Chamber News. Farm Fair 2017 F E A T U R E D M E M B E R. Try.Discover.Create. Inside This Issue:

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1 Chamber News Inside This Issue: Business Development 2 Business After Hours 3, 6 Lunch and Learn 4 New Members 4 Rise and Share 4 Upcoming Events 4 Executive Message 7 Renewals 7 Member News 8 Advertisers 9-11 Calendar 12 Farm Fair 2017 Volunteers Needed It s fun and it s an event that will blow your mind! The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee will host their 12 th Farm Fair at the Ed Brainard Ranch on Dry Creek Road. The Farm Fair is an educational program for fourth-grade students from all over the Gallatin Valley. More than 1,100 kids will participate in the 3-day event on May 9, 10, and 11. Students arrive starting at 9 am, and the sessions start at 9:30 am. Throughout the day, the students go to 16 stations and learn about bees, farm safety, sheep, water, pigs, horses, beef cows, dairy cows, goats, farm to table, potatoes, crops, forestry, and 4-H as well as how to make Tin Can Ice Cream! They are treated to a nutritious lunch and get a horse-drawn wagon ride around the ranch to hear about crop rotation. The event takes over 200 volunteers each day, and at least 25 volunteers to set up the event site on Saturday, May 6. We would love to have you volunteer! Volunteer spots can be for all day or just a few hours. To volunteer or for more information, contact Debe at or dyoungberg@belgradechamber.org. Try.Discover.Create F E A T U R E D M E M B E R This educational non-profit 501c-3 organization was established in 2015 to impact the out-ofschool hours for Belgrade community youth. With a highly motivated Board of Directors and staff and a carefully designed curriculum, its mission is to help southwestern Montana youth discover the world of art, music, and science through fun exploration and guided development. As Belgrade is undergoing a time of tremendous growth, Try.Discover.Create (TDC) recognizes that working parents need good options for their kids in the summer. They know that when families succeed, communities succeed. Having a high-quality, safe, and fun place for kids during working hours lets parents relax and helps kids learn new skills. Hands-on and sleeves rolled up, they grow in self-confidence and create higher educational goals for themselves. For the third year, TDC is offering their Lego Robotics Summer Camp. In this week-long camp for boys and girls aged 9-12, your camper will work with a buddy to design, build, and program awe-inspiring robots using Lego s most advanced new technology: the Mindstorms EV3. A 5:1 student-to-instructor ratio helps the kids have an outstanding experience as they let their creativity and imaginations loose! Throughout the week, they learn science and engineering concepts, have fun with their bots in competitions, and make new friends! The camp is limited in size and fills quickly each year. Visit TDC s website ( for details and registration information. You can get involved and help TDC continue to provide engaging after-school programs and summer activities. A couple of hours can change a young person s life and yours. There are many ways to volunteer: teaching, coaching, graphic design, marketing, fundraising, event planning, and construction, among others. To volunteer your time, donate to programs, contribute needed items, or just find out more about TDC, contact Executive Director Joni Benson at or her at Would you like to be featured in a future newsletter? Call the Chamber at It s easy and it s free! April 2017 Like us on Facebook Page 1

