News
Looking up in Hardin
MATR Sponsor (view all)
Attitudes and business prospects turn around for Montana community
People in Hardin are starting to believe. The town of about 3,300 east of Billings has seen more than its share of unemployment and vacant buildings over the years. But, now its economy is turning around.
By Dave Burgess
Western Business
"There’s more going on here than anywhere else in the state," said Paul Green, who started in February 2003 as director of economic development for Hardin.
When Green started, there was a lot of skepticism in the community, he said. But locals are starting to warm up and welcome the change.
"Paul Green is doing a whale of a job," said Bill Stenerson. Green’s enthusiasm has spread to others, Stenerson said. "I’m really enthused about what he’s doing and what’s going on down here."
The most prominent sign of change is the construction of a $60 million coal-fired power plant on the north side of Hardin. The project has brought workers to town, and it is expected that 200 will be working on it at its peak.
Around town, there are also many small new business developments that add up to a real boost for Hardin, including: a Hanser’s lot, the renovated depot occupied by the chamber of commerce, a new Dollar Discount store, Pamida opening in the former Stage Store building and bringing 30-35 jobs, a new storage building that created a few jobs, a car wash that brought three jobs, a new auto maintenance shop and the Center Cinema and The Fountain businesses.
Mike and Kathy Boileau opened Dollar Discount in Hardin in July. It is their second Dollar Discount store in the area. They opened their first on Grand Avenue in Billings only a year ago, and both are doing fine, said Mike Boileau.
"This one just opened like a banshee," he said. The Boileaus had hoped that it would, given that there was not much other shopping in town. They have hired four in Hardin and support school activities, such as the cheerleading team.
Boileau is cautious, though, about how much the strong opening indicates for sales volumes. "A grand opening period is not a good enough measure, long-term," he said. They chose to open a second store in Harding because they were seeing that 10-15 percent of their business in Billings was with American Indian customers, and more from Hardin, he said.
The Hardin store has 6,000 square feet and they are using about half in front for display and half is storage — enough storage for both stores. They are using the space they have in Hardin to receive most of their shipments before sending inventory on to their Billings store.
They are keeping informed of developments in Hardin. The opening of a Pamida store does not worry Boileau; rather, he said he thinks it will help keep shoppers in town.
"Pamida probably will help us more than hurt us," he said.
Shawna Stieber, who has been in business in Hardin for 10 years and owns Sweets-n-Such, recently bought a 3,000-square-foot building near the freeway for her growing business. She feels Hardin is moving her business and reopening as a full-service restaurant with espresso, a bakery and a gift shop.
"I see some real growth in Hardin," Stieber said.
Bill Stenerson started Bill’s Auto Parts in Hardin in 1976.
"My wife and I both felt there were a lot of good opportunities in Hardin," he said.
He has actively supported and promoted Hardin all along.
"What’s good for the community is good for us," he said.
So far, the recent developments have affected Bill’s Auto Parts little, though. Stenerson said that he has seen a 2 or 3 percent increase in sales just due to the construction work going on; but, eventually, growth in town will mean more business.
When Green started the job he had several specific objectives, one of which was to raise the per capita income to within 5 percent of the state average. After a year and a half, is Hardin getting there?
"I think we’ll get there," he said.
Green and the city certainly have plenty of projects in process that could achieve major economic improvements if they materialize.
"You need to be flexible enough to capitalize on strengths" as they develop, he said.
Projects in process include a 500-bed detention center that could bring 150 jobs and conversion of a former sugar plant to an ethanol plant that could employ up to 30. Also being looked at is moving and modernizing the airport and annexation of 1,000 acres on the north side of town to include the area slated for an industrial park — where the power plant is being built. The city also recently completed a $2 million upgrade on its sewer system and is looking at more upgrades.
Green also thinks Hardin is a great place for an intermodal facility and a large distribution center, given the easy freeway access in all directions.
With Green’s encouragement, the city has taken the practical step of creating a port authority called Two Rivers Authority. It will direct some public money toward job-creating developments. Now Green is working on creating a tax increment finance district to build infrastructure for the industrial park, which would make it more attractive for companies looking for a new site. The TIF should be done by the end of the year, he said.
Green said a lot of credit goes to a forward-thinking City Council.
A feasibility study of the proposed detention center is expected to be done in December. It was reported that the annual payroll could be $3 million to $4 million. Several people around town confirmed that the community overwhelmingly supports the idea of a detention facility.
Little Horn State Bank President and CEO Vernon L. Mohlis said there is very strong community support for the detention facility proposal "and it would be good for the community."
Several years ago, Hardin was considered the No. 1 location for a new prison, but the prison went to Shelby instead and that community has realized substantial benefit from it, he said.
Meanwhile, more businesses and more local employment are keeping dollars turning over in the community.
"It’s a trend that is moving in the right direction," Mohlis said. "Seeing other local people investing their money and time is a trend that Hardin hasn’t seen for some time. Ö I think Hardin will see some real positive changes over the next several years."
MATR Supporters (view all)
Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.