Dennis Design Works

  • Record High for Manufacturers

    National Association of Manufactures'’ Survey: 2018 on Pace for Year of Record-High Manufacturer Optimism. On the heels of yet another positive employment report showing 18,000 manufacturing jobs were created in September, the NAM released the third-quarter results of its Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, which shows 2018 is on pace for the… Read More

  • Billings Company Gets ND Environmental Stewardship Award

      GTUIT, LLC, Billings, was awarded North Dakota Petroleum Council’s (NDPC) 2018 Environmental Stewardship Award. The award was presented at NDPC’s Annual Meeting awards luncheon on September 25 at the NDPC Annual Meeting in Fargo. The award is for “Flare Capture and Emissions Reduction in the Bakken”. The NDPC noted… Read More

  • Collection Bureau Services, Inc. of Missoula - 2018 Montana Family Business Award Winner

    Collection Bureau Services, Inc. (CBS) of Missoula is the winner of the 2018 Montana Family Business award in the small business category (10-30 employees), presented by Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship State Farm Insurance Family Business Day. Collection Bureau Services started after many lunch and dinner discussions… Read More

  • Tongue River Winery of Miles City - 2018 Montana Family Business Award Winner

    Tongue River Winery of Miles City - 2018 Montana Family Business Award Winner Tongue River Vineyard & Winery Inc. of Miles City is the winner of the 2018 Montana Family Business of the year in the new business category, presented by the Montana State University Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship State Farm Insurance Family Business Day. Read More

  • Sysco Recognized at Beef Conference

    Sysco Recognized at Beef Conference Sysco Montana, Billings, was recognized with the Broadline Foodservice Distributor Marketer of the Year award at the Certified Angus Beef ® Annual Conference, held in Maui Sept. 26-28, for leadership in product quality, marketing and sales. Brand partners, including meat processors, distributors, chefs, retailers and cattle ranchers, celebrated the brand’s 40th… Read More
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Market Update

  • Transportation Plan Unveiled

      The plan for future transportation projects in Yellowstone County was approved by Yellowstone County Commissioners,  as one of the four authorities that must accept the plan for it to become effective and to meet requirements of the federal government. The Billings City Council, the Planning Board and the Policy… Read More

  • Tax Helps Put Montana on Map for Tourists

    Tax Helps Put Montana on Map for Tourists   Since its institution in 1987 the Montana bed tax has succeeded in putting Montana on the map for the tourist industry. The growth of tourism in Montana has been dramatic. Read More

  • Startup Competition Names Winners

    A startup company co-founded by a pair of Montana State University alumni entrepreneurs recently shared a $50,000 prize at the inaugural Early Stage Montana showcase. Read More

  • Postal Rate Disparities Addressed by Trump

      The Trump Administration recently announced action to address the disparity in global shipping rates paid by U.S. businesses, which undercuts small businesses. The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) praised the action as long-overdue, and said President Trump’s announcement is the right thing to do.   Read More
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  • Veterans Bring Unique Skills As Entrepreneurs

    Veterans Bring Unique Skills As Entrepreneurs Once you become “Goliath” don’t ever think you are too big to be taken down by “David.” Such was among the tidbits of advice offered by Troy Downing in addressing a group of veteran entrepreneurs – or a vetrepreneur – at a free workshop sponsored by Concerned Veterans for America Foundation and… Read More

  • Montanans, Not so Happy?

    When it comes to being happy, Montanans are apparently only middling so. At least that is the report of Wallet Hub, which recently released a survey about which states are the happiest. Montana was ranked as only 28th happiest, while a number of our neighbors are apparently quite happy.  North… Read More

  • Chamber Entices TBEX

      Travel Bloggers Exchange, TBEX, announced Billings as the host destination for its 2019 national conference. TBEX will bring 650 of the nation’s travel bloggers, journalists and influencers to Billings September 11-13, 2019. TBEX is the largest conference and networking event for travel bloggers, online travel journalists, new media content… Read More

  • The Underriners, A Legacy

    The Underriners, A Legacy The Billings Chamber of Commerce announced that Bill and Mary Underriner are the 2018 Legacy Award honorees, for their dedication to business, philanthropy, and to the community.  Bill Underriner is the CEO/President/Owner of Underriner Motors in Billings. He has been in the automobile business since 1984 and took over the… Read More
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  • There is no solace.

    There is no solace.

    Everywhere, every one is saying the same – they are tired of all the mud-slinging political commercials.

    But, as tiresome as they are, we should be more dismayed to know that the ads are there because they work!

    The name calling, mudslinging, half-truths and untruths are being rolled out and played and re-played, ad nauseam, because they actually succeed in “persuading” voters. But even more, we should be profoundly alarmed, because people who can be persuaded by such shallow, immature and manipulative tauntings, ARE actually voting! They know nothing more than the superficial claims and counter-claims that are designed to play to emotions rather than brains, and such voters in no way feel obligated to find out more.

    It doesn’t matter what side of the fence they are on, or what the issues are about, or who the candidate is, the messages are carefully crafted and calculated by expert marketers with the goal of appealing to emotions of the lowest common denominator. It’s amazing how many people are willing to sign up for that title.

    Studies that show that people (both sides) prefer to get information with which they agree, are without doubt true. It is probably a product of human

    … Read More

  • Tax Reform Continues to Power Small Business Growth in Montana

    Recently, I was shopping at our local store and was amazed that holiday merchandise was already on the shelves.  What happened to the tradition of launching the Christmas selling season right after turkey time at the end of November?  Little did I know, the holiday shopping season now starts with Halloween and runs straight through until Christmas.

    The last three months of the year are critically important for our locally-owned small businesses.  In fact, statistics show that locally-owned retailers earn as much as 50 percent or more of their total annual revenues from the period between October 1st and the end of the year.  During this time, businesses invest heavily on labor, new inventory, as well as marketing strategies to stay competitive with on-line retailers.  The holiday season can be a drain both on the business owner’s time and cash flow.

    The good news is that the Trump Administration’s tax cuts and regulatory reforms are now enabling small businesses to plan more effectively and reinvest in their companies by expanding, hiring more employees, and raising wages.  This is support that is badly needed during this time of the year.

    Support also comes from the U.S. Small Business Administration. At the

    … Read More
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Tobacco Smuggling Common in Montana, Could Become Worse

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The discussion about raising taxes on tobacco in Montana, as proposed with Initiative 185, has...

Sherry Haffey Promoted

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Sherry Haffey has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Personal Banking Officer for the...

PSC Directs $110 million Subsidy to Telecommunications

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The Montana Public Service Commission directed nearly $110 million to rural broadband access. As...

Montana Highlights November 1 2018

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Matt’s Place, a 1930s-era drive-in, at 2339 Placer Street in Butte is for sale. The business has...

MDU Resources Acquires Sweetman Concrete

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
MDU Resources Group, Inc. has acquired Sweetman Const. Co., a provider of aggregates, asphalt and...

Fair Producers Coming to Billings

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
The Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs (RMAF) will be holding their annual conference in Billings...

Carey Chapman Recognized

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Carey Chapman, broker/owner of RE/MAX of Billings, was recently named to Real Trends’ “America’s...

Bank Awards $25,000 in Grants

Tuesday, November 13, 2018
First Interstate Bank representatives in Billings awarded $25,000 in grants to local organizations...

Where and When October 15, 2018

Tuesday, October 23, 2018
With 592 active apprenticeship programs in Montana, and 1.57 out of every 1,000 Montanans involved...