HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-23-26 Public Comment - H. Greiner, T. O'Hair, D. Schliem - Public Comment Opportunity Zone Tract 6From:Jesse DiTommaso
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Brit Fontenot
Subject:Public Comment Opportunity Zone Tract 6
Date:Tuesday, June 23, 2026 8:20:22 AM
Attachments:HRDC City of Bozeman_Opportunity Zone LOS.pdfBZN-061826D MT Chamber OZ Tract 6.pdfBozeman Chamber LOS.pdf
Good morning,
Attached please find letters of support for the Opportunity Zone item this evening.
Thank you,
Jesse
*Please note the change to my email address.
Jesse DiTommaso | City of Bozeman Economic Development | She/Her/Hers
C: 406.579.2494|jesse.ditommaso@bozemanmt.gov | www.bozeman.net
The Honorable Greg Gianforte
Governor of Montana
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
RE: Support for Opportunity Zone Designation of Census Tract 6, Bozeman, Montana
Dear Governor Gianforte:
Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) respectfully submits this letter in support of
the designation of Census Tract 6 in Bozeman as a federal Opportunity Zone.
As the region's primary community action agency and affordable housing provider, HRDC
works every day with individuals and families struggling to remain in the communities where
they work. The shortage of affordable housing has become one of the most significant barriers
to economic mobility, workforce stability, and long-term community prosperity in Gallatin
County. We believe the Opportunity Zone designation for Census Tract 6 would provide a new
tool for addressing these challenges by attracting patient, long-term private investment to
projects that advance both economic development and community well-being.
The intent of the Opportunity Zone program aligns closely with HRDC's mission. The program
is designed to encourage private capital investment in communities where strategic
development can generate lasting benefits for residents, workers, and local businesses. In
Bozeman, those benefits could be substantial.
Most importantly, Opportunity Zone designation has the potential to accelerate the development
of affordable and workforce housing. Rising land prices, escalating construction costs, and
limited financing sources continue to make affordable housing projects difficult to deliver at the
scale needed by the community. By encouraging additional private investment, Opportunity
Zone incentives can help close financing gaps, improve project feasibility, and support the
construction of housing that serves working households across a range of income levels.
The designation could also support mixed-use developments that combine housing with
commercial and community-serving spaces. Such projects can strengthen neighborhoods by
creating opportunities for residents to live closer to employment centers, services, childcare
providers, healthcare facilities, and public transportation. This type of development reduces
barriers to workforce participation while improving overall quality of life.
Beyond housing, Opportunity Zone investment can help stimulate job creation and business
growth. New investment in commercial properties, business expansion, entrepreneurship, and
redevelopment projects can create both short-term construction employment and long-term
permanent jobs. These investments help strengthen local economic resilience while creating
opportunities for residents to build financial stability and upward mobility.
For HRDC and other community development organizations, Opportunity Zone designation
would create opportunities to leverage scarce public resources with private capital. Affordable
housing developments frequently require complex financing structures that combine public
grants, tax credits, local contributions, philanthropic support, and private investment.
Opportunity Zone incentives can attract additional capital to these projects, allowing limited
public dollars to serve more households and produce greater community benefit.
The designation would also complement ongoing efforts by the City of Bozeman, Gallatin
County, HRDC, and numerous community partners to address housing affordability, support
workforce retention, and expand economic opportunity. As Bozeman continues to grow, it is
critical that investment tools support not only economic expansion but also inclusive growth
that benefits residents across income levels.
Census Tract 6 presents a meaningful opportunity to advance the goals of the Opportunity Zone
program by encouraging investment that produces affordable housing, supports workforce
development, strengthens local businesses, creates jobs, and improves access to
community-serving amenities. We believe the tract is well-positioned to leverage private
investment in ways that generate measurable and lasting public benefit.
For these reasons, HRDC strongly encourages the State of Montana to support designating
Census Tract 6 as an Opportunity Zone.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to expanding economic
opportunity for Montana communities.
Sincerely,
Heather Grenier
President/CEO
Human Resource Development Council IX (HRDC)
Bozeman, Montana
June 18, 2026
Dear Governor Gianforte,
On behalf of the Montana Chamber of Commerce and our members, we strongly
support the designation of Census Tract 6 in Gallatin County as an Opportunity Zone.
This designation will provide a valuable tool to attract private investment, support
business growth, expand housing opportunities, and significantly strengthen both the
regional and statewide economy.
Opportunity Zone designation will help attract new sources of private capital to projects
that may otherwise face financing challenges. By encouraging long-term investment, the
program can support redevelopment, business expansion, infrastructure improvements,
and job creation. These investments not only benefit Bozeman and Gallatin County but
also contribute to Montana's broader economic competitiveness by supporting business
growth, expanding employment opportunities, and increasing the state's capacity to
attract and retain investment.
The benefits extend beyond new development. Existing businesses and Montana
Chamber members stand to gain from increased economic activity, improved
infrastructure, expanded housing options for employees, and a stronger workforce.
These investments help Montana employers attract and retain talent while creating new
opportunities for local businesses to grow and succeed.
Census Tract 6 benefits from manufacturing and employment-focused zoning that
supports industrial, commercial, technology, and value-added manufacturing uses.
Combined with the tract's strategic location and existing infrastructure, these assets
create investment-ready opportunities that strengthens key industry sectors, expands
the tax base, and creates high-quality jobs that support long-term economic prosperity
throughout Montana.
The Montana Chamber of Commerce believes Opportunity Zone designation for
Census Tract 6 in Bozeman will generate lasting benefits for businesses, residents, and
communities across the state by encouraging investment, supporting economic
diversification, and reinforcing Montana's position as a competitive place to do business.
We appreciate your consideration and strongly support the inclusion of Census Tract 6
as an Opportunity Zone.
Sincerely,
Todd O’Hair, President & CEO
Montana Chamber of Commerce