Building Sustainable Communities in the Northern Rockies

Make Our Future Bright

2011-04-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Tax Credit Could Reduce Employers' Cost To Provide Health Care Insurance

2011-01-04T13:57:00.000-08:00

Tax Credit Could Reduce Employers' Cost To Provide Health Care Insurance
MISSOULA ―

Nearly 7,400 small businesses in Montana may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the health insurance premium they pay for their employees under the new federal health care legislation, according to the latest issue of Montana Business Quarterly.

“For employers wanting to reduce the cost of providing health insurance, the tax credit should ease the burden somewhat,” said Gregg Davis, director of health care industry research at The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. “But employers should recognize that in some instances, the qualifying premium could be reduced because of caps set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

Davis co-wrote the article, “The New Health Care Law: Montana’s First Steps,” with Jerry Furniss, a professor in UM’s School of Business Administration.

For the full 35 percent tax credit, qualifying businesses must meet three criteria: They must employ fewer than 10 full-time-equivalent employees, pay average annual wages of less than $25,000 per employee, and pay at least 50 percent of the insurance premium.

However, Davis said, limitations on the premium amount that can be applied to the credit could reduce the attractiveness of the tax credit for some employers. The average premium for a family policy in Montana is $11,438, with employers paying about 67 percent of that premium, or $7,615.

(Continue)
"http://news.umt.edu/2010/08/082610hlth.aspx"

TIGER II GRANT APPLICATION

2010-09-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.roadsbridges.com/TIGER-II-grants-aren%E2%80%99t-enough-NewsPiece21601

TIGER II grants aren’t enough
Applications for almost 1,000 projects far exceed $600 million in available funds
September 24, 2010

Nearly 1,000 construction grant applications for more than $19 billion from all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia far exceeded the $600 million in TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II dollars the U.S. DOT can award for infrastructure projects ranging from highways and bridges to transit and ports, Secretary Ray LaHood announced on Sept. 24. The announcement followed the August deadline for submissions.

The overwhelming demand for TIGER II grants continues a trend. Last Feb. 17, the U.S. DOT announced 51 grant awards from nearly 1,500 applications for TIGER I grants nationwide. The TIGER I requests were for almost $60 billion worth of projects, 40 times the $1.5 billion available under that program.

“The wave of applications for both TIGER II and TIGER I dollars shows the back-log of needed infrastructure improvements and the

Montana's Economic Development Report Card

2010-09-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

http://business.mt.gov/docs/Montana_Economic_Development_Report_Card_8-30-10_final.pdf

Federal Grant Could Help Saw Mill District - News Story - theNewsChannel The News Channel

2010-08-14T12:18:00.000-07:00

Federal Grant Could Help Saw Mill District - News Story - theNewsChannel The News Channel

Trucks and gas tax article/

2010-08-06T03:41:00.000-07:00

What they report is correct nationwide. Trucks are what we design for on bridges, clearance. turning and pavement. I'm not passing judgement as we have the best road system in the world and it adds immeasurably to our economy.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2010/jul/27/study-trucks-underpay-ailing-idaho-roads/

Automated Parking System in Budapest, Amazing

2010-07-12T15:08:00.000-07:00

"http://www.woehr.de/en/projekte/budapest_m730/index.htm"

New use for big homes: Summit explores future of housing in Missoula

2010-06-06T21:00:00.000-07:00

http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_137fc2f8-7128-11df-ae8f-001cc4c002e0.html

2010-06-02T19:31:00.000-07:00

We Moved-We Unpacked-We Want to Share Our Space

Bring on the sunshine at WGM Group's Office Warming & United Way of Missoula County Friendraiser. This first-class celebration promises to kick your summer off right with live music, beverages overlooking the river, sunshine, snacks, and lawn games.

Who: Clients, Friends, Associates, Family

What: WGM Group's 'Office Warming & United Way Friendraiser'

Where: 1111 E. Broadway

When: 5:30pm June 9, 2010

Why: We love our new office and the United Way of Missoula County

*Contributions to UWMC accepted but not required

http://wgmgroup.com/2010/05/wgm-hosts-office-warming-and-f.html

Group of 29 governors seeks renewable-power standard - latimes.com

2010-03-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

Group of 29 governors seeks renewable-power standard - latimes.com

Rough road ahead: Water main work kicks off downtown streetscape project

2010-03-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

Rough road ahead: Water main work kicks off downtown streetscape project

Strategy Offers Hope in Beetle Battle | David Frey | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net

2010-03-16T20:05:00.000-07:00

Strategy Offers Hope in Beetle Battle | David Frey | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net

NorthWestern says more renewable energy coming

2010-03-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

NorthWestern says more renewable energy coming

Projects across USA turn landfill gas into energy - USATODAY.com

2010-03-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

Projects across USA turn landfill gas into energy - USATODAY.com

DoT budget isn't keeping up with need for road, bridge repairs - FederalTimes.com

2010-03-05T07:35:00.000-08:00

DoT budget isn't keeping up with need for road, bridge repairs - FederalTimes.com

Three SW Montana counties want $800K for biomass projects

2010-03-04T10:36:00.000-08:00

Three SW Montana counties want $800K for biomass projects

Whitefish gets U.S. 93 money

2010-02-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

WGM Group Helps Whitefish Get $ 3.5 M for Downtown Infrastructure.

