Local History as a Tool of Economic Development

To attract workers, entrepreneurs, and tourists, a community needs positive brand identity. When well presented, local history is a powerful tool that can be used to distinguish your town from “Everywhere U.S.A.” Billings’ Mayor William Cole tells the story of how the Yellowstone Kelly Interpretive Site was designed, funded, and constructed on the rimrocks overlooking Billings and how plans are now being prepared for the development of the William Clark Recreational Area on the Yellowstone River.