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Businesses press county on energy efficiency program

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Businesses press county on energy efficiency program



The Flathead County Commissioners reiterated final week that they like a “wait and see” strategy to implementing an vitality efficiency-focused financing program after receiving a letter from native companies urging them to rethink.

Among the many 27 companies signing the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce’s petition had been Utilized Supplies, Glacier Financial institution, Immanuel Lutheran Communities, Logan Well being, Flathead Electrical Cooperative and the Northwest Montana Affiliation of Realtors. The group launched the lobbying effort after commissioners acknowledged that they’d heard nothing from native companies about their need to have the idea, generally known as C-PACE, applied within the county.

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Signed into legislation by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte in 2021, this system is designed to finance energy-saving capital investments on business properties.

By means of C-PACE property house owners are matched with personal lenders, who’re reimbursed utilizing funds saved by vitality effectivity enhancements over the lifetime of the upgrades.

County spokesperson Steven White stated that lobbying from the chamber hasn’t modified the commissioners’ minds, with White describing the letter-writing marketing campaign by enterprise representatives as “complaining.”

Based on White, if enterprise house owners contact Commissioner Brad Abell straight with particular capital funding proposals and their perceived advantages, he “could pay attention.”

Commissioners Pam Holmquist and Randy Brodehl nonetheless need to see this system rolled out on the municipal degree earlier than taking motion, White stated.

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Kalispell Metropolis Council has proven curiosity in shifting ahead and handed a decision of intent for implementing this system at its Dec. 19 assembly.

Companies outdoors metropolis limits, although, must depend on the county to approve this system to ensure that them to take part.

Phil Aitkin, proprietor of Hooper’s Backyard Heart, is fascinated about C-PACE eligible upgrades, however his enterprise is positioned east of Kalispell and within the county. Aitkin desires to put in a local weather management system within the backyard heart’s 40,000-square-foot retail greenhouse, permitting it to host occasions within the low season. His concepts embody potential winter farmers’ markets, an idea that might additionally profit native distributors. The area presently sits empty for a lot of the yr.

Aitkin stated the financing program would assist him make the adjustments.

“[The upgrades] can be rather a lot simpler to perform with this program in place,” he stated.

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Chamber President Lorraine Clarno additionally spoke publicly on the fee’s Dec. 20 assembly,

telling commissioners that she had gathered the supporting signatures in solely 48 hours. She stated in a latest interview that the Flathead enterprise neighborhood is receptive to C-PACE implementation.

On the assembly Clarno reminded the commissioners what number of enterprise house owners stand to profit from having C-PACE financing alternatives.

“Know that after we ship a letter, we’re representing 700 companies,” Clarno stated.

In a separate interview, Clarno stated she has obtained no response from the board since. She described their silence as “irritating.”

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“This places Flathead companies at an obstacle with different counties and states,” Clarno stated.

Based on Adam Gill, the state’s C-PACE program administrator, not less than eight Montana counties have already signed on, along with the 38 states nationwide with comparable packages.

Gill first approached the commissioners in the summertime and adopted up in October when he obtained phrase that there was native curiosity in C-PACE.

Clarno stated the commissioners had been conscious of this system as early as March.

Gill can perceive hesitance by the commissioners, however stated that he has solutions for any questions they might have about this system.

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When requested for the commissioner’s particular objections, White stated that they had been attempting to guard the county and taxpayers.

As a result of C-PACE is structured with personal funds, no public legal responsibility or taxes are created, a degree that Gill stresses within the data classes he tailors for public officers. Gill estimated that it takes between one and three hours yearly to arrange a C-PACE district, and there’s no different price to native governments.

Based on White, commissioners haven’t reached out to Gill for any extra data.

Gill stated he’s all the time able to work with the county ought to the commissioners change their minds.

Clarno thinks commissioners could pay a political value in the event that they proceed to disregard enterprise pursuits.

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“I feel they’re selecting to not pay attention, and if that continues they might get on the improper aspect of the enterprise neighborhood,” Clarno stated.

Reporter Adrian Knowler might be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.



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Montana

Tom Brady Spends Day Adventuring with Kids Benny and Vivian in Montana Mountains: 'I Wasn't Made for This'

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Tom Brady Spends Day Adventuring with Kids Benny and Vivian in Montana Mountains: 'I Wasn't Made for This'


Tom Brady’s skills are reaching new heights — literally.

On Monday, July 8, the former NFL quarterback shared a series of photos and videos to his Instagram Stories from his day of adventuring with his family in Montana at the Yellowstone Club.

In the first picture, his kids Benjamin “Benny” Rein, 14, and Vivian Lake, 11, can be seen all harnessed up while walking on ropes through the trees. The dad of three, 46, also joined in on the fun, posting multiple videos of himself rock climbing and jumping off a pole dozens of feet in the air.

