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A number of companies are making application for the county’s business incentive program, which defers property taxes on new construction, instituting it incrementally over a ten year period. Among them is Global Rail, the spur railroad between Broadview in Yellowstone County and Signal Peak Mine in Musselshell County. Yellowstone County Commissioners expressed concern about whether the portion of the line in Yellowstone County, representing a $48 million investment, qualifies for the tax incentive since there are no jobs directly associated with it, which is a requirement of the program. The commissioners asked staff to investigate further. Other companies applying for the program include, Kimmet Property LLC (Cellular Plus), Motor Power Equipment, Crown Parts, and Diamond Recovery Systems, all of who are new or expanding businesses. The companies also must demonstrate that a substantial portion of their sales are outside the area and that they will increase the number of jobs as a result of their capital investment.
Brown for Senate
Republican Sen. Roy Brown (SD 25) announced his candidacy for re-election last week outside Congressman Denny Rehberg’s campaign headquarters. He is running for his fourth term in the reconfigured House District 49.
Brown said that he believes the race which will probably be between him and Democratic challenger Rep. Kendall Van Dky is likely to be the most closely and costly political race this year.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) officials in Bozeman announce the application deadline for participation in a Special Initiative to remove Russian Olive and Salt Cedar from the riparian corridors along all major water courses in the Yellowstone Watershed. Of specific interest for this project is removal of the trees along the Yellowstone River.
The United States has made its first response to a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Missoula to test the Montana Firearms Freedom Act (MFFA), passed by the 2009 Legislature and signed into law by Governor Schweitzer.
The continuing squeeze on budget dollars, which has caused staff cuts and reduced hours for the City-County Planning Department, is prompting interest in putting a mill levy request on the ballot this fall.
In order to take advantage of a $1 million windfall, the Yellowstone County Commissioners and the Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved an amendment to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
Scott Walker explained that the project of building a pedestrian/bike trail under Main Street at the point of Alkali Creek has received a $1 million infusion from the federal stimulus program (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). The amendment approves using those funds for the underpass, which releases funds for other local projects.
Also approved by both bodies was permission to pay for cost overruns on the Rimrock Road project. Stefan Streeter, regional manager for the Montana Department of Transportation, said that it appears that the costs may be as much as $200,000 over budget. The commissioners and the PCC approved overrun costs of up to $400,000.
Damon L. Gannett, Attorney at Law, announced his candidacy for the newly created position for District Court Judge for the Thirteenth Judicial District, Department 6. He made his announcement to a packed house in Judge Susan P. Watters’ Courtroom.
While Yellowstone County Commissioners approved an architectural plan to expand judicial offices on sixth floor of the County Courthouse as adequate to meet the needs of a new judge, the judges of the 13th District Court do not agree.
At the crux of the disagreement is the issue of where to locate the Self Help Law Center (SHLC).
Yellowstone County Commissioners made clear at their weekly board meeting that they believe they are providing, as they are required to do by state law, space adequate enough to meet the needs of the 13th District Court, accommodating quarters for an additional judge, providing necessary security, and space for the Self Help Law Center. Even though District Court is a state administered agency, counties are required to provide space for court rooms and offices. The Self Help Law Center is also a program of District Courts.
The Big Sky Business Journal
P.O. Box 3262
Billings, MT 59103