Whitefish gets U.S. 93 money

y LYNNETTE HINTZE/The Daily Inter Lake | 0 comments

Long-awaited left-turn signals for the congested intersection of U.S. 93 and Baker Avenue in Whitefish will be completed next year, thanks to federal stimulus money.

The city of Whitefish announced Tuesday it has won a $3.5 million stimulus grant to reconstruct a two-block stretch of U.S. 93 in the downtown corridor.

The money is a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery, or TIGER, grant funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The U.S. 93 project coincides with the Whitefish downtown master-plan goal of reconstructing and upgrading downtown streets.

Whitefish will use the $3.5 million grant for a curb-to-curb reconstruction of U.S. 93 (Second Street) between Spokane and Baker avenues. Sewer and water lines also will be updated.

Other improvements include a new traffic-signal system, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant crosswalks and parking.

“This is the No. 1 project in our transportation plan,” Whitefish Senior Project Engineer Karin Hilding said.

Whitefish Gets $3.5 Million Grant For Downtown Improvement - News Channel 13

2010-02-23T15:45:00.000-08:00

WGM Group, Inc. Helps Whitefish Get Tiger Grant

Whitefish Gets $3.5 Million Grant For Downtown Improvement - News Channel 13

Land-use case costs county $1 million

2010-02-18T09:59:00.000-08:00

Land-use case costs county $1 million: "Land-use case costs county $1 million
Road work could send price tag even higher
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Posted: Wednesday, February 17, 2010 2:00 am | Updated: 4:29 pm, Wed Feb 17, 2010.
By LYNNETTE HINTZE/Daily Inter Lake | 22�comments
Flathead County will pay $1 million in cash to settle a land-use lawsuit filed against the county by developers of the North Shore Ranch subdivision near Somers.
The county also will be required to build and pay for all the subdivision roads and two highway turn lanes on Montana 82, an undertaking that could push the settlement total to $3 million or more."

Retailer hhgregg Plots Nationwide Expansion - WSJ.com

2010-02-08T09:09:00.000-08:00

Retailer hhgregg Plots Nationwide Expansion - WSJ.com

By MIGUEL BUSTILLO

Matt Eich/LUCEO for The Wall Street Journal

Midwest retailer hhgregg is expanding eastward. A customer views flat-panel TVs in Midlothian, Va., Tuesday.

Retailer hhgregg Inc., long a Midwest consumer electronics star, is moving aggressively to capitalize on cheaper rents during the economic downturn by building a nation-wide presence to challenge much bigger rival Best Buy Co.

The Indianapolis company will open 40 to 45 stores in the Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore areas in coming months as part of a broader plan to expand to 600 stores this decade from 127 currently.

In some cases it is getting cut-rate rentals on locations once held by Circuit City Stores Inc., which closed last year.

Instrumental to its rapid growth has been a retail formula that focuses on hiring sales staff that work on commissions, and gives them leeway to negotiate prices with customers. A projected $1.53 billion in fiscal 2010 sales would represent a 51% gain from fiscal 2007. Still, some retail experts worry that hhgregg's pace poses a risk of overexpansion.

The retailer opened 10 new stores in Memphis, Tampa and Richmond in its fiscal third-quarter ended Dec. 31, helping boost income.

View Full Image

Matt Eich/LUCEO for The Wall Street Journal

Retailer hhgregg still uses a commissioned sales staff in its stores.

Results reported Thursday include a 7.5% jump in appliance sales at stores open at least a year, the first increase in appliance sales in two years. More than a third of hhgregg's sales come from appliances, far more than most big retailers.

Despite its big ambitions, hhgregg is small. But Chief Executive Dennis May said Thursday he will disclose additional expansion forays beyond the Mid-Atlantic this summer. He declined to elaborate.

Mr. May, who started at hhgregg 11 years ago when it had just 18 stores, said the company is leasing East Coast properties in prime retail corridors for prices similar to what it was paying in the Midwest a few years ago.

"The real estate deals we are securing will help put us in a good competitive position for the next 25 years, " he said.

The fast build out is reminiscent of Best Buy's breakout move in the 1990s, when it leapfrogged Circuit City to become a major national chain.

Some analysts say the company is well poised to fill the vacancy created by Circuit City's demise for a second national consumer electronics retailer.

"The history of retailers accelerating square footage growth beyond 20% is not so good," said Brad Thomas of KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. "But barring a major setback, this looks like the next national chain in this space, and there is a lot of market share to be gained in the Mid Atlantic because that is where Circuit City was strongest."

Still, hhgregg faces many challengers in its bid to capture that market share—not just from national powers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp., but regional players, such as privately held PC Richard & Son, which is expanding out of its New York base. Spokesmen for Best Buy and Sears declined to comment.

