Industrial Park Development

In an effort to be prepared to capitalize on opportunities that may present themselves in the future, GFDA is focusing on finding shovel ready sites suitable for industrial development.  For the past year GFDA has worked with local developer Joe Stanek to assist with bringing a 900 plus acre site north of Black Eagle to fruition.  That park will be called Great Bear Innovation Park.   The Cascade County Commission approved an Industrial Zoning for the property owned by Joe & Linda Stanek north of Black Eagle in October.  This property is intended to be developed into “shovel ready” lots for use by light and heavy industrial users.  GFDA continues to work with Mr. Stanek in the area, but is also looking to find other sites in Cascade County that may lead to future industrial development. 

The GFDA Board recognizes the need to be prepared in these tough economic times and has recently changed its priorities from attracting companies to Great Falls to focusing on the needs of existing companies.  GFDA will focus efforts on working with local government, regional partners, and private developers to have industrial sites ready to be prepared to capitalize on new opportunities when the economy improves. 

One of the current projects related to the industrial park efforts is getting additional road access into the area north of Black Eagle.  This will make the area ripe for further development and improve access from US 87 over to Black Eagle Road.  This will allow for safer, more efficient truck traffic in and out of the area as well as increase the safety on the highway by improving access to acceleration and turning lanes.  GFDA, in partnership, with the Montana Department of Transportation, Cascade County, and the City of Great Falls has begun working with TD&H Engineering of Great Falls to develop a preliminary design and cost estimate for an access road.  This work will identify three alternatives for access as well as address preliminary cost and design estimates. 

For more information on the Industrial Park efforts, please contact Lillian Sunwall at 771-9024 or lswunwall@greatfallsdevelopment.org