A massive fire at Montana Specialty Mills wiped out the production area of the grain mill, but they've had plans to relocate for over a year. Plans have been in the works for over a year to construct an 11,000-acre industrial complex in Black Eagle. After yesterday's fire, Montana Specialty Mills who had already planned on moving to the location off Black Eagle Road will try to move there even faster, possibly by the end of the year. Great Falls has not built an industrial park since the early 70s. This new complex will make the Electric City competitive with other communities in attracting new business in the energy and agricultural sectors. The county bought the mill property in 2006 after a lawsuit by the mill facility against the county. The milling company, which is located next to the old county shops, accused the county of polluting the ground. The cities now have big plans to renovate the area. Brett Doney, President of the Great Falls Development Authority said it "should be a wonderful park there and a mix of offices and residences…it will take years…but there’s already developer interest. It celebrates the river, one of the assets of the community." Part of the cities new urban renewal project in the West Bank includes the new federal courthouse. The J-Bar will also be converted into a new restaurant.
Great Falls has grown more in the last four years, than in the 20 before that which is why the development authority thinks that new business would want to come to here. The industrial park will cost 5 million dollars to construct- two million of which must be approved by voters in the November 4th election.