Economic Development

Development districts: Missoula County administers five tax increment districts: the Technology Tax Increment District, the Bonner Mill TEDD, the Wye TEDD, the Bonner West Log Yard TEDD and the Wye 2 TEDD. In these districts, which are designated as infrastructure deficient, incremental increases in property values that accrue from new development are directed to fund additional development activities within the district. A base year is established from which incremental increases in property values are measured. For example, if a district is valued at $100,000 the base year and $110,000 the next year, then the additional 10% in increased value would be reinvested back into the district instead of distributed with the base tax revenues. The County established the newest development district, the Wye 2 TEDD, in November 2023. Click here to learn more.

Big Sky Trust Fund job creation grant approval: Missoula County commissioners are tasked with approving these grants, which are state funds to promote long-term stable economic growth in Montana communities. These grants or loans are awarded to businesses that pay at least $18 an hour in Missoula County.

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority: Missoula County led efforts to establish the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, which is working to return passenger rail to southern Montana. This would boost tourism and economic development in the communities that passenger rail would service. Learn more at https://www.bigskyrail.org/

Brownfields Assessment Grant: Missoula County received a Brownfields Assessment Grant in 2019 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and then received another Brownfields Assessment Grant in 2022 in the amount of $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This new grant will allow the County to continue providing environmental site assessments and environmental cleanup and reuse planning in areas that are priorities for redevelopment in Missoula County, specifically in rural and urban-fringe communities. The previous Brownfields Assessment Grant was very successful, resulting in the assessment of more than 70 acres and the leveraging of more than $32 million in redevelopment investment, which stimulated commercial and much-needed affordable housing development. Currently, EPA Brownfields funding is being used for the abatement of asbestos and lead-based paint in the John Engen Local Government Building, which is necessary before construction can begin on the building.

Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund: Missoula County administers a Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). The RLF is designed to stimulate economic development activity by providing loan and/or grant funds to create or retain jobs for low- and moderate-income persons. It can also be used to support housing, public facility and human service projects or programs that primarily benefit low- and-moderate-income persons.

Grant acquisition and management: Grants and Community Programs (GCP) staff acquired and/or managed more than $10.9 million in competitive grant and loan funds on behalf of Missoula County during fiscal year 2022. These funds help Missoula County programs stay afloat, lower property taxes, and help community organizations with their own funding needs.