January 2015 Volume 35 , Issue 1

Thursday, January 8th - 12 noon

CVB Board @ Chamber

Friday, January 16th– 8:30 a.m.

Chamber Board / Strategic

Planning @ Comfort Inn

Tuesday, January 20th– 12 noon

Advantage Butte @ Best

Western—Hops Conference

Room

Thursday, January 22nd - 12

noon

Chamber Ambassadors &

Volunteer Luncheon @

Chamber

Thursday, January 29th - 5:30

p.m.

Business Card Social @ Big Sky

Senior Living

www.buttechamber.org

The Butte Chamber of Commerce, along with the Chambers of Commerce in Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula have released their 2015 Joint Position Papers related to the legislative session.

The positions shown in this document have been approved by these seven chambers. Each chamber has other positions approved by their boards that may encompass other issues. This document is for the joint lobbying efforts of these seven chambers who represent a combined membership totaling approximately 5,500 businesses.

"Unified messaging coming from the seven largest, urban communities representing businesses throughout the state creates a powerful voice," says Marko Lucich, Director of the

Butte Chamber of Commerce. "We look forward to working with the other chambers in Montana to provide information to our legislators and affect positive change for our collective memberships."

The issues addressed include taxes, labor and employment, economic development, education, government competition/administrative policies, and transportation.

Advocate. Connect. Grow. The Butte Chamber of Commerce

represents you, our over 400 members. We help you grow your bottom line by connecting you to opportunities and advocating for your business and our community.

Read the entire position paper starting

on page 8

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Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce

Visitors’ Center 1000 George St.

Butte, MT 59701

(406) 723-3177

Marko Lucich Executive Director

mlucich@buttechamber.org

Maria Pochervina CVB Director/TBID Executive Secretary

mariap@buttecvb.com

Stephanie Sorini Marketing, Membership & Bookkeeping

Director

marketing@buttechamber.org

Cheryl Ackerman Receptionist/Staff Associate

bsbchamber@gmail.com

Shane McCarthy, Safeway

Desiree Shogren, Comfort Inn of Butte

Ed Stepan, REC Silicon

Paul Tash, Tash Communications

Alana Ferko, Butte Plaza Mall

Linda Granger, School Trustee/Highlands College

Paul Babb, Northwestern Energy

Tami O’Connell, Stix & Stonz

Karen Corbin, KXLF TV

Maura Uggetti, Copper Ridge Healthcare

Becky Sprunger, Human Resources Council, District XII

Colin Higgins, MacKenzie River Pizza Company

Bob Bentley, Jr., Bentley Construction

Matt Vincent, BSB Chief Executive

Donald Blackketter, Chancellor Montana Tech

Paula Ruark, Town Pump Hotel Group

Don Peoples, Individual Member

Cindi Shaw, Council of Commissioners

Pat Fleming, Fleming & O’Leary Attorneys

Lynn Lloyd, Montana Standard

Bill Melvin, Butte Civic Center

Kevin Dennehy, St. James Healthcare

Chris Ackerman, Cherry Creek Radio

Herb Kelsey, Farm Bureau Financial

Judy Jonart, School District #1

Andy Zdinak, BLDC

Jeff Gorman, McDonald’s

Kristen Rosa, Butte-Silver Bow

Machelle LeProwse, Northwestern Mutual

Pete Akey, Glacier Bank

Marsha Foster, Individual Member

Janel Morgan, Harrison Avenue Realty

Craig Tippett, Newland and Company, P.C.

Pete Akey, President

Glacier Bank

Colin Higgins, President-Elect

MacKenzie River Pizza Company

Paula Ruark, Past President

Town Pump Hotel Group

Ed Stepan, Vice President

REC Silicon

Bill Melvin, Vice-President

Butte Civic Center/CVB President

Desiree Shogren, Vice-President

Comfort Inn of Butte

Paul Tash, Vice-President

Tash Communications

Chris Ackerman, Vice-President

Cherry Creek Radio

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I apologize that it has been a while since you have heard from me. More importantly I want to thank you for your understanding and patience during the past few months. The “Team Butte” concept is alive and well after watching the way that our community pulled together with a common goal and vision in support of the Sorini Family. I couldn’t be more humbled and proud to live in the greatest community in America. What a gift we have experienced these past two months knowing your neighbors, friends and acquaintances care so much and want nothing in return except to show support and solidarity.

