Dan spoke in favor of Councilmember Rupsis's proposed initiative to support housing needs and CPTED principles. He provided recommendations for each item in the initiative and added that the infill policy needed to be reviewed too.

Billings Chamber signed onto U.S. Chamber letter Requesting Judiciary Committee and Small Business Committee to Ease Regulatory Burden on Small Business

Joined U.S. Chamber, MT Chamber, Helena Chamber, and Kalispell Chamber on amicus brief in Held v MT Supreme Court Case

Billings Chamber signed onto U.S. Chamber letter encouraging support for the "Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act."

The Billings Chamber of Commerce hosted CW Owen, Commissioner Morse, County Attorney Twito, and Superintendent Dr. Garcia to discuss safety needs in the community.

Dan attended the U.S. Travel Association Fly-In and lobbied our federal delegation on the importance of FAA reauthorization, AIP grants, the EAS program, and pilot training programs.

Candidate School makes running for office less intimidating by shedding light on the process. “Everyone serving in elected office was a first-time candidate at one point, inspired to serve but unaware of where or how to start. Candidate School helps with that where and how,” shares Business Advocacy Manager Jack Jennaway. The program agenda includes: —Campaign finance with Commissioner of Political Practices Chris Gallus —Insights from Chief of Legislative Staff Jerry Howe —Digital marketing

Dan Brooks, The Billings Chamber of Commerce. Dan expressed support for lighting installations for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) purposes. They emphasized the longstanding understanding that insufficient lighting and unclear pathways contribute to crime. They noted that those who implement lighting changes typically experience positive results and see the most effective improvements in property security. Dan expressed a desire to see CPTED principles applied, though he di

Billings Chamber signed onto letter to EPA opposing California Air Resource Board (CARB) regulation mandating zero-emissions locomotives by 2035.

Dan testified in opposition to a citizen petition to require a social cost of greenhouse gas (SC-GHG) analysis for PSC decision-making, pointing to the analysis of an MIT economist, "these models have crucial flaws that make them close to useless as tools for policy analysis."

Dan testified in support of the project, noting the city's need for affordable housing and encouraged support for allowing more accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Billings Chamber signed a letter of support with the U.S. Chamber supporting the Prove It Act, a bipartisan bill that would would close those loopholes and bring more transparency to the true costs of red tape on America’s innovators, job creators, and community builders. The bill would also prevent agencies from ignoring small business input in their rush to finalize new federal regulations.

Dan was interviewed about the Chamber's support of the local government review ballot questions.

Dan testified in favor of the 2-way conversion and Regular Agenda ltem 6, the short-term detention facility. He provided a handout indicating research conducted in Louisville, Kentucky on a similar 2-way street conversion there and the benefits noted by it, i.e., decreased traffic collisions and reduced crime.

Dan testified in support of the lighting proposal based on CPTED. Emphasizes public safety and housing supply as top priorities for citizens and the City.

Billings Chamber signed a letter of support for a land swap that would provide a win-win for the Rosebud Mine and the Crow Tribe

In 2019, Dan traveled to D.C. with a contingent of Billings partners to lobby the U.S. Dept. of Transportation and the MT Federal Delegation on selecting Billings for a BUILD grant award.

Billings Chamber sent a letter to the MT Dept. of Environmental Quality opposing new nutrient standards for which technologies don't yet exist.

Dan testified about the importance of public safety and housing supply for our members. Additionally, Dan asked the Council to be cognizant of the needs for other areas of Billings including Stagecoach Trail and South Park Pool. Ultimately, Council added 6 new patrol officers, 2 Family Violence Detectives, 3 Community Service Officers, and more. Keeps Stagecoach Trail and South Park Pool.

Dan testified in opposition to a citizen petition to require a social cost of greenhouse gas (SC-GHG) analysis for PSC decision-making, pointing to the analysis of an MIT economist, "these models have crucial flaws that make them close to useless as tools for policy analysis."

Jack testified that the Bike & Pedestrian Study is a strong step in the right direction.

Dan served as a panelist on housing at the Governor and Montana Chamber' Big Sky, Bright Futures Economic Summit

Billings Chamber sent a joint letter—with Home Builders and REALTORS—to city staff encouraging them to consider a comprehensive adjustment of fees and infill policies to incentivize more housing development where costly infrastructure already exists.

