Western States Garage Door Supply, led by President Mark Bartlett, recently upgraded its headquarters to a 43,000-square-foot facility in Anaconda, Montana. Bartlett, a veteran in the garage door industry, frequently engages with his team to refine door assembly techniques. His journey began after leaving the Marine Corps, starting as a floor sweeper in a door warehouse. Bartlett met his wife, Susan, while managing a door division in southern California before relocating to Montana in 2003.
The move to Anaconda was incentivized by local county offers, including grants and affordable land in the Opportunity Triangle, a nonresidential area along Highway 1. This region is seen as a promising hub for economic stability by local leaders and is home to other businesses like KLM Contracting and Johnson Construction, which have also benefited from such incentives.
Once a smelting center founded by copper baron Marcus Daly, Anaconda has dealt with a challenging post-industrial reputation. The area’s past led to its designation as a Superfund site, but ongoing cleanup efforts are nearing completion. This history has impacted economic growth, as highlighted by Bill Everett, CEO of Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, who noted the town’s reputation for pollution.
Efforts to revitalize Anaconda include boosting tourism, with new accommodations like The Forge hotel and Pintler’s Portal Hostel opening post-COVID. An increase in Montana travel has tripled lodge tax revenue from 2020 to 2022. Anaconda’s popularity as a resupply point along the Continental Divide Trail has heightened, drawing numerous hikers. However, Everett cautions that tourism doesn’t contribute to infrastructure costs, relying heavily on local residents.
Property values in Anaconda surged by 119% from 2020 to 2024, prompting Everett to advocate for industrial growth in Opportunity Triangle to ensure that locals can work and live within their community. Montana’s manufacturing has grown significantly, offering lucrative job opportunities, according to Todd O’Hair of the Montana Chamber of Commerce.
Housing affordability remains a concern, with Anaconda’s planning director Carl Hamming suggesting increased urban density through condominium development as a solution. Subdivision developments, like a recently approved 26-lot project, reflect ongoing growth. Bryan Lorengo of KLM Contracting notes that housing costs challenge employees, although business prospects in Anaconda remain positive.
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