Business View Civil and Municipal | Volume 2, Issue 12

129 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 2, ISSUE 11 Butte, Montana Ready to reenergize S urrounded by stunning mountain views, dense forests, and urban conveniences, the City of Butte, Montana has a rich, storied history dating back to 1864. The area was first established as a camp for the local gold and silver mines. When the development of electricity at the turn of the century led to an immense need for copper, work at the mines shifted – causing major growth for the city. At its peak, Butte had a population of more than 100,000 and was once the largest city in Montana. As mining became more industrialized in the mid 1900s, Butte’s growth slowed and the population began to decline. In 1977, the City of Butte and County of Silver Bow merged to form one consolidated government, referred to as the City-County of Butte- Silver Bow, Montana. Butte Chief Executive, JP Gallagher, recalls, “I was born and raised here. I’ve seen what Butte was and what it’s become. It is a great AT A GLANCE BUTTE, MONTANA WHAT: A historic former mining community; population approx. 35,000 WHERE: Silver Bow County, Montana WEBSITE: www.co.silverbow.mt.us