Janicki promises millions in development and as many as 1,000 jobs; mayor calls the decision a huge economic win.
By Matt Hudson MONTANA FREE PRESS
Janicki Industries, a Washington-based manufacturer, has chosen Great Falls to build a 2-million-square-foot industrial campus, promising $800 million in investments and as many as 1,000 new jobs within the first five years.
The company chose the Electric City after soliciting tax incentives from local officials and from the other finalist location: Twin Falls, Idaho. On Tuesday, Janicki announced that an industrial park in Great Falls would be its third major site.
“It’s one of the largest economic development wins our community has seen in decades, truly,” Great Falls Mayor Cory Reeves told Montana Free Press Tuesday morning.
Janicki manufactures metal tooling and parts for the marine, defense and aerospace industries. The private company has seen substantial growth that has outpaced the capacity at its current sites in Washington and Utah. Its workforce has more than doubled to 1,900 since 2022 and is poised to grow further with the addition of a Great Falls site.
“The Treasure State is proud to attract job creators like Janicki that choose to expand from high-tax, high-regulation blue states to take advantage of our unmatched quality of life, lower taxes, and strong workforce,” Gov. Greg Gianforte said in a Janicki announcement Tuesday. “I look forward to seeing the impact of this significant investment.”
Janicki said construction should begin this summer, with the first phase completed by the end of 2027. The company will continue to build out on the 180-acre AgriTech industrial park on Great Falls’ east side.
Local officials view the move as a big win for Great Falls, which has lagged behind other large Montana cities in growth. Reeves said that local economic developers lobbied hard for Janicki to choose northcentral Montana. That includes the Great Falls Development Alliance, which developed the AgriTech Park.
“We’ve had numerous meetings with them, not only government officials and city officials but also our partners at GFDA,” Reeves said. “And we’ve been in constant contact with trying to sell our community.”
The city and county approved 50% property tax breaks for Janicki over five years. The tax break will gradually diminish over the next five years until the company pays its full share by year 10. The tax benefits will be applied separately to each of Janicki’s four construction phases.
Janicki’s campus is expected to boost the local tax base and Great Falls’ population. The company said it expects to surpass the initial goal of 1,000 new jobs over time.
