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Mayor Reeves tells Great Falls residents no data center planned, flags housing and infrastructure strains
Summary
At the Neighborhood Council No. 5 meeting, Mayor Cory Reeves said no data center or public safety levy is planned, warned the city lacks workforce and financing to build roughly 2,600 approved housing units, and described about $290 million in infrastructure needs; he and officials also said tax abatements may be needed and planning related to the Malmstrom Sentinel system has begun.
Mayor Cory Reeves addressed Neighborhood Council No. 5 on May 18 in Great Falls, telling area residents that the city currently has no plans for a data center or a public safety levy and that local leaders are concerned about capacity to build new housing.
Reeves said the city has approved roughly 2,600 new housing units but lacks the workforce and financing to construct them. He told attendees the city’s infrastructure needs are substantial, with officials citing about $290 million in required improvements. Reeves and city officials said they are discussing tax abatements as a tool to attract new industry to the area. He also said officials have begun planning related to the Malmstrom Sentinel missile system.
The remarks came during a featured‑guest question-and-answer segment at the Neighborhood Council No. 5 meeting at the Great Falls Clinic Specialty Center. The mayor’s comments were presented as information to the audience; no formal council action on these topics occurred at the meeting.
Why it matters: Housing, infrastructure and economic incentives affect city budgets and development plans and can influence neighborhood traffic, services and property values. Residents pressed the mayor with questions during the session, reflecting local interest in how city decisions will affect nearby neighborhoods.
Reeves’ statements were largely descriptive of current planning posture. He said there is no current plan for a data center and no public safety levy is being proposed. On housing, he emphasized the gap between approvals and the practical constraints of workforce availability and financing. On infrastructure, city officials cited an estimated $290 million in improvement needs; the mayor characterized tax abatements as part of strategies under consideration to attract employers. Reeves also noted that officials have begun meetings related to the Malmstrom Sentinel missile system, but he did not provide detailed timelines or specific program decisions.
The council did not take votes or issue directives on these topics during the meeting. The mayor’s presentation closed after questions from neighbors, and the meeting proceeded to a separate agenda item about a Benefis project.