Hhgregg executives believe they can stand apart from mass merchants such as Best Buy and Wal-Mart because of an old-fashioned retail formula that centers on hiring experienced salespeople who can talk customers into buying higher-priced televisions and washing machines. Most national chains, including Best Buy, have eliminated commissioned salespeople in favor of an hourly-wage workforce.

The company's commissioned sales force has a reputation for having ample leeway to cut deals with customers, which has distinguished the retailer from rivals.

"You can work with them," said Michael Rodriguez, 26 years old, who recently haggled and won a reduced price on a washer, dryer and refrigerator for his new townhome near Orlando, Fla. "We looked at the traditional options like Sears. But at hhgregg, there was also more of an ability to negotiate."

Jenny Uhlmansiek of Cincinnati said she also argued for a better price recently on a washer, dryer, microwave oven and toaster after she and her boyfriend moved into a house together.

"Going there and shopping, you kind of learn that things are negotiable," said Ms. Uhlmansiek, 28 years old, who later returned and haggled for a deal on a stereo system. "I just don't pay that tag price."

On Thursday, hhgregg posted a quarterly profit of $22.7 million, or 57 cents a share, compared to $17.1 million, or 52 cents a share, a year ago.

Still, its stock tumbled 7% to $18.94 in 4 p.m. trading Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange after warning that television sales in its current quarter would be hamstrung by a shortage of large-screen and new-technology televisions.

The shortage and additional expenses tied to the faster than anticipated openings of new Eastern stores led the company to maintain a full-year forecast calling for a between 6% and 9% sales gain despite posting a strong 20.3% revenue gain in the third quarter.

Hhgregg executives said the industry-wide problem is due to diminished inventory at TV manufacturers that are preparing to introduce new spring models. That was bad news for a category that has already been battered by price deflation.

Mr. May predicted a "tale of two halves" this calendar year, with sluggish television sales early on giving way to stronger sales later as new, 3-dimensional televisions and models configured to run Internet programming hit retail stores.

Write to Miguel Bustillo at miguel.bustillo@wsj.com

Marketing Coordinator

2010-02-03T10:52:00.000-08:00

WGM Group is seeking a Marketing Coordinator with 2 or more years relevant experience, a BA in Marketing, Communications or relevant technical degree. Must have strong writing and graphic communication skills. Responsibilities include preparation of proposals and other marketing collateral materials. Conducts and prepares promotional initiatives including conferences, brochures, award submittals, and publications. Coordinates public relations and outreach efforts for projects and clients. Provides graphic support for promotional initiatives and award submittals. Facilitates internal and external communications including updates to the website and social media sites.

Competitive pay, full benefits and a pleasant work environment. Send resume to wgm@wgmgroup.com or WGM Group, Inc., 1111 E Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802

Hiring Transportation Engineer

2010-02-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

WGM Group is seeking an entry level Transportation Engineer Intern with 1-4 years experience, BS Civil Engineering, and EI Certification. Responsibilities include construction observation and design of transportation facilities. Competitive pay, full benefits and a pleasant work environment. Send resume to wgm@wgmgroup.com or WGM Group, Inc., 1111 E Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802

The Strongest and Weakest Housing Markets - Kiplinger.com

2010-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:00

Note Great Falls, MT was No. 10!

The Strongest and Weakest Housing Markets - Kiplinger.com

The Strongest and Weakest Housing Markets

Ten places where home prices are rising, and ten places where prices are tumbling.

By Pat Mertz Esswein, Associate Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

December 2009

Text Size T T

Free eBook From Employee to Entr...

The housing market is showing some signs of recovery. Sales are up and prices have stabilized after falling for three years. The ten metro areas that enjoyed the greatest home-price increases over the past year (through June 30, 2009) largely missed the housing boom and didn’t indulge in subprime-lending excesses.

With no boom, these cities had no need to bust. Instead, their housing markets have plugged along at 4% annual price appreciation, below the national average of 6% annually between 1968 and 2008, according to the National Association of Realtors. Most of these areas are relatively small, with populations less than 200,000.

Hints of a Rebirth for Commercial Real Estate? - Kiplinger.com

2010-01-28T15:39:00.000-08:00

Hints of a Rebirth for Commercial Real Estate? - Kiplinger.com

Hints of a Rebirth for
Commercial Real Estate?

Investors are taking an interest in commercial real estate, primarily apartment and office buildings. Retail space -- not so much.

By Jerome Idaszak, Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter

Laura Kennedy, Researcher-Reporter, the Kiplinger letters

January 28, 2010

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Bargain hunters are starting to sniff around commercial real estate markets, though retail real estate remains under a heavy cloud.

Apartment and office buildings in Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco and Boston are sparking a bit of interest -- a signal that the bottom is nearing.

