co.
$818,555
Demolition Permit Commercial
406 Main St.
Pentegon Entertainment
Huppert Construction Co.
$25,000
Addition
214 N. 24 St.
R W S Enterprise LLC
Northwest Building And Design LLC
$45,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2336 St. Johns Ave.
Mount Olive Evangelical Lutheran Church
Rocky Mountain Roofing
$57,200
Fence/Roof/Siding
1595 Grand Ave.
Boardman Westpark LLC
Empire Roofing Inc.
$59,000
New Warehouse/Storage
2850 Overland Ave.
Bangert Mini Storage LLC
Remodel
3165 King Ave. E.
Yellowstone County
Diamond Construction Inc.
Remodel
2 S. 28th St.
KB Chemical
Hanna Construction
$35,000
Remodel
3127 Central Ave.
Central Avenue Center LLC
Neumann Construction
$90,000
Remode
3127 Central Ave.
Central Avenue Center LLC
Neumann Construction
$65,000
Com Fence/Roof/Siding
410 S. 26 St.
Yellowstone County
Empire Roofing Inc.
$40,327
Fence/Roof/Siding
2305 8 Ave. N.
City of Billings
Empire Roofing Inc.
$218,252
Fence/Roof/Siding
1819 Grand Ave.
Ray Jerry T.
Adan’s Construction LLC
New Warehouse/Storage
3090 Gabel Road
Bebee Farming Inc.
Nye Enterprises Inc.
Remodel
1139 N. 27th St.
Stv Building Partnership
ZCM Construction
$20,000
Remodel
1020 N. 27th St.
Deaconess Medical Center
Bauer Construction
$38,000
Remodel
2800 10 Ave. N.
Deaconess Medical Center
Bauer Construction
$182,645
Remodel
326 N. 20th St.
Johnson Cynthia R.
Fence/Roof/Siding
3050 Rosebud Lane
Frasca Troy & Tabitha
Kyle Kring Construction
$60,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1018 Howard Ave.
Fisher Brian & Nichole
Cory Simons Construction
$36,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
715 Grand Ave.
Mary Jo Schuman Revocable Trust
Mankin Construction Inc.
Fence/Roof/Siding
1815 Grand Ave.
Christine A. Cross Trust
Kohlman Construction
$19,500
Fence/Roof/Siding
1120 S. 27th St.
Ground State LLC
Sprague Construction Roofing Division
$13,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2501 Central Ave.
Joyce E. Carroll Revocable Trust
Summit Roofing Inc.
$83,930
Fence/Roof/Siding
214 N. 24th St.
R W S Enterprise LLC
Northwest Building And Design LLC
$14,200
Fence/Roof/Siding
711 Central Ave.
Jem LLC
Adan’s Construction LLC
I November 2015
$8,000
$1,250,000 $600,000
$16,500 $616,000
$1,300
$4,150
$37,200
Billingsbusiness
Billings Commercial Building Permits Sept. 1-30, 2015, continued Fence/Roof/Siding
402 N. 32nd St.
Young Men’s Christian Association
Empire Roofing Inc.
$95,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2564 King Ave. W.
Power Park Partners
Empire Htg. & Cooling
$57,314
New Other
3595 Monad Road
Church Of Jesus Christ of LDS
New Other
4110 Montana Sapphire Drive
Montana Sapphire LLC
Applied Mechanical Inc.
$1,542,862
New Restaurant/Casino/Bar
406 Main St.
Pentegon Entertainment
Radix Construction Inc.
$350,000
New Restaurant/Casino/Bar
4020 Montana Sapphire Drive
Williams Property Management
Fisher Construction Inc.
$885,000
Remodel
2545 Central Ave.
Ravid Billings LLC
EEC Inc.
Com Addition
10 S. 26th St.
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Hardy Construction Co.
Fence/Roof/Siding
1108 24 St. W.
Lutheran Church Of The Good Shepherd
Rambur Construction
Fence/Roof/Siding
2264 Central Ave.
5K Holding LLC
Bradford Roof Management Inc.
$135,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2818 Second Ave. N.
Montana Farm & Ranch Dev. Corp.
Bradford Roof Management Inc.
$9,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1601 Lewis Ave.
Pfhol David
Summit Roofing Inc.
$91,842
Fence/Roof/Siding
401 N. 31 St.
Billings 401 Joint Venture
Summit Roofing Inc.
$59,425
Fence/Roof/Siding
619 Daniel St.
Kirkness R. D.
Sprague Construction Roofing Division
$92,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2625 Shiloh Road
Lutheran Retirement Home Inc.
Perfect 10 Roofing & Construction
$30,800
Fence/Roof/Siding
2621 Shiloh Road
Lutheran Retirement Home Inc.
Perfect 10 Roofing & Construction
$38,500
Fence/Roof/Siding
2270 Grant Road
HHI LLP
Empire Htg. & Cooling
$21,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
1221 16 St. W.
Christian Church (Disciples Of)
Bradford Roof Management Inc.
$30,000
Fence/Roof/Siding
2070 Overland Ave.
Job Connection Inc.
Rimrock Roofing
$35,000
New Parking Lot/Non-Building Structure
840 S. Shiloh Road
Rimrock II LLC
New Parking Lot/Non-Building Structure
2 Moore Lane Markegard
Rodney P. Jones Construction Inc.
New Store/Strip Center
4540 S. Frontage Road
Tacoma Screw
Dick Anderson Construction
$951,480
New Warehouse/Storage
420 N. 24th St.
B L M Tire Co.
Kale Development LLC
$458,179
New Warehouse/Storage
1925 Central Ave.
Black Holdings LLC
Emineth Custom Homes
$32,183
Remodel
1826 Grand Ave.
Olson Grant A. & Bethany J.
$160,000
Remodel
2032 Central Ave.
Billings Unitarian Universalist
$14,000
BILLINGSbusiness
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$255,240
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$40,000
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November 2015
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