Great Places for Tech in Montana: Billings
With historical roots in the American West, Billings boasts a diverse economy, strong entrepreneurial support networks, and one of the largest trade areas in the United States.
Updated August 5, 2024
By Christina Henderson, Melissa Paulsen, Emily Simonson, and Katy Spence
Launched in 2019, the Alliance’s Great Cities for Tech series aims to help people find the right community when they’re looking at taking a job, starting a company, or locating a home or office in Montana. Our communications team is updating these articles regularly. Send questions or feedback to communications[at]mthightech.org.
Billings boasts a diverse economy, tight entrepreneurial support networks, and one of the largest trade areas in the United States. Photo via Big Sky Economic Development.
Montana’s largest city may have a history as a cow town, but proximity to the Bakken oil fields and a business-friendly culture also make Billings fertile ground for entrepreneurs. Billings has been continuously named as a top city for entrepreneurs and a top city in which to live.
Billings’s ties to the golden age of the railroad run deep with its name deriving from the former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad: Frederick H. Billings. The city earned the nickname “Magic City” due to its rapid growth since its establishment as a railroad town in 1882. Today, Billings continues to grow with the population increasing at a projected rate of 2.4%.
Billings’s diverse economy is one of its major assets. Primary sectors include:
Agriculture
Healthcare
Manufacturing
Oil & Gas
Retail & E-commerce
As the top retail, trade, and distribution center for Montana east of the Continental Divide, Billings is also one of the largest trade areas in the United States.
Bordered by the iconic yellow sandstone cliffs known as the Rimrocks and the Yellowstone River, Billings provides something for everyone with its rich history, plentiful recreation, and modern-day amenities. Covering almost 42 square miles, there’s no shortage of adventure or opportunity when it comes to discovering all that Billings has to offer both its newcomers and locals alike.
Doing Business in Billings
Economic Diversity
Aaron Ramage, Vice President of Diamond B Companies, said Billings is stable and growing, a great place to do business, and one of the city’s biggest draws is its economic diversity.
“Billing is pretty easy to get around, the downtown is picking up and growing, and the diversity of the economy includes oil and gas, ag, and high tech,” Ramage said.
Chris Nelson, founder of financial technology company Zoot Enterprises in Bozeman, grew up in Billings and earned degrees in accounting and information systems from MSU – Billings. Nelson and his brother Mike renovated the historic Northern Hotel in downtown Billings into a chic, modern landmark. In 2017, Zoot purchased the GE building downtown and placed a team there.
Zoot has branched out from FinTech into HealthTech through its new cutting-edge healthcare solutions and partnerships with Healthy is Wellness and My Health Navigator to enhance employee health, reduce costs, and optimize healthcare processes.
Founded in Billings in 1962, Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is the world’s largest network of campgrounds and a leader in outdoor hospitality. KOA’s technology talent is responsible for the architecture, development, and support of its proprietary reservation and property management system, as well as other technologies that improve the operations of its parks. In 2023, KOA moved into its 35,000-square-foot corporate headquarters, further cementing its roots and bright future in Western Billings.
KOA’s first female president, Montana native Toby O’Rourke, said KOA empowers their employees to take advantage of camping, RV, and other outdoor recreation activities Montana offers through yearly stipends and other benefits.
AgTech
Agriculture is one of Montana’s top industries, contributing approximately 4 billion dollars to the state’s economy. Billings plays a vital role in Montana’s agricultural scene through its high production of sugar beets, wheat, alfalfa, barley, corn, and its two livestock yards.
The Billings-based Northern Ag Network delivers nearly 200 weekly radio programs to listeners across Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas.
Montana’s strong AgTech industry also includes agricultural retailers. RDO Equipment Co. provides both new and used agriculture, construction, and surveying equipment. Through a strong culture built on Montana values like integrity and hard work, RDO supports the personal and professional development of its employees with various upskilling and career advancement opportunities.
HealthTech
Billings also boasts a strong and expanding healthcare sector. The Billings Clinic was named the number one hospital in Montana for 2023-2024 by the U.S. News and World Report and is the only health system in Montana to be listed as part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network.
The Rocky Vista University Montana College of Osteopathic Medicine in West Billings welcomed its first class of students in 2023 and is the state’s first four-year medical school. Rocky Vista University houses a 138,000-square-foot technologically advanced medical education building on its Montana campus. Academic offerings include a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program and a one-year Master of Medical Sciences (MMS) program offered only in Montana.
Significant HealthTech companies also call Billings home, including Avanlee Care, the all-in-one elderly care app, and a 2022 High-growth Company to Watch.
Industry groups like the Montana BioScience Alliance have also contributed to Billings’s HealthTech hub by commercializing, growing, and sustaining globally competitive bioscience enterprises in Montana.