2010-01-25T08:32:00.000-08:00

Linked In, Logged On - The Benefits and Potential Pitfalls of Social Networking Applications

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/acec/engineeringinc0110/#/14

KPAX - Missoula, Montana - News, Weather, Sports - - KPAX Home Missoula News, Missoula Weather, Missoula Sports, Montana News, Montana Weather, Montan

2010-01-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

KPAX - Missoula, Montana - News, Weather, Sports - - KPAX Home Missoula News, Missoula Weather, Missoula Sports, Montana News, Montana Weather, Montana Sports | Missoula firm makes optimistic move

WGM Group Finds a New Home

2010-01-07T16:42:00.000-08:00

With the help of the Small Business Association and the Historically Underutilized
Business Zone (HUBZone) program, WGM Group Inc. purchases new office building.

Brent Campbell, president of WGM Group, Inc., has announced that WGM recently purchased a new office building. WGM will be moving January 18th from its current location to 1111 East Broadway in Missoula. WGM is an locally owned and operated, community-centered land use planning, engineering, and surveying firm that has been building better communities, safer roads, and healthier places to live, work, and play in the Northwest for over 40 years.

Broadening the Tax Revenue Base

2010-01-06T12:41:00.000-08:00

by Gary London

This recession has laid bare some longstanding problems in our private and public sector financial system. If jurisdictions are allowed to broaden their tax revenue base, the effect would be the encouragement of the kinds of higher density, mixed-use development needed in most communities.

Cities and other local jurisdictions have traditionally focused on retail for sales taxes, hotels for transient occupancy taxes, or TOT, and tax increment financing (property taxes) through redevelopment as the major tax sources to pay for their “general fund” operations. It is unusual for these revenue sources to decline, yet each source is dramatically down. Some of this tax revenue will eventually return. Alarmingly, some may not.

I want to focus on the alarms going off.

The “Great Recession” has set in motion two trends that may influence consumer behavior for a long time. Economists refer to these habit breaking events as structural changes. The first and largest trend is consumer spending. In the past three decades, personal consumption expenditures have risen from less than two-thirds of the nation’s gross domestic product (total value of all goods and services produced in the U.S. in one year) to nearly 72 percent. In the same time period, personal savings fell from more than 10 percent of disposable income to about 1 percent. This increased consumption and reduced savings, coupled with an increased willingness to accept higher levels of debt and risk, likely helped fuel the last two asset bubbles: the dot-com stock and housing price bubbles. It’s the bursting of the housing price bubble and decline in perceived wealth that may trigger the second change in trends: households’ inability and/or unwillingness to tap their home equity to supplement their consumption.

http://londongroup.com/2010/01/05/broadening-tax-revenue-base-would-help-cities/

Blixseth’s Son Leads New Lawsuit Against Credit Suisse | Jonathan Weber | Development | NewWest.Net

2010-01-04T17:18:00.000-08:00

Blixseth’s Son Leads New Lawsuit Against Credit Suisse | Jonathan Weber | Development | NewWest.Net

Missoula businesses launch campaign to fill Washington-Grizzly for Saturday's game

2009-12-11T08:24:00.000-08:00

By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian | Posted: Thursday, December 10, 2009 6:10 pm | No Comments Posted

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Fill 'er up.

The stadium, that is.

When the undefeated Montana Grizzlies face Appalachian State on Saturday, some members of the Missoula business community want Washington-Grizzly Stadium to be sold out to a hollering crowd. "First down ... Montana!"

Thursday, some 48 hours before kickoff, WGM Group's Brent Campbell was among the Griz fans who launched an informal campaign to get business owners to buy up remaining tickets and hand them off to employees in the quest to leave no seat empty for the Football Championship Series semifinal game.

"They do so much for our community," Campbell said of the University of Montana. "This is a way to give back."

The idea is to boost roaring and reputation. Campbell said the full stadium will raise the decibel level - and trip up the enemy. Plus, ESPN will be televising the game nationally, and a house packed to capacity at 25,200 will promote the mountain town of Missoula.

"It's getting a growing reputation as a great place to play football," Campbell said.

More than 18 employees or family members from his shop planned to root at Saturday's 2 p.m. kickoff. Among others on the Griz-wagon were Diane Beck at Windermere Real Estate, KPAX, the Rocky Mountain Development Corporation, and AMEC Geomatrix, he said.

http://www.missoulian.com/news/local/article_65df5908-e5f2-11de-93e4-001cc4c002e0.html

Holiday Greetings

2009-12-03T14:11:00.001-08:00

http://wgmgroup.com/2009/12/seasons-greetings.html

Building a Sustainable Housing Recovery

2009-11-28T22:09:00.000-08:00

Building a Sustainable Housing Recovery

#recovery

2009-10-30T13:09:00.000-07:00

#recovery

Tester’s Wilderness Bill, Updates | Bill Schneider | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net

2009-10-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

Tester’s Wilderness Bill, Updates Bill Schneider Travel & Outdoors NewWest.Net

Discussion: WGM Group, Inc. | LinkedIn

2009-10-23T08:36:00.000-07:00

Discussion: WGM Group, Inc. LinkedIn: "WGM Group is looking at new and improved work space for our business.
We have gotten many questions about the big 'for lease' sign if front of our existing building. We are currently working on a new location. More information will be forthcoming if and when we can ink the deal."

