Big Sky Economic Development signed the deed Friday morning for the purchase of the Montana National Bank building in downtown Billings.
“Economic development is a group effort. We’re all trying to create a greater economic opportunity for our community,” said Executive Director Steve Arveschoug.
“This building will be a space where entrepreneurs can acquire resources and grow their ideas into a business that adds new innovative ideas to our economy in Billings," he said.
Big Sky is a local resource organization for business creation, retention, new business recruitment and community development. It will use the new building as the home to the Rock31 Entrepreneur Center, which focuses on the next generation of entrepreneurs here in Billings.
Billings Mayor Bill Cole also expressed his excitement about the new space and the future growth of the community.
“Everyone has the entrepreneurial bug. It’s fundamental to our community growth.... It’s the Montana way,” said Cole.
He recognized the growth of surrounding businesses in the downtown area. “We are going to see the Alberta Bair Theater open again... We even have a little market right next door where you can actually buy a pencil in downtown Billings, who would have thought?”
Tony Rosanova of Zoot Enterprises said his company was fortunate enough to grow in the building for the past 20 years.
“The opportunity for it to become the heart of what entrepreneurship will be in Billings is very powerful,” Rosanova said.
After the signing was complete, Arveschoug took the floor and said, “I think we just bought a building.”
