Helena: Economy

Major Industries and Commercial Activity

For many years Helena has enjoyed a record of economic stability. It serves as a major governmental center for the county, state, and federal government. It is also a trading and transportation center for nearby livestock, mining, and farming enterprises. In an area rich in silver and lead deposits, Helena maintains an interest in mineral production and processing, and the nearby city of East Helena is the site of smelters, quartz crushers, and zinc reduction works. The Helena area is also a telephone communications center, and industries such as sand and gravel and ranching remain important. Statewide, Montana's fastest-growing industries include education and instruction, waste management, and construction. Specific occupations showing significant growth include textile machinery operation, septic and sewer maintenance, and computer software engineering.

Government positions account for 31 percent of Helena's workforce, while private sector jobs comprise 62 percent. Many of the private businesses rely on the government and its employees as their customers.

Items and goods produced: refined and smelted metals, paints, ceramics, concrete, machine parts, baking products, sheet metal, prefabricated houses, bottled beverages

Incentive Programs—New and Existing Companies

Local programs

The Montana Business Information Center (BIC) in Helena is a one-stop center that provides a multitude of planning tools as well as free onsite counseling provided by the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and other Small Business Administration resources. The Montana BIC's resources include a reference library, a video center, and a computer lab designed specifically for small business research. The Small Business Administration offers a variety of financing options for small businesses, including long-term loans for machinery and equipment, general working capital loans, revolving lines of credit, and microloans. Similarly, Gateway Economic Development Corp. offers loans and tax rebates to new or expanding businesses in Lewis and Clark County and the surrounding area. The Downtown Helena Business Improvement District offers grants up to $2000 for retailers opening or expanding in the downtown area.

State programs

The state of Montana offers general incentives including net operating loss carry backs and carry forwards, depreciation, and dependent care assistance. New and expanding incentives include license tax credit for new or expanded jobs and reduced property assessments for research and development. Various tax exemptions are available for qualified businesses in research and development, domestic international sales corporations, free port merchandise, and business inventories.

Job training programs

The Small Business Development Center provides training, counseling, research, and other specialized assistance through its Helena office. NxLevel Entrepreneurial Training Programs, available through the Montana Department of Commerce, are in-depth training courses for entrepreneurs and business owners. NxLevel for Entrepreneurs is a 12-session course designed to help existing business owners improve growth and profits. NxLevel for Agricultural Entrepreneurs and NxLevel for Microentrepreneurs are similar programs aimed at new ventures and the self-employed.

Development Projects

Projects currently planned for Helena focus on business development, transportation, and branding. An ongoing downtown revitalization planning process has resulted in suggestions for an outdoor market, building restoration, and increased residential space. The City Commission voted to construct a new traffic lane on the Downtown Walking Mall, and to rename the road leading from the I-90 to downtown Last Chance Gulch (currently the name of the main downtown street only) to improve accessibility for tourists. Other plans call for new or upgraded freeway interchanges and improvements in water quality and availability.

Recently completed projects include the full restoration of the State Capitol building and construction of the Great Northern Town Center, a main street business and shopping district.

Economic Development Information: Small Business Administration-Montana District Office, 10 West 15th Street, Suite 1100, Helena, Montana, 59626; telephone (406)441-1081; fax (406)441-1090. Montana Finance Information Center, 301 S. Park, Helena, MT 59601; telephone (406)841-2732; fax (406)841-2771. Downtown Helena, Inc., 225 Cruse Ave., Suite B, Helena, MT 59601; telephone (406)447-1535. Montana Department of Commerce, PO Box 200501, Helena, MT 59620-0501; telephone (406)841-2700; fax (406)841-2701

Commercial Shipping

Air freight service is provided by FedEx, Airborne Express, and UPS. Freight service is also provided by Montana Rail Link, which provides national coverage in connection with Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway.

Labor Force and Employment Outlook

The Helena area labor force includes a high percentage of young, educated workers. The percentage of adults in the community who have received high school and college diplomas is considerably higher than the state and national average. Helena's stable economy is based primarily on a range of government agencies and small businesses. Skills in demand include textile machinery operation, septic and sewer maintenance, and computer software engineering. In recent years, growth has been observed in the fields of education and instruction, waste management, and construction.