Real Estate Market in the West: Where It’s Going, and How | Amy Linn | New West Blog | NewWest.Net

2009-10-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Real Estate Market in the West: Where It’s Going, and How Amy Linn New West Blog NewWest.Net

Best Places to Launch a Small Business 2009 - Top Small Places - FORTUNE Small Business

2009-10-15T06:13:00.000-07:00

Best Places to Launch a Small Business 2009 - Top Small Places - FORTUNE Small Business

New West | Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies

2009-09-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

New West Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies

Taxpayers Benefit By Outsourcing | ENR: Engineering News Record | McGraw-Hill Construction

2009-06-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Taxpayers Benefit By Outsourcing ENR: Engineering News Record McGraw-Hill Construction

The Missoula Independent Online - Lane change

2009-06-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

State switches gears on Missoula’s bike infrastructure

By: Jesse Froehling Posted: 06/04/2009

Photo by Chad HarderWith new buy-in from the state’s Department of Transportation, local streets like this stretch of Higgins Avenue could have new bike lanes as early as this summer.Doug Moeller never intended to set a precedent. But when the district administrator for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) recently announced that he’d take bike lanes into consideration with future Missoula projects, local officials had to do a double-take. Simply put, that had never happened before.

The Missoula Independent Online - Lane change

Cycling experts create innovative on-street bicycle network in New York City | rabble.ca

2009-06-05T14:56:00.001-07:00

Cycling experts create innovative on-street bicycle network in New York City | rabble.ca

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Demographic trends now favor downtown - Small business- msnbc.com

2009-05-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

Demographic trends now favor downtown - Small business- msnbc.com

The Old Streetlamp of the Past Gets Updated for a Green Future - WSJ.com

2009-05-12T12:46:00.000-07:00

The Old Streetlamp of the Past Gets Updated for a Green Future - WSJ.com: "

By REBECCA SMITH

Streetlights were the first big users of electricity. Now, they are being re-engineered to improve efficiency, but at a cost that today's municipalities might have a tough time covering.
San Jose, Calif., in the heart of Silicon Valley, is testing a concept called 'adaptive lighting,' in which streets can be made brighter, darker or even be illuminated with flashing strobes upon command.
By summer, the city will have installed 125 streetlamps using LED technology, in one of the biggest urban tests of the science so far in the U.S. The city hopes to cut down on energy use, and, hopefully, lower its utility costs, by tapping LED lighting's greater flexibility.
The test in San Jose coincides with a broad push by federal and state agencies to modernize the nation's lighting infrastructure. Many homes and businesses have replaced incandescent bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent lights. Now cities, faced with tighter budgets, are looking for ways to cut street-lighting costs and to reduce emissions from power plants."

Cycle Tracks: Lessons Learned

2009-05-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

References on Cycle Tracks which are being recomended in downtown on Higgins and Broadway.

http://www.altaplanning.com/cycle+tracks.aspx

http://bikeportland.org/2008/11/20/portlands-first-cycle-track-proposed-cully/

http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/25/plan-for-grand-street-cycle-track-features-new-design-treatment/

Stormwater as Entertainment

2009-04-29T08:20:00.000-07:00

Integrating stormwater management with the urban landscape

By Margaret Buranen 1 Comments

A third walking tour covers Portland’s signature stormwater project, its Green Streets program. The first Green Street, SW 12 Street, won the 2006 ASLA General Design Award of Honor. This project was described in the January/February 2007 issue of Stormwater.
The highlight of the Green Streets program is the way that onsite stormwater management is integrated with an urban setting. The comprehensive approach uses different low-impact development (LID) strategies at different sites. Some of the seven locations on the Green Streets tour are included in other tours, such as PSU with the innovative vegetated street planters and New Seasons Market with its green roof and other LID techniques.

more......
http://stormh2o.com/may-2009/portland-public-education-3.aspx

What does this mean for our Region?

2009-04-25T08:10:00.000-07:00

What does this mean for our region?

We believe the news is pretty good for the long-term in our region but we need to understand the demographics because the housing market is moving.

The over-supply of housing appears to be just about back to equilibrium for our Montana market.
Dramatically fewer households will have children as the boomers age.
Boomer Population peaks in about 20 years.
The number of households in our region will continue to grow.
There will be less demand for single-family housing and an increase in demand for condos and townhomes in the right location.
People will be moving into urban areas as they leave the suburban residences. This is a trend we have recognized for sometime.
Projects like the redevelopment of the Old Sawmill Site in Missoula will be where many of the boomers will want to live.

http://www.wgmgroup.com/projects/MisMillSite.htm

Researcher: Northern Rockies Housing Market Near Bottom, Will Rebound Soon

2009-04-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

www.NewWest.net
By Greg Lemon, 4-17-09

As the national economy comes out of the recession and sets a course for the future, changes in demographics are going to radically shift demands for housing, not only in the Mountain West, but around the country.
This was the message from Arthur C. Nelson, presidential professor and director of Metropolitan Research at the College of Architecture and Planning at the University of Utah, who was the keynote speaker at the Designing the New West Conference in Bozeman Friday...........

