By John Brewer, President & CEO of Billings Chamber
Look up around Billings these days, and you’ll see something we don’t often experience: three construction cranes towering over our city at the same time. I can’t recall the last time we had that many.
Those cranes represent something bigger than construction. They’re visible signs of investment, confidence and momentum in Billings.
Across our community, significant projects are underway in healthcare, senior living, higher education, distribution, housing, hospitality, entertainment and office space. And this year, there’s a particularly impressive concentration of activity along the North 27th Street corridor.
A Corridor of Investment
At Montana State University Billings, the new College of Nursing building has welcomed its first class of students. Meanwhile, MSU Billings is advancing placemaking improvements through its Next Is Now campaign, including campus enhancements and plans for a new sculpture and ceramics studio.
Nearby, Intermountain Health is making one of the largest private investments in Montana history: a roughly $1 billion, 12-story, 737,000-square-foot hospital that, because of its elevated location, will appear to tower above the Billings skyline.
Farther south, the former Billings Gazette building has been purchased by MerryGoRound, a company involved in trading cards, collectibles and distribution. While its specific plans remain unknown, the company’s other ventures include fulfillment centers, live-commerce studios, specialty retail and gaming venues.
Downtown, the new seven-story AC Hotel by Marriott is expected to open by winter 2028, featuring 135 guest rooms, restaurant and retail space, and rooftop dining.
The Downtown Billings Partnership is also negotiating with BNSF Railway to purchase land beneath 11 Montana Avenue properties, potentially unlocking new redevelopment and housing opportunities.
Along South 27th Street, Energy Laboratories is constructing a 10,400-square-foot addition directly across from the Billings Chamber of Commerce, where our own building is undergoing a complete renovation.
Momentum Beyond 27th Street
The investment doesn’t stop there.
Billings Clinic is expanding its emergency department with additional treatment rooms, critical care capacity, imaging facilities and a new ambulance bay.
The historic Masonic Lodge redevelopment will soon deliver 10 residential units and retail space.
The beloved Babcock Theatre has reopened following more than $5 million in structural repairs and technology improvements.
Elsewhere in Billings, Stockman Bank is designing a new operations center at the former GE site.
St. John’s United is advancing three housing developments, including The Aeries, planned to become Montana’s tallest residential building.
ZooMontana is constructing a new Animal Health Center.
An Important Investment Still Ahead
One of our community’s most pressing needs is the proposed Yellowstone County Detention Facility expansion. The existing jail, designed for 434 inmates, regularly houses more than 650.
The proposed project would add 332 beds, improve medical and mental health services, and expand rehabilitation space. Voters will consider two funding measures on November 3: a $175 million construction bond and a separate $20 million annual public safety levy. Both must pass for the project to proceed.
Building Today. Planning for Tomorrow.
All this investment is encouraging. But growth alone isn’t the goal. Thoughtful, intentional growth that strengthens our economy and quality of life is what matters most.
That’s why the Billings Chamber of Commerce, together with Downtown Billings, Visit Billings, the City of Billings and Big Sky Economic Development, is launching a long-term community vision and action plan in early 2027.
Over the following 12–18 months, we’ll engage our community in shaping priorities around quality of place, economic opportunity, the built environment and social infrastructure.
The cranes we see today are helping build the Billings of tomorrow. Our opportunity now is to make sure the next generation of investments moves us toward a shared vision for our community.
Billings is THRIVING. Let’s make sure we’re growing with purpose.