The American Prairie Reserve, a conservation organization focused on preserving grasslands and wildlife habitats in Montana, has recently faced criticism from Chuck Denowh, the policy director for United Property Owners of Montana. Denowh questions the presence of American Prairie in Central Montana and accuses the organization of hastening the decline of the region's agricultural economy and communities. He also claims that American Prairie threatens Montana's general fund revenues and is responsible for increases in food prices. In response, American Prairie refutes these claims and highlights the positive impact they have had on the region.
American Prairie argues that unemployment in the region has actually fallen since their establishment and that the agricultural sector is currently at a ten-year high. They also emphasize that they pay property taxes for the land, vehicles, and equipment they own, having paid over $573,000 in taxes to the counties where they operate in the last four years. American Prairie attributes recent increases in the cost of food to inflation and federal money injection into the economy, rather than their conservation efforts.
Furthermore, American Prairie states that their growth has little influence on the long-term demographic and economic trends in Central Montana. They point out that factors such as drought, market fluctuations, trade policies, personal family decisions, and global agricultural markets have larger impacts. American Prairie emphasizes that they buy land from willing sellers at market rates and are limited by IRS regulations from paying more than 10 percent above the appraised value. They are organized as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
American Prairie also raises concerns about Montana's property tax system, which exempts over $50 million of property taxes for tax-exempt organizations and certain types of property. They highlight the important role of non-profits in Montana communities and their contributions to cultural, religious, healthcare, and educational institutions. American Prairie criticizes Chuck Denowh for using the power of the State to attack their legitimate business practices despite representing an organization that allegedly supports property rights and limited government. [de735449]
American Prairie recently announced two property acquisitions in Phillips County, furthering their efforts to preserve Montana land. Chuck Denowh, the policy director for United Property Owners of Montana, questions the organization's presence in Central Montana. Denowh raises concerns about the impact of American Prairie on the region's agricultural economy and communities, suggesting that the organization is accelerating their decline. He also asserts that American Prairie poses a threat to Montana's general fund revenues and is responsible for the rising cost of food. American Prairie responds to these allegations by refuting them and emphasizing the positive contributions they have made to the region.
American Prairie counters Denowh's claims by stating that unemployment in the region has actually decreased since their establishment and that the agricultural sector is currently experiencing a ten-year high. They also highlight that they pay property taxes for the land, vehicles, and equipment they own, having paid over $573,000 in taxes to the counties where they operate in the last four years. American Prairie attributes recent increases in food prices to inflation and the injection of federal money into the economy, rather than their conservation efforts.
Moreover, American Prairie asserts that their growth has minimal influence on the long-term demographic and economic trends in Central Montana. They argue that factors such as drought, market fluctuations, trade policies, personal family decisions, and global agricultural markets have a more significant impact. American Prairie emphasizes that they purchase land from willing sellers at market rates and are constrained by IRS regulations from paying more than 10 percent above the appraised value. They are classified as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
American Prairie also raises concerns about Montana's property tax system, which exempts over $50 million of property taxes for tax-exempt organizations and certain types of property. They highlight the vital role of non-profits in Montana communities and their contributions to cultural, religious, healthcare, and educational institutions. American Prairie criticizes Chuck Denowh for using the power of the State to attack their legitimate business practices, despite representing an organization that claims to support property rights and limited government [ad3a0624].