|
Source :
Montana Decennial Census Total Resident Population*Estimates
Montana Department of Commerce, South Central Regional Development
Officer
Source :
US
Census 2000 STF3: DP2 Social Characteristics
Business
Laurel
Chamber of Commerce
|
WORK FORCE & LABOR
|
1990 |
2000 |
2010 Estimate |
|
Civilian Labor Force |
|
|
|
| Laurel |
2,605 |
NA |
|
| Yellowstone
County |
57,867 |
72,921* |
80,000^
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Employed |
|
|
|
| Laurel |
2,483 |
NA |
|
| Yellowstone
County |
54,760 |
70,158* |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Unemployed |
|
|
|
| Laurel |
86 |
N/A |
|
| Yellowstone
County |
3,107 |
2,763* |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Unemployed as % of Labor Force |
|
|
|
| Laurel |
6.3% |
NA |
|
| Yellowstone
County |
5.1% |
3.8% |
|
Source:
US
Census STF3; DP-3 Labor Force Status and
Employment Characteristics; 1990- Laurel
US Census STF3: DP-3
Labor Force Status and Employment Characteristics; 1990 -
Yellowstone County *Montana Dept of Labor
& Industry, Montana Labor Market Information, 2000 Annual
Average Labor Force by County
^Estimates: Montana Department of Commerce, South Central MT
Regional Development Officer
WORKFORCE WAGE INFORMATION
|
Per Capita Income
Yellowstone County
Laurel |
$ 25,253 (1999)
$ 16,953 (1999)
|
|
Source: MT
Dept of Commerce; Bureau of Economic Analysis;
Regional Accounts Data; Local Area Income |
| |
|
|
Average Annual Wage
Yellowstone County |
$
25,552
(1999) |
|
Source:
Montana Department
of Labor & Industry, Research & Analysis Bureau,
Covered Employment and Wages
|
|
INDUSTRY CLASSIFICATION
|
Avg Annual Employees |
Annual Wages
Paid |
Avg Annual Wage |
| Construction |
3,598 |
115,620,441 |
32,134 |
| Manufacturing |
3,403 |
126,434,256 |
37,153 |
| Wholesale
Trade |
5,790 |
185,888,179 |
32,105 |
| Retail
Trade |
14,478 |
223,761,651 |
15,455 |
| Services |
20,858 |
502,975,652 |
24,114 |
|
Source :
Information not available for Laurel. Montana Department of Labor
& Industry, Research & Analysis Bureau, Covered Employment
and Wages, 1999 Yellowstone County
|
|
MAJOR EMPLOYERS
Company Name |
Product /Service |
Year Established |
# of Employees |
| Cenex
Refinery |
Petroleum Products |
1943 |
300 |
| Burlington
Northern Santa Fe |
Rail Transport |
1800’s |
30 |
| Laurel
School District |
Education |
1909 |
240 |
| Laurel
Ford |
Vehicle Sales |
1993 |
45 |
| Wood’s
Power Grip |
Materials Handles |
1990* |
90 |
| Jan’s
IGA |
Groceries |
1979 |
82 |
| Montana
Rail Link |
Rail Transport |
10/31/87 |
300 |
Source:
Businesses * moved to Laurel in 1990 with 45 employees and have since
expanded to 90
BUSINESS ACTIVITY
|
New/Expansion of Company
Current Total - 3
Company Name |
Product /Service |
# Jobs Created |
# of Employees |
|
Thomae
Lumber |
Lumber |
? |
? |
| Ace
Hardware |
Hardwarre |
4 |
22 |
| TLC Floor
Covering |
Floor Covering |
4 |
2 |
| Northern
Rockies Glass |
|
? |
? |
| Cost
Cutters |
Hair Care |
? |
? |
| Laurel
Amuzement Park |
? |
? |
? |
| Friendship
