Billings listed among top family places
Schools, public safety drew author's attention

By LINDA HALSTEAD-ACHARYA
Of The Gazette Staff

"Billings may be one of the best kept secrets west of the Mississippi."

So says author Kathleen Shaputis in her book "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family."

Shaputis' book, released this year, calls Billings a "friendly, genuine community" where clean air and water "are almost taken for granted."

 

Billings in the middle

Billings is the only Montana community listed. In fact, it's the only city from Wyoming, the Dakotas and Nebraska. The towns were not ranked, but were listed in alphabetical order by state, which puts Billings smack-dab in the middle at 25.

Shaputis used 15 criteria -- strong economic outlook, low taxes, low crime rate, quality medical care and a welcoming attitude toward newcomers -- to refine her list from more than 300 communities. No town was given consideration unless it offered a majority of the criteria, but the best places to raise a family are places that are passionate about kids, she wrote.

In Billings, that passion shines through in its school system and its public safety programs -- two factors that drew Shaputis' attention to Billings, she said in a phone interview.

The author points out that Billings schools consistently rank in the top percentile nationwide for the American College Test (ACT), that programs such as Saturday Live and Partners in Education support the education of Billings' youth, and that Central High boasts a graduation rate of almost 100 percent. Completing the picture are the professionally oriented majors offered at Montana State University-Billings and Rocky Mountain College.

 

Public safety levy

She also gives Billings high marks for its broad-reaching public safety programs, such as Neighborhood Watches and crime prevention programs with kids. She makes particular mention of the city's public safety levy, passed by voters in 2004.

"That speaks volumes, that the community is behind public safety," she said.

Shaputis calls Billings "a beauty with brains," noting that the community has enjoyed rapid growth based on an economy that includes energy, agriculture and transportation. The commercial interests draw people, and that in turn creates a center for education, medical facilities and cultural activities, she writes.

"Billings is a central point for so many states," she said, "and yet it still has that small-town feel."

She also gave kudos to Billings City Hall for its openness and its informative Web site.

On the economic front, she describes the city as a regional hub that the Milken Institute ranked as the eighth-best small city for creating and sustaining jobs in its 2004 report. She cites Billings for its extensive convention facilities and its low unemployment rate of 3 percent.

Both hospitals and the Northern Rockies Cancer Center all get a nod, as do the Alberta Bair Theater, the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, the Rimrock Opera Company and the Yellowstone Art Museum.

On the topic of sports and recreation, Shaputis writes that MetraPark, Cobb Field and a host of other opportunities -- not to mention "incredible scenery" and three national parks within a day's drive -- are all pluses.

And Shaputis applauds Billings' wealth of volunteer opportunities and its downtown development. Even Skypoint makes the book, listed as one of Billings' "fabulous features."

She mentions only one drawback.

"Limited manufacturing opportunities may be an issue if your career is centered on heavy or major manufacturing," she writes. "But then, you have some of the cleanest air possible in the Big Sky country, so it's a toss-up."

Vanessa Taylor-Schulke, receptionist for member services at Billings Chamber of Commerce, said it's hard to know how many people are drawn to Billings by publications like Shaputis'. But those who call the chamber ask questions about such things as weather, schools, employment and utility costs -- all topics that are covered in the book.

John Brewer, president and CEO of the chamber, said Billings' mention is exciting and a nice affirmation of what the community has to offer.

"It helps our self-esteem to know we're viewed by the outside world as a fabulous place," he said.

What Brewer found particularly interesting was Shaputis' mention of MetraPark, Cobb Field and the Billings school system -- three issues that will likely come before voters this year.

"To the outside world, these are strong attributes," he said. "(It shows) the importance of our community support for that infrastructure and quality of life."

Besides information on the top 50 places to raise kids, the 2006 edition of "50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family" includes chapters that deal with evaluating schools, conducting an out-of-town job search and coming up with financial strategies to make a move happen. The soft-cover book can be found at www.careerpress.comand is listed at $24.99.