West Glacier
West Glacier, MT · Real Estate
commongoodnews.org
Ex-Guard Opens New Facility in Montana, Boosts Local Economy and Jobs
In Montana, vehicle-animal collisions are a common concern, making it fitting for a company specializing in durable grille guards to set up shop there. Iowa-based Ex-Guard recently inaugurated its new manufacturing and logistics facility in Kalispell with Governor Greg Gianforte. “We needed access to the West Coast and Canadian markets, and Montana was a very attractive place to move part of our company to expand the business,” said Ex-Guard manager Ryan Holt.
Daily Montanan
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte joins Ex-Guard for Kalispell ribbon-cutting
For many Montanans, colliding with animals on the roadway is not a when, it’s an if, and it’s only fitting that a company that specializes in high-end grille guards for semi-trucks and pickups would manufacture them in Montana. On Thursday, Iowa-based Ex-Guard held a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Gov. Greg Gianforte for its new manufacturing and logistics facility in […]
explorebigsky.com
Building from the ground up with Whitefish Credit Union
What to know before buying land and financing your dream home. For many people, building a custom home is the ultimate dream. It is the opportunity to create a space that’s designed specifically for the way they want to live, but unlike purchasing an existing home, building from the ground up requires careful planning long before construction begins.
onekindesign.com
This lakefront house connects with its serene setting on Whitefish Lake, Montana
Olson Kundig Architects has created this stunning lakefront house that feels rooted in the traditions of lake living, yet subtle enough to blend into its surroundings on Whitefish, Montana. Oriented in parallel to Whitefish Lake, with views to nearby ski trails and the peaks of Glacier National Park, Montana Beach House encourages deep immersion within the landscape. Deliberately quiet in its surroundings, this lakeside retreat provides a flexible gathering place to comfortably host family and friends.
The Western News
State awards Farm to Market Bridge replacement contract
A Belgrade construction firm has been selected to build the new bridge across Libby Creek on Farm to Market Road, south of Libby. The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) announced in a July 9 press release that Battle Ridge Builders was selected to do the work on the $4.7 million project. The bridge was one of many structures and roads that were damaged in the December 2025 flood that caused millions of dollars of damage across south Lincoln County. “Our team has been working on restoring access since before the flood water receded and has done everything possible to fast-track project delivery,” said John Schmidt, MDT Missoula District Administrator. “We have designed the new bridge to be more resilient to future flood events.” Officials said work is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and will include demolishing the current structure, installing bridge pilings and beams and pouring concrete. The bridge will be 28 feet wide and 303 feet long. The destroyed structure was 150 feet long. The project is scheduled for completion in late February 2027, weather and other unforeseen factors permitting. Farm to Market Road will remain closed to traffic until construction is complete. Officials asked those using
The Western News
City OKs zoning change at former Asa Wood property
Minor reservations aside, the Libby City Planning and Zoning Committee recently approved a rezoning request by a local developer for the old Asa Wood School property. Ohno, LLC’s Chris Noble made the request in March to rezone Parcel B, a 4.28 acre parcel of land in what is now known as the Flower Creek Development. The parcel was previously zoned Residential A and Noble sought a Residential Business designation. The old school was recently demolished and equipment operators continue work to make the ground suitable for development. At the Monday evening city council meeting, councilors unanimously approved the request without any discussion or public comment. Council president Brian Zimmerman made the initial motion to approve the request while councilor Gail Burger seconded it. Kristin Smith, Zoning Commission chair, wrote in a July 6 memo to city councilors that the primary concern was the speculative nature of the request. “The applicants do not have an overall development plan to envision the build out and anticipated mix of uses,” Smith wrote. Noble Investment Properties’ Tina Oliphant was present at the Zoning Commission’s June 22 meeting to answer questions. “The zoning approval is an important step in repositioning the old Asa Wood property
KPAX
Two Montana nonprofits help Kalispell mobile home residents own their land
Whitefish Pilot
Why resilient commercial buildings are becoming a community priority
Focusing on more resilient commercial buildings means protection for workers by reducing accident risk. These spaces are also safety refuges during emergencies such as local grid failures during heatwaves or temporary shelter from storms, in part due to backup solar generation and reinforced entryways. When businesses don't have to shut down for extended periods by being in more resilient buildings, it also protects the local economy. The Center for Sustainable Systems reports that by 2050, commercial floor space is expected to reach 143 billion square feet, a 38% increase from 2024 . Warehouses have the most space, and such buildings can include gymnasiums, hospitals, and retail, making them ideal candidates for resilient design. Why Is There a Greater Focus on Sustainable Architecture? Secure community infrastructure is a necessity as extreme climate events occur more frequently and at greater intensity. These events include longer, more severe heat waves and larger hurricanes, which can be highly destructive through shattered windows, blown-off roofs, and flooding. In other words, traditional building codes are no longer enough to guarantee safety in a structure. More commercial properties must be able to withstand the impact from fierce weather events since they are part of the urban ecosystem
NBCMontana
New housing community aims to boost homeownership in Kalispell
KALISPELL, Mont. — Hayden Homes officially celebrated the grand opening of its new Aspen Creek community in Kalispell on Wednesday. The project aims to address the gap between local incomes and rising housing costs in the valley and provide more attainable homeownership opportunities for local families and workers. The...
Hungry Horse News
Columbia Falls OKs new land use plan, zoning regulations
The Columbia Falls City Council Monday finalized a new Future Land Use Plan as well as zoning and subdivision regulations that are designed to comply with the mandates of the Montana Land Use Planning Act as well as set a future vision for growth. The state Land Use Planning Act brings sweeping changes to the way subdivisions and other housing projects are examined and approved in the future and drastically changes the way the public is involved. The city’s Land Use Plan, which is supposed to be updated every five years, focuses the city’s future growth both to the north on former Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. lands and to the west and southwest along Highway 2, South Hilltop and North Hilltop. It also targets about 24 acres around the Cedar Palace Medical Center off Twelfth Avenue West. The land around Highway 2 West is about 95 acres, the CFAC land, now owned by developer Mick Ruis is about 314 acres. It does not target land east of the river, but it also doesn’t change the zoning to a lower density like the county did. All of the lands are currently outside the city limits and would require extension of city