2 President: Dave Smith ( ) Belgrade Middle School Treasurer: Shawn Syverson ( ) AFLAC Directors: Lisa Crooks ( ) Job Service Jay Williamson ( ) First Security Bank Jason Guffey ( ) Belgrade Sales & Service Mike Meis ( ) NorthWestern Energy Lisa Peterson ( ) Stone-Tek Recycled Granite Carla Schmidt ( ) Farm Bureau Insurance Matt Semple ( ) Committee Chairs: Agriculture Board of Directors Economic Development Membership Services Tournament Transportation Chamber Staff: Kris Killorn Rhonda Dove Joe Dahinden Eve Parrow Kevin Black Dave Smith Executive Director: Debra Youngberg (office); (cell) (fax) Focus on Business Development The Chamber has several standing committees that help guide projects and activities (see below). New committee members are always welcome; contact a Committee Chair (listed in the left-hand column) for more information. Meeting times and locations are shown on the Calendar on p. 12. Agriculture Economic Development Fall Festival Membership Services For 2017, the Chamber s focus will continue to be on business development; this section will feature articles on that topic. Items of interest from the committees will be included separately in the newsletter Easy Ways to Increase Sales Brian Cleary One of the most obvious ways to boost revenue in your business is to make more sales. Here are 10 ways you can start doing that today. 1. Do You Have a Sales Strategy? Most businesses think they have a strategy, but they don t. Now is a good time to develop one. You need to consider who your ideal customer is and what the products and services are that provide the best return for you. The sales strategy should be a brief one-page roadmap that encapsulates the following information (keep it simple and keep referring back to it): What you want to sell? Who you are going to sell to? Where you are going to sell? How you are going to sell? When you are going to sell? Presidents Circle Tournament Transportation. 2. Are You Missing Opportunities? You could best sum up this approach as preach to the converted. Your current customers are likely an excellent source for new business. You may have a product or service they may not know about that might suit their business. Essentially, the first port of call should be the clients that have already bought from your business. 3. Back to Basics Chambers mentor businesses that have sales issues. Often, the problem is businesses have veered from their target market and fail to realize it. Take an honest look at what your market is and where you are at the moment. If sales are not at a level that you would like, you might need to ask yourself some tough questions such as, Have I focused too much on one sector of my business? or Have I deviated from my sales strategy and forgotten about my target market? The second question is quite a common question. In struggling economies, many businesses survive by throwing everything at it. But the economy is largely picking up now. It s time to assess your business and get back to selling the right products to the right customers. Continued on page 3 Mission Statement The Belgrade Chamber of Commerce, through the leadership and integrity of its members, is committed to unite the business community, promote economic growth, and enhance the quality of life. Page 2 April 2017

3 Increase Your Sales (continued from page 2) 4. Customer Is King. Simon & Garfunkel knew this 45 years ago when they sang Keep the Customer Satisfied. In an age when almost anything can be bought or sold online at any time of the day or night by anyone, the need for excellent customer service has never been greater. Some businesses have built their reputations by looking after generations of families. Your business can do that too by ensuring that staff are properly trained and that customers get consistent excellent service every time that they deal with your business. 5. The Price Is Right. How is your product or service priced? What research have you done to make sure that it is competitively priced and that overheads and margin are factored in? It is very easy to sell too cheaply just as it is easy to end up broke. 6. Be Ruthless. What you are not selling is as important as what you are selling. Look at the products or services that are simply glued to the shelves and get rid of them. Don t be reluctant to retire certain products or services. One of the secrets to success is being able to detach yourself from the emotion of a business decision. If something is not selling, don t stock it and don t waste money marketing it. 7. Open Your Eyes. The first quarter is a good time to look at what your competitors are doing. It is also an excellent time to look at similar businesses in different geographical areas to see how they are trading and to see if lessons can be learned. Consider using events such as Chamber networking events to meet new people and gain market intelligence. Your Networking Connection Madison River Brewing Frontage Rd., Belgrade Thursday, April 20, 5:30-7 pm Please RSVP to or online so the appropriate amount of food and drink can be provided. Future BAH hosts: May 18 Northwest Drywall and Roofing Supply June 15 Bridger Steel July 20 Yellowstone Country Motors Interested in hosting a BAH? Contact Kristi Gee at or kgee@belgradechamber.org 8. Raise Awareness. You know all about your business, as does your family; but never presume that your target audience does. Think about how you how can market your business. Go back to your sales strategy and identify your ideal customers and then target them where they are. 9. Look the Part. When was the last time you looked at your branding? Branding isn t just a logo or a website. It is everything from an auto signature on an to letterhead to company vehicles. There are more options available now to help you to get your branding right. There are countless examples of how you can carry out a brand audit online. 10. Stay in Shape. Just as much as the New Year provokes people to get back in physical shape, the first quarter should also be a time when you identify training needs and areas for professional improvement. There s a good chance your local chamber can help you with training through networking and other learning-based events. They are also a great resource on what your community offers. Every company needs sales to be successful. In order to do so, sales and marketing strategies should be reviewed periodically to ensure they are the most effective for your business. Adjusting your tack every so often is the best way to stay on course. Brian Cleary is the Chief Executive of Clonmel Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest business services organizations in Ireland. He s also the past director of Chambers Ireland. He writes for a number of online publications and is a regular copresenter of the 'Small Business Show' a syndicated radio program broadcast on a number of stations throughout Ireland and available as a podcast. April 2017 Page 3