Veterinary Center |
Small Animal |
|
3 |
| |
|
|
|
|
Company Departure/Downsizing
Current Total - 2
Company Name |
Product / Service |
# Jobs Reduced |
# of Employees |
| Laurel
Boot Shop |
Shoe Repair & Sales |
1 |
1 |
| Auto
Connection |
? |
? |
? |
| Plum
Building Systems |
Building Trusses |
22 |
22 |
Source: Businesses
^building a new building which will
house larger store
Commercial
Services
TRANSPORTATION
Distance in highway miles from Laurel to the
following United States cities:
|
Seattle - 803 |
Denver - 570 |
Salt Lake City - 536 |
|
Portland - 876 |
Boise - 603 |
Chicago - 1264 |
|
Spokane - 525 |
San Francisco - 1159 |
Los Angeles - 1220 |
Distance in highway miles from
Laurel to the following Canadian cities:
|
Calgary - 562 |
Saskatoon - 531 |
Edmonton - 744 |
|
Vancouver - 937 |
Regina - 484 |
Winnipeg - 840 |
Source: Mapquest.com
http://www.visitmt.com
Highways serving the Laurel
community: US Interstate 90, US 212/310
and paved Route 532
Motor carriers serving the Laurel
community: All regional carriers
Bus carriers serving the Laurel
community: Rimrock Trailways, Powder
River and Greyhound
Air Carriers: Laurel’s
airport is located 2 miles north of the city limits. The runway is 5,200
ft and services offered by the FBO are flight instruction, both
helicopter and fixed wing, charter, maintenance and air sports. Laurel
Airport is the site of the Annual Laurel Aviation Technology
Week. No
passenger service is available at the Laurel Airport. Laurel is
located 20 miles from Logan International Airport, Billings,
MT. Travel
time to Billings is approximately 20 minutes via Interstate 90. The
following passenger service is available at Logan International:
|
Commercial Air
Name of Air Carrier
|
Flights Per Day |
Non-Stop Destinations |
Delta
www.delta.com
|
3 Daily
|
SaltLake City, UT |
Skywest
www.skywest.com
|
6 Daily
|
Salt Lake City, UT
|
Horizon
Air
www.horizonair.com
|
5 Daily
|
Seattle, WA |
Northwest
www.nwa.com
|
4 Daily
|
Minneapolis, MN |
Big
Sky Airlines
www.bigskyair.com
|
3 Weekdays
1 Saturday & 1 Sunday
3 Weekdays
1 Saturday & 2 Sunday
2 Weekdays
1 Saturday & 1 Sunday
2 Weekdays
2 Saturday & 1 Sunday
2 Weekdays
1 Saturday & 2 Sunday
1 Weekday & 1 Sunday
|
Great Falls, MT
Helena, MT
Lewistown, MT
Miles City, MT
Missoula, MT
Sidney, MT |
| United
www.ual.com |
2 Mon/Tues/Wed |
Denver, CO |
Source: Airline
Brochures and Web Sites
|
Air Freight Carriers Logan
International Airport - Billings
|
Big Sky Airlines
Corporate Air, Inc
Emery Worldwide
Horizon Air
Security Armored Express |
Consolidated Freightways
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
Federal Express
Montana Air Cartage, Inc.
On Time Delivery & Air
Cargo |
Source: Rail
Carriers
Laurel is the site of Montana Rail
Link’s Terminal Switch Yard receiving trains from Great Falls, MT
serving the North Line; from Greybull, WY serving the Denver, CO area;
Sheridan, WY serving the Kansas City region and Forsyth, MT serving
Chicago. Daily trips are made out of Laurel to Helena as well.
