Engineering tool manufacturing company selects Great Falls for $800M facility

A privately owned engineering and manufacturing company selected Great Falls as the site for an $800 million manufacturing facility.

Based in Washington state, Janicki Industries designs and builds tools and parts for myriad industries, including aerospace.

Monday, a coalition from Great Falls was touring Janicki’s Sedro-Wooley and Hamilton, Washington, facilities, and “exploring opportunities for collaboration,” according to a Janicki spokesperson.

An email from the company said it’s expected to create 1,000 “good-paying jobs” in the first five years of operation and more than 2,000 after construction is complete.

“Average salaries will range from $65,000-$120,000 depending on position,” said Janicki spokesperson Erin Hurley in an email Monday. “The community can expect skilled manufacturing and engineering roles, along with support positions in facilities, supply chain and administration.”

In a news release, Gov. Greg Gianforte said the company will help strengthen the economy.

Gianforte praised the plan as tied to his effort to create “the best environment for business and more opportunities for Montanans.”

“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,” said Gianforte, a Republican, in a statement last week. “I look forward to seeing the impact of this significant investment.”

Janicki said it is purchasing 180 acres within the AgriTech Park and plans to begin construction in July 2026 and open its first phase by the end of 2027.

The news release from the Governor’s Office said Janicki was expanding because of sustained growth of aerospace, defense and space programs.

According to the news release from the Governor’s Office, President John Janicki said decisions “at the state level” in Washington make it difficult for employees “to achieve the American Dream” and the company to create new jobs.

“With this in mind, it is best for Janicki to focus its large-scale expansion into a more business-friendly environment, so we are pursuing out-of-state growth,” Janicki said in a statement.

He said he is thankful that Janicki employees meet and exceed the needs of customers and that expansion is ahead.

“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,” Janicki said. “Great Falls embodies the kind of community where we feel those opportunities can flourish.”

Great Falls Mayor Cory Reeves could not be reached for comment Monday, and neither could executives with the Great Falls Development Alliance.

Hurley noted the visitors from Great Falls included representatives from the City of Great Falls, Great Falls Development Alliance, Great Falls Public Schools, Great Falls College-Montana State University, and Cascade County Commission.

Founded in 1993, the company also operates in Utah, and it employs more than 2,000 workers altogether.