Economic Development Report and Draft Goals and Objectives

UPDATED NOVEMBER 22, 2024

The Montana Land Use Planning Act (MLUPA) has very specific requirements in regard to the economic development element. Due to the complexity of the analysis, in September of 2023 staff contracted with GSBS to conduct this analysis. This was presented to the Community Development Board at work sessions in May and June of 2024. This report, along with previous growth policies, economic studies and other data, are being used as resources for the economic development element. However, given how quickly the economy and statistics can change, and how linked economic development can be to land use, staff believes it prudent to have this analysis reviewed, and updated if necessary, toward the end of the process.

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Economic development is one of the topics the Montana Land Use Act (MLUPA) requires to be addressed in a growth policy. Due to the complexity of this economic analysis, staff contracted with GSBS Consulting.

After 30 stakeholder interviews, 2 group meetings and a presentation to the Community Development Board in April, GSBS has presented the completed draft of the market study. This, in addition to previous growth policies, economic studies and other data is being used by staff as a resource to prepare the economic development element of Vision Whitefish 2045.

You can see the consultant report here, and the first part of the economic development element containing the summary and the goals and objectives have been posted on the website here. Any additional supporting information will be presented at future date with more complete drafts of the chapter. There will be a work session to discuss these materials on Thursday, June 20 at 5PM at Council Chambers in City Hall.