Montana Department of Labor & Industry

More than 10 million years ago, the Yellowstone Valley was underwater, and the rims that overlook it were prehistoric beaches. Through the course of history the valley has changed. In 1874, Addison Quively said “The Yellowstone Valley is valuable for neither agriculture, grazing, nor minerals, but…interesting…as the last home and burial place of horrible monsters of the earliest animal creation.” Three years later an irrigation ditch was dug in the area and the valley became a rich agricultural area, disproving Quively. President Teddy Roosevelt often rode through the valley on hunting trips while visiting his North Dakota ranch. Agriculture continues to be a key player; in 2006 the county was still the top seller of agriculture and livestock products in the state.

As time went on and the county continued to develop, its industries began to evolve. The oil industry has grown from its humble roots with the American Oil Company in 1875, to three substantial oil refineries. The medical field has also blossomed. Today the two major hospitals, St. Vincent Healthcare and Billings Clinic, provide healthcare services to more than 400,000 patients in a multi-state region.

The economy is still evolving. Alternative energy and our natural resources are providing new opportunities not only for the county, but the state as well. Montana is one of the states pioneering the alternative energy movement and making sure our workforce is trained in the latest technology to ensure its success. In this edition of Main Street, we’re highlighting the people and the programs in Yellowstone County dedicated to moving Montana’s economy forward.