Billings is seeing a tremendous amount in growth in many areas these days.
BILLINGS - Billings is seeing a tremendous amount in growth in many areas these days. Whether it's the economy, population, or area Billings continues to thrive. Construction of the new Cobb Field, the new brand the city wants to boast and the significance of Billings eclipsing the 100,000 mark all point to one thing, the magic city isn't getting any smaller. "Opportunity is here. We're on the bubble of writing our own ticket," said Billings Chamber of Commerce President and CEO John Brewer. According to the chamber of commerce, Billings has a lot to boast about these days. It's currently the largest city in the region, thriving in business and commerce, it has companies like GE and Cabella's coming to town and it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. "It's really a unique dynamic. Today we need workers yet more jobs are coming in on a regular basis. So that speaks highly to the environment, our quality of life, and why people want to relocate here," said Brewer. Brewer and the rest of the chamber don't expect the growth to slow down soon. "When you hit 100,000 in population, tradition shows from other communities that it continues to explode." When new companies move into Billings and the city continues to annex land its easy to see why so many people are quickly becoming part of the magic city, but brewer says the chamber is also looking at another way to help the city grow by attracting students. "To attend Montana State University and the college of technology and to relocate with an investment in their time through the university," said Brewer. "We know that 70% of the people if they move here are going to stay here." But cities can experience a downside to rapid growth. Urban sprawl and shortages of utilities including water and electricity are major problems in cities today. Brewer says the next few years our planning are crucial to the future. "We've got to be smart and cognizant of how we annex, how we plan, and how we build in the future."