Big Sky has grown into one of Montana's most vibrant mountain communities—but the infrastructure supporting us hasn't kept pace.

Our roads, water systems, wastewater capacity, and wildfire preparedness were built for a much smaller community. As Big Sky continues to grow, these systems are being pushed to their limits.

 

 

 

Letters of Support Needed for TEDD/TIF

 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Your Taxes. Big Sky's Infrastructure Future. We appreciated the turnout and the questions at both sessions.

As a recap, Jackie from BSRAD walked through how a Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD) would work for Big Sky: it's the designation that would let us use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to direct future property tax collections back into our own water, transportation, and wildfire infrastructure — the systems that haven't kept pace with our growth. She covered how the district would be structured, what it could fund, and the timeline for the Gallatin and Madison County Commissioners' vote. If you weren't able to attend, you can watch the full presentation here:

 

We need your help — in two ways.

 

First, letters of support. This isn't a ballot measure. It will take a united, visible voice from our community to get the commissioners' attention. Templates for letters of support are available here: LETTERS of SUPPORT

 

If you've already submitted a letter, thank you! If you haven't, we'd love to have it in hand by September 4th so we can include it in our initial information packet to the commissioners. That said, we'll continue collecting letters until the decision is made, so please send yours whenever it's ready. Completed letters can go to megan@bigskychamber.com.

Second, public testimony. Two key moments are coming up. First, we need to pack the room for the Joint County Commission meeting on October 5th at 9:00 AM at The Wilson. Then, later in the process, the commissioners will hold a hearing to make their final decision — we don't have that date yet, but we want to know who's interested now so we can notify you as soon as it's set. If you'd like to be included, please add your name HERE.

If you have any questions about the TEDD/TIF process, your letter, or testifying, don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for helping make sure Big Sky's voice is heard.

 

Why this matters:

 

Here are just a few of the challenges our community is facing:

 

  • Wildfire risk: Big Sky faces a 96% higher wildfire risk than the average U.S. community after more than a century of fuel buildup, with no major wildfire since 1910.

  • Transportation: Highway 191/64 is Big Sky's only road in and out, carrying peak traffic of approximately 20,000 vehicles each day.

  • Water quality: The Gallatin River is designated as "impaired" by the State of Montana, and our region has limited wastewater treatment and disposal capacity.

 

These are community-wide challenges that will require long-term investment and planning.

 

 

 

What's being proposed?

 

Big Sky community leaders are asking the Gallatin and Madison County Commissioners to approve a Targeted Economic Development District (TEDD).

If approved, the TEDD would allow Big Sky to use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to reinvest future property tax growth into critical local infrastructure—including water systems, transportation improvements, and wildfire mitigation.

It's important to know that this is not a ballot measure. Approval will come through a majority vote of the Gallatin and Madison County Commissioners.

Before they make their decision, commissioners want to hear from the people who live, work, and do business in Big Sky.

 

 

Learn what's at stake

Whether you're a resident, employee, business owner, or simply care about Big Sky's future, please watch our recorded video to learn:

  • What a TEDD is and how it works

  • How Tax Increment Financing (TIF) functions

  • Why community leaders believe this tool is important for Big Sky

  • How you can participate in the public process

 

 

Stay informed

Want to stay involved?

Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about future community information sessions, opportunities to learn more, and ways to participate as this process moves forward.