More than 20 presenters spoke about upcoming projects in Great Falls on Friday at the Great Falls Development Authority’s Ignite 2022 event.
“This is going to last a long time, which is what we like,” said Brett Doney, president and CEO of GFDA.
Several companies cited supply chain problems due to COVID-19 as barriers to their projects, but others said they received funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to keep them afloat. .
It was the first GFDA hybrid event, so in addition to about 150 people in attendance, Doney said there were over 100 looking through Zoom. Some of the presenters also spoke virtually.
Malmstrom Air Force Base
Malmstrom plans to spend $ 84 million on construction projects starting in 2022, both at its base and at its missile sites in Montana.
The Air Force has an extremely long-term goal, planning a $ 86 billion “mega project” that includes a complete replacement of the command and control system of the Minuteman III missile system with support beyond 2075.
Montana National Air Guard
MANG has announced that it will join forces with Malmstrom to hold an open air show in July. The show includes Thunderbirds, historic assets and even U.S. Army tanks. The Guard should have more information on the air show in the coming months.
Cascade County
Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs spoke about the county’s role in the growth of Great Falls. He said that while the county does not create economic value, it does use it and fund the infrastructure needed for the city and county to grow.
This year, the Black Eagle Road paving project is expected to be completed. Armington Bridge will be replaced and they are looking at Black Eagle and Simms streets. Improvements to the Montana ExpoPark will also resume after it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cascade County’s virtual presence will be strengthened this year as well, with greater online access to maps, county documents and permits.
ARPA funds will allow the county to help with upcoming projects, using “unique money you have to use to have lasting impacts.”
This includes water and sewer improvements at Black Eagle, Simms, Belt, Cascade, Centerville, Vaughn and Gore Hill. Housing, job training and improved internet access in Great Falls are also on the menu.
Great Falls International Airport
The airport is scheduled to return flights from Delta to Minneapolis, but they do not know when. Right now, it’s making moves toward bigger planes. It will add a third flight in February and in April it should have two larger planes a day.
Work on the airport itself is expected to begin next year, and authorities are working on the designs in 2022, which include removing the ticket counter from the doors, improving the luggage system and reserving space. for future airlines. Airport authorities are also looking forward to building a warehouse development near the Cascade County Detention Center with large metal buildings for commercial spaces, specifically industrial businesses.
Great Falls Clinic
The clinic plans to expand the surgery center by $ 7 million, adding a five-bed observation area, an operating room and a waiting area. A $ 56 million hospital expansion is also scheduled to begin this year. It would add a third floor to the hospital, critical care, a catheterization lab room, expanded lab services, a new entrance to the emergency department and two operating rooms, as well as space for future expansion.
Bank of Independence
Independence Bank is a community-owned Havre-based bank run by the Montana Hi-Line that is currently under construction in Great Falls. Construction is already underway at the south end of the 10th Street Bridge. True Brew will occupy part of the building space and the project envisages access to the 10th Street Bridge from River’s Edge Trail.
habit,
Habit, (intentional comma) is a retail clothing space focused on yoga and meditation. The owners hope to give support and encouragement to people in their pursuit of well-being.
The new building, which Habit will share with a pharmacist, is located near the Albertsons-Target shopping center.
Montana Pharmacist
Sharing space with Habit is Montana Apothecary, which will offer personalized care to patients with special medication needs, such as allergies, personalized strength, and different dosing methods.
They will also have over-the-counter and over-the-counter medications and two state-of-the-art labs.
American Single Malt
If it’s not made in Scotland, you can’t call it “scotch”, but you can make the same drink in the US if you call it “American Single Malt”.
The expanding business will have its own malting machines and will create its own production whiskey at Power, where it has been in operation since 2017.
MSU Faculty of Nursing
Not to be confused with MSU Great Falls College, MSU College of Nursing is planning a major expansion from 2022 to Bozeman and the four satellite cities.
The university has received $ 101 million and plans to build a new Great Falls campus near Benefis East and new campuses in Billings, Kalispell, Missoula and Bozeman.
