Billings' $1.5B Economic Tour Shows Veterinary College, Major Projects | Annual Business Development

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Business Leaders Get First Look at Billings' $1.5 Billion Economic Transformation

Big Sky Economic Development's annual showcase reveals veterinary college progress, major construction projects reshaping Montana's economic powerhouse

Yellowstone County's unprecedented economic expansion burst into view Thursday as business leaders witnessed transformational projects worth more than $1.5 billion taking shape across Billings.

The Big Sky Economic Development annual Impact Bus Tour gave investors, developers, and local officials a behind-the-scenes glimpse of projects expected to inject millions into the regional economy.

Among the most striking stops was the groundbreaking veterinary medicine facility at Rocky Vista University, a $60 million annual economic impact that promises to reshape healthcare education in the Mountain West.

The 37 million dollar veterinary college represents Montana's first such institution, with construction targeted for completion by 2026 and plans to welcome an initial class of 125 students.

The facility addresses a glaring gap — no other veterinary school exists within 400 miles of Billings.

Meanwhile, Billings housing prices climbed 8.4 percent year-over-year to a median of $379,000 in October, reflecting the city's surging population and strong economic foundation.

The bus tour included other major developments reshaping the local landscape, including the Signal Peak Ice Arena, Amazon's operational fulfillment center, and the Army National Guard's limited aviation facility.

Recent recognition further underscored the region's momentum, with GTUIT of Billings receiving the 2024 Montana Exporter of the Year Award and employing 73 workers as of 2024.

Tour participants witnessed firsthand how strategic development is positioning Billings as Montana's undisputed economic engine.

The unprecedented construction boom comes as unemployment in the area hovers near historic lows at just 2.4 percent.

Officials emphasized their focus on managing growth strategically to avoid economic volatility while sustaining the region's traditional 4 percent annual expansion rate.

The convergence of educational investment, manufacturing growth, and strategic development signals a transformative period for what many consider Montana's most dynamic economic region.