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It’s been six long years in pursuing the goal of having a presence in downtown Billings, but that goal will be realized this month for Stockman Bank.

“We are really excited about moving in,” said Jeremy Morgret, branch manager of the newest branch of Montana’s largest family-owned bank. The five story building at the corner of 4th and Broadway in downtown Billings rises with a new grandeur for the heart of the state’s largest financial center. The move will happen at the end of the month with a Grand Opening week planned for January 9-13.

The new structure continues the familiar architectural design that has come to be associated with Stockman Banks throughout Montana. While unique in its own right, the new building still retains a western architectural style in red brick, which at once captures the nostalgia of Montana’s historic agriculture communities, blended with a modern look that sets a new standard for the openness and vibrancy of today’s urban Montana.

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Davidson Companies, a financial services holding company based in Montana, has announced this it is selling its retail travel agency to Travel Café Inc., Billings.

The sale allows Travel Café to expand into Missoula and Great Falls. In addition, Travel Café has hired Davidson Travel's three consultants. The three Davidson Travel consultants will continue to operate under the Davidson Travel name in Great Falls and Missoula for several months

Billie Ruff, President of Travel Café, founded that agency 12 years ago. Davidson Travel clients have been sent a letter explaining the transition and introducing them to the Travel Café name.

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What is the opportunity for business in The Bakken?

Increasingly, for a wider array of businesses in Montana, that is becoming a serious question.

"Is it going to last?" is the most frequently asked question of Tom Rolfstad, a Williston, ND- native and the community's economic development executive director. Rolfstad was a guest speaker at the Big Sky Economic Development Corporation's annual meeting, last week. He was invited to specifically answer that question, for all kinds of Billings' business people and political leaders, who packed the meeting room at the Crowne Plaza.

Rolfstad essentially told the group, "Yes, it's going to last." He thinks it will last for at least 30 to 50 years. Nothing supports that more than the billion-dollar buyouts that are happening now as the bigger oil companies move in, he said.

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Ditch Witch Northwest of Eugene, Oregon, has acquired the assets of Ditch Witch Montana, a heavy equipment dealership specializing in underground construction equipment in Billings.

Ditch Witch Northwest is a member of The Papé Group of companies.

"We are very excited about this opportunity to provide high quality Ditch Witch equipment and product support to the customers throughout Montana and Northern Wyoming," said Chris Wetle, President of Ditch Witch Northwest. "Our experienced team stands ready, each and every day, to earn our customers' business through consistency quality customer service, a cornerstone of every Papé company since 1938."

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Going to Brazil

The Montana Chamber's next group tour will be to Brazil, March 21-30. Flying out of and back into New York City, the group will spend four nights in Rio de Janeiro and three nights in Sao Paulo, with hotels, Brasilian airfare, all breakfasts, tours and entrance fees, and taxes included. This trip will allow more time for business meetings, or leisure time on your own. Good connections have already been made in past visits to this global economic power and beautiful part of the world. Check it out at:

www.MontanaGoesToBrazil.com.

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Members of Big Sky Economic Development's board of directors are making application to the State of Montana's Department of Commerce on behalf of Bay Limited Montana (Berry Y & V) for a job creation incentive.

The company was recently awarded a major contract and has plans to hire some 250 pipefitters and welders, for which the company is seeking state grant funds to subsidize training costs.

Under the state's Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund, the company is eligible to receive up to $5,000 per eligible employee earning above Yellowstone County's average hourly wage. The grant application will request $1.25 million for the creation of primary sector jobs and would be paid after the company hires the position and submits a request for reimbursement.