The U.S. Department of Energy has approved a $1.67 billion loan to Montana Renewables in Great Falls that had been on hold pending a review by the Trump administration. The loan will help them expand their facility to increase production of fuel from renewable feed stock provided mostly by farmers. It is also expected to create close to 500 new jobs. The first approximately $782 million is expected next week.
The Montana Public Service Commission has opened an inquiry process into NorthWestern Energy’s plan to supply two data center companies with enormous amounts of coal-fired power in Montana and how it will affect the power system and customers. The five-members have the power to regulate the publicly-traded company because NorthWestern Energy is a monopoly utility in Montana. The PSC is looking for clarity on whether the data centers will be in their own classification as far as the rate they pay much like the agriculture sector in Montana has its own rate class.
US District Judge George O’Toole said Wednesday the Trump administration can move forward for the moment with its deferred resignation offer for federal employees. There are around 15,000 in Montana. The federal judge in Boston ruled they can either take a buyout and resign or stay working in a job with an uncertain future.
Thousands of seasonal jobs at national parks across the country are on hold by the Trump Administration including Yellowstone and Glacier at the time when seasonal staff was set to be hired to work the entrance gates help with public safety services like snowplowing and routine maintenance. The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research estimates 4.4 percent of Montana’s economy depends on outdoor recreation the most of any state.
Among the changes Social Security recipients will see in 2025 is a higher full retirement age when workers become eligible to claim 100 percent of their retirement benefit based on lifetime earnings. For those born in 1960 and later the retirement age will jump to 67. According to ChatGPT currently social security payments inject more than $4.4 billion into Montana’s economy every year.
Spring enrollment at Montana State University has set a new all-time record of 16,237 students the fifth consecutive year of spring semester enrollment growth at the state’s largest university. The new headcount is about 1% larger than this time last year. Over the past five years spring headcount at MSU has increased 4.3%.
While Montana ranks high for new jobs most of the salaries associated with available positions are not conducive to living in gateway communities like the Flathead Valley. According to the annual 2025 Economic Outlook presented in Kalispell this week by the University of Montana it is still difficult to afford housing.
Helena city commissioners have approved a $3 million bid to replace a critical crosstown water valve system that is beyond its serviceable life. City documents state the Cross-Town Connector is in need of an update and upgrade. Because of how the outdated system is built maintenance sometimes requires significant water service to be shut down.
Senator Steve Daines introduced a bill Wednesday to prohibit the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service from banning the use of lead ammunition or tackle on public lands. It does include an exception to permit the bans on such ammo or tackle if it causes a decline in population by its use.
A new Field and Stream hotel in Bozeman is expected to open this May. It will have 179 rooms and suites and reservations are now available. The hotel will be the first property by Field and Stream Lodge Company a new hospitality company born from the Field and Stream brand.