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/dramatic_changes_are_in_store_for_housing_market_in_mountain_west/C35/L35/

Designing the New West

2009-04-14T22:15:00.000-07:00

WGM Group a major sponsor of the conference Designing the New West.

Architecture & Landscape in the Mountain West

April 16th and 17th, 2009

Gallatin Gateway Inn

Bozeman, Montana

Designing the New West features leading architects, developers, land planners and landscape designers from around the Rockies, with the aim of tracking design and development trends, showcasing best practices, and understanding how thoughtful and place-inspired design can help us shape our region in the most positive possible ways.Register Now!

http://www.newwest.net/design/

New U of Arizona lab researches medicines in water supply.

2009-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Public health officials and civil engineers have long been concerned with public health and the need for clean drinking water. There is a growing concern about pharmacueticals in drinking water and the unkown health effects. This is especially true with the large number of concentrated septic systems interspersed with domestic drinking water wells in Montana. Read more on the subject in the following web story.

By Evan Pellegrino
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona Published: 04.13.2009

A new laboratory at the University of Arizona is giving researchers a better understanding of an emerging concern to health officials — traces of pharmaceutical drugs and other pollutants found in our water supply. Investigations from The Associated Press and the U.S. Geological Survey have discovered that many types of trace compounds have infiltrated the water supplies across the country, including in Tucson. The consequences and effects of these contaminants aren't known, but UA researchers say the Arizona Laboratory for Emerging Contaminants will provide valuable tools that will help address growing concerns associated with the pollutants

http://www.azstarnet.com/news/288452

Tourism Event of the Year

2009-04-07T10:19:00.000-07:00

Text from the Govenors Award as

TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR – (River City Roots Festival)

OUR NEXT AWARD IS TO BE PRESENTED TO AN EVENT THAT HAS BENEFITED THEIR COMMUNITY IN AN EXEMPLARY AND CREATIVE MANNER.

OUR WINNING EVENT is an IDEAL example of supporting the heartbeat of our communities and hosting an event that brings people to our main streets and downtowns.

Entering into its 4th year this summer, this event hopes to double its inaugural year attendance and bring upwards of 10,000 people to the streets of their vibrant and culturally diverse downtown. It is a signature event which is a celebration of their community and an excellent opportunity to showcase their thriving town, their friendly people and the diverse opportunities available to their visitors.

In a year where the state of our economy leads every headline, the fact that this event is fully supported by private sponsorships and in-kind services and donations, thus providing a FREE 2-day festival filled with quality entertainment for all ages did not go unnoticed by our scoring committee. By providing free entrance to the festival, it allows attendees to spend their discretionary dollars supporting the participants in the event, such as local food vendors, Montana artisans and craftspeople and the businesses that encompass the downtown area.

This late-summer weekend festival is highlighted by an all-day music stage featuring quality live performances from local, regional and national performers as well as a juried art show, entertainment for children and families and Fun run through downtown.

IT IS A TRUE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT. MANY ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TOGETHER TO MAKE THIS EVENT THE SUCCESS THAT IT IS AND IT IS THROUGH THE GUIDING EFFORTS OF THE MISSOULA DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION THAT WE CONGRATULATE Missoula’s River City Roots Festival ON BEING MONTANA’S 2009 TOURISM EVENT OF THE YEAR.

WGM Group Supports the River City Roots Festival

2009-04-06T11:38:00.000-07:00

WGM Group has been involved in the River City Roots Festival from the outset. Why?

We believe Missoula's entertainment opportunities are one of the best reasons to live in Missoula. Our downtown is one of the best entertainment districts in the northern rocky mountains. I am a fan of downtowns, classic bars and music. I collect them like some people collect Beanie-baby's. I visit them as I travel around the country. Ours is one of the best around. We get big city entertainment opportunities and the great outdoors that Montana offers. We have great healthcare, a robust economy and the University of Montana. We have three great micro-breweries for locally made sustenance. What else could one ask for?

Roots Fest is a celebration of the Missoula Experience. Help us promote the event and celebrate our great City. Consider donating to the cause to help bring the party this year. Volunteer for the event. Pitch in in whatever way you can. The party will be bigger and better this year with everyone's help.

Downtown's advocates marshaling resources

2009-03-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Officials say downtown Great Falls is on the right path to becoming a vibrant area where people live, work and shop, but it still has more work to do.

About 100 downtown business owners and community members gathered Thursday night at the Art of Downtown Revitalization meeting, with the goal to continue down that path.

The meeting was a continuation of Imagine Downtown, which last met about a year ago.

