News you can use
News you can use
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Small businesses in Montana and throughout the country will soon need to comply with a new federal reporting law or potentially face steep consequences, including fines of up to $500 daily or even jail time. In January 2021, the United State Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), with a goal of detecting and reducing money laundering, fraud, and other misconduct through shell companies. As part of the legislation, almost all entities are required to file a report with details about their owners and the individ...
Fall on the University of Montana campus is always a special time - the leaves are turning, and the students' excitement for the new year and achieving their academic and career goals brings a positive energy. This year is particularly special because we welcomed our inaugural class of Cybersecurity Majors to the UM College of Business. Cybersecurity is a rapidly growing field. In Montana, over 700 cyber workforce positions are unfilled, and nationally, we expect 33% job...
Press release Karene Faber the Havre Branch President/Vice President of Marketing of Independence Bank graduated from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado (GSBC) on July 27, 2023. In addition to completing the GSBC required curriculum, Karene also completed the Committed to Lead Micro-Credential, a Bolder Banking Initiative, of supplementary coursework offered to second and third-year students. Faber is an MSU-Northern graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Business...
Press release Bear Paw Development Corp. announced the organization has loan funds available to business owners and entrepreneurs in northern Montana interested in starting a new business or expanding an existing enterprise. The funding is from various sources at the state and federal level and is focused on helping small business owners with their capital needs. "Small businesses are the backbone of active Main Streets and healthy communities in our region of northern...
Sondra Eacker just moved to Havre and opened a family photography business. Eacker and her husband, Anthony, as well as their two children, Aubrey, 8, and Tanner, 6, sold their home in Kalispell and bought a home in Havre this summer. "We absolutely love it here. We are thrilled to become members of the community... we were looking for a smaller slower pace for our family and Havre is perfect," Eacker said, "My husband is a born-and-raised Montana boy who served his country...
Press release Haley Graham was recently promoted to bookkeeping manager for Independence Bank. In her new role, she will guide all bookkeeping operations for nine Independence Bank branches and one Independence Bank LPO/DPO. Graham has spent the last eight years in the financial industry, working as a customer service representative and a loan processor. She came to IB in 2022 as a bookkeeper and has played an integral role on staff over the past year. "We were so fortunate...
Press release People will be missing a familiar face in the greeting card section. Havre resident Ellen "Ellie" Keeley has retired from her position as an American Greetings merchandiser after nearly 31 years of service, the company said in a release, adding, one her favorite sayings was "Buy a Card." "Ellie was a treasured and respected member of the American Greetings family, as well as by the staff members in the stores she serviced; most recently, Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods...
Some changes have happened at Down Under Fitness Center, though Kristi Parrotte, who founded the business with her husband, Daimon, said people won't see any changes in their other business, Physical Therapy Down Under. She said they have sold the fitness center to Justin and Kari Maki from Chester, who have done an "amazing" job with Fitness Express there, and she and her husband are excited to see the changes they will bring to Fitness Down Under. "Please welcome Justin and...
As we enter the third year of the Biden-Harris administration, we’re fortunate to have a president who understands the vital role women entrepreneurs play in our economy. The U.S. Small Business Administration supports the president’s business advocacy by nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit and making sure small business has a voice at the table in Washington, DC. During Women’s History Month, and International Women’s Day, we salute women entrepreneurs who take a risk in pursuit of their passions and who see setback...
Press release CHICAGO - The Independent Grocers Alliance - IGA - announced Monday that Havre, Montana-based Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods IGA store has been awarded the IGA Five Star honor for achievement in IGA's Assessment Program. Five Star is the highest level of recognition possible under the Assessment Program's rigorous standards. The IGA Assessment Program measures IGA store performance with a combination of unrevealed and revealed assessments focused on operations,...
It has been an honor to serve as a director on the Chamber board the last several years, and I look forward to continuing that service as your Chamber president in 2023. My time on the board has helped me to develop a greater understanding of the many obstacles our local businesses face. The Chamber has worked diligently to partner with and promote our local businesses, elevate our events and bring folks to our community. Our efforts would not be successful without the...
Wow, what a phenomenal year! 2022 was filled with growth, challenges, discovery, and opportunity. The past 10 months as the executive director of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce have afforded me the opportunity to really lean into our business community, build relationships, and learn about the challenges our businesses face. I've also been awakened - there are many opportunities available for our community! Looking back at 2022 we have many successes to celebrate! The 2nd...
Being involved with the Havre Chamber of Commerce has been an extremely rewarding experience for myself, both on a personal and a professional level. Initially, working with various Chamber committees, provided me with an opportunity to meet and begin building relationships with others involved in our community. I was introduced to fellow bankers, accountants, attorneys, insurance providers and many others who have aided me in my career. Serving on the Board of Directors...