In this issue you will see a year in review through pictures. They say a picture is better than a thousand words and this edition proves it. The fun, events, education and experiences are all captured with these magnificent pictures. Laughter and networking are two key components for success.

I want to particularly highlight two upcoming events. Big Sky Senior Living will be hosting the January Business Card Social on Thursday, January 29th starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will take place at their facility, 3701 Elizabeth Warren Ave. They always do such a wonderful job and this is one event you will not want to miss.

The 40th Annual Economic Outlook Seminar will be held on Thursday, February 5th at the LaQuinta Inn & Suites. This year’s topic is “The New American Energy Revolution: Reshaping Montana.” These seminars are always very insightful and worth your time commitment to attend.

I am wishing all of you a very healthy and prosperous new year. My hope is that your businesses thrive and that you will be able to enjoy quality time with your family and friends.

Sincerely,

Executive Director

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1. How did you get involved with the Chamber and what keeps you involved?

I was honored to be asked to join the Chamber Board by Marko and Stephanie, after being a business member for several years. The vivid, creative and caring personalities and skill sets that are on our Chamber Board are what keeps me involved. That and the amazing and immediate impact I see those members have on our community, that’s what keeps me involved. It’s infectious.

2. What is your favorite event or program of the Chamber?

Where do I start? I really enjoyed getting my ego firmly checked at the Digger Classic Golf Tourney this August, and I had a great time helping out with the Color Dash and the Neon Dash as well.

3. What are some of your other community leadership roles?

I serve on the Envision Butte Board which will oversee the beautification, re-imagining and rejuvenation of the Berkley Pit Mine Entrance through the use of local and State grants.

4. What is your most memorable experience during your time working with the Chamber?

Definitely washing dishes at the Chamber after the Neon Dash, life-changing and life-affirming! Seriously though, every event and meeting is so rewarding for the knowledge I’ve gained from this group and the goals that we accomplish for Butte.

5. Finish these sentences:

Never again will I....

...not get a flu shot!

What makes Butte great is ...

...the true sense of community pride here and the colorful, good-natured characters that call Butte home.

The best piece of business advice I've ever gotten is …

…”The only person that can truly hold you accountable is yourself.” From my father, Wes.

MacKenzie River Pizza Co.

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On December 18th, the Silver Bow Hospitality Association hosted the final Business Card Social of 2014.

The group employed an Associate Member the Uptown Café to cater most of the hors d’oeuvres and desserts. They also served signature cocktails and a selection of wine & beer.

A large crowd was on hand to enjoy the festivities and partake in the celebration. A number of coveted prizes were given away, including a TV that Steele’s Warehouse partnered with the SBHA to offer, a ShopVac, a basket from the Butte Copper Company, and a lovely liquor basket.

The Silver Bow Hospitality Association deemed the event a huge success. They want to send out a special thanks to their newest Associate Members, who all joined on the day of the Social.

Those new members are: Steele’s Warehouse, Opportunity Bank, McDonald’s, Trout on the Fly, Glacier Bank, the Montana Standard, and Mile High Motors.

Desiree Shogren, President of the Silver Bow Hospitality Association said of these new members, “They recognize the impact that the lodging and hospitality industries have on the greater economy of Butte-Silver Bow, and we are so grateful to have their support. An associate membership is just $100 a year and allows our group to do so much to promote tourism to our area, and then enhance the experience that the tourists have when they are here. Any company that benefits from tourism can inquire about an associate membership on our website, www.silverbowhospitality.org.”

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TAXES Accommodations Tax The Chambers

oppose any bill, which attempts to de-earmark or diminish the tourism promotion fund.

Tourism BID The Chambers support the current law as written and passed in the 2007 session. It allows for Tourism Business Improvement Districts that enable communities to widen and increase their ability to tailor a comprehensive tourism promotion program for their community. The Chambers oppose any attempt to modify the TBID enabling law needs to be discussed.

Business Equipment Tax The Chambers support continuing reduction and elimination of the business equipment (personal property) tax as a part of a statewide tax reform package.

Income Tax The Chambers believe Montana's income tax should be based on federal taxable income, rather than federal adjusted gross income. Montana's tax should be competitive with that of surrounding states. The Chambers continue to support the Montana Endowment Tax Credit.

Corporate Tax Records The Chambers strongly believe that corporate and individual income tax records should only be viewed by employees of the Department of Revenue and oppose any exchange of this information among state agencies.

Capital Gains The Chambers support legislative efforts to reduce the Montana tax rate on capital gains.

