Town Info



Townsend, Montana is located at the end of Canyon Ferry Lake, near where the Missouri River pours in. The Economic Development Coordinator for Broadwater County has provided the following infomation for Townsend and Broadwater County:

History

Climate Education Housing Transportation Industry Taxes


History - Lewis and Clark traveled through the Broadwater County area in 1805. The first white settlers, however, did not arrive until the late 1860's. These settlers came in search of gold and found it in many areas of the county including Confederate Gulch, the Crow Creek Valley and Montana Bar.

In 1883 Townsend was established as a railway stop. Townsend became the 'hub' of the county as businesses sprang up to service the mining communities. Townsend is the county seat and it was named after the wife of a Northern Pacific Railroad official.

Eight years after Montana achieved statehood, Broadwater County was established (1897). According to the Montana Almanac the county was named after the president of the Montana Central Railroad, Colonel C.A. Broadwater.


Climate - Summers in this area of the state are mild with a large percentage of sunny days. The valleys have relatively low snowfall in the winter. The average rain per year is 10.75 inches.


Education - Townsend K-12 School District #1

The number of students district wide is under 800. At the elementary level the average is one teacher per 18 students. Middle and senior high average one teacher per 16 students. In 2002 construction of the new high school was completed.

Public Schools
Elementary Office ................................................. (406)266-3942
High School Office ................................................ (406)266-3855
School & Community Library ................................ (406)266-5060
Superintendent of Schools ...................................... (406)266-5512


Housing
Estimated average cost of a home in Townsend, based on 1999 figures:
  • Small, two bedroom .............................................................. $55,000
  • Three bedroom ..................................................................... $85,000
Estimated average monthly cost of a rental unit:
  • 2/3 Bedroom House .............................................................. $400 - $500
  • Two Bedroom Apartment ...................................................... $300 - $400

Transportation

Highways - The southern part of Broadwater county intersects Interstate 90, which runs east/west. The northern part of the county comes within 11 miles of Interstate 15, which runs north/south. US Highway 12 and 287 also run through the county.

Railway - The county is serviced by Montana Rail Link and Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF).

Bus Line - Rimrock Trailways has a depot located in Townsend.

Trucking - Many different trucking firms serve Broadwater County.

Airports - Broadwater County has a small non-commercial airport capable of handling private aircraft. The nearest commercial airports are located in Helena and Bozeman and include the airlines of Alaska, Big Sky Airways, Delta, Horizon, Northwest and United Express.


Local Industry- includes agriculture, mining, timber, recreation and tourism.

Agriculture is the primary industry. Agriculture in Montana generates more than $2 billion yearly for the economy. Total land area in the county is 762,560 acres. Farms and ranches utilize 452,744 of those acres, as reported by the Montana Department of Agriculture, National Agriculture and the Montana Department of Commerce.


Taxes- There are no county business licenses required in Broadwater County. There is no sales tax in Montana. By the year 2005 the State of Montana will phase out its business tax on class six and class eight business equipment. Montana does have a state income tax.

Further information for industry specific taxes and state tax rates can be obtained by contacting the State of Montana Department of Revenue at (406)444-6900. For current information on Broadwater county tax rates please contact the county assessor's office at (406)266-9205.


Thursday, March 16, 2006

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