Logan Simpson worked closely with Gallatin County and those that call it home to update the County’s 2003 Growth Policy. As a result of being the fastest growing county in Montana, significant changes have taken place over the last few decades, making an update to the Growth Policy necessary. The updated Growth Policy accounts for this high level of growth not only in population, but economic output and the ever-increasing levels of tourism due to the County’s proximity to Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Custer Gallatin National Forest, and many other scenic and recreational draws.

The Growth Policy was updated to better reflect current conditions and to provide guidance on future growth and development over the next 20 years through a clearly articulated community vision, meaningful goals and policies, and a path towards implementation. Strong community outreach was a pillar of this process and has resulted in three overarching themes of which the Growth Policy is built upon: Heritage, Opportunity, and Open Space. Within these three themes, issues around environmental and economic resiliency are addressed, as are growth management, affordability, regional coordination, and land use patterns that promote a sense of place and the preservation of important open spaces.