Neighbor works
Renovation of the Baatz building at 400 2nd Ave. S. will restore a building with a “colorful past.”
The project has been under construction for three to five years and will provide permanent support housing and help the homeless in Great Falls. The upper floors of the building will have about 25 studio apartments, one bedroom and two bedrooms.
Renovation should begin in late 2022 and end in early 2024.
Karhu Koski Distillery
The Karhu Koski distillery near Vaughn plans to create four buildings to create a distillery and tasting room, a bottling and canning line, a ready-to-drink production facility and a warehouse.
The distillery plans to have its vodka line in 2022, ready to drink and gin in 2023 and whiskey in 2027-2028.
Honey Hippo Play Café
Honey Hippo offers a coffee shop for parents to get to know each other and children to play in the heart of Great Falls. Located at 325 1st Ave. N., the cafeteria is suitable for children under 6 years old.
Honey Hippo will join Moonlight Yoga for yoga for parents and babies and has future plans for crafts, STEM classes, music classes and more. The space is almost ready to open.
Sustainable oils
Sustainable Oils is a global company headquartered in Great Falls that processes camelina for renewable diesel.
The Great Falls facility is located near the John Deere dealership north of the city.
The company has bought an area in Havre. In 2021, he had 15,000 acres in Montana. Its goal for 2022 is 100,000 acres and the company’s long-term goal is 1.5 million acres.
IND Hemp
IND Hemp is an industrial hemp processing company in Fort Benton. It is not a CBD oil manufacturer, IND instead processes hemp to obtain grains and fibers. Its new facility is currently the largest industrial hemp fiber facility in the United States
Hemp is used in auto parts, industrial wipes, insulation, tarpaulins, clothing, pet bedding, plastics, 3D printing and more.
Great Falls CrossFit
Great Falls CrossFit is nearing completion at 1201 5th St. S. near Bison Ford and the Sting Sports Bar. The company works with a variety of people of all ages and fitness levels, including CrossFit Kids classes.
Flood health
Alluvion bought the Rocky Mountain Building at 601 Central Ave. in 2018, and the reduction of the building is almost finished so that the renovation can begin.
Construction of the $ 29 million project is expected to begin in mid-April and end in December 2023. The project is expected to generate between 50 and 100 new high-paying jobs in Great Falls.
University of Toro
Touro offers medical and health education, and has already advanced to its $ 50 million facility in Great Falls.
The expansion of the university in Great Falls is extensive and the incorporation of students and staff will have a major economic impact on the city. It has partnered with Benefis Health System to house students and is working to secure additional housing for staff.
Eden Feeds
Eden Feeds creates GMO-free, soy-free and corn-free livestock feed. Feed is more expensive and of higher quality than the cheapest feed on the market, but Eden offers a more affordable price than premium organic feed.
Almost everything they use comes from Montana and the facility is about 10 miles east of Great Falls. 2022 projects include additional automation to improve volume.
Wild hare
The former Lobby Bar in downtown Great Falls is changing the image of the Wild Hare Bar and Restaurant. Harvest Craft Kitchen provides food.
Wild Hare combines the former spaces of a separate bar and restaurant to create an entertainment space at the back of the building and a tequila tasting bar, a cocktail bar and a liquor store at the front.
The new business will offer space for dining, dancing and events in a more intimate place than the newly opened Newberry. Wild Hare is looking to open in March, and eventually the upper floors of the building will be apartments or other living space.
Farran Realty Partners
Builders of Talus Apartments in Great Falls are now building Arc Apartments on Division Road and Smelter Avenue. The project is between 25% and 30% and is scheduled for completion in mid-October.
Calumet Montana
Calumet Montana Renewables is making some major changes to the Calumet refinery area to make renewable diesel fuel.
In 2021, Calumet worked in engineering and planning. They are currently tearing down some old equipment to make room for new process units. Construction began in the latter part of the year and will continue throughout 2022.
