Changes And Upgrades For Great Falls

As we move into 2025 I want to take the opportunity to highlight a few of the changes, improvements, and opportunities coming to Great Falls in the coming year and on the near horizon.

Thanks in large part to COVID relief and ARPA funding, both of which were one-time funding sources, the City of Great Falls was able to implement much needed upgrades, renovations, and improvements to our public infrastructure and community assets.

• A modern, improved police evidence building for the Great Falls Police Department.
• Equipment and building upgrades for Great Falls Fire Rescue.
• Our municipal court relocation. Moving from a dank, cramped, dungeon-like environment in the basement of the Civic Center to a second floor, well lit, more accommodating area is a HUGE improvement – not only for court staff but for all of our citizens. We will finally have a municipal court environment this spring that we can all be proud of.
• Repaired HVAC, refurbished ceiling, and new seating for the Mansfield Center for the Performing Arts. Our theatre and performing arts center is a community owned asset and was in dire need of repair and upgrade. The Civic Center, including the convention center and theatre, is the civic and cultural center of our town. It reflects who we are and what we value in Great Falls. Ignoring the disrepair of our public buildings, long outdated theatre seating, and neglected deferred maintenance is not who we are.

While housing and higher wages will continue to be challenges for Great Falls, there are some unique and positive economic opportunities coming up:

• Montana Renewables is expanding its sustainable aviation fuel refinery in Great Falls by 150 million gallons per year. More and higher paying jobs are expected be part of that expansion.
• The Little Shell Tribe plans to develop an event center and resort on the northwest side of Great Falls. ‘The Little Shell Event Center & Resort on Mount Riyal’ will include a 200-room hotel, a 30,000 square foot indoor water park, a 10,000 square foot event space, a bowling alley, an arcade, a gaming facility, several dining options, and a 9,700 seat arena for entertainment and sports!
• GFDA announced that Great Falls is a site selection finalist for a manufacturing company bringing about 300 high paying jobs to our city. The final decision by the as-yet-unnamed company as to where it will locate its $1.1 billion capital improvement facility is expected in the first few months of 2025.
• And don’t forget – the massive missile replacement Sentinel Project is still on the horizon. This will be a big opportunity for our community in several ways so stay tuned.

It should be an interesting and exciting time for Great Falls in the coming months.

As a Great Falls city commissioner I will keep your priorities as my priorities: Public safety. Public infrastructure. Transparent, responsive city government.