Strong Entrepreneurial Support Networks
Strategic Economic Development & Financing
To further support business in Billings, Big Sky Economic Development is a public-private partnership that provides guidance and resources for creating, expanding, and retaining businesses, recruiting new companies, and building community. Big Sky Economic Development also hosts BillingsWorks, a collaboration of Billings businesses and organizations that anticipates and responds to workforce needs. For interns looking to network with their peers and learn from local thought leaders, Big Sky Economic Development’s free Campus Billings program provides excellent opportunities to engage with the Billings community during the summer.
Billings also has a strong system of financial institutions, including the headquarters of First Interstate Bank (FIB), which is the tallest building in Montana at 272 ft. tall.
Standing at approximately 272 ft tall., the First Interstate Tower is the tallest building in Montana and the headquarters of First Interstate Bank. Photo via the Billings Gazette.
Community Mentorship
Local business development organizations like 1 Million Cups meet regularly to connect entrepreneurs with each other and with experienced leaders and resources to help them grow their businesses. The Yellowstone Tech Alliance is transitioning into the Montana High Tech Business Alliance (MHTBA)’s Billings Local Chapter program to help Billings tech businesses and workers connect with their peers and foster workforce opportunities.
Born and raised in Billings, Derek Eaton is the managing director for remote custom software developer IIInigence and a MHTBA board member. He said he is looking forward to leading the Alliance’s Billings Local Chapter program by exploring growth opportunities in the local tech community, especially in the AgTech and robotics industries.
“Billings has the small-town collaborative feel but the opportunity to be on the ground floor as it grows into an area lead in medical, agriculture, and hopefully more tech,” Eaton said. “[Billings] also has well-established mentorship and leadership partnerships.”
With its business-friendly atmosphere, Billings is a great place for startups. Check out our Montana Startups to Watch lists for more information on Billings-based companies like web development platform Cardsetter.
Coworking spaces have grown more popular in Billings with the influx of remote workers in Montana. The city’s most recent addition is the Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center, located in the heart of downtown. Rock 31 provides community resources and services to help entrepreneurs thrive, including memberships, conference room rentals, and guidance on creating a business plan and raising capital.
Inside the Rock31 Entrepreneurship Center in downtown Billings. Designed by Cushing Terrell, Rock31 includes a broad range of space types—from large open work areas and training and conference rooms to smaller offices and partially private breakout areas. Photo via Cushing Terrell.
Education & Workforce
Billings is home to higher education institutions that provide a great pipeline of local talent.
Montana State University-Billings offers more than 100 programs, including certificates, associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees.
City College, Billings’s public two-year college, has a variety of technical programs including cybersecurity/network support, construction management, and medical coding.
Rocky Mountain College in Northern Billings is a small, private college grounded in the liberal arts that offers degrees in 24 disciplines like biology, business and accounting, and computer science which are all high-paying fields in Montana.
Little Big Horn College is the Crow Tribe higher education and cultural center that grants associate degrees and certificates in areas like agriculture, business, and computer science.
Chief Dull Knife College on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation offers a variety of associate degrees and certificate programs including courses in biology, business, and pre-engineering.
For high school students, the Billings Career Center provides hands-on career development opportunities. Through vocational and technical education partnerships with local colleges, the Billings Career Center helps students develop in-demand employment skills, earn credits to fulfill their graduation requirements, and take the next step in preparing for college. Students can hone their skills with dual credit courses to get a head-start on their future.
Transportation
The Billings METropolitan Transit system provides fixed-route and paratransit bus service throughout the city. All MET buses are equipped with bike racks and are accessible by citizens who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
For those looking for an even more eco-friendly way to navigate the city, Billings has an extensive bike trail system. The Billings Trail Net App can help you discover new trails close to home or to use for your commute to work.
The Logan International Airport in Billings continues to add direct flights to popular hubs around the country as well as extended flights to rural Montana.
Billings has about 50 miles of multi-use trails and nearly 25 miles of bike lanes in the city. Photo by Billings Gazette.
Amenities and Fun
History
History springs to life on Montana Avenue with brick buildings and landmarks from the city’s early days. The famed Billings Depot has been repurposed into a popular event space, and the Rex Hotel has long held historical significance in Montana as a living artifact of the Old West.
Built in 1910, the Rex was a popular spot for the average working Billingsite as well as for famous figures like Will James, Buffalo Bill, and Calamity Jane. The Rex’s hotel bar eventually became a restaurant but continued to serve alcohol through its “floating bar” during the prohibition era, which changed locations nightly and was believed to connect to the city’s underground tunnels. Today, the Rex is a fine dining establishment that pays homage to its Western heritage.
The Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site at Swords Park honors Yellowstone Kelly’s legacy as a Montana scout and veteran. Luther Sage (Yellowstone) Kelly mapped out much of the American West, including parts of Alaska. In 1929, Kelly was laid to rest at the top of the Rim Rocks—a place he deeply treasured—forgoing a military burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
Billings also pays respect to its historical connection to Indigenous Montanans. Two significant Indigenous Montana communities within the region include the Crow Tribe and Reservation south of Billings and the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and Reservation to the southeast.
