Commissioners approve five-year tax abatement for Rimrock (Kia Billings) after $5 million expansion plan

Yellowstone County Commissioners voted to approve Resolution 23-46, granting a five-year tax abatement to Rimrock 4, doing business as Kia Billings, after a public hearing and presentation by Big Sky Economic Development.

Diane Lem of Big Sky Economic Development told commissioners the request is made under "Montana code 15 dash 24 dash 15 oh 1" for projects investing more than $500,000 and increasing taxable value by 2.5%. She said Rimrock plans a $5,000,000 new-construction expansion at 4040 King Avenue West, that the existing building is currently valued at $4,500,000, and that the business expects to grow from 36 full-time employees to 60 within two years — an increase of 24 full-time positions. Lem presented Jobs EQ economic-trends estimates that 24 new automotive-sector jobs would yield $3,657,426 in direct annual sales output and $401,410 in indirect impact, for more than $4,000,000 in regional annual economic impact.

Josh Torres, identified as executive manager and managing partner with the Billings Automotive Group, said the dealership will expand its service department and related staff. "By doubling that and doubling that service department, base and service technicians, we'll be able to double our productivity and double our sales output," Torres said, explaining the operational case for more technicians and sales staff.

Commissioner Jones moved to approve the resolution; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. A commissioner commenter said the program aims to increase higher-paying positions and praised the proposal.

The resolution approval authorizes county-level tax benefits; Diane Lem noted the project will also go before the City of Billings Council for consideration. No additional conditions tied to the county approval were recorded in the hearing. The minutes show the county approved the motion by voice vote, and no roll-call tally with named votes was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: the project will proceed to city review as required; the county action grants the requested tax abatement at the county level as described in the public hearing.