Coal Trust The Chambers support continued use of Coal Tax Trust Funds for economic development of our state. One example is to fund revolving loan funds for expansion and growth of established businesses. The Chambers recommend maintaining the current funding formula.

Big Box Tax The Chambers are opposed to a progressive receipts tax

(Big Box Tax) and are also opposed to a gross receipts tax. Realty Transfer Tax The Chambers oppose the creation of a realty transfer tax.

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT Minimum Wage The Chambers do

not support the annual raise based on a CPI (Cost Price Index) based outside of Montana. We do support including a tip credit.

Living Wage The Chambers believe in the ability of market forces to set wages and benefit levels. We encourage workers to further job skill levels to increase value in the workplace and increase their salary levels. We oppose mandated increases in the minimum work age level or the creation of livable wage legislation. Workers Compensation The Chambers support the exclusive remedy doctrine for workplace injuries with the inherent trade off of legislative benefits for the injured worker without having to prove negligence. The Chambers support continued broad reform as necessary to make Montana more competitive with other states.

Termination/References The Chambers support legislation that clearly defines proper and improper terminations, the function of probation in employment, and the legal liability for an employer or employee who breaks these rules.

We believe that employers should be able to exchange previous work experience without risk of liability, doing so in good faith and reasonable, with either the potential employer or the previous employer.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Infrastructure The Chambers

support legislation that will help fund updates and expansion of our infrastructure to accommodate new and expanding businesses and industry which in return will help to create

sustainable jobs. Natural Resources The Chambers

support responsible development and exportation of natural resources for economic growth, including logging, mining, oil, and gas to grow and enhance Montana's economy.

The Chambers recognize that pipelines carry Montana's natural resources to markets. Construction of pipelines across Montana will provide jobs, transfer stations, and add to the overall tax base in Montana. The Chambers recognize the economic benefits of coal development and railroads in the State of Montana and the contributions the coal industry makes to our state and local economies. Railroads provide crucial service to domestic and international markets for Montana's petroleum, manufacturing, timber, farming, mining, and coal industries. Railroads provide employment, purchase local goods and services, invest in infrastructure and pay taxes that support state and local government.

Water Rights The Chambers recognize that water is vital for new and existing industry, expanding cities and towns, agriculture, energy production, firefighting, recreation and a healthy environment. The quality and quantity of Montana's water must be protected to meet the State's multiple needs. The Chambers support legislation that protects current water users while allowing for reasonable and timely review of applications for new water uses, including transfers of water from historical uses to new uses. The Chambers support the use of exempt wells.

ENERGY The Chambers support responsible,

diverse, affordable, and sustainable energy production.

Targeted Economic Development Districts The Chambers oppose

Coalition of Montana Chambers - 2015 Joint Position Papers Endorsing Chambers: Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, and Missoula

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changes to the Targeted Economic Development District regulations that would decrease the amount of funds flowing into the TIF. The Chambers will oppose laws or rules which may limit or hamper cities' or counties' abilities to adopt and use the Targeted Economic Development Districts and Business Improvement Districts.

HOUSING/LAND USE The Chambers support the housing

industry, the jobs this industry creates and the affordable workforce housing this industry provides to Montana's growing communities. The Chambers support streamlining governmental review of subdivisions and permitting to enable the private sector to continue to provide safe and affordable workforce housing.

The Chambers note that the mitigation of agricultural land without considering the relationship between our agricultural producers and our growing cities is unfair to both interests. The Chambers support clarifying language that would protect the economic interests of our cities and our agricultural producers.

EDUCATION K-12 Education The Chambers

support business involvement in all aspects of public education, and partnering with public education at all levels. Specifically, we support expansion of vocational training opportunities. Further, the Chambers support funding education on a formula that will benefit small and large school districts. We feel that funding should be based on current ANB count, either actual or estimated. We support a basic entitlement that distributes funds on either a per school building or on a per pupil basis. The Chambers also support local control of the expenditure of funds and curriculum content. We encourage business involvement in all aspects of public education, including business

partnering with public education at all levels. We also support funding for students who turn 19 and are still in school as well as raising the dropout age from 16 to 18. The business community is a stakeholder in the quality of public education. Public education has the responsibility to prepare well-educated graduates who are ready to continue their education or enter the workforce. Finally, we support efforts to increase graduation rates from our public schools.