Located an hour outside of Billings is The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The site memorializes the US Army's 7th Cavalry, Crow, and Arikara scouts and the Lakotas, Cheyennes, and Arapaho who lost their lives in the historic Battle of Little Bighorn led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer and Chiefs Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull in 1876.
Historical Outdoor Recreation
For the active-minded, Billings residents rave about the city’s bike trails and close access to camping, hiking, and water recreation on Lake Elmo and the Yellowstone River. Pictograph Cave is also a much-beloved tourist attraction close to home. Yellowstone National Park is a three-hour drive from the bustling city and Glacier National Park can be reached within six hours.
Established by father-son team Vernon and Matt Martinson, Eagle Rock Golf Course is located just 15 minutes from downtown. The public 18-hole facility has a fun, challenging layout with scenic views and beautiful sunsets over the lake.
The Rimrocks or “The Rims” is a popular local destination for hiking, biking, and climbing due to its picturesque overview of Billings and the Yellowstone River. The significance of the Rimrocks permeates Billings, as its sandstone blocks have been used for construction materials throughout the city.
Located approximately 30 minutes outside of the city along U.S. Highway 94 is Pompey’s Pillar National Monument. As the only major sandstone formation in the area, Pompey’s Pillar is a celebrated landmark that depicts over 11,000 years of human occupation. Pompey’s Pillar portrays hundreds of markings, petroglyphs, and inscriptions left by visitors—including Lewis and Clark—transforming this geological phenomenon into a living journal of the American West. Pompey’s Pillar also offers plenty of boardwalks, picnic tables, and day-use areas to enjoy. The area is pet-friendly, too.
Family-friendly Activities
Montana’s largest city offers numerous family-friendly activities year-round. ZooMontana is the state’s only zoo and a great space for families. The Western Heritage Center and Yellowstone Art Center (YAM) are two of downtown’s cultural and educational hotspots.
ZooMontana connects the community with wildlife. Photo by Billings Gazette.
During the summer, catch a Billings Mustangs minor league baseball game at Dehler Park. As part of the Pioneer League, the Mustangs play other Montana teams like the Missoula Paddleheads, Glacier Range Riders, and Great Falls Voyagers, sparking friendly statewide competition the whole family can enjoy.
Billings Parks and Recreation also has a list of over 20 parks and trails to check out for your next family outing or weekend excursion.
Cultural Events and Festivals
Associated Employers President Greg Roadifer has lived in Billings for over 30 years. Out of all the places he’s lived, Roadifer said Billings offers a better business environment and opportunities. One of his favorite things is that Billings feels like a small town but has all the amenities.
“Great restaurants, good entertainment, sports, arts… good elementary and high schools,” Roadifer said.
Billings hosts multiple festivals a year, including The Wine & Food Festival in the spring, the SummerFair during the peak of the summer, and the HarvestFest in the fall.
Ken Lutton, president of Technology by Design, and his wife especially love attending the Magic City Blues Festival. In August, Billings closes off Montana Avenue to host the festival.
“Every year they have a two-day concert,” he said. “So they have six or eight bands playing over the two days. I really enjoy those.”
The annual Magic City Blues Festival draws performers like Allen Stone (pictured), Postmodern Jukebox, ZZ Top, and George Thorogood. Photo by Last Best News.
Residents also noted the summer concert series Alive After Five, First Fridays downtown, a big Fourth of July celebration, and a lively farmer’s market. Check out more events on Billings365, powered by Cardsetter.
Some of the city’s most popular venues include:
Metra Park, which has hosted concerts for Johnny Cash, Elton John, and Carrie Underwood
Alberta Bair Theatre, which has hosted theatrical performances and concerts for artists like Jewel, The Head and The Heart, and Kansas
Billingsites are proud of their community and eager to share their favorite parts of the city.
“If you’re willing to venture out and spark up conversation with locals, we’re more than happy to tell you where to go, what to eat, what to see, etc.,” said Karen Baumgart, former director of BillingsWorks.
Ready to start planning your trip to Billings? Connect with Visit Billings to find more amenities off the beaten path and start exploring Montana’s Magic City.
About the Publisher: Launched in 2014, the Montana High Tech Business Alliance is a nonpartisan nonprofit association of more than 200 high tech and manufacturing companies and affiliates creating high-paying jobs in Montana. For more information, visit MTHighTech.org or subscribe to our newsletter.
About the Authors:
Christina Henderson has served as executive director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance since its launch in April 2014. She holds an English/Education degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Montana.
Melissa Paulsen is the communications coordinator for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. She graduated from the University of Montana in 2022 with a BFA in creative writing and a minor in history.
Emily Simonson was the staff writer and content creator for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance in 2020. Originally from Havre, Emily graduated from the University of Montana with a degree in English.
Katy Spence was the former communications director for the Montana High Tech Business Alliance. She worked previously with the Missoula Current and Treesource, and has an Environmental Journalism Master’s Degree from the University of Montana.