Dan testified in support of the lighting proposal based on CPTED. Emphasizes public safety and housing supply as top priorities for citizens and the City.

Dan testified in favor of the city considering a comprehensive adjustment of fees and infill policies to incentivize more housing development where costly infrastructure already exists.

Billings Chamber hosted Senator Tester and a dozen business community members to discuss the issues facing Billings businesses. Dan emphasized solutions for our members's top 3 priorities: public safety, housing supply, and workforce attainment/readiness.

The Billings Chamber launched the weekly County Commission Brief, a newsletter to keep members informed about what is happening at the County Commission. With the addition of the Brief, the Billings Chamber now covers City Council, County Commission, and State Legislative Sessions. Whatever you're interested in, we've got a newsletter for you.

Dan testified in support of the lighting proposal based on CPTED. Emphasizes public safety and housing supply as top priorities for citizens and the City.

One of the pro-housing bills the Billings Chamber supported last legislative session authorized the formation of Community Reinvestment Organizations (CRO) to manage state dollars distributed to fund housing cost buydowns for eligible homeowners—those making between 60% - 140% of average median income (AMI). In order to participate, a local government must opt-in and establish a CRO meeting the state’s qualifications. The Billings Chamber testified in support of a county resolution establishing

Absent congressional action, at the end of 2025 American families and employers will be hit with the largest tax increase in American history. The pro-growth tax reforms enacted in 2017 have been instrumental in driving economic growth, fostering capital investment, job creation, and higher wages. The expiration of many of these reforms will reduce economic growth, increase costs for families, harm main street businesses, reduce take-home pay for workers, and result in significant job losses.

The Billings Chamber drafted and signed a letter of support for a proposed affordable housing development that would add 26 income restricted units to Billings’s housing supply. The developer, GL Development, has a record of successful development of affordable units in Billings, most recently with their Mitchell Courts project that added 32 affordable units, and 38 units in their prior Jackson Court development. We’ve also discussed building Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

The ABT submitted a TIF application for bollards along the Broadway/3rd Ave corner to protect patrons and the public. We recommended this (bollards) in our CPTED security survey for ABT. Council did not approve the TIF request (neither did DBP Board).

Debbie Potter testified in favor of moving forward with the RFP process in order to ensure community momentum behind private dollars toward an ice facility is not lost.

Dan testified to City Council in favor of their draft 2025 legislative priorities, emphasizing the importance of upcoming public safety bills.

This was Council's 4th meeting on the topic, but the first business meeting where action was taken. The vote was 8-3, with Mayor Cole, Neese, and Kennedy voting against.

A 2016 Court decision requiring additional analysis on an EIS conducted by Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) for the Spring Creek mine has been completed and public comment is being solicited. We commented in favor of the EIS's Alternative 1, the proposed action plan, likely the only feasible option to maintain jobs, economic productivity, and tax revenues to Big Horn County. The Spring Creek Mine provides critical funding to its local government and is an important so

The Billings Chamber lead local chambers in an effort to get signatories on a letter to Sen. Daines and Mr. Sheehy, asking the eventual winner to support reauthorization of the 199A small business tax deduction, worth $975,000,000 to Montana's small businesses.

Hosted Home Builders, MT Contractors, Dept. Labor, Dept. Commerce, SD2, Legislators to discuss possibility of a regional trades training facility.

This was the 2nd reading vote by City Council and the HomeBuilders and Realtors came out in strong opposition. Ultimately, Council voted in favor of the lighting requirement.

What’s Happening: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling on local and state chambers of commerce to join our coalition letter urging Congress to pass an emergency supplemental appropriations bill. This bill is crucial to replenish disaster relief funding that has been depleted by recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton. ‌ Why It Matters: Immediate Relief: Additional funding is necessary to help already devastated communities and ensure there are adequate resources to

The Billings Chamber is coordinating with MT DLI to share information about programs/opportunities for Stillwater employees, and provide information to members about the availability of dependable workforce.

Testified in favor of a TIF app. of $30,000 to fund a private security pilot program in the BIRD

We ended the December Leadership Billings program days at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility with tours for Leadership Billings attendees. The tour and subsequent discussions offer insight about jurisdictional differences, government collaboration, and public safety challenges.

Amicus brief argues for our interest/standing to sue on behalf of our members, even if the members' HQ is not in Montana.