Butte, Montana – A firm that makes modular homes is thinking about establishing a sizable facility in an industrial park south of Butte, which would result in the creation of hundreds of new jobs and additional housing.
“For one, it’s job creation, it’s working in skilled trades area and then also addressing the need for affordable housing,” said Butte Chief Executive J.P. Gallagher.
The Butte Council of Commissioners recently heard a proposal from Dvele representatives from San Diego regarding the construction of a 450,000-square-foot factory at the Montana Connections industrial park.
Butte has been working on this potential $80 million investment for roughly 18 months.
“It’s not a fly-by-night operation, it’s real and we’re going to work with them to get to the finish line,” said Gallagher.
In order to construct and ship manufactured homes at the plant, they suggested hiring up to 400 employees.
“Part of the reason why they’re going public with this now is they need to gauge and find out can this community support this type of manufacturing facility,” said Economic Development Coordinator Kristen Rosa.
According to Dvele, it would provide lodging and potentially training for employees.
Officials are optimistic that the industrial park will be able to accommodate this significant investment.
“This is exactly what we’ve been striving for, what Kristen’s been working so hard to build in making sure we have sites that have all the infrastructure that are near and ready for this kind of development,” said Community Development Director Karen Byrnes.
The initiative, according to city officials, will benefit Butte.
“When we’re adding jobs and we’re adding to our economy, that’s when other places like retail and stuff are going to look at our community and say, ‘hey, they’re growing, this is a place we need to build,’” said Gallagher.
This year, the business might begin construction on the factory.