4 UPCOMING EVENTS May 9-11 Farm Fair (Brainard Ranch) May 14 Mother s Day May Division A Track Meet May 20 Belgrade Customer Appreciation Day June 3 BHS Graduation June 4 Central Valley Fire Fighter Association Breakfast July 21 Chamber Golf Scramble August 17 Annual Chamber Corn Feed September 16 Fall Festival 2017 October 19 Business After Hours Expo Members Helping Members! Join other business owners to chat about how businesses can support each other! Date: Tuesday, April 11 and April 25 Time: 8:00-9:00 am Place: Belgrade Chamber of Commerce This open forum requires no RSVP. Join us for coffee and talk shop. What are your successes? What difficulties are you facing? Rise and Share is a coffee klatch for business people. In learning you will teach, and in teaching you will learn Phil Collins Lunch & Learn (Just Learn No Lunch This Month) Thursday, April 27, 2:00-5:00 pm Belgrade Chamber Is Your Google Business Information Up-to-Date? Google is one of the most widely used search engines. Come and learn how to use Google Business and update your information. Make sure your customers are getting the right information and that your location on Google maps is correct. Kendra Callantine from The Nest Collective will be the instructor. Bring your laptop, or let us know if you need one to use as this will be handson instruction. The class is $25, and refreshments will be served. Welcome to New Chamber Members Community Medical Services Rowen Schuler 8707 Jackrabbit Lane, Ste. A Belgrade, MT (406) Community Medical Services is an addiction service for adults who are dependent on opiates and/or heroin. Services include counseling, medical appointments, and medication management with Methadone, Suboxone, Subutex, and Vivatrol. Pierce Carpet Mill Outlet Alix Boyd 8334 Huffine Lane, Bozeman, MT (406) Whatever your flooring needs are, Pierce Carpet Mill Outlet can help. From hardwood to carpet to tile to vinyl, they help you choose the right flooring and make sure it gets installed correctly. Pro Physio April Wilhelm 8757 Jackrabbit Lane, Ste. B Belgrade, MT (406) Pro Physio is a rehabilitation clinic specializing in physical therapy and spinal decompression therapy. Since 2006, they have served Bozeman/Belgrade and surrounding areas including Manhattan, Three Forks, Livingston, Dillon, Ennis, Deer Lodge, Butte, Anaconda, and Helena. Call or visit their website for information. Split Mountain Metals Brad Brenteson P.O. Box 615, Belgrade, MT (406) Whether you want a custom metal sign for your farm or powder-coating services, you ll find exceptional craftsmanship and first-rate customer care at Split Mountain Metals. They have a lifetime of knowledge and have been completing a variety of projects for years. Take a look at their work on their website and then call to schedule an appointment. The Nest Collective, LLC Kendra Callantine 570 Prospector Trail, Bozeman, MT (406) The Nest tackles a variety of marketing, communication, and advertising challenges including graphic and website design, social media, public relations, content strategy, and event planning. Kendra is assisting the Convention & Visitor Bureau committee with their marketing plan and marketing. Page 4 April 2017

5 Attention Belgrade Voters: Important Mill Levy Information The Belgrade Police Department is asking voters to renew and increase the expiring 2007 City Municipal Services Levy for Public Safety. The 2007 City Municipal Services Levy for Public Safety enabled the Police Department to fund the following areas: Staffing: 3 full-time police officers were added, which brought the ranks to 15 sworn officers. Retirement: The Department was able to move the sworn police officers into the Municipal Police Officers Retirement System, which assisted with officer retention. Police Training: A training fund was established for staff to remain up-to-date on new laws, skills, and legally mandated training. Patrol Vehicle/Operational Expenses: The Department began purchasing one new fully equipped marked patrol unit per year. A fully operational patrol vehicle is a high cost to the citizens. We operate 7 fully marked patrol units. By purchasing 1 per year, the vehicles are on a 7-year replacement schedule, which is a long time for a patrol vehicle to be in service. Repair costs become very high when a patrol vehicle reaches high mileage. We also operate and maintain 1 Community Service vehicle and 3 unmarked vehicles for detectives and administration. These vehicles are not on a replacement rotation, the General Fund is used to replace these vehicles. The 2007 Levy also allowed us to purchase other operational needs such as bulletproof vests, body cameras, Tasers, recorders, and digital cameras and to update specialized equipment that the General Fund would otherwise not be able to fund Mill Levy: Why is the Police Department asking to renew the existing Levy and increase the costs to taxpayers? Staffing: With the end of the 2007 Levy, we will no longer be able to continue to fund the following: 3 officers, retirement, police training, replacement of aging patrol vehicles, and some of the operational expenses mentioned above. The need for these items has not gone away and the General Fund cannot absorb this cost. Without this renewal, we will lose 3 officers at a time when the City is continuing to grow and needs more officers. We will also lose funding for police training, a patrol vehicle, and some operational expenses. Some of these costs will have to move to the General Fund, such as retirement and a reduced police training fund. The Police Department has not added any staff since the 3 officers were added as a result of the 2007 Levy. FBI statistics show that on average cities under a population of 10,000 have approximately 4.3 officers per 1,000 residents. We presently have approximately 1.8 officers per 1,000 residents. The 2018 Levy would continue to provide support for the items in the 2007 Levy as well as add for the future. Most importantly, we would be able to add 3 officers. With more officers, comes increased costs for retirement and added vehicle replacement and repairs. Operational costs increase as well. Activity: The Police Department has seen increases in the majority of crime types since the passing of the 2007 Levy. In 2009, we handled 9,183 calls for service. In 2016, we handled 11,946 an increase of 2,763 calls for service. These totals include traffic stops as well as criminal activity. The number of traffic stops has decreased, but the number of criminal investigations and criminal activity has increased. Traffic continues to increase daily in our jurisdiction, so traffic-related contacts should be going up, not down. With the large increase in service calls from 2009 to 2016, Officers are busy with reports of assault, sex crimes, theft, criminal mischief, drug crimes, fraud, mental health issues, death, arson, and robbery and others. These important and time-consuming areas have all increased and, in most cases, take precedence over traffic patrol. With the increase in traffic crashes and traffic volume in our city, we need officers on the street as well as handling criminal complaints. What are the costs to taxpayers? 2007 Levy (present costs): Homes with an assessed taxable value of $100,000 presently pay $45.90/year or $3.825/month. Homes with an assessed taxable value of $200,000 presently pay $91.80/year or $7.65/month Levy: If approved, taxpayers would pay the following: Homes with an assessed taxable value of $100,000 would pay $91.80/year or $7.65/month. Homes with an assessed taxable value of $200,000 would pay $183.60/year or $15.30/month. Tax payers are already paying half of the proposed cost of the 2018 Levy with the 2007 Levy. The taxable value of your home is not the value that you could sell your home for on the real estate market. The amount comes from your yearly tax bill from Gallatin County. Please feel free to contact us with any questions that you may have: City Manager Ted Barkley tbarkley@cityofbelgrade.net Chief of Police E.J. Clark, Jr eclark@belgradepolice.net Mayor Russ Nelson rnelson@cityofbelgrade.net Deputy Mayor Ken Smith ksmith@cityofbelgrade.net Council Member Ann Koentopp akoentopp@cityofbelgrade.net Council Member Brad Cooper bcooper@cityofbelgrade.net Council Member Kris Menicucci kmenicucci@cityofbelgrade.net Council Member Mark Criner mcriner@cityofbelgrade.net Council Member Jim Simon jsimon@cityofbelgrade.net Thank You for Voting! April 2017 Page 5

