Emilee Luke Hired as Community Development Specialist

Bear Paw Development recently announced Havre resident Emilee Luke has joined the organization as a Community Development Specialist, focused on assisting local and tribal governments with their infrastructure needs.

“Emilee is going to be an outstanding addition to our team as we continue to work with our local government partners to help finance the rehabilitation of our area’s physical infrastructure, which is aging and has often outlived its useful life,” said Paul Tuss, Executive Director. “She has the skill set to effectively work with funding agencies, elected officials and others to find creative solutions to what are most often difficult problems.”

A native of Colorado, Luke most recently served as Social Media and Communications Director for MSU-Northern, where she also serves as an adjunct professor. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Information Sciences from the University of Alabama and a master’s degree in Creative Technologies and Practice from the University of South Alabama. Luke is also a freelance photographer.

“Any well-functioning community that is a good place to live, raise a family and start a business has at its core a solid infrastructure,” Luke said. “I look forward to carrying on the tradition at Bear Paw Development of finding the federal and state government resources that are needed to keep our communities operating, while also minimizing the financial burden to local residents.”

Bear Paw’s Community Development Department also includes Julea Robbins, Director of Community Development.

Beaver Creek Perk opened its doors in March of 2023 after a couple years of construction on an existing building in downtown Havre. The building that houses Beaver Creek Perk was previously an indoor archery facility that required significant renovations and remodeling to house the new coffee shop, deli, and event space.

Brian had this to say about his experience working with Bear Paw Development to develop his business plan and obtain financing for the coffee shop: “Beaver Creek Perk was really needed in Havre. Without the SBDC and Bear Paw Development’s Loan Department, this project would not have been possible. They were both very knowledgeable.”

Beaver Creek Perk is located at 137 Second Street in Havre. Be sure to stop in for a coffee and sandwich next time you’re in town!

Hill County has been diligently upgrading wastewater lift stations throughout the county over the last ten years. In 2023, the Rural Special Improvement District 21 Lift Station was one of two final lift stations set to be upgraded. Constructed in 1974, RSID 21 serves a community of 48 residential sewer users in North Havre. The lift station’s deteriorating state, marked by corroded metal components, internal malfunctions, and a lack of emergency backup power, necessitated immediate attention to prevent potential environmental hazards and the possibility of residents being without wastewater services.

In May of this year, Hill County had Lakeside Excavation begin the construction on the lift station. The project included replacing existing pumps as well as relining the wet well and two man holes along with the addition of a 35kW generator. The new pumps will be more reliable than the previous submersible pumps that required constant repairs and rebuilding. A cutting-edge Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) triplex lining system was used in the wet well as well as in two upstream manholes for durability and longevity against corrosion from external sulfide soils and internal hydrogen sulfide. The addition of the generator not only mitigates risks associated with frequent power interruptions but also eliminates the reliance on a single resident to alert authorities in case of malfunctions.

This project was entirely grant funded. With the assistance of Bear Paw Development, Hill County was able to secure a total of $616,000 in funding from the Montana Coal Endowment Program (MCEP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program and ARPA Minimum Allocation Grant. These funding programs made it possible to upgrade this lift station without having to raise sewer rates for area residents.

The completion of the RSID 21 Lift Station Project marks a crucial step towards a more sustainable and resilient community. By addressing critical issues such as corroded infrastructure, malfunctioning components, and the absence of backup power, the project ensures a safer and more reliable sewer system for the North Havre community. This project exemplifies the commitment of Hill County to the well-being of its residents and sets a precedent for infrastructure improvements that prioritizes both current needs and future sustainability.

Brownfields Program Has Busy Fall

Bear Paw Development’s Brownfields Program has been involved in some exciting cleanup projects this fall. One such project was a very visible petroleum cleanup along Highway 2 East in Havre. Known as the Gilbert Site, Larry Gilbert owned the corner lot on US Highway 2 and 15th Avenue, which has been vacant for many years. The site was previously a fueling station and auto shop known as Glacier Auto until the 1970s. The business was run by Larry’s aunt, who sold him the vacant lot in 2016. Bear Paw’s Brownfields Program assisted with a Phase I assessment in 2018 which determined there was petroleum contamination on site. This led to a Phase II assessment in 2019 with supplemental sampling done in 2020-2021. These samples determined the perimeter of the contamination as well as level of contamination in the groundwater. After an extensive cleanup plan and preparation, the site was then ready to be abated.

Excavators were on site for two days in October removing contaminated soil and transporting it to the Hill County landfill. Hill County is fortunate to have a landfill that is able to receive the contaminated soil, and then landfarm it appropriately to remove all contaminants within it. Samples were taken of the soil boundaries throughout this process to confirm the limits of contamination. The site was then backfilled with clean soil, and well monitors were put in place to continue to oversee the level of petroleum in the groundwater. The project worked closely with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality to adhere to cleanup standards, and once the monitoring and samples are approved the site will be determined to be clear of petroleum contaminants. Larry is hoping to sell the newly cleaned parcel of land to a commercial buyer in hopes of expanding the Havre business district to the eastern part of the community.

Farm to School Program Promoted in Bear Paw District

What is Farm to School?

Farm to School enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools. Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as educational opportunities that include school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to School empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.

Farm to School implementation differs by location but always includes one or more of the following core elements:

• Procurement: Local foods are purchased, promoted, and served in the cafeteria or as a snack or taste-test;
• Education: Students participate in educational activities related to agriculture, food, health or nutrition; and
• School Gardens: Students engage in hands-on learning through gardening.

Farm to School is rapidly growing in Montana despite a short growing season and long distances between towns. Through partnerships, networking, and a strong dose of Montana-style resourcefulness, schools throughout the state are overcoming barriers to serve local foods, provide Farm to School education, and grow school gardens.

For more information about the Farm to School Program and to receive assistance in applying for Farm to School funding, please contact Josh at 406-400-2207 or through email at [email protected].

SBDC Offers Small Business Workshops

With 2024 fast approaching, the SBDC has scheduled the following workshops through Havre High School’s Community Education Program:

• QuickBooks Online: Participants will learn how to navigate through the online platform, create new customers, vendors, and employees. Other topics include working with lists, bank accounts, using other accounts, entering sales info, receiving payments, making deposits, and entering and paying bills. This class will run from 6PM to 8PM on January 25th. The cost is $10.

• Excel: Also coming February 15th from 6PM to 7:30PM is a basic Excel course. A few things students will learn include how to enter and format data, basic formulas, linking spreadsheets together, creating simple reports and learning keyboard shortcuts, plus much more. The cost is $10.

To register for the workshops, please contact Tiffany Olson at Havre Public Schools at 406-395-8550 or Joe LaPlante at Bear Paw Development at 406-265-9226.

The Montana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA’s funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA. All SBA funded programs are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested.