Category Archives: Food and Agriculture

County reverses ZBOA decision, denying Madison Food Park permit extensions

Cascade County Commissioners voted unanimously during a Feb. 27 special meeting to reverse the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s December decision to extend special use permits for Madison Food Park projects. The decision effectively denies the permit extensions, rendering them expired and Madison Food Park would have to start the permit process over. The ZBOA voted unanimously to extend Madison Food

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Cascade County Commission to consider appeal of Madison Food Park permit extensions

Cascade County Commissioners will consider an appeal during a special Feb. 27 meeting of the county zoning board’s December decision to extend Madison Food Park’s special use permits for the cheese, distillery and vitamin facilities. Stacy Hermiller, a county resident, filed the appeal dated Jan. 14 and shared it with The Electric as the document has not been included in

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Botulism case confirmed in Cascade County

The Cascade City-County Health Department said Jan. 23 that a case of botulism has been confirmed within the county. The patient’s lab results were confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The patient has been hospitalized, according to CCHD, and the source of the infection has not yet been identified by CCHD’s investigation is ongoing. Multiple foods of concern

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City approves park lease with Boys and Girls Club

City Commissioners approved a five-year park lease during their Jan. 20 meeting. The lease with the Boys and Girls Club of Cascade County is for Community Hall Park at 410 16th St. S.W. for $1 annually. The lease includes an option to review at the city’s discretion and both parties have the option to terminate with 60 days written notice.

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GFPS board approves 15-year beverage contract

The Great Falls Public Schools board approved a new 15-year contract with Admiral Beverage during a late November meeting. The district previously had five-year contracts with both Pepsi through Admiral Beverage and Coca-Cola through High Country that expired June 30. The district had negotiated a proposed three-year contract with High County that was tabled over the summer and unanimously rejected

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County approves Extension funding; expresses concern about state reliance on counties

County Commissioners voted 2-1 in November to renew a long-standing agreement with Montana State University for the Extension program in Cascade County. The renewal term is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. In the agreement documents, the Montana Association of Counties recommended that counties provide support to MSU Extension for agents at 65 percent of the county clerk and

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County zoning board approves permit extensions for three Madison Food Park components

The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously to extend Madison Food Park’s special use permits during their Dec. 18 meeting for another 36-months, overriding the county planning director’s earlier denial. Earlier this fall, Michael Harris, county planning director denied an extension request for three special use permits issued to Madison Food Park. An attorney for Madison Food Park

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County to consider permit extension appeal from Madison Food Park

Updated Dec. 19 to correct taxable value and taxes owed amounts The Cascade County Zoning Board of Adjustment will consider an appeal on Dec. 18 from Madison Food Park on the planning director’s denial of their permit extensions. Earlier this fall, Michael Harris, county planning director denied an extension request for three special use permits issued to Madison Food Park.

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Proposed Madison Food Park land for sale; lawsuits ongoing

The roughly 3,000 acres of land off U.S. Highway 89, previously planned for the Madison Food Park, are for sale. The listing comes after the Great Falls Development Alliance moved forward with foreclosure in court since the MFP owners hadn’t made payment on their overdue loans. Big Sky Cheese defaulted on their loan with the Great Falls Development Authority in

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City to consider permit request for marijuana cultivation facility

City Commissioners set a public hearing for Aug. 5 on a proposed marijuana cultivation facility at 748 Crescent Circle. The property is currently zoned I-1 light industrial. The property owner, Flower, has requested a conditional use permit. A marijuana cultivation facility is permitted by CUP in the I-1 district and by right in the I-2 heavy industrial district under city

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