6 March s Business After Hours Hosted by Montana Canvas Page 6 April 2017

7 Dear Members: Executive Message Dead, but not forgotten! Although our first bill pertaining to liquor licenses died in committee, we had a second chance to create a bill that would have removed the language in the code stating that two community city limits 5 miles apart would be one Liquor District. By taking that out, we would become our own district and therefore would have been able to obtain more Full Beverage and Beer/Wine Licenses for our community and they wouldn t be able to be transferred to Bozeman. Unfortunately, this bill also died in committee. As Montana s urban areas grow, this is going to become a big problem for small towns and cities trying to keep businesses in their communities. We have no grudge against Bozeman, but it is our job is to protect Belgrade and help it grow. Although this bill died in committee, it received two more votes than it did the first time. The Montana Tavern Association is a strong lobby and carries a lot of weight with other associations. This last bill wouldn t have hurt other businesses; in fact, one restaurant owner said that it would have made Bozeman s licenses worth even more. We even agreed to grandfather existing licenses to be able to move their license within a 2-year period of the passing of the bill. We will continue to fight for Belgrade and gather other small communities that will be affected to push for an Interim Committee to evaluate the problems and hopefully come up with a solution. Thank you to all who helped out, especially Representative Bruce Grubbs who carried both our bills. Debra K. Youngberg, Executive Director Belgrade...the Heart of the Gallatin Valley Home Is Where Our Heart Is and Our Heart Is in Belgrade! Recent Renewals A big Thanks to the members listed below who continue to make a commitment to the Belgrade Chamber of Commerce! Beartooth Arch & Fence, LLC Belgrade Bandits Baseball, Inc. Belgrade Community Library Belgrade Dental Associates Belgrade Education Association Belgrade Mini Storage Big Country Landscapes, Inc. Bozeman Daily Chronicle Bozeman Health Foundation Bozeman Trophy and Engraving City of Belgrade CRH-Trident Plant Custom Ag Services Desert Communications and Consulting Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service and Crematory D-Tel Communications More Renewals Elliot Insurance Agency/State Farm First Interstate Bank InterWest Moving and Storage J&H Inc. KCMM Radio/The One New Holland of Belgrade Peace Lutheran Church Prospera Business Network Rise and Shine Café & Bakery Rocky Mountain Credit Rocky Mountain Credit Union Rocky Mountain Timberlands Scissorbills Beverage Catering Security Title Company Snap Fitness Stone-Tek Recycled Granite Susan Swimley, Attorney at Law R.O. Brooks Leather Randall Fence Services, Inc. The Eagle 104.4, and KSKY Country The Chamber accepts credit cards and partial payments for dues! April 2017 Page 7

