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The following information about age and race distribution, income, and educational attainment is just for the Town of Circle. However, most of the area’s workforce commutes an average of 50 miles to work, which is only about a 45-minute drive. Therefore, to get an accurate measure of the available workforce the statistics for the 50-mile radius should be used. 
 

Age Distribution	Race Distribution
Under 20 years:  171	Caucasian: 96.9%	Black/African American:  0.8%
20-29 years:  53	American Indian: 0.9%	Two or more races:  1.4%
30-39 years:  78	Income
40-54 years:  133	Number of Households: 288
55-64 years:  69	Median Household Income: $27,500
65 years and over:  140	Number of Families: 167
Median Age: 42.0	Median Family Income: $36,354
Number of Grades Completed	Number of Non-Families: 121
By Adult Population in 2000	Median Non-Family Income: $15,987
Less than 12 Years:  11.0%	Per Capita Income: $13,412
12 Years:  39.0%
Some College, No Degree:  25.9%
2 Year College:  4.6%
4 Year College:  14.0%
Post Graduate:  5.5%

The average annual salary for McCone County is $23,952. In Circle, the major employers are Schmidt’s Super Valu with 19 employees, McCone County with 30 employees, McCone Electric Cooperative with 22, Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative with 46, McCone County Medical Assistance Facility with 53, and Farmer’s Elevator with 21 employees. The nearest call center is 170 miles away in Ray, North Dakota. The call center has approximately 100 employees, and the starting wage is $7.50 per hour with a generous fringe benefit plan.

Labor Legislation:

Montana labor laws follow the federal laws with some exceptions where they have enacted guidelines to protect the employer or employee more than the federal laws do. Although employment at will is presumed by statute, Montana has enacted a comprehensive Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act making Montana not really a true employment at will state. 

In most cases, state law prohibits public and private sector employers from conducting random blood and urine tests on employees and applicants, except when: the business involves a hazardous occupation; the primary responsibility is security, safety, or one of confidence and trust; the job involves intrastate commercial transportation; or an employee is subject to driver qualification requirements. Montana has no restrictions on applicant testing, but the employer must be able to show a given selection test is appropriately and adequately related to the requirements of the job. 

Montana law adheres to federal law, which under the Electronic Communication Privacy Act bars electronic monitoring, unless one participant in a conversation consents to intercepting or taping it. A disclaimer statement that the call may be monitored for quality control must be stated clearly and before the conversation is begun. The Montana Wrongful Discharge from Employment Act sets guidelines an employer must follow to discharge an employee. The Montana Wage and Hour Laws states that an employer should immediately notify the employees, affected employee organizations, affected local governments, and newspaper of general circulation in the county that a plant is closing. 

Montana also has enacted the Montana Safety Culture Act, which provides guidelines for safety in the workplace. A training wage is permitted for employees under 20 years of age. They may be paid $4.25 per hour during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment; certain restrictions do apply. In Montana, striking workers are not entitled to unemployment insurance, and mental stress is not permitted in worker’s compensation claims. As with all laws and legislation, there are exceptions where the laws may or may not apply, so each case must be considered individually. 

Average annual salary for total employed population: $20,893
Major employers in the vicinity and number of employees: 

1. Schmidt’s Super Valu-19, 
2. McCone County-30, 
3. McCone County Medical Assistance Facility and Nursing Home-53, 
4. Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative-46, 
5. McCone Electric Cooperative-22, 
6. Farmer’s Elevator-21, 
7. Circle Public Schools-50 
8. Nearest call center and number of employees: 170 miles-Ray, North Dakota Call Center, approximately 100 employees-starting pay $7.50 per hour plus generous fringe benefits 

Locally owned and operated Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, which is headquartered in Circle, is the principal supplier of telephone service for Eastern and Central Montana. Mid-Rivers Telephone provides cellular, internet and interactive television, as well as other standard services to the region. Mid-Rivers also has ADSL and ISDN capabilities. They are a major long distance carrier. Mid-Rivers Telephone is fully equipped for every business’s needs. Please call Mid-Rivers Telephone Cooperative, Inc. at 1-800-452-2288 for further information or special requirements.

