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Oh, the Places We’ll Grow

The tale of two booms. Montana's newest commercial center. Property values and rising taxes. Balancing growth with open space.

By Beacon STaff
Illustration by Steve Larson | Flathead Beacon

The Flathead Valley is experiencing rapid growth and development, reminiscent of a decade ago.

Real estate sales are approaching record highs. New development is also approaching a high watermark. What is the reality in the region and what changes are on the horizon?

This week the Beacon breaks down the latest boom and looks at the far-reaching changes rippling across the valley.

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U.S. Highway 93 near Hutton Ranch on May 20, 2014. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

A Tale of Two Booms

The current housing and construction boom in the Flathead Valley evokes the pre-recession boom of the early 2000s. But real estate and construction experts say it’s different this time around.

By Molly Priddy

The sun is out and construction crews around the valley are pushing dirt, pouring concrete, raising frames, and putting their mark on the Flathead’s vision for the future. »»» READ MORE

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A rental sign in front of the Whitefish Crossing apartments on June 22, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

Rentals: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Flathead Valley communities, especially Whitefish, struggle to provide affordable rental units

By Tristan Scott

Whitefish is not alone in its struggle to provide affordable rental units to its local workforce, but its inventory of cost-effective options is slimmer than ever. »»» READ MORE

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Housing in Whitefish. Beacon File Photo

Statewide Property Reappraisal Process Underway for 2017

Landowners have 30 days from receiving notice to protest Department of Revenue’s new property valuations

By Molly Priddy

Property values are the basis for Montana’s property tax system, which has considerable budgetary significance in a state that operates without a sales tax. »»» READ MORE

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Construction of the Glacier Town Center on the north end of Kalispell on June 22, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

‘Montana’s Newest Commercial Center’ Plows Forward

The latest harbinger of growth, a 485-acre mixed-use development, is breaking ground as Kalispell keeps advancing north

By Dillon Tabish

On 500 acres of sprawling flatland, former wheat fields once considered the northern outskirts of Kalispell, a nine-phase subdivision dubbed “Montana’s newest commercial center” is sprouting up this summer. »»» READ MORE

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A lone farm located across the Kalispell Bypass from neighborhoods in south Kalispell, pictured June 21, 2017. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

The Catch-22 of Wide-Ranging Development

With rapid growth and development come concerns over urban sprawl and dwindling open space

By Dillon Tabish

Paul Travis finds himself having a familiar conversation with people he meets across the Flathead Valley. »»» READ MORE

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