UTILITIES
|
Electric Provider
|
MVA Capacity |
Peak Load February 2000 –
January 2001 |
| Northwestern
Energy |
10,000 |
9240 – June, 2000 |
|
Natural Gas Provider
|
BTU per CF |
Capacity Available |
| Montana
Dakota Utilities |
1000 |
Unlimited – transmission
line runs at the edge of Laurel |
|
Water Provider |
Source |
Capacity |
Average Consumption |
Peak Consumption |
| City
of Laurel |
Yellowstone River |
2.0 mgd |
1.8 mgd |
1.8mgd |
|
Sewer Provider
|
Type |
Capacity |
Average Load |
Present Load |
| City
of Laurel |
Rotating Biological Contactor |
1.5 mgd |
.88 mgd |
.88 mgd |
Sources: Utility
Providers
|
Telecommunications |
Services Offered |
| Quest |
BASIC Service & Features
– Telephone Service Analog
Connection |
| Verizon
Wireless |
Wireless Digital |
| 3
Rivers Wireless |
Wireless Digital |
| Visionary
Communication Network |
Broadband Wireless Internet |
| Cellular
One |
Wireless Digital |
Source: Telecommunication
Providers
COMMERCIAL SERVICES
|
Communication Services
|
Name of Media |
Type |
| Newspapers |
Laurel Outlook |
Weekly |
| Radio
Stations |
1490 KBSR |
AM |
| TV
Stations |
4 Billings Stations |
Airway |
| |
52 Stations |
Cable |
Source: Local
|
Financial Services
|
Name of Institution |
Total Assets |
| Banks |
Yellowstone Bank
Western Security Bank Branch
of Missoula |
234,964,000
943,826,000 |
| |
First Citizens Bank of
Billings Branch |
154,842,000 |
| Savings
& Loans |
N/A |
N/A |
| Credit
Unions |
Laurel Federal Credit Union
(Branch of Laurel)
SEG Federal Credit Union |
52,295,000
5,161,000 |
Source: Montana
Wyoming Financial Directory/Winter Edition 2001
|
Lodging
|
# of Units Available |
| Number
of Hotels & Motels available |
157 |
Source: Local
|
Postal & Delivery |
Services |
| US
Postal Service |
All postal services |
| Federal
Express |
Express delivery |
| Airborne
Express |
Express delivery |
| United
Parcel Service |
Express and small freight
delivery |
Source: Local
|
Mechanical Services
|
|
| Machine
Shops |
1 – All Metal
1 – High Tech* |
| Tool
and Die Service |
0 |
| Electric
Motor Repair |
0 |
Source:
Local *Manufacturer of computerized routers
Community Services
COMMUNITY SERVICES
|
Health Care |
Number Available |
| Hospital |
0 |
| Dentists |
5 |
| Pharmacists |
3 |
| Nursing
Homes |
1 –Skilled
2- Assisted Living |
| Chiropractors |
3 |
| Physicians |
1-5 Satellite Clinic |
| |
|
|
Recreational/Cultural |
Number Available |
| Swimming
Pools |
1 |
| Tennis
Courts |
2 |
| Ball
Fields |
3 – baseball
2 - softball |
| Movie
Theaters |
0 |
| Libraries |
1 |
| Golf
Courses |
1 |
| Parks |
15 |
| Theatrical
Playhouses |
0 |
| Symphonies/Orchestras |
0 |
| Other
- Fitness Centers |
2 |
|
Religious
|
Number |
| Assembly
of God |
1 |
| Southern
Baptist |
1 |
| Catholic |
1 |
| Church
of Christ |
1 |
| Mormon |
1 |
| Episcopal |
1 |
| Lutheran
– ELCA |
1 |
| United
Church of Christ |
1 |
| Christian
& Missionary Alliance |
1 |
| Presbyterian |
1 |
Source: Local
MUNICIPAL SERVICES
|
Yellowstone County
Sheriff’s
Department: Full Time Officers – 51
Rural Fire District: Volunteers – N/A
Comprehensive Plan: Master Plan, 1990.
