Billings Mayor breaks tie vote, City Council supports One Big Sky study
Originally published in the 4/13/18 print edition of the Yellowstone County news. BILLINGS — A supportive vote from Billings Mayor Bill Cole was necessary to break a council deadlock about whether the City of Billings would contribute a total of $500,000 to help finance a study for the future development of One Big Sky District, which […]
Tax abatement program helps jump-start business projects
Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — It’s not without its critics. The tax abatement program that Yellowstone County and the City of Billings use to incentivize business growth, expansion and recruitment is often viewed as a “free pass” for some businesses, but it is anything but that according to […]
GE leaves Billings, pays lease until 2021
Originally published in the print edition of Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — Preliminary approval was given for an agreement with GE regarding the termination of its lease with Big Sky Economic Development (BSED) by BSED’s joint boards at a special meeting on Wednesday. The lump sum of the settlement totals $3.8 million, which allows BSED […]
Balancing next county budget is a juggling act
Originally published in the print edition of the Yellowstone County News. BILLINGS — Probably never before has Yellowstone County faced so many building needs going into the budget-setting process. Most of that need is being driven by unprecedented demand on the judicial system, from law enforcement and jail expansion, to accommodating additional judges and […]