The State of Montana does not use sales tax to generate revenue. Montana also does not tax water use, electric power, sewer, natural gas, heating oil fuel, local telephone calls, long distance telephone calls, toll-free telephone calls, membership sales, or direct mail lists. However, Montana does have a state wage tax based upon one’s income at a graduated rate of 2-11 percent. Montana does not have a commercial rent tax, but the Town of Circle as well as the State of Montana collect a property tax. The property tax amount is based on the market value of the property times the taxable value set by legislation times the mill-levy amount set by school officials and city council. 

The average weekly unemployment insurance rate for the State of Montana for May of 2000 was $187.20. The average worker’s compensation premium rate for Montana is a minimum of $245 per year. The rate is based on salary, type of business, type and number of employees, and gross earnings of the company. Premiums are figured by taking a varying rate from 50 cents per 100 employees to $81.55 per 100 employees times the gross earnings of the company. The primary insurance carriers for Eastern Montana are Blue Cross Blue Shield, Montana Medical Benefits, John Alden, Intermountain Administrators, EBMS, and independent insurance carriers. Because insurance rates and premiums vary so much with different types of businesses, number of employees, and kinds of coverage, each carrier must be called for quotes. Managed care is not yet available in this area, but it should be offered soon. 

Many incentives are available in the State of Montana for new businesses. State funded pre-employment training is available for new and expanding industries. This service is either free or partially free to companies depending on the business. Through the Department of Commerce up to $5,000 per employee with a total of $400,000 per company in aid is available for training in a new business. The company must go through a competitive process in order to receive this aid. Montana offers no state income tax credits for new capital investment or new jobs created. However, industrial revenue bond financing is available. 

Another incentive available for businesses in Montana is property tax abatement for land, buildings, non-production machinery and equipment, standard computer software, specialized computer software, and office furniture and equipment. The company may be taxed at a lower rate that is increased incrementally each year until the full rate is paid. In order to receive these incentives, the business must fulfill the requirements laid out by the State of Montana. 

Special incentives are also available for designated industries as well as larger companies. Larger companies can obtain special financing assistance if qualifications are met. 

Grants are also available for new and expanding industries. However, certain requirements must be met in order to receive grant money. The employer must pay a starting wage of $7.15 per hour plus benefits. The maximum amount available per project is $5,000 per job up to $400,000 per business.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit program offers employers a credit against their tax liability for hiring individuals from nine target groups who have traditionally had difficulty obtaining and holding jobs. Employers must apply for and receive certification from their state employment security agency that their new hire is a long-term welfare recipient or a member of one of the WOTC target groups. 

The cost of living index for the State of Montana is 101.8. However, Circle would be much lower than this average. For instance the average cost of a single-family house in Circle ranges from about $45,000. 

As the county seat, Circle experiences virtually no crime. Circle is typical of most small agricultural towns; everyone knows everyone, and you are sure to get a friendly wave when driving through.

Because of Circle’s central location, it offers many recreational opportunities. Fishing, swimming and boating are available on the Missouri River, Yellowstone River, and Fort Peck Lake. Hunting and trapshooting are also available for the outdoorsman. Circle’s annual fair always brings excitement and many visitors to town. 

Along with its prime location, Circle offers many business attractions:

• Available Workforce
• Telecommunications
• Tax Advantages
• Organized Economic Development Efforts
• Real Estate
• Accessibility
• Municipal Services and Facilities

Available Real Estate for Rent:

Name	Square Feet	Rent per Month	Warehouse Office Land	Owner	Phone Number	Newness
Hastetter Building	1,650	500	Office	Circle Insurance Agency	485-2741	1972
Old Theater	2,300	350	Office	Arnie Larson	485-2690	1930
Circle Furniture	2,600	500	Office	John Urton	525-3788	1928
Hawkinson Building	2,400	350	Office	C.K. Drew	485-3648	1950
Corner Bar	1,800	350	Office	Glenn Mendenhall	485-3628	1975
Kniepkamp Building	4,000	500	Warehouse	Stanley Kniepkamp	485-2415	1970
McCabe Construction	1,600	300	Warehouse	Dean McCabe	485-3694	1960
Arnie Larson Lot	3,500	100	Land	Arnie Larson	485-2690
Steve Kahm Lot	7,000	100	Land	Steve Kahm	485-2616
Doug Shennum Lot	14,000	100	Land	Doug Shennum	485-2841
Bertha Groh Lot	7,000	100	Land	Don Trower	485-2014
Old Hospital	5,000+	500	Office/Warehouse	Realtor in Billings		1952/1970

Since listings are constantly changing, please contact a local real estate agent for up-to-date information:

Circle’s airport is located less than a mile from town and is used chiefly for private use. The airport, at an elevation of 2426 feet above sea level, is located at N48-09.20; W104-30.23 

Forty-nine miles East, Dawson Community Airport in Glendive, is serviced daily by Great Lakes Aviation (beginning in late June or early July 2008), with connecting flights to Billings. Fifty miles North, Wolf Point’s airport is also serviced daily by Great Lake Aviation, with connecting flights to Billings. 

Amtrak also services Wolf Point daily from the East and West. One hundred fourteen miles Northeast of Circle, the Sloulin Field International Airport of Williston offers flights to Denver from United Express Airlines. Rental cars are available in Wolf Point, Williston, and Glendive. The closest interstate, I-94, is 49 miles south in Glendive.

Canadian markets are very accessible from Circle. One hundred nineteen miles North of Circle is a port of entry into Saskatchewan, Canada. The Port of Scobey is open from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm May 15 through September 30 and from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm October 1 through May 14. The Scobey/Coronach port features a voice activated gate and remote video inspection allowing people to cross from one country to the other 24- hours a day. This port is monitored at the nearest 24-hour manned port, a few miles East, North of Raymond, Montana. The Port of Scobey is only 135 miles from Regina, which offers commercial air service, major shopping, museums, concerts, and an impressive science center. 

Circle’s average annual high temperature is 56.7° F, and the average annual low temperature is 30.5° F. It can get quite cold in the winter with January’s average temperature being 13.87° F, and an annual average snowfall of 28.1 inches. However, the school never has to close its doors due weather. July’s average temperature is 70.60° F. The average rainfall is 13.44 inches per year, and the average annual wind speed is about seven miles per hour. The growing season in the area is about 120 days, from May to September. With Circle’s extreme weather one can enjoy a hot summer as well as a white Christmas. 

McCone County Medical Assistance Facility and Nursing Home employs 53 people, including a physician’s assistant, four registered nurses, one LPN, and 15 certified nurse’s assistants. The hospital has eight critical access beds available, while the nursing home has 30 available beds. The Town of Circle also has a volunteer ambulance service. 

Local suppliers provide Circle with many of its basic utilities. McCone Electric Cooperative supplies the Town of Circle with its electrical power. McCone Electric has a base cost for a medium commercial user of $17.00 per month plus energy charges of 7.95 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first 2000 kilowatt-hours, 6.07 cents per kilowatt-hour for 2000-4000 kilowatt-hours, and 5.3 cents per kilowatt-hour thereafter. McCone Electric has an average of 10.29 hours of outages per customer a year, including planned outages. Natural gas is not available in Circle. 

The City of Circle obtains its water for the town from two deep wells. The water is then stored in a tank with a capacity of 300,000 gallons. Circle has an aerated lagoon for its sewage treatment. The sewage treatment facility covers 19 acres of land. 

Circle also has a volunteer fire department, sheriff, public library, chamber of commerce, and highway department. The town businesses include a weekly newspaper, one motel with a total of 14 rooms, four restaurants, four gas stations, a Ford dealership, three insurance agents, and two banks. As well as several businesses and seven churches, Circle also offers many recreational facilities including: a senior citizen center, public pool, public park, fitness center, two tennis courts, and five baseball diamonds.