Higher Education The Chambers support funding for a quality, affordable Higher Education System. This support includes continuation of a formal long-range capital building plan and funding for the higher education system. We also support modification of incentive programs to allow units to retain monies generated from research efforts and administrative savings. Finally, we support efforts to keep tuition affordable for Montana residents/students.

The Chambers support an effective, accessible, and affordable workforce education and training system. As emphasized by the statewide Board of Regents' CollegeNOW initiative, the two year colleges play a critical role in this effort. Montana's 2-year colleges are lagging behind obtaining state funding for major upgrades and modernization to help meet tightening skilled labor needs, both regionally and throughout Montana. The Chambers believe that new facilities offering additional post-secondary workforce training and taking its equal place in the statewide 2-year post-secondary system is absolutely critical for our business community's economy as well as our current and future workforce.

GOVERNMENT COMPETITION/ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES The Chambers support using the

most efficient and effective means of providing government services. The

Chambers support streamlining governmental services, privatizing services when beneficial and consolidation of government units whenever effective. The Chambers support bidder preference to be allowed under reciprocity only. Government shall not have an unfair advantage when providing the same service as a for-profit corporation.

TRANSPORTATION The Chambers support continued

investment in strong transportation infrastructure including the complete utilization of the state's allotment available through the federal highway bill. The Chambers also support the continuation of the EAS subsidies. The 1978 Airline Deregulation Act promoted the continuation of the EAS, stating "The maintenance of a comprehensive and convenient system of continuous airline service for small communities and for isolated areas, with direct federal assistance where justified and necessary.

The Chambers recognize that railroads provide crucial service to domestic and international markets for Montana's petroleum, manufacturing, timber, farming, mining, and coal industries. Railroads provide employment, purchase local goods and services, invest in infrastructure and pay taxes that support state and local government.

Coal Tax Grants The chambers support increasing the share of coal severance tax revenue allocated to the Coal Natural Resources Account. The chambers also support amending existing law governing grants from this account to include increased coal transportation as a criterion for coal impact area designation, to include increased coal transportation as a priority for grants, and to allow local governments to stack grant funding for single projects.

Coalition of Montana Chambers - 2015 Joint Position Papers

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Helena SCORE Hosts Disaster Preparedness Workshop

in Butte

Friday, February 20, 2015 | 9:00 a.m.

The Butte Brewery – 465 East Galena - Butte

(HELENA, MT) – In the past years, Montana businesses have suffered extensive financial and physical damage

due to blizzards, floods, and thunderstorms. Other businesses have been hurt by human-caused hazards including

accidents, acts of violence, and hacking of websites and databases. Technology-related hazards, such as failure or

malfunction of key systems, equipment or software, can also be dangerous. Many have struggled to regain the

financial and market positions they enjoyed prior to the disaster event and some have simply gone out of business.

What could these businesses have done to better prepare for recovery from these hazards?

The Helena SCORE Chapter is partnering with the AT&T to offer a local workshop to help small businesses

prepare for and successfully recover from a disaster situation.

What: Disaster Preparedness Workshop When: Friday, February 20, 2015 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Where: The Butte Brewery | 465 East Galena | Butte

Thanks to a sponsorship from the Butte Chamber of Commerce this workshop is being provided at no cost. Pre-

registration is not required, but seating is limited so please plan to arrive early. Contact the Helena SCORE Office

at 406-442-4986 for more information.

Helena SCORE has been a member of the SCORE Association and is now and has been active in Helena for 40

years. It is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their

goals through education and mentorship. It is an affiliate of the US Small Business Administration (SBA) and one

of its resource partners. All SCORE counseling is confidential and free of charge. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with

disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance. Contact: Mike at 406.442.4986.

NEWS RELEASE

Helena SCORE Chapter | 225 Cruse Ave | Helena, Montana 59601

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Do good and good will come to you.

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“What I like about photographs is that they capture a

moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”

–Karl Lagerfeld

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JOIN THE

JUNIOR CHARLIE CLUB! Become part of the coolest club in town: THE JUNIOR CHARLIE CLUB! Charlie Oredigger is the Montana Tech ambassador at all athletic events and around the community. When you become a Junior Charlie Club member, you will have the opportunity to attend all Montana Tech athletic events and receive awesome gifts! This is also a great chance to meet Oredigger athletes! Must be 12 years or younger.