Brent Campbell, transportation engineer with WGM Group of Missoula, said Great Falls' downtown is off to a good start. A master plan for the area could help with issues such as parking, traffic flow and creating a link between the River's Edge Trail and downtown, he said.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20090320/BUSINESS/903200319/1046/SPECIALSECTION05

Why we need civil engineers

2009-03-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Missoula sorely in need of new zoning rules

2009-03-16T17:30:00.000-07:00

Monday, March 16, 2009
By BRENT CAMPBELL

Missoulians are disillusioned with the zoning regulations. Neighborhoods are unhappy with sections on infill, multifamily housing, and parking, which they see as threatening to neighborhood character. Businesses are unsettled by the time and effort it takes to obtain zoning compliance permits or changes. Design professionals are concerned because the code does not easily accommodate contemporary and sustainable design. The city is frustrated with administering outdated codes.

The current codes are broken and need to be fixed. Patching up the old zoning code, as we have done for decades, is no longer an option. We need a fresh, comprehensive document. Thankfully, we are in the process of creating new and efficient zoning regulations for the city of Missoula.

http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/03/16/opinion/guest/guest51.txt

Johns Hopkins Civility Project makes peace person to person, then nation to nation

2009-03-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Piero Massimo Forni sees being considerate to one another as the foundation for everything from the environmental movement to women's rights.

By Richard O'Mara Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
from the December 11, 2007 edition

Baltimore - Pier Massimo Forni is a peacemaker, not between nations, rather on the fundamental level of individual personal relations. He's not a therapist, psychiatrist, or such. He's a master of the ameliorative skills that are as old as human society and, to him, more productive of social harmony than most people realize.
We're talking about manners, courtesy, civility.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1211/p20s01-ussc.html

Missoula Zoning Debate Heats Up

2009-03-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

Missoula Zoning Debate Heats UpThe Missoula Consolidated Planning Board is hearing comment on a much-awaited update of the city's zoning and subdivision regulations. One lesson: definitions matter.

http://www.newwest.net/city/article/zoning_debate_focuses_on_definitions/C8/L8/

Blueprint brigade fights back

2009-03-11T07:15:00.000-07:00

Infill opponents are speaking out about the zoning rewrite — and the people who have had their noses in the old zoning book are fighting back. Those guys are architects, builders and designers, and plenty spoke Tuesday in favor of the zoning update. Here’s more comments from the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board meeting:

WGM Group President and CEO Brent Campbell: “We believe Missoula badly needs a new zoning code.” He said it’s 40 years old and patched together, and old rules mean old-style development. “Because it’s a ’70s document, it’s driving ’70s development. And this is the 21st century.” He sent this note* to “take action.”

http://missoularedtape.com/

Yellow Is the New Green

2009-03-01T13:29:00.000-08:00

An interesting take on waste.

By ROSE GEORGE
Published: February 27, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/opinion/27george.html?em

Local Option Tax Gets BSEDA Support

2009-02-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

Written by Evelyn Pyburn
Wednesday, 18 February 2009 18:25

Economic development interests across the state are putting their all behind a bill this legislative session to open up a new revenue stream for local governments. The idea is that local governments need revenue sources to maintain and develop infrastructure and infrastructure is vital in attracting new businesses and growing existing businesses.
Focus on empowering local governments – cities and counties – with the option of instituting a local option tax was initiated several sessions ago by the Big Sky Economic Development Authority (BSEDA). Having confronted the proposal’s failure before, its proponents are optimistic that they have finally straightened out its kinks and will garner the support necessary to get it passed this year.

http://www.bigskybusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=193:local-option-tax-gets-bseda-support&catid=18:citycounty&Itemid=15

Failing Infrastructure Cannot Support A Healthy Economy

2009-02-22T13:25:00.000-08:00

Civil Engineers’ New Report Card Assesses Condition of Nation’s Infrastructure

Washington, D.C.—Decades of underfunding and inattention have jeopardized the ability of our nation’s infrastructure to support our economy and facilitate our way of life. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) today released its 2009 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure—assigning a cumulative grade of D to the nation’s infrastructure and noting a five-year investment need of $2.2 trillion from all levels of government and the private sector. Since ASCE’s last assessment in 2005 there has been little change in the condition of the nation’s roads, bridges, drinking water systems and other public works, and the cost of improvement has increased by more than half a trillion dollars.

http://www.asce.org/pressroom/news/display_press.cfm?uid=4511

Stimulus Isn’t Enough to Fix State Budget Woes, Governors Say

2009-02-22T12:15:00.000-08:00

Feb. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Aid to state governments in the $787 billion economic stimulus signed by President Barack Obama this week won’t be enough to balance budgets as costs rise and tax revenue shrinks, governors meeting in Washington said.

Governors welcomed the $787 billion stimulus legislation signed into law Tuesday by President Obama as a source of much- needed, albeit temporary, financial assistance. About $100 billion of that is set aside for state road building, bridges, and other infrastructure spending.
Putting the money in context, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, a Democrat, said the stimulus will add about 5 percent to what his state usually gets in federal spending.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aR_T22Ls4D6s&refer=us

Governors debate how to handle stimulus billions

2009-02-22T12:10:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON (AP) — Governors said Saturday they welcomed the money flowing to states from President Obama's landmark stimulus plan and played down disagreements among some Republicans in their ranks about how the dollars should be spent."

