Since its founding in 1986, the PhillCo Economic Growth Council (PhillCo) has been led by dedicated community leaders with a shared mission to strengthen Phillips County’s economy. With the closing of the Zortman and Landusky Mines came significant economic impacts on Phillips County. It was the priority of PhillCo to establish and maintain a pool of capital funds to be utilized through a revolving loan fund for economic development projects. This mission continues today with the efforts to expand the local tax base, create job opportunities and foster economic development throughout the county.
One of PhillCo‘s notable accomplishments is the creation of the Malta Business and Industry Development District (MBIDD). This 133-acre site, formally the Malta Airport, was identified as an ideal location to support commercial and light industrial business growth. The property is in Phillips County and owned by the City of Malta.
Old Airport History
The old airport property was donated to the City of Malta from a private donor in the 1940’s and operated as an airport from 1950 until the 1990’s. The airport served companies involved in the aerial spraying of pesticides and herbicides on nearby farms and ranches. Many of these agricultural chemicals are no longer legal for use today due to their persistence in the environment but were common when first introduced. Environmental investigations and sampling of contamination began at the site in 1981 while the airport was still operating and continued after the airport was closed.
Due to contamination by agricultural chemicals, the former Malta airport was listed as a State Superfund Site under the Montana Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ’s) Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup Responsibility Act (CECRA) program (the actual date is hard to pin down from existing records, but through research, is documented as being on DEQ Superfund list as early as 2006).
MBIDD Development
In 2000, PhillCo approached the City of Malta regarding plans to turn the former Malta Airport into a business and industry park. At that time, the property had been essentially vacant since the airport closed in the 1990’s. Later that year, PhillCo entered into a 99-year lease agreement with the City of Malta.
This ambitious project began as a collaborative effort between the City of Malta, Phillips County and PhillCo. The first phase involved PhillCo acquiring existing hangers and outbuildings. These were then made available for lease and creating a commercial site plan to guide future growth. The vision was to develop saleable lots for both local businesses seeking to expand, and new businesses looking to open or relocate in Phillips County.
Initially, two lots were sold for private development; the large shop building was leased to a developing oil seed company and Phillips County Motor Sports leased the lots adjacent to -and including -the paved airstrip for what is now the community’s dragstrip. Other collaborations included development of the M Trail by Malta Trails Inc., and the installation of a disc golf course by the City of Malta Recreation Department. Phillips County Motor Sports and the disc golf course were added after the contamination area was identified.
PhillCo Changes Focus
With the DEQ CECRA listing, PhillCo began investing extensive time and effort to mediate the process. At one point, the entire property was included in the DEQ CECRA boundary. Several years later, after contamination was determined to cover a smaller area, the CECRA site boundary and remediation activities were reduced to a 13.3-acre area.
In 2014, the City initiated a Voluntary Cleanup Plan with the DEQ to address the contamination, and the remediation proposal was approved in 2016. Cleanup activities were completed, and in August 2020, DEQ issued a No Further Action Soil Closure Letter, confirming the soil cleanup was completed. The Soil Closure Letter restricts development to commercial/industrial and limited recreational uses as outlined in the MBIDD February 2020 Restrictive Covenants.
Between 1981 and 2020, multiple environmental investigations and sampling activities were conducted through the Montana Department of Agriculture, U.S. EPA and Montana DEQ and multiple consultants, to evaluate the extent of contamination, determine cleanup requirements and monitor cleanup results. Without these cleanup activities, portions of the property could have remained essentially vacant and blighted.
PhillCo and MBIDD TODAY
After receiving the Soil Closure Letter, PhillCo had to re-apply to the DEQ for a Certificate of Subdivision Approval (COSA). This process was completed in 2025. The mid six-figure expense throughout this two-decade process was funded through grants, U.S. EPA no cost funds and PhillCo contributions. The MBIDD subdivision is now in good standing, featuring 133 acres and 24 saleable lots available for development within the first phase.
Collaborative efforts with both the Phillips County Motor Sports and Malta Trails Inc. have enhanced our community with seasonal recreational opportunities. The walking trails and disc golf course provide residents with opportunities for recreation, health and well-being, while the local economy sees a boost throughout the summer months when the racers roll into town – a sport anyone can get involved in or enjoy spectating. Together, these initiatives are making a lasting impact on Phillips County, creating both economic and quality of life improvements for current and future generations.
PhillCo has successfully achieved its goals for the cleanup and development of the MBIDD property. With this foundation laid, PhillCo looks to terminate the long-term lease with the City of Malta. They look forward to continuing to work with the City of Malta promoting MBIDD to attract new investments and generate long-term opportunities for the community.