Growth Policy is currently being prepared.
|
Insurance Rating: 8 |
|
|
Zoning Ordinance: No |
|
|
Laurel
Police Department:
Full Time Officers – 11
Rural Fire District: Volunteers – 35
Comprehensive Plan: Transportation and
Community Sustainability Program |
Insurance Rating: 5 |
| Zoning
Ordinance: Yes |
Source: City
of Laurel Police Department and Fire District; Yellowstone County
Sheriff’s Department
Quality
of Life
EDUCATION
Billings, MT is 15 minutes from
Laurel. Montana State University-Billings and
Rocky Mountain College
both offer Bachelors and Masters degree programs. A variety of
vocational schools are also available.
|
Public Schools
Laurel
School District
|
Enrollment |
Teacher/Pupil Ratio |
| Elementary:
Kindergarten – 5 Graff School
Preschool – 5 West School |
395
372 |
1:16
1:16 |
| Middle:
6 - 8 |
390 |
1:12 |
| High
School: |
571 |
1:16 |
| |
|
|
|
Number of High School Graduates Last
Academic Year |
166 |
|
| |
|
|
|
Average SAT Scores: NA |
Average ACT Scores: 23.1 |
Source: School
District
|
Private Schools
Yellowstone
Valley Christian School |
Enrollment
|
Teacher/Pupil Ratio |
| Elementary:
K-6 |
17 |
1:4.25 |
| Middle:
7-8 |
6 |
1:7 |
| High
School |
15 |
1:7 |
| |
|
|
|
Number of High School Graduates Last
Academic Year |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
|
Average SAT Scores: NA |
Average ACT Scores: 23 |
CLIMATE
|
Average Annual Rainfall |
13.3 in |
Elevation |
3,140 Ft |
|
Average Length of Growing Season |
122 days |
Annual Average Temperature |
47.0F |
|
Average January Temperature |
23.0F |
Average April Temperature |
47.0F |
|
Average July Temperature |
71.0F |
Average October Temperature |
49.0F |
Source: weatherbase.com
HOUSING AND CONSTRUCTION
| Residential
New/Remodel* 180 permits |
| Commercial
New/Remodel* 24 permits |
| Average
Selling Price of Homes^ $ 101,900 |
| Average
Monthly Rental^ |
House |
$ 600 |
Apartment |
$ 400 |
*City of Laurel – Building Permits
^ A Haus Realty, Laurel - www.hazelklein.com
Government
TAX STRUCTURE
|
Sales
Tax Rate |
Personal Income Tax Rate |
Corporate
Income Tax Rate |
Inventory
Tax
Rate |
Accommodation
"Bed" Tax
Rate |
Resort
Tax
Rate |
|
N/A |
2 – 11% |
6.75% |
N/A |
4 % |
N/A |
Source: Montana
Department of Revenue
|
Property Tax Rates (per $100 of assessed
value) by allocation
|
| City |
County |
School
District |
Other |
|
10.004 |
8.017 |
45.482 |
13.734* |
*Countywide Education, i.e.
University, Vo-tech, State Equalization, County Equalization
Source: Montana Property Tax Mill Levies
1999-2000; Montana Tax Foundation
|
Assessment Ratio (% of market value) -2001
|
| City |
County |
School
District |
Other |
|
3.543 |
3.543 |
3.543 |
3.543 |
Source: Montana
Department of Revenue
|
Actual Valuation of Laurel $
184,580,011
|
|
Laurel Bond Indebtedness |
General Obligation |
Revenue |
|
None |
$ 5,062,939 |
Source: Montana
Property Tax Mill Levies 1999-2000 publication, Montana Tax Foundation
– based on 2000 assessment ratio .3627; City of Laurel
|
Actual Valuation of Yellowstone County $
6,151,821,119
|
|
Yellowstone County Bond
Indebtedness |
General Obligation |
Revenue |
|
$6,830,000 |
-0- |
Source: Montana
Property Tax Mill Levies 1999-2000 publication, Montana Tax Foundation
– based on 2000 assessment ratio .3627; Yellowstone County
|
|
Montana
Transportation
Hub
click to enlarge
photos
Truly the "Hub of
Montana" for tourism and transportation. The photo below is
the Montana Rail Link's Terminal Switch Yard receiving trains from Great
Falls, MT serving the North Line; from Greybull, WY serving the Denver,
CO area; Sheridan WY serving the Kansas City region and Forsyth, MT
serving Chicago. Daily trips are made out of Laurel to Helena as
well.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel
is situated along Interstate 90 and the exit for Highway 212/310
designated as the "busiest interchange in Montana" with twelve
thousand cars daily. 
