Why It Matters
Great Falls and Cascade County officials approved substantial tax breaks to attract a Washington-based aerospace manufacturer that could bring hundreds of jobs and millions in property tax revenue to the region. The decision puts Montana in direct competition with two Idaho communities for one of the largest industrial projects the area has seen in decades.
What Happened
The Great Falls City Commission and Cascade County Board of Commissioners both voted unanimously on May 12 to approve tax incentives for Janicki Industries. The company is evaluating Great Falls alongside Twin Falls and Jerome, Idaho, for a 1.5-million-square-foot manufacturing campus. A final decision is expected by the end of May.
Janicki Industries manufactures metal tooling and parts for marine, defense, and aerospace industries. The private company, headquartered in Washington state, has grown its workforce to 1,900 employees since 2022 and operates facilities in Washington and Utah.
The city approved a 50 percent reduction in property taxes for five years, with the reduction phasing out over the following five years until full payment begins in year 10. The county approved matching incentives on its share of property taxes plus an additional tax break on an estimated $2.7 million in industrial equipment.
By the Numbers
The combined tax incentives would reduce Janicki’s annual tax burden from $9.3 million to approximately $3.8 million. The project includes four construction phases, with occupancy deadlines ranging from May 2029 for the first phase to May 2035 for the final phase. The facility would sit on currently vacant land that generates no property tax revenue.
Janicki has more than doubled its workforce to 1,900 employees since 2022. The company operates facilities in Washington state and Utah, with hundreds of thousands of potential workers in those regions.
Zoom Out
Great Falls has experienced limited economic growth over recent decades, making the Janicki project a significant opportunity for the region. Local officials and business leaders lined up at both meetings to support the incentives, including representatives from James Talcott Construction, NorthWestern Energy, Great Falls Public Schools, and the local chamber of commerce.
Two opponents spoke at the city meeting. Democrat Senate District 11 candidate Valynda Holland questioned why working families pay full tax shares while corporations receive breaks before contributing to the community.
Company representatives acknowledged that Great Falls has a smaller pool of immediately available workers compared to competing locations, presenting a workforce challenge. The company stated it plans to hire and train regionally rather than importing workers from Washington.
What’s Next
Janicki Industries will make its final location decision by the end of May. If Great Falls is selected, construction would begin with a deadline for first-phase occupancy by May 2029. Montana Department of Commerce officials stated the project would instantly elevate the state’s advanced manufacturing profile and create new career pathways for young Montanans.
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