YOUR MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES:

FREE ADMISSION TO ALL OREDIGGER HOME GAMES

PERSONALIZED MEMBERSHIP CARD

CHARLIE OREDIGGER T-SHIRT

BIRTHDAY CARD

EXCLUSIVE INVITES TO JUNIOR CHARLIE CLUB EVENTS

CALL DIGGER ATHLETICS AT 496.4288 FOR MORE INFORMATION

www.GoDiggers.com

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/orediggers /montanatechathletics @MTechDiggers

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Glenn Oppel, 406-431-3685; glenn@montanachamber.com

Montana Chamber Releases Montana Prosperity Plan for 2015 Legislature

Helena, MT: The Montana Chamber of Commerce, the voice of business at the Capitol, has

released its legislative focus - called the Montana Prosperity Plan - for the 64th Regular Session of the Montana Legislature convening on Monday. The Montana Chamber has over 1,200 members statewide and endeavors to improve the business climate in Montana to help

existing businesses expand and pay their workers more while attracting outside businesses to come to Montana.

"The best way to stimulate business growth is to keep taxes as low as possible," emphasized

Glenn Oppel, Government Relations Director and chief lobbyist with the Montana Chamber. "Lower taxes leave dollars in the private sector, which can then be invested to expand operations, incorporate technological efficiencies, and increase pay and benefits for workers.

That's why we plan to make this our primary focus this coming Session."

To achieve this goal, the Montana Chamber plans to support a series of tax reduction measures that will ease the burden on small to large businesses throughout the state. At the top of the

list is a reduction in the business equipment tax by exempting the first $500,000 in valuation from the tax. The Chamber will also support legislation to phase out the pollution control equipment tax. Lastly, we will seek reductions in individual and corporate income tax rates.

Lowering broad-based taxes will stimulate economic activity in the private sector, generating more tax revenue to better fund essential government services.

While the Chamber pursues tax cuts for individuals and businesses, we will also ask the

Legislature to make much-needed investments in infrastructure. The Chamber supports bonds and cash for roads, water, wastewater, broadband, and building construction. Like many states, Montana is falling behind in its commitment to providing the framework to build a competitive,

expanding economy.

"Having a foundation of adequate infrastructure is imperative to facilitate economic growth," Oppel stressed. "It's particularly important that any infrastructure investment package include

funding to help oil and gas counties catch up with their infrastructure needs. The Bakken is one of the reasons we have a budget surplus and some of that tax revenue should go back to the

communities that are shouldering the burden of the oil and gas boom."

The Chamber will also support legislation to control workers' compensation costs, improve our legal climate, promote natural resource development, and protect small businesses from

overregulation. We believe that these legislative initiatives will ensure prosperity for Montana's citizens for decades to come. They will lead to business expansion and attraction, better-paying jobs, and fiscally disciplined and efficient government.

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If you have had any changes to your business name, address, website, management, or contact information, please make sure that the Chamber has been informed!

Please remember to send an email to us at marketing@buttechamber.org with your new details so your listing can be updated!

Steve Sheldon 937 Placer Street Butte, MT 59701

(406) 221-7429 www.watcocompanies.com

If you have ideas, suggestions, or submissions for The Progress, please send them in! We accept news & information, photos, information about events & functions, and more!

We can’t promise that we can include everything that we receive, but we do promise to carefully consider all submissions.

bsbchamberprogress@gmail.com

The Progress is the voice of our members and we are dedicated to keeping you informed and connected!

The Progress is published monthly and delivered mostly electronically.

For advertising opportunities, please contact Stephanie Sorini.

marketing@buttechamber.org

Visit your Chamber online:

www.buttechamber.org

PERIODICALS

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BUTTE, MT

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: Chamber of Commerce, 1000 George St., Butte, MT 59701.

Membership investment includes $3.00 per year subscription. The Progress (USPS 124-550) is published

monthly by The Butte-Silver Bow Chamber of Commerce, 1000 George St., Butte, MT 59701. Periodical

Postage Paid at Butte, Montana.

1000 George St.

Butte, MT 59701

MONTH/YEAR MONTH/YEAR %

November 2013 November 2014 CHANGE

CONSTRUCTION 1,521,422.60 2,501,052.19 64.4%

Year to Date 25,397,236.52 64,024,113.42 152.1%

WATER 13,785 13,810 0.2%

EMPLOYMENT Labor Force 17,730 18,313 3.3%

Employment 16,801 17,304 3.0% Unemployment 929 1,009 8.6%

Unemployment Rate 4.4 5.5 25.0%

MAIL Tourism Requests 8 13 62.5%

General Information 6 2 -66.7%