Arco moving offices to Butte

After more than two decades headquartered in Anaconda, the Atlantic Richfield Co. will move its operations and employees to a new home in Butte.

By Leslie McCartney of The Montana Standard

“ This was not an easy decision for us,” said Arco Vice President Sandy Stash.

The decid ing factor is that Arco recently became the new owner of the Kelley Mine proper ty, which is being refurbished for Arco’s use. In Anaconda, Arco leases space in the Glacier Bank building.

The Kelley Mine property is located west of the Berkeley Pit. The area can easily accom modate Arco’s 15 employees, voluminous paperwork and its approximately 15 contractors.

However, Stash said that Arco would retain its presence in Anaconda since much of the reclamation work Arco over sees is there. A couple of fulltime employees will work from a modular trailer to be placed in that area.

Approximately 85 percent to 90 percent of Arco employees live in Butte, so the new move will be more convenient for them. Also, employees who reg ularly fly on Arco business will be closer to the airport.

The new headquarters are under renovation. Stash says the move is planned for the first quarter of next year, depending on completion of the work.

Arco obtained 244 parcels of property throughout the Butte Hill — the bulk of the land is situated between Montana Tech and Rocker — as part of a con fidential settlement agreement with Montana Mining Properties Inc. in October. It involved liability under the fed eral Superfund program.

At that time, Montana Mining Properties said it was eager to avoid liability for maintenance of cleaned sites and Arco said it was happy with the settlement that gave it greater control.

Mining claims account for 163 of the 244 parcels.

Reporter Leslie McCartney may be reached via e-mail at [email protected].

http://www.mtstandard.com/newslocal/lnews2.html