Commuters from South Central Montana as well
as shoppers from Northern Wyoming account for a portion of the
consistently high traffic count. To the south of Laurel, you can
select one of four outstanding entrances into Yellowstone
National Park. 
©Beartooth
RC&D
Rail
availability, Interstate proximity, and the Yellowstone River have
helped Laurel become a natural for industry and light
manufacturing.
©Beartooth
RC&D
The Cenex Refinery (pictured above) is silhouetted
in a typical Montana sunset.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel
Downtown Business District capitalizes on it's historical flavor. Unique
shopping experiences are commonplace in this quaint historical
setting.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Through the citizen driven effort of the Laurel Revitalization League,
the construction phase of the Town Square Project has begun. (see vacant
lot below) 
©Beartooth
RC&D
A rich history lends itself to Laurel. Riverside
Park (see below) located south of the Yellowstone River bridge was the site of the
German Prisoner of War Camp during World War II.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel at 5:15 p.m. -
more living time less traffic time! Plus the services needed to run your
business.
©Beartooth
RC&D
©Beartooth
RC&D
An
integrated mix of agriculture, industry, manufacturing and
transportation provide Laurel with the competitive edge.
©Beartooth
RC&D
The
availability of the largest urban workforce in Montana just 14 miles to
the East in Billings, makes the location perfect for new enterprise or
business expansion.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel Airport
has become a vital part of the complete transportation picture in Laurel
and the surrounding area. Light aircraft owners find Laurel's
field an easier access than the regional, Logan International, 20 miles
to the East. 
©Beartooth
RC&D
Rocky Mountain College's School of Aviation has
recently contracted to move their ground school to the Laurel
location. The local FBO also offers fixed
wing and helicopter instruction. A FAA certified repair and fabrication
facility rounds out the facilities available.
©Beartooth
RC&D
The Chief Joseph
Monument on the outskirts of Laurel rests where the famous Nez Perce
passed leading his people toward Canada in 1877. (statue of Chief Joseph
in Chamber Park below) 
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel
really turns out to celebrate our Nation's Birthday. A couple of
local patriots below wait for the 4th of July Parade to start.
©Beartooth
RC&D
Pancake flippers have their work cut out for them in
order to feed the hungry 4th of July crowd which lasts all morning and
draws everyone downtown business district.
©Beartooth
RC&D
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel
boasts one of Montana's finest golf courses with manicured greens and
fine dining.
©Beartooth
RC&D
©Beartooth
RC&D
A
proud display of days gone by and the efficient fire fighting equipment available
today.
Below is the future
home of the statewide Firefighters Memorial in honor of the life saving
spirit of local volunteers
©Beartooth
RC&D
Laurel
Middle School (below)
©Beartooth
RC&D
Local pride and
community spirit fuel the public interest in education and constructive
activities for families
©Beartooth
RC&D
One of the beautiful
neighborhoods of Laurel which overlooks the Yellowstone Valley
©Beartooth
RC&D
Due to the ever changing
nature of online page sources the data sources are not linked directly.
The State of Montana site provides the links to the majority of the data
given on this page. Please take the time to explore Montana online
at
http://www.discoveringmontana.com
http://www.bizmt.com
If you have additional
questions please contact the Lead Development Organization for the
Laurel Certified Community:
Beartooth
RC&D Area, Inc.
604 West Front Street, PO Box
180
Joliet, MT 59041
Voice: 406-962-3914
Fax: 406-962-3647
|
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comments
or inquiries» |
 |
This web site
was made possible through the funding of a grant through the Montana
Department of Commerce and the Certified Communities Program, Beartooth
RC&D Area, Inc. in partnership with the USDA, Natural Resource
Conservation Service.
-
Montana -
not
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