The following is a summary of data regarding the Montana labor force, 2004 annual averages (Helena figures not available).

Size of nonagricultural labor force: 411,575

Number of workers employed in . . .

natural resources and mining: 7,242

construction: 24,717

manufacturing: 19,100

trade, transportation and utilities: 86,067

information: 7,800

financial activities: 21,058

professional and business services: 33,050

educational and health services: 54,225

leisure and hospitality: 54,458

other services: 17,000

government: 86,917

Average hourly earnings of production workers employed in manufacturing: $14.87

Unemployment rate: 5.5% (January 2005)

Cost of Living

The cost of living for Helena residents is comparable to the national average. According to the Helena Chamber of Commerce, housing, utilities, and goods and services all have lower than average cost. The cost of health care in Helena is slightly higher than the national rate.

The following is a summary of data regarding several key cost of living factors for the Helena area.

2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Average House Price: $218,169

2004 (3rd Quarter) ACCRA Cost of Living Index: 96.3 (U.S. average = 100.0)

State income tax rate: 2% to 11% (corporate business tax rate: 6.75%)

State sales tax rate: None

Local income tax rate: None

Local sales tax rate: None

Property tax rate: 647.74 mills minimum, applies to taxable value as set by the state of Montana

Economic Information: Montana Department of Commerce, Census and Economic Information Center, 301 S. Park Ave., PO Box 200505, Helena, MT 59620-0505; telephone (406)841-2740

Helena: Recreation

Sightseeing

The focal point of sightseeing in Helena is the 17-block Historic Downtown District. In this part of town is found a mix of retail stores, galleries, lodging, restaurants, historic buildings, and entertainment centers. The imposing State Capital Building is constructed of Montana granite and boasts a classic dome made of radiant copper. It now serves as the symbol of Montana. The interior is decorated with murals by artists E.S. Paxon, Charles M. Russell, and others. The meeting of Lewis and Clark with a group of native Americans is depicted in a large mural by Russell.

Tours are offered of several impressive local structures. The original governor's mansion, which was built in 1888 in the Queen Anne style, contains furnishings popular during the early twentieth century. Helena Civic Center, built in 1921, is a Moorish-style edifice with a 175-foot minaret, an onion dome, and intricate exterior brickwork. Just outside Helena to the north is another impressive facility, Fort Harrison, which was once an army garrison and is now a veterans' hospital.

The Montana Historical Society Museum features the C.M. Russell painting collections, as well as temporary exhibits of western art. The Montana Homeland Exhibit portrays Montana history throughout the eras.

The imposing St. Helena Cathedral, with its white marble altar, stained-glass windows, and 230-foot spires, is modeled after famous churches in Austria and Germany. Gold nuggets, gold wire, gold coins, and gold dust are on display at the Gold collection at downtown's Norwest Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank on Neill Avenue. The Guardian of the Gulch is a landmark fire tower built in 1876 and one of just five similar towers remaining in the United States.

Dotting the hillsides on Helena's west side are dozens of stately private homes, built by rich merchants and miners a century ago. The Last Chance Tour Train provides hour-long tours of the city. A guided Missouri riverboat tour follows the path taken by Lewis and Clark nearly two centuries ago. Northeast of Helena, Canyon Ferry Dam offers information and interactive displays of the region's wildlife as well as the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Arts and Culture

A major cultural facility in Helena is the Myrna Loy Center, named after the beloved Montana-born actress. It is housed in the city's 1880s-era former jailhouse, and features performing arts activities, literary events, films, and art shows. The Carroll College Theatre presents live performances throughout the year. The Toadstone Theatre Company offers professional and community childrens' theater and Grand-steet Theatre offers live performances of Broadway shows using community-based volunteers. The Montana Shakespeare Company presents Shakespeare's classics in Performance Park Square, an outdoor venue.

Helena's Holster Museum of Art displays various works of art from historical to contemporary times. It also offers workshops, readings, and discussions. The Archie Bray Foundation for Ceramic Arts, which offers beautiful display pieces for sale, has attained a national reputation for training potters. The Ghost Art Gallery in Helena's old mining district features architecture and themes from nearby ghost towns, as well as western and wildlife art by fine local artists.