8 Member News Mother's Day Brunch at The Mint: Looking for something special to do for Mother s Day? The Mint will be hosting a Mother s Day Brunch on Sunday, May 14. The first seating will be from 10 am to noon, and the second one will be from noon to 2 pm. The buffet menu will feature a prime rib carving station, smoked salmon, bacon, and more. Tickets are available at the Belgrade Community Library and The Mint; 20% of the proceeds will go to the Belgrade Community Library Foundation. Tickets cost $19 for adults and $9 for kids (12 and under). The 2017 Agriculture Appreciation Banquet a Success! The Gallatin Valley Agriculture Committee held their Annual Ag Appreciation Banquet on March 17 at the GranTree Inn in Bozeman. It was a great evening! The following awards were given that night: Outstanding Senior Farmer/Rancher Joe and Barb Axtell (Axtell Ranch) Outstanding Junior Farmer/Rancher Ty Kraft (Kraft Hay & Grain) Service to Ag Award Bill Jimmerson. Thank you to all the sponsors and prize donors for their generous support. A big thank you to Jaime Jackson, Murdoch s Ranch & Home, who has chaired the banquet for many years. She does a great job! Also thanks to her committee: Betty Dieter, Carrie Taylor, Jay Williamson, and Brent Poppe. Next year s banquet will be March 16. Do you have news to share? Submit your information to the Chamber office. Saturday, May 20, has been designated as Belgrade Business Customer Appreciation Day. Take this opportunity to thank your loyal customers with specials, sales, or special events at your business. The 2nd Annual Business After Hours Expo will be on Thursday, October 19, from 5:30-7:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Belgrade. The Expo was created for businesses that are unable to hold a Business After Hours at their location. The cost for a table is $50 plus a door prize. You get to bring information about your business and hand out promotional items if you wish. The Chamber will take care of the food and drink. If you have any questions or are interested in a table, please contact the Chamber at Space is limited! George Hoffman from the Belgrade News will be doing a special tab for the day with great advertising opportunities. The Chamber will have a full-page ad that lists all the events for the day. Rocky Mountain Supply will have their big Open House and lunch that day, so take advantage of the crowd. For more information, contact the Chamber at Page 8 April 2017

9 Chamber Advertisers Chamber Members Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to advertise your business? Contact the Chamber at if you d like to see your ad here in every issue of the newsletter. Chamber Members Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to advertise your business? Contact the Chamber at if you d like to see your ad here in every issue of the newsletter. Gallatin Gateway Community Center P.O. Box 329, Gallatin Gateway, MT For availability and rental rates, see our website: or call April 2017 Page 9

10 Chamber Advertisers Elliot Insurance Agency Inc. Ty Elliot, Agent 403 Gallatin Farmers Avenue, Suite 101 Belgrade, MT Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. Your Ad Could Be Here! Contact the Chamber ( ) for more info Page 10 April 2017

11 Chamber Advertisers Your Ad Could Be Here! Contact the Chamber ( ) for more info Your Ad Could Be Here! Contact the Chamber ( ) for more info April 2017 Page 11

12 Calendar Calendar of Events April 2017 Date Event Location Time 1 Belgrade Track Meet BHS Track 9:00 am 4 Presidents Circle Committee Meeting American Legion 4:00 pm 4 City Council Meeting (note change in day) Council Chambers, 91 E. Central 7:00 pm 5 Tournament Committee Meeting Bozeman Chamber 8:00 am 5 Membership Services Committee Meeting Belgrade Chamber 12:00 pm 7-8 First Pitch Softball Tournament BHS Softball Complex TBA 11, 25 Rise and Share Belgrade Chamber 8:00-9:00 am 11 Agriculture Committee Meeting Belgrade Chamber 4:00 pm 12 Fall Festival Planning Meeting Belgrade Chamber 6:00 pm 14 Good Friday Chamber Office Closed 17 City Council Meeting Council Chambers, 91 E. Central 7:00 pm 18 Chamber Board of Directors Meeting Belgrade Chamber 7:00 am 19 Festival of Lights Planning Meeting BHS Library 5:30 pm 20 Building Belgrade: Agriculture Belgrade Chamber 9:00 am-4:00 pm 20 Business After Hours : Madison River Brewing Frontage Rd., Belgrade 5:30-7:00 pm 22 Belgrade Track Meet BHS Track 9:00 am 26 Economic Development Committee Meeting Belgrade Chamber 7:30 am 26 Administrative Professionals Day 27 Lunch and Learn Belgrade Chamber 2:00-5:00 pm Chamber Members Are you looking for an easy and affordable way to advertise your business? We currently have two openings in the Chamber Advertisers section of the newsletter (see pages 9-11). Contact the Chamber at if you d like to see your ad in every issue of the newsletter. Banner Ads Are Available on the Website. Take Advantage of Over 1,500 Hits a Day! We Believe in Belgrade Hard-copy newsletters printed by Page 12 Like us on Facebook April 2017