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, the chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, dismissed GOP concerns about the plan as inconsistent with their willingness to accept federal money in other cases."It does seem out of character for a governor who has been receiving billions of dollars for years to suddenly say 'I'm not so sure I want these dollars,'" he said, noting that a provision in the law would allow state legislatures to accept the stimulus money even if a governor rejects it.

http://http//mtstandard.com/articles/2009/02/21/breaking/hjjajhhiigfhhg.txt

Blackfoot - Clearwater Stewardship Project

2009-02-20T14:12:00.000-08:00

"After two years of extensive dialogue, a diverse group of conservationists, loggers, snowmobilers, outfitters, and local landowners have crafted a pioneering vision for the upper Blackfoot Valley. The Blackfoot Clearwater Landscape Stewardship Project uses a landscape-level focus to achieve diverse goals."

Learn more about this mutually beneficial agreement where everyone wins. So much of the history has been based on conflict where everyone loses. We think this a great new direction.

http://www.blackfootclearwater.org/

American Recovery & Investment Act

2009-02-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Infrastructure Funding Formulas for Montana
Clean Water State REvolving Fund - $ 19,194,714
Transit Capital Grants - $ 15,611,710
Highways & Bridges - $ 211,793,391
Large Urban Areas (>200k) - $ 000
Rail Transit - $ 000

Building Sustainable Communities in the Northern Rockies

Make Our Future Bright

Tax Credit Could Reduce Employers' Cost To Provide Health Care Insurance

TIGER II GRANT APPLICATION

Montana's Economic Development Report Card

Federal Grant Could Help Saw Mill District - News Story - theNewsChannel The News Channel

Trucks and gas tax article/

Automated Parking System in Budapest, Amazing

New use for big homes: Summit explores future of housing in Missoula

Group of 29 governors seeks renewable-power standard - latimes.com

Rough road ahead: Water main work kicks off downtown streetscape project

Strategy Offers Hope in Beetle Battle | David Frey | Travel & Outdoors | NewWest.Net

NorthWestern says more renewable energy coming

Projects across USA turn landfill gas into energy - USATODAY.com

DoT budget isn't keeping up with need for road, bridge repairs - FederalTimes.com

Three SW Montana counties want $800K for biomass projects

Whitefish gets U.S. 93 money

Whitefish Gets $3.5 Million Grant For Downtown Improvement - News Channel 13

Land-use case costs county $1 million

Retailer hhgregg Plots Nationwide Expansion - WSJ.com

By MIGUEL BUSTILLO

Marketing Coordinator

Hiring Transportation Engineer

The Strongest and Weakest Housing Markets - Kiplinger.com

The Strongest and Weakest Housing Markets

Ten places where home prices are rising, and ten places where prices are tumbling.

By Pat Mertz Esswein, Associate Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance

December 2009

ADVERTISEMENT

Hints of a Rebirth for Commercial Real Estate? - Kiplinger.com

Hints of a Rebirth forCommercial Real Estate?

Investors are taking an interest in commercial real estate, primarily apartment and office buildings. Retail space -- not so much.

By Jerome Idaszak, Associate Editor, The Kiplinger Letter

Laura Kennedy, Researcher-Reporter, the Kiplinger letters

January 28, 2010

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KPAX - Missoula, Montana - News, Weather, Sports - - KPAX Home Missoula News, Missoula Weather, Missoula Sports, Montana News, Montana Weather, Montan

WGM Group Finds a New Home

Broadening the Tax Revenue Base

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Cycling experts create innovative on-street bicycle network in New York City | rabble.ca

Demographic trends now favor downtown - Small business- msnbc.com

The Old Streetlamp of the Past Gets Updated for a Green Future - WSJ.com

Cycle Tracks: Lessons Learned

Stormwater as Entertainment

What does this mean for our Region?

Researcher: Northern Rockies Housing Market Near Bottom, Will Rebound Soon

Designing the New West

Architecture & Landscape in the Mountain West

April 16th and 17th, 2009

Gallatin Gateway Inn

Bozeman, Montana

New U of Arizona lab researches medicines in water supply.

Tourism Event of the Year

WGM Group Supports the River City Roots Festival

Downtown's advocates marshaling resources

Why we need civil engineers

Missoula sorely in need of new zoning rules

Johns Hopkins Civility Project makes peace person to person, then nation to nation

Missoula Zoning Debate Heats Up

Blueprint brigade fights back

Yellow Is the New Green

Local Option Tax Gets BSEDA Support

Failing Infrastructure Cannot Support A Healthy Economy

Stimulus Isn’t Enough to Fix State Budget Woes, Governors Say

Governors debate how to handle stimulus billions

Blackfoot - Clearwater Stewardship Project

American Recovery & Investment Act

Hints of a Rebirth for
Commercial Real Estate?