“I wasn’t made for this … Or this,” he captioned the videos.

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Tom Brady with family.

Tom Brady/Instagram


The NFL star’s parents Galynn Patricia Brady and Tom Brady Sr. accompanied their kids at the club. Posting a sweet family photo on his story, Tom continued the series, writing, “… But this, YES ❤️❤️❤️.”

Tom added one final photo of his little ones smiling in their helmets as they dangled in the air with their arms around each other. The proud dad shares Benny and Vivian with his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen.

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He’s also a dad to John “Jack” Edward Thomas, 16, whom he shares with ex Bridget Moynahan.

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On June 16, Tom celebrated Father’s Day by sharing some sweet memories of him and his three kids, along with his own father. “Happy Father’s Day to my HERO, and the best role model I could have ever asked for,” Tom wrote in his Instagram tribute, which featured a picture of him and his dad, and another of him and both of his parents.

The former New England Patriots quarterback also shouted out his kids, with pictures of them on a boat and posing on the beach for a sibling photo.

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“And THANK YOU, to these kids for giving me the gift of being a father, a joy that I could have never imagined until you came into my life,” he wrote. “I hope that I can give you all that my dad gave me… unconditional love and support ❤️❤️❤️.”





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State challenge to constitutional climate case begins July 10

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State challenge to constitutional climate case begins July 10


Ellis Juhlin is MTPR’s Rocky Mountain Front reporter. Ellis previously worked as a science reporter at Utah Public Radio and a reporter at Yellowstone Public Radio. She has a Master’s Degree in Ecology from Utah State University. She’s an average birder and wants you to keep your cat indoors. She has two dogs, one of which is afraid of birds.

ellis.juhlin@mso.umt.edu
406-272-2568





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Must See the Natural Bridge Falls near Big Timber, Montana

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Must See the Natural Bridge Falls near Big Timber, Montana


Nature is my church, and I keep the Sabbath holy.

After a long week with a July 4th holiday, I treated myself to a road trip and hike to the Natural Bridge Falls on the Boulder River south of Big Timber.

While the actual rushing water and gorge and forest were all natural, the trailheads and lookouts have been developed to a Tolkien Elvish pristine.  You wonder if Gandalf the wizard or a Hobbit would appear.  The paved paths were edged with stacked rocks.  A wooden bridge spanned the Boulder to the other side where the dirt path began.

Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

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Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

The river itself crashed underneath then falls into the rock.  A short way’s farther shows the water cascading into a level basin for less than a hundred yards before the continued falling down the gorge.

The beginning dirt trail is quite gentle and easily traversed by kids.  The green foliage can make the track really narrow.  The morning air in the sunshine has a warm pine and earth smell, while the shade is appreciably cooler.

There is a Canyon Bottom Access trail to get where the river pours out of the rock, but that is the real challenge.  Have a walking stick handy.  This switchback trail is much steeper and rockier, and if a little muddy is much trickier.  A real strain on the knees.  The signs say Do Not Cut Across Switchbacks and they mean it; the slope down is steeper than 45 degrees with rocks at the long bottom.  A slip and fall will definitely hurt you.

Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

Take your time and pick your way down carefully, and you can get to about 25 yards from the falls safely.  The roar of water fills the air.

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If you can’t risk the Canyon Access trail, no loss; the overhang lookouts provide all the majesty on gentle paths and stone stairs on top of the gorge ridge.

How to Get to Natural Bridge Falls

Exit the interstate at Big Timber, cruise 1st Street to McLeod which is also Highway 289. Turn south and follow it all the way to the pavement’s end.  Do not turn off of the road at all.

289 is a narrow, winding, 2-lane road so slow down and enjoy the drive.  You will pass farms and modern homesteads in a sweeping basin of countryside.  There are a couple bumpy patches of highway with warning signs, so both hands on the wheel.

Watch for the signs that verify you are on the right road.  The Natural Falls trailhead will be to the left just before the pavement end.  If you start driving on gravel, you have gone just a bit too far.

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It’s a little over an hour and a half to drive there from Billings, but it is a great expedition for the day.  Enjoy in the little Adventure.

Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

Where’s Waldo Time! Can you spot the rock climber in this picture? Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

Where’s Waldo Time! Can you spot the rock climber in this picture? Credit: Travis Lee, TSM

The Most Magical Places to Visit in Montana

Want to make the most of your Montana vacation? These magical destinations are a must-visit!

Gallery Credit: jessejames

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10 Hidden Gem Towns In Montana You Need To See According To AI

We asked Chat GPT “What cities in Montana are considered hidden gems that a first time visitor to the state should make sure to visit” here are the results.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern





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