Wye Water System

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UPDATED APRIL 6, 2026

WYE WATER SYSTEM BOND ISSUANCE:

On February 6, 2025, the Missoula County commissioners approved spending $5.3 million in Tax Increment Financing from the Wye I Target Economic Development District (TEDD) for the construction of a water system at the Wye. Per this approval, Missoula County now intends to issue tax increment bonds to pay for the purchase of the Wye Water System. Issuing tax increment bonds would extend the termination date of the Wye Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) beyond the 15th year. In accordance with state statute, the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese Roose at the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway, to determine whether fulfillment of the Comprehensive Development Plan of the Wye TEDD requires pledging tax increment to the payment of bonds. In accordance with statute, notification was mailed to the affected taxing jurisdictions on April 2, 2026, and published in the Missoulian on April 7 and April 14, 2026.

WYE WATER SYSTEM OVERVIEW:

On February 6, 2025 Missoula County commissioners approved the use of $5.3 million in Tax Increment Financing to reimburse Grass Valley Industrial for the construction of a water system south of Interstate 90 at the Wye. In this public-private partnership, Grass Valley Industrial is financing and construct the system in 2025, after which ownership and operation will transfer to the County in 2026. Once under county ownership, Missoula County Public Works manage the system and costs for operation and maintenance will be assessed to the users of the system through a special district.

The system will initially serve two properties: Grass Valley Industrial Subdivision, an 18-lot industrial development, and Montana Knife Company, which plans to build a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The core system in Wye I Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) will be TIF-funded, while extensions to Montana Knife Company in the Wye II TEDD will be privately financed. Property owners nearby the initial system will be able to connect to the system but will not be required to.

The system includes a well, a 500,000-gallon storage tank, booster pumps and distribution mains. It meets fire suppression requirements and supports future development in the area. The design allows for future expansion to connect additional properties and create a regional water network.

Review the process in the Newsfeed section below and let us know your comments and questions on the Wye water system.



UPDATED APRIL 6, 2026

WYE WATER SYSTEM BOND ISSUANCE:

On February 6, 2025, the Missoula County commissioners approved spending $5.3 million in Tax Increment Financing from the Wye I Target Economic Development District (TEDD) for the construction of a water system at the Wye. Per this approval, Missoula County now intends to issue tax increment bonds to pay for the purchase of the Wye Water System. Issuing tax increment bonds would extend the termination date of the Wye Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) beyond the 15th year. In accordance with state statute, the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese Roose at the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 W. Broadway, to determine whether fulfillment of the Comprehensive Development Plan of the Wye TEDD requires pledging tax increment to the payment of bonds. In accordance with statute, notification was mailed to the affected taxing jurisdictions on April 2, 2026, and published in the Missoulian on April 7 and April 14, 2026.

WYE WATER SYSTEM OVERVIEW:

On February 6, 2025 Missoula County commissioners approved the use of $5.3 million in Tax Increment Financing to reimburse Grass Valley Industrial for the construction of a water system south of Interstate 90 at the Wye. In this public-private partnership, Grass Valley Industrial is financing and construct the system in 2025, after which ownership and operation will transfer to the County in 2026. Once under county ownership, Missoula County Public Works manage the system and costs for operation and maintenance will be assessed to the users of the system through a special district.

The system will initially serve two properties: Grass Valley Industrial Subdivision, an 18-lot industrial development, and Montana Knife Company, which plans to build a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. The core system in Wye I Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) will be TIF-funded, while extensions to Montana Knife Company in the Wye II TEDD will be privately financed. Property owners nearby the initial system will be able to connect to the system but will not be required to.

The system includes a well, a 500,000-gallon storage tank, booster pumps and distribution mains. It meets fire suppression requirements and supports future development in the area. The design allows for future expansion to connect additional properties and create a regional water network.

Review the process in the Newsfeed section below and let us know your comments and questions on the Wye water system.



  • Wye Water System project moves forward following County approval

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    At their April 24 public meeting, the county commissioners approved a resolution establishing the Wye Local Improvements District to support the acquisition, operation and maintenance of the public water system in the Wye area.

    Construction on the project began in March and is now underway. The system is expected to be operational by November.

    At their April 24 public meeting, the county commissioners approved a resolution establishing the Wye Local Improvements District to support the acquisition, operation and maintenance of the public water system in the Wye area.

    Construction on the project began in March and is now underway. The system is expected to be operational by November.

