After eyeing Magic Valley, Janicki picks Montana for $800M expansion

A Washington state aerospace and defense manufacturer has selected Great Falls, Montana, as the site of a new $800 million manufacturing campus, bringing more than 2,000 jobs to the region over the next decade.

Janicki Industries, a privately owned engineering and manufacturing company based in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, announced Monday it will build a 2 million-square-foot production facility on 180 acres within Great Falls’ AgriTech Park. The company expects to create 1,000 jobs within the first five years, with total employment surpassing 2,000 once construction is complete.

During the expansion planning, the company researched and visited Twin Falls and Jerome in the Magic Valley as possible locations for their next location. A company spokesperson said that though neither of the two cities were picked, both remain on Janicki’s radar for potential locations for future expansion.

Construction is expected to begin in July, with the first phase of the campus anticipated to open by the end of 2027.

The expansion follows sustained growth in Janicki’s aerospace, defense and space programs that has pushed demand beyond the capacity of its existing facilities. The company currently operates more than 1 million square feet across Washington and Utah and employs more than 2,000 people. Founded in 1993, Janicki specializes in advanced composites, precision machining and metal fabrication.

Company leaders John and Peter Janicki personally visited each candidate community before selecting Great Falls.

“We believe in creating an environment where hard work, innovation and collaboration are rewarded, not only professionally, but through opportunities to build a life, own a home, raise a family or pursue entrepreneurial goals,” said John Janicki, the company’s president. “Great Falls embodies the kind of community where we feel those opportunities can flourish.”

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte welcomed the announcement, citing the state’s business climate as a key factor in attracting the investment.

“The Treasure State is proud to attract job creators like Janicki that choose to expand from high-tax, high-regulation blue states to take advantage of our unmatched quality of life, lower taxes and strong workforce,” Gianforte said. “I look forward to seeing the impact of this significant investment.”

The Great Falls campus will expand Janicki’s footprint to three states. The company serves customers across aerospace, defense, space and marine industries and is among the largest privately owned Tier 1 aerospace suppliers in the United States.

This story was written using artificial intelligence with human input and oversight.