Warning: Reading The Western Word might cause you to see things differently!
Here are the topics for today’s commentary:
- First-Quarter Fundraising
- Bridger Aerospace – Sell, Sell
- Sheehy on Climate
- Best Small Cities to Start a Business
- One More Thing
FIRST-QUARTER FUNDRAISING:
The Daily Montanan has put together a nice article about Monday marking the deadline for Montana’s candidates for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to report their fundraising and spending numbers for the first three months of 2024. The reports show who could have a spending advantage seven weeks before the state’s primary election.
The part that caught my attention was how many candidates spent their own money on their campaigns. Of course, some will say, “Why wouldn’t I want to invest in my campaign?” I say, if your message was better, you might raise more funds.
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy has loaned his campaign $1.4 million. Sheehy seems to be using the Greg Gianforte approach to campaigns, which is to saturate the contest with his own money to buy a win.
Other candidates like Brad Johnson, Elsie Arntzen, Troy Downing, Denny Rehberg, and Steve Held all loaned their campaign money. All those above are Republicans, except Held.
You can read the Daily Montanan article HERE.
BRIDGER AEROSPACE – SELL, SELL:
According to PublicNow.com:
Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. entered into securities purchase agreements (each, a “Purchase Agreement” and, collectively, the “Purchase Agreements”) with certain accredited investors (the “Purchasers”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell and issue to the Purchasers, severally, an aggregate of 2,183,366 shares (the “Shares”) of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), in a registered direct offering (the “Registered Offering”). 808,080 of the Shares are being sold to certain directors and executive officers of the Company at an offering price of $4.95 per Share, which was the closing bid price for shares of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on April 15, 2024. The remaining 1,375,286 Shares are being sold in the Registered Offering at an offering price of $4.25 per Share.
The aggregate gross proceeds to the Company from the Registered Offering are expected to be approximately $9.8 million, before deducting fees payable to the Placement Agent (as defined below) and other estimated offering expenses payable by the Company. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Registered Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.
Tim Sheehy is the Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Director of Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., and is currently a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Montana.
See the complete press release HERE.
SHEEHY’S ONGOING HYPOCRISY ON CLIMATE:
The Huff Post is reporting that Montana businessman Tim Sheehy built his aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace, on certain scientific realities — namely that global climate change is real and driving more extreme wildfires. He even touted it as a leader in the fight against planet-warming emissions. But when it came time to campaign for the U.S. Senate, the GOP hopeful quickly embraced partisan talking points on climate, repeatedly railing against what he calls the “climate cult” and “radical environmentalists,” while blaming the growing wildfire threat exclusively on forest mismanagement.
The Huff Post also reports that while the Trump-endorsed MAGA conservative flipped his script on climate, his company continues to embrace climate and wildfire science — at least in public filings.
You can read the full report from the Huff Post HERE.
BEST SMALL CITIES TO START A BUSINESS:
WalletHub is reporting that with National Small Business Week approaching and 20% of new businesses failing within the first year, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2024’s Best Small Cities to Start a Business, as well as expert commentary, to help entrepreneurs find a place where their startup can not only survive but thrive.
To determine the most business-friendly small markets in the U.S., WalletHub compared more than 1,300 cities with fewer than 100,000 residents across 18 key metrics. The data set ranges from small business growth rates and the accessibility of financing to investor access and labor costs.
Congratulations to Bozeman and Helena for making the top 20.
Check out the rest of the best HERE
ONE MORE THING:
This date (April 17) is important to me. Back on April 17, 1981, I started a journey that made me a better person. I started basic training in the U.S. Air Force at Lackland AFB, Texas.
I stayed in the USAF until December 15, 1992. The USAF decided to downsize, so I took the money and the educational benefits and never looked back. I was actually on Inactive Reserves until 2015 and was recalled once.
I was on active duty for 11 years, 7 months, and 29 days.
I’ve had many jobs and met many important people along the way – but nothing compares to the friends I made while a member of the USAF.
The Western Word 