Economic Development Board approves two 10% grants and outlines pipeline of industrial and retail projects

The Anaconda Deer Lodge County Economic Development Board on July 8 recommended two 10% grants for local building projects and described a slate of prospective industrial and retail investments that county leaders say could spur new jobs and tax revenue.

Bill Everett, Anaconda Deer Lodge County chief executive officer, moved the package of support for the largest current applicants and reported the board’s available fund balance at about $4.3 million, including a recently received $1.3 million check from Atlantic Richfield. After approving a 10% grant for the Anaconda Building Center and a separate 10% grant for a bank branch, Everett said roughly $2.6 million remained for future investments.

Board members voted to recommend a 10% grant to GWE Don’s LLC, doing business as Anaconda Building Center, after Jason Marks presented a scaled-down plan for a new building on county land and said project financing was in place. Marks told the board the project was sized down from the firm’s original concept to improve long-term sustainability; he said he has not yet decided what will become of the company’s current location. Board members noted the project would create initial staffing needs (about four employees to open) and increase local tax revenue. The motion to recommend a 10% grant in the amount of $365,000 carried.

Separately, Mark Anderson, president of Valley Bank, described plans to construct a roughly 6,000-square-foot downtown bank after acquiring two adjacent lots. Anderson said environmental cleanup and asbestos abatement had been completed and that construction could begin in spring 2027. Commissioners questioned which line items the board typically supports (land and brick-and-mortar construction rather than furniture, inventory or equipment). The board moved to recommend a 10% grant for the bank project in the amount of $600,000; the motion passed with Commissioner Kristy McKay recorded as abstaining because of her position at Glacier Bank (abstention noted in the minutes).

The board also reviewed several active prospects that Everett said county staff are pursuing. He described interest from Grizzly Ammunition, a privately owned Oregon manufacturer that has identified about 20 acres for a first building (estimated at $3.5 million) and plans to employ about 25 people; Everett proposed considering a 10% grant and possibly a short-term low-interest loan to help close financing. He also outlined a request from Tannerite, a maker of exploding targets, which seeks a 50-acre first phase and estimates a roughly $7 million first facility; setbacks and safety buffers for that manufacturer were noted as critical conditions. Board members expressed general support for courting these manufacturers but emphasized that site control, permitting and safety setbacks must be resolved.

On downtown retail redevelopment, Everett reported an expiring contract related to a potential Ace Hardware build-to-suit on the former bowling-alley site; he said developer Rex Leipheimer has expressed interest in constructing a store similar to his Butte location. The board discussed estimated demolition and abatement costs for the existing building (rough estimates cited between $600,000 and $800,000) and explored committing up to $350,000 toward demolition contingent on final bids and abatement evaluation. Commissioners and staff flagged asbestos testing and environmental evaluation as necessary next steps.

The board heard updates about Project Care and a proposed new food bank building on county land. Everett said donors and contractors (Fortune’s, Peterson Electric, Wasley Excavation) had pledged contributions and that a new building could cost roughly $150,000–$211,000 depending on the plan; church leadership requested clarification on options and amounts. Members emphasized the proposal would go to the full county commission for final action.

The board concluded by noting a busy development pipeline and saying it would schedule another meeting in three weeks or sooner to consider follow-up items and any formal loan or grant agreements. The meeting adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

Votes at a glance: The EDB approved a 10% grant to Anaconda Building Center (motion by Bill Everett; seconded by Colleen Riley; motion carried) and recommended a 10% grant for the bank project (motion by Pat Gallagher; seconded by Colleen Riley; motion carried; Kristy McKay abstained).