The pandemic confirmed the critical role that small businesses play in our daily lives. It sounds cliché, but locally owned small businesses truly are the heart and soul of our cities and towns. The holiday shopping season is a crucial time for small retailers and restaurants that depend upon the boost in sales earned between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not so long ago, it was an American tradition to shop and play at the local mall or vibrant small business district downtown. Brick-and-mortar businesses would promote their...
RigaTony's, a new Italian restaurant, just opened in the former Uncle Joe's Steakhouse location on First Street, and while recent maintenance issues have temporarily closed its in-house dining areas it is still providing pick-up and delivery. Restaurant owner Tony St. John, a native of Havre who only recently returned, said their dishwasher broke down Friday and they are waiting on a replacement part that should be coming in the middle of next week. St. John, after graduating...
1-year Havre resident Jenny Parks has spent most of 2022 trying to get her restaurant and catering business, Jenny's Kitchen, located in the old Red Wing Boot Repair location at 416 First St., up to full service, and it seems like the time for the doors to open may be just around the corner. Parks said they were originally hoping to open in February of this year, but extreme delays caused by supply chain issues have caused her to shelve those plans until she can get some of...
Press release Guild is now First Colony Mortgage. First Colony Mortgage has served the lending needs of borrowers since 1984. As a mortgage banker, First Colony offers many advantages. It not only process mortgages, the companies workers also underwrite, fund and close mortgage loans all in one of its local branches. Guild’s expert team of in-house mortgage professionals work together to ensure that loans are processed efficiently and quickly, all in one place for the buyer’s convenience and satisfaction. It’s First Colon...
IRVINE, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) - D.A. Davidson announced Wednesday its commitment to accelerate its marketing and digital transformation across its investment banking and institutional equities divisions. Andreea Popa has joined as head of Equity Capital Markets Marketing to develop and execute a strategic marketing plan that positions D.A. Davidson's ECM Group for continued growth across consumer, diversified industrials, financial institutions, and technology industry...
Press release Independence Bank has announced the promotions of two of its employees, with Christen Oullette becoming the bank's consumer lending supervisor and Mason Sheppard taking over as agricultural/commercial loan officer supervisor. Ouellette worked with the bank as a teller in 2012 before moving to Thompson Falls with her husband, Austin. During her time on the western side of the state, she worked as a financial planning manager for three years. Ouellette and her...
from U.S. Small Business Administration WASHINGTON — In honor of Women’s History Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration will hold its 2022 Women’s Business Summit March 28-30. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, the voice for America’s 32.5 million small businesses in President Joe Biden’s cabinet, issued the following statement Tuesday to commemorate Women’s History Month. "As we kick off Women’s History Month 2022, themed women providing healing, promoting hope, I honor our incredible women in caregiving an...
from U.S. Small Business Administration WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration announced Monday that eligible non-profit organizations, state, local, and tribal government agencies, and institutions of higher learning may now submit their proposals to host Boots to Business — B2B — courses at military installations outside the continental United States. The awarded organization will provide B2B training to transitioning service members and military spouses at overseas military installations. The B2B progr...
from U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, visited New Haven and Hartford, Connecticut, to meet with small business owners and to promote how the recently passed bipartisan infrastructure law will bring communities together to build a better America. Administrator Guzman kicked off her visit with New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker at Atticus Book Store and Café and later met with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont at Meriden Sewage Treatment Plant....
From U.S. Small Business Administration WASHINGTON — U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the addition of five new Regional Innovation Clusters — RIC — to the portfolio of communities the agency supports through the program. RICs are geographically-concentrated networking hubs of small businesses, suppliers, service providers, and related institutions that work together to maximize resources, compete on larger scales, and drive innovation and job creation. “Our nation...
Montana Free Page by Amanda Eggert More than 20 years after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service deemed the Canada lynx a threatened species, the agency has agreed to prepare a recovery plan for the elusive, forest-dwelling carnivores. Last week the agency entered into a settlement agreement with six conservation groups that sued USFWS in 2020 over its management of lynx. The plaintiffs had argued that an agency assessment finding that the animals have recovered and therefore no longer require federal protections was motivated...
Old Station Brewing Co. had been a mainstay on First Street for the past four years. However, the brewery's time has come to an end as it was bought out by Parker's BBQ Pit, which has traditionally been a food trailer. With the purchase of the property, Steve Parker said, he looks forward to expanding his business. "The opportunity came up and we decided to go ahead and jump on it," Parker said. "Our barbecue business had been growing for a couple of years as a food trailer...