  • Missoula County commissioners approve Wye Water System Project, plans for 2025 completion

    Share Missoula County commissioners approve Wye Water System Project, plans for 2025 completion on Facebook Share Missoula County commissioners approve Wye Water System Project, plans for 2025 completion on Twitter Share Missoula County commissioners approve Wye Water System Project, plans for 2025 completion on Linkedin Email Missoula County commissioners approve Wye Water System Project, plans for 2025 completion link

    The Missoula County commissioners approved plans Feb. 6 to construct a new water system at the Wye, allocating $5.3 million in tax increment financing (TIF) for the project. The system will initially serve the Grass Valley Industrial subdivision and Montana Knife Company's new manufacturing facility. While Grass Valley Industrial will build the system south of I-90 this year, the County will later purchase it using a bond repaid with TIF funds.

    Additionally, the commissioners approved a development agreement with Grass Valley Industrial and initiated a 60-day public comment period on creating a special district to cover operating costs, leading up to a public hearing on April 24. Construction could begin as early as this spring and finish by fall 2025.

    The Missoula County commissioners approved plans Feb. 6 to construct a new water system at the Wye, allocating $5.3 million in tax increment financing (TIF) for the project. The system will initially serve the Grass Valley Industrial subdivision and Montana Knife Company's new manufacturing facility. While Grass Valley Industrial will build the system south of I-90 this year, the County will later purchase it using a bond repaid with TIF funds.

    Additionally, the commissioners approved a development agreement with Grass Valley Industrial and initiated a 60-day public comment period on creating a special district to cover operating costs, leading up to a public hearing on April 24. Construction could begin as early as this spring and finish by fall 2025.

  • Wye Water System Process

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    Process

    The process to create the Wye Water System will include a series of decision points for the Missoula County commissioners to consider.

    Decision Point A: Tax Increment Financing

    Missoula Development Authority: The first decision point will be consideration of a joint Missoula County/Grass Valley Industrial LLC application for Tax Increment Financing (TIF). This starts with a request to the Missoula Development Authority (MDA) for $5.3 million through TIF funds to reimburse Grass Valley Industrial for construction of the public water system. The MDA Board members will make a recommendation to the county commissioners on whether or not TIF funds should be used for the project.

    UPDATE: The MDA recommended approval of the application at its public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22.

    Board of County Commissioners: Taking the MDA recommendation into consideration, the county commissioners will hold a public hearing on the TIF request at their public meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

    Decision Point B: Development Agreement

    Upon a decision of approval for the Tax Increment Financing request, the Missoula County commissioners also will consider at their Feb. 6 meeting a development agreement with Grass Valley Industrial LLC that will detail the terms and conditions of the purchase using Tax Increment Financing.

    Decision Point C: Special District Creation

    The Missoula County commissioners will hold a public hearing concerning the creation of a proposed special district (pursuant to MCA 7-11-10) to own and operate the system. This decision point will be the start of a 60-day comment period. The special district will include the two properties in the initial creation of the system.

    First public hearing: 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

    Following the 60 day comment period, the Missoula County commissioners will hold a second public hearing to make a final decision on the creation of the proposed special district.

    Second public hearing: 2 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

    Process

    The process to create the Wye Water System will include a series of decision points for the Missoula County commissioners to consider.

    Decision Point A: Tax Increment Financing

    Missoula Development Authority: The first decision point will be consideration of a joint Missoula County/Grass Valley Industrial LLC application for Tax Increment Financing (TIF). This starts with a request to the Missoula Development Authority (MDA) for $5.3 million through TIF funds to reimburse Grass Valley Industrial for construction of the public water system. The MDA Board members will make a recommendation to the county commissioners on whether or not TIF funds should be used for the project.

    UPDATE: The MDA recommended approval of the application at its public meeting Wednesday, Jan. 22.

    Board of County Commissioners: Taking the MDA recommendation into consideration, the county commissioners will hold a public hearing on the TIF request at their public meeting at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

    Decision Point B: Development Agreement

    Upon a decision of approval for the Tax Increment Financing request, the Missoula County commissioners also will consider at their Feb. 6 meeting a development agreement with Grass Valley Industrial LLC that will detail the terms and conditions of the purchase using Tax Increment Financing.

    Decision Point C: Special District Creation

    The Missoula County commissioners will hold a public hearing concerning the creation of a proposed special district (pursuant to MCA 7-11-10) to own and operate the system. This decision point will be the start of a 60-day comment period. The special district will include the two properties in the initial creation of the system.

    First public hearing: 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

    Following the 60 day comment period, the Missoula County commissioners will hold a second public hearing to make a final decision on the creation of the proposed special district.

    Second public hearing: 2 p.m. Thursday, April 24, in the Sophie Moiese Room of the Missoula County Courthouse. Information on how to join that meeting in person or online will be available here.

Page last updated: 07 Apr 2026, 11:51 AM