People judge economic development differently.

Some tie it directly to more and better jobs.

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Others count new construction. Or increased population. Or more retail shopping.

By most of these measures, Great Falls finally is breaking through its late-20th century malaise.

Granted, the city's population is growing only slowly, and many of the small towns around us aren't even holding their own.

That trend keeps Great Falls from booming in the style of Missoula, Kalispell and Bozeman.

Other economic indicators, however, all point to the heavens.

Jobs: increasing steadily. Construction: practically booming. New retail: finally happening.

Speaking at a local economic summit this month, economist Larry Swanson predicted that Great Falls won't be "caught in the downward spiral that most of the Northern Plains area is in."

He believes Great Falls will get some of the spillover from the state's faster-growing cities.

We agree, but we think the city is also doing a commendable job of creating its own growth. That's thanks in large part to the leadership of the Great Falls Development Authority, local government and individual businesses.

Consider jobs.

This week an aviation company announced creation of a new plant here. They'll need some 70 workers to start, with up to 200 more within five years.

Centene, which processes medical claims, started operations here this year with 60 employees and could have up to 250 within five years.

Benefis and the Great Falls Clinic added some 120 jobs between them this year. The average salary of the clinic jobs is a whopping $75,000. Both medical facilities remain in a hiring mode.

A new flying mission for the Montana Air National Guard could bring in 80 more jobs.

Production began at the new $70 million malting plant this year. It employs about 35.

And GFDA officials say they have good prospects for two other businesses, which would each employ roughly 100.

Construction projects — and the jobs they create — are in high gear.

The Clinic and Benefis both just wrapped up separate $20 million construction projects, and both plan more in 2006.

Malmstrom continues as the major construction driver with some $80 million in projects coming up. New MANG construction is expected to be $30 million.

Meanwhile, the airport expects $34 million in runway and infrastructure improvements. The MSU-Great Falls College of Technology will spend $13 million for expansion.

None of those figures includes massive amounts of highway construction money. Plus, there's residential and commercial construction.

On the more distant horizon, Great Falls may one day be home to a $515 million 250-megawatt, coal-fire generating plant.

It would provide 450 to 650 construction jobs and 65 to 75 permanent jobs.

Looking for new retail?

Add to the shopping mix a second Wal-Mart, a Walgreens, a much larger Scheels, new stores at Holiday Village Mall and maybe even a new business at Great Falls Marketplace.

Economic indicators showed strong improvement in 2005.

We're firm believers that 2006 will be even more impressive.

Originally published December 23, 2005

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