Grant Creek Crossing Phase 1 TIF Application

This project received recommendation for approval from the Missoula Jurisdictional Advisory Committee (MJAC) and the Missoula Development Authority (MDA) at their respective meetings and will go to county commissioners on 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12.

Background:

The Grant Creek Crossing Target Economic Development District (TEDD), established in 2024 near the I-90 and Reserve Street interchange west of Missoula, aims to support the retention and growth of value-adding industries in Missoula County. The site is a reclaimed gravel pit and currently lacks the infrastructure needed for development, including road access, water and sewer service, stormwater facilities and sidewalks.

While the gravel pit was reclaimed nearly two decades ago, the site has not attracted private development due to lack of infrastructure.

Grant Creek Crossing–Missoula LLC is requesting Missoula County commit tax increment financing (TIF) from the Grant Creek Crossing TEDD to reimburse the cost of public infrastructure. The request applies only to Phase I of a three-phase development and would provide infrastructure necessary to develop 39 of the district’s 84 acres.

The Phase I public infrastructure improvements include the following:

The infrastructure will support Phase I vertical development, including a proposed 200-unit apartment building classified as workforce housing, along with the potential for additional housing, mixed-use or value-adding development on remaining Phase I acres.

Timeline:

The approval of the Phase I TIF application will enable the construction of public infrastructure, triggering a series of events that will lead to the development of the property.

Missoula County considers a request to commit TIF for Phase I public infrastructure serving 39 acres of the 84-acre district.

With the TIF approval, the developer will privately finance onsite and offsite infrastructure including roads, sewer, water, utilities and intersection improvements because the district currently lacks infrastructure and revenue.

Phase I public infrastructure will be constructed in summer 2026 and owned and maintained by the appropriate public agencies.

The infrastructure constructed during summer 2026 will enable the vertical development of Phase I, which includes a proposed 200-unit apartment building and additional mixed use or value adding development.

The new development increases taxable value and generates tax increment revenue for the district.

Once revenue is sufficient to cover administration and reserves, the district begins reimbursing the developer for eligible infrastructure costs.

When financially feasible, the district issues a TIF bond to complete reimbursement. Bond issuance will require additional commissioner approvals at a future date.

Key Information:

The Grant Creek Crossing TEDD is a reclaimed gravel pit centrally located within the urban footprint of Missoula and near I-90. Infrastructure to support development on the property must be extended to the site and then within the property for development to occur. This application will leverage private sector financing to build $7 million worth of water, sewer, roads and utilities, enabling the property to be developed. This $7 million investment, which would be reimbursed by the TEDD, is projected to result in $120 million in private investment on the property. This development will have a significant impact on the amount of property tax the property contributes. The Phase I portion of the property currently contributes $306.12 per year in property taxes; once developed, this is projected to increase to $1,300,000 per year.