Music lovers attend performances of the Helena Symphony; in addition to a regular season of performances by its own chorale of 150 members, it offers community concerts. Four-part harmony is the focus of the Sweet Adelines Performing Chorus.

Festivals and Holidays

Downtown Helena is the site of many special events, including festivals, street dances, theater productions, sled dog races, car rallies, art exhibits, and street fairs. The annual Western Rendezvous of Art takes place in August, featuring art shows, seminars, an auction and a fixed price sale, and a gala awards banquet. Music fills the air in September during the Last Chance Bluegrass Festival, while October is enlivened by Bullfest and Oktoberfest celebrations. November brings the Bald Eagle Migration and Downtown Helena Fall Art Walk, while December hails the holidays with the Festival of Trees and Winter Fair.

The excitement of the Race to the Sky Sled Dog Race warms hearts in February, and children of all ages enjoy April's Railroad Fair and Kite Festival. The Governor's Cup Marathon and the Sleeping Giant Swing 'n Jazz Jubilee draw crowds in June while July brings the excitement of the Last Chance Stampede & Rodeo and the Mt. Helena Music Festival.

Sports for the Spectator

Helena is the home of the Helena Brewers minor league baseball team of the Pioneer League; the Helena Bighorns hockey club, which plays NAHL hockey at the Helena Ice Arena; the Carroll College Fighting Saints; and high school teams that compete in tennis, baseball, football, soccer, hockey, golf, rugby, and basketball.

Sports for the Participant

Within easy access to Helena residents and visitors are millions of acres of public lands, top rated fisheries, and many lakes, rivers, and reservoirs that are used for boating, sailing, wind surfing, and other water sports. Also available are hunting, backpacking, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling. There are more than 25 area parks. Mount Helena City Park and Helena National Forest each have miles of hiking and biking trails. The local recreation department offers facilities for running, racquetball, weight training, and horseback riding. Centennial Waterslide Park is a family-focused indoor facility with slides and swimming pools. Helena Skate Park offers ledges, quarter pipes, and banks with free access for skateboarders and in-line skaters. There are two public golf courses and one private, numerous tennis courts, and several health clubs. Hikers on the Blackfoot Meadows or the Continental Divide trails may spot such wildlife as elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, black bears, otters, beavers, and mink.

Shopping and Dining

Helena's largest shopping center is Capital Hill Mall, which is located near the Capital complex and contains 40 specialty shops and two major department stores. What was once the Last Chance Gulch mine is now Helena's main street and a pedestrian mall. Downtown Helena is dotted with specialty shops and galleries, especially throughout the Walking Mall and Reeders' Alley, a complex of red brick buildings from the 1870s that once served as miners' shanties. Principal shopping centers include Northgate Plaza and Lundy Center. Discount shopping can be found at WalMart, Shopko, Target, Big-K and Gibson's.

For a small city, Helena has a varied selection of ethnic dining spots that feature Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Mediterranean, French, German, Italian, and classic American cuisines. Beer lovers can sample local micro brews from the Sleeping Giant Brewery, Kessler Brewery, or Blackfoot River Brewing Company.

Visitor Information: Helena Convention & Visitor Bureau, 225 Cruse Ave., Helena, MT 59601; telephone (406)447-1530 or (800)743-5362

Helena: Population Profile

Lewis & Clark County Residents

1980: 43,039

1990: 47,495

2000: 55,716

2003 estimate: 57,137

Percent change, 1990–2000: 17.3%

U.S. rank in 2000: 847th (for counties; state rank 6th)

City Residents

1980: 23,938

1990: 24,699

2000: 25,780

2003 estimate: 26,718

Percent change, 1990–2000: 2.8%

U.S. rank in 2000: Not reported

Density: 1,840.7 people per square mile (2000)

Racial and ethnic characteristics (2000)

White: 24,434

Black or African American: 59

American Indian and Alaska Native: 541

Asian: 201

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander: 18

Hispanic or Latino (may be of any race): 430

Other: 98

Percent of residents born in state: 55.5% (2000)

Age characteristics (2000)

