Great Falls Could Be Facing A 6,300-Home Problem

New Jobs and Investment Could Bring Major Growth to Great Falls

It's been almost three decades since I moved to Montana and settled in Great Falls, and in that time, I've seen a bit of growth.

However, I don't think we've seen the kind of growth that Great Falls could be experiencing soon.

Why Great Falls Could See More Housing Demand

While places like Bozeman, Kalispell, and Whitefish have exploded over the last few years, Great Falls has felt pretty stagnant.

That is starting to change, thanks in part to companies like Janicki choosing the Electric City for a new location. But with that growth come some extra challenges.

According to KRTV, local realtors estimate Great Falls is already about 630 housing units short every year. Over the next decade, that could mean a shortage of roughly 6,300 homes.

Still, it's not all bad news. In fact, this is a pretty good problem to have.

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Developers Are Being Invited To Build In Great Falls

Josh Lind, president-elect of the Great Falls Association of Realtors, told KRTV, "This is a good first-world problem to have."

Jim Dea, president of the Great Falls Association of Realtors, told KRTV he's spent his entire career here and has never experienced a growing Great Falls.

Thankfully local realtors, builders, and economic development groups are actively trying to get more housing built. This week, 17 developer groups are coming to Great Falls as part of a tour designed to show them why they should build here.

More jobs, more people, and more investment are good things. We just need to make sure there's somewhere for all those people to live.

Because 6,300 homes is a lot of houses.