Convention Center Competition

The Gazette reports One Big Sky Center may have some competition. Billings is actively shopping for a new, full-scale convention center that will attract businesses, regional and national groups to the city.

The Hammes Group, which has been lobbying the city for nearly a year with plans for One Big Sky Center, is still refining the details. Billings City Council last month voted to extend its memorandum of understanding with Hammes for another two months. The process in total could take at least a year or two.

Florida-based Inner Circle may be in place to strike. The Radisson property is home to the old Montana Convention Center, shuttered since the sale of the hotel next door. Inner Circle wants to raze the site and build a new convention center, potentially transforming the entire Midland-Mullowney corridor in south Billings.