Population under 5 years old: 1,501

Population 5 to 9 years old: 1,558

Population 10 to 14 years old: 1,628

Population 15 to 19 years old: 1,962

Population 20 to 24 years old: 1,999

Population 25 to 34 years old: 2,931

Population 35 to 44 years old: 3,919

Population 45 to 54 years old: 4,309

Population 55 to 59 years old: 1,414

Population 60 to 64 years old: 975

Population 65 to 74 years old: 1,640

Population 75 to 84 years old: 1,403

Population 85 years and older: 541

Median age: 38.8 years

Births (2002)

Five year average: 12.1 per 1000 population (county)

Deaths (2002)

Five year average: 7.9 per 1000 population (county)

Money income (2000)

Per capita income: $20,020

Median household income: $34,416

Total households: 11,476

Number of households with income of . . .

less than $10,000: 1,438

$10,000 to $14,999: 908

$15,000 to $24,999: 1,725

$25,000 to $34,999: 1,767

$35,000 to $49,999: 1,809

$50,000 to $74,999: 2,228

$75,000 to $99,999: 911

$100,000 to $149,999: 464

$150,000 to $199,999: 130

$200,000 or more: 96

Percent of families below poverty level: 9.3% (58.3% of which were female householder families in poverty)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: Not reported

Helena1 Town (1990 pop. 7,491), seat of Phillips co., E central Ark., on the Mississippi River and at the southern end of Crowley's Ridge; inc. 1833. It is a rail terminus and river port with an economy based on cotton, lumber, and agricultural processing. The city was occupied by Union troops in the Civil War; they were attacked unsuccessfully by Confederates in the Battle of Helena (July 4, 1863).

2 City (1990 pop. 24,569), state capital and seat of Lewis and Clark co., W central Mont., on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide; inc. 1870. It is a commercial, trading, and shipping center in a ranching and mining area. Manufactures include concrete, sheet metal, and dairy products. Major electronics, engineering, communications, and health-care organizations have offices in Helena, and a Federal Reserve bank is there. Agricultural products include cattle, sheep, wheat, barley, and oats.

The city was founded after the discovery of gold (1864) in Last Chance Gulch (now Helena's main street) and grew rapidly. In 1875 a general election ratified the choice of Helena to replace Virginia City as territorial capital. In the 1890s it maintained its position as state capital against the rivalry of Anaconda. As the area's stores of gold and silver were depleted, other minerals, including copper, lead, and zinc were discovered and exploited.

Carroll College is in the city, and landmarks include the Original Governor's Mansion (1888), the Holter Museum of Art, the Museum of Gold, the Montana Historical Society Museum, and the Myrna Loy Center for the Performing and Media Arts. The capitol building and the civic center also have noteworthy historical and artistic collections. The city is surrounded by scenic mountains and is the headquarters of Helena National Forest.

Helena: Communications

Newspapers and Magazines

Helena's local newspapers include the Independent-Record, a daily, and the Adit, a shopping weekly. Magazines published locally include Montana Magazine, a regional interest magazine, The Montana Catholic, and the Montana historical magazine, as well as the Montana Stockgrower, the Montana Food Distributor, Trial Trends and U.S. Toy Collector Magazine.

Television and Radio

One private television station broadcasts from Helena, and there is one local cable company. The city has four local FM radio stations and three AM stations. They feature adult contemporary, easy listening, country, classic rock, and news and talk formats.

Media Information: Independent-Record, PO Box 4249, Helena, MT 59604; telephone (406)447-4000

Helena Online

City of Helena. Available www.ci.helena.mt.us

Helena Chamber of Commerce. Available www.helena chamber.com/index.html

Helena Convention & Visitors Bureau. Available helenacvb.visitmt.com

Helena Public Schools. Available www.helena.k12.mt.us

Independent-Record. Available www.helenair.com

Lewis & Clark County Library. Available www.lewisandclark library.org

Montana Business Information Center. Available www.sba online.sba.gov/regions/states/mt/mtbics.html

Selected Bibliography

Evans, Nicholas, The Horse Whisperer (New York: Delacourte Press, 1995

Petrick, Paula Evans, No Step Backward: Women and Family on the Rocky Mountain Mining Frontier, Helena, MT: 1865-1900, (Helena, MT: Helena Montana Historical Society Press, 1987)

Rodgers, Joni, Crazy for Trying (Denver: MacMurray & Beck, 1999)

Helena

The City in Brief

Founded: 1864 (chartered, 1881)

