Governor Greg Gianforte rolled through Virginia and Nevada City on Aug. 26 to bring attention to the new approach to public private partnerships for the Montana Heritage Commission (MHC) properties that was brought to fruition by the passage of representative Ken Walsh’s HB 680 in the 2025 Montana Legislature session. 

“If a private enterprise comes in here and signs a 99 year lease and they're going to put the capital into it to restore these really important assets, we can reflect their capital investments in the lease price,” explained Gianforte as he toured the Nevada City Hotel which has been shuttered since 2019 and needs to have the foundation leveled. 

HB 680 passed the legislature by a wide margin with support from both sides of the aisle, was signed by the Governor on May 13 and went into effect immediately.  The bill provides the MHC with the ability to enter into public private partnerships with terms of up to 99 years intended to provide an incentive for private sector entities to invest in the rehabilitation and upkeep of the properties owned by the state and controlled by the HC. 

“There’s no way the state can manage all these properties,” said Gianforte referring to the approximately 250 properties the State of Montana owns and manages through the HC. “Public private partnerships are the way to go.” 

“A lot of the buildings in Nevada and Virginia City need some investment,” added Walsh. “This (the 99 year lease) makes it easier for them to get financing and lets them know they are going to get a return on their investment.”

The governor’s tour continued on to the Bale of Hay Saloon, which was recently leased by Auric Road Properties who also operates Lone Mountain Ranch. The conversation with the new leadership centered around changes to the offerings at Montana’s oldest saloon that included rethinking the culinary programing, adding more live music and bringing more historical artifacts into the property for display. It was just the kind of conversation that Walsh anticipated. 

“I think the public-private partnerships will lead to a better product,” said Walsh. “It doesn’t put a strain on state resources and will get people with entrepreneurial skills involved.” 

The trip concluded with a walk to check the progress on the restoration of Stonewall Hall, which served as the territorial capitol building from 1865-1875. As the governor checked in on the process of applying the stone facade to the front of the building, he marveled at the history of the place and mused about the future of the building after the restoration. 

While the majority of the work to restore Stonewall Hall is being completed with donations and grants, it is another property that could eventually be leased to a hospitality company and run as a museum, restaurant or brewery. 

“We’re bringing history back to life here and it’s pretty exciting,” said Gianforte surveying the work in progress. 

The MHC expects the stone facade and windows to be installed in Stonewall Hall before the snow flies. Then attention will turn to restoring the inside of the building. 

Governor Gianforte spoke out to encourage hospitality professionals with an interest in preserving Montana history to get involved with future projects. More information about the MHC and the properties available can be found at www.commerce.mt.gov/About/Boards/Montana-Heritage-Commission.