The Billings Gavilon Grain elevator and business will be moving their location from Billings to Huntley once their new location is completed by 2021. Here, a semi truck load of grain sits on the scale at the Billings Gavilon Grain Elevator at 3815 1st Avenue South before being unloaded. The Billings Gavilon Grain elevator mainly stores and uses red hard winter and spring wheat. (Jonathan McNiven Photo)
Gavilon Grain LLC is moving locations from their current site in Billings out towards Huntley. “The current location has run its shelf life,” stated the Gavilon Marketing and Communications Manager, Patrick Burke. The main goal for the move was not only to make the process for the farmers and truckers more accessible and efficient, but also to have better access to the railway system.
“We are going to be building a loop track,” added Burke. “It allows us to be more efficient when loading a train. Along with this, we can hold an entire train off from the main track while it’s being loaded, which prevents back-ups on the track. Then, once we are done loading our train, it can be directed back onto the main track without holding up any other trains.”
With two grain elevators located so closely together, concerns of traffic congestion were raised. “It shouldn’t cause any traffic issues,” responded Burke. “We’re focusing on making the entire process insanely efficient and quick.”
“While there are always unexpected obstacles in projects this size, we hope to see the project finished by the fall of 2021,” said Burke. “The current Billings site will remain open throughout the construction of the Huntley location. For everyone who has questions as to why we’re moving locations, the main idea is that it will add efficiency and ease of use for everyone involved.”