Head Official: Mayor James E. Smith (I) (since 2001)

City Population

1980: 23,938

1990: 24,699

2000: 25,780

2003 estimate: 26,718

Percent change, 1990–2000: 2.8%

U.S. rank in 2000: Not reported

Lewis & Clark County Population

1980: 43,039

1990: 47,495

2000: 55,716

2003 estimate: 57,137

Percent change, 1990–2000: 17.3%

U.S. rank in 2000: 847th (among counties; state rank 6th)

Area: 14 square miles (2000)

Elevation: 4,090 feet above sea level

Average Annual Temperature: 44.0° F

Average Annual Precipitation: 11.32 inches

Major Economic Sectors: Government, services, finance

Unemployment Rate: 5.5% (January 2005)

Per Capita Income: $20,020 (1999)

2002 FBI Crime Index Total: Not reported

Major Colleges and Universities: Carroll College, Helena College of Technology

Daily Newspaper: Helena Independent Record

Helena: Health Care

Helena citizens have the service of two local hospitals. St. Peter's Community Hospital offers comprehensive in-patient, outpatient, and home care service. The facility, founded in 1883, provides obstetrics, surgery, emergency care, a cancer treatment center, and a full range of diagnostic services. In 2004 St. Peter's began an expansion project to meet the anticipated needs of Helena's growing population. Shodair Children's Hospital provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric services, and treatment of genetic disorders. Located just outside Helena is Fort Harrison Veterans Hospital.

Health Care Information: St. Peter's Community Hospital, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601; telephone (406)442-2480. Shodair Hospital, 2755 Colonial Drive, PO Box 5539, Helena, MT 59604; telephone (406)444-7500

Helena: Transportation

Approaching the City

Interstate 15 runs along the east side of Helena, northward toward Great Falls and southward toward Butte. It intersects with U.S. Highways 12/287 that run east and west and extend toward East Helena. Helena Airport is located 2.5 miles from the center of the city. SkyWest, Comair, Horizon, Northwest, and Big Sky Airlines provide 14 daily flights to the city. Bus service is provided by Rimrock Trailways, which connects with Greyhound.

Traveling in the City

The major north-south routes are U.S. 12, which is known as Montana Avenue, and North Last Chance Gulch, also known as Main Street. Neill Avenue, 6th, 9th and Lyndale are major east-west streets. Transportation is provided by door-to-door bus service and a city taxi service.

Helena: Convention Facilities

Most conferences in Helena are held at one of the following three facilities. The Best Western Helena Great Northern Hotel offers sleeping accommodations in 101 rooms and a convention capacity of 600 people. The Holiday Inn Helena Downtown has 71 sleeping rooms and can host up to 200 people in its newly remodeled meeting and banquet facilities. Jorgenson's Inn and Suites has 115 sleeping rooms and can accommodate up to 250 people for banquets or conventions.

Convention Information: Helena Convention & Visitors Bureau, 225 Cruse Ave., Suite A, Helena, MT 59601; telephone (406)447-1530 or (800)743-5362

Helena: Municipal Government

Helena, the capital of Montana and the seat of Lewis & Clark County, has a city charter form of government. The mayor and four commissioners are elected to the city commission, each serving four-year terms. The daily affairs of the city are administered by a city manager, who is appointed by the commission.

Head Official: Mayor James E. Smith (since November 2001; current term expires 2005)

Total Number of City Employees: 275 (2005)

City Information: Mayor's Office, City of Helena, 316 N. Park Avenue, Helena, MT 59623; telephone (406)447-8410

Helena: Introduction

Helena, known as the "City of Gold," lies at the heart of the Rocky Mountains in a fertile region with rolling hills. On the outskirts of the city lies the giant Helena National Forest, which provides spectacular scenery and many opportunities for outdoor activities. Once a mining boom town, Helena is now a major social and governmental center of the American west, offering amenities not usually found in a city of its size.

Helena Capital of Montana, USA, in the w central part. It was settled by prospectors in 1864. By 1868 the population was 7500 and US$16 million worth of gold had been mined. In 1875 it was made capital of Montana Territory, becoming state capital in 1889. Industries: mineral smelting, bakery equipment, ceramics, paints. Pop. (2000) 25,780.

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