Signs of economic vitality returning to Columbia Falls is being seen at City Hall, according to city manager Susan Nicosia.

The city has met with a dozen businesses over the past two months to discuss siting, funding and permitting, Nicosia told the Columbia Falls City Council at their April 16 meeting.

In addition to interest in the former Pamida building, a buyer looking at commercial properties in the uptown area and the possible return of a Subway restaurant, plans are moving forward for a microbrewery.

According to Nicosia, Desert Mountain Brewing is considering locating in the Cosley Building on Nucleus Avenue. The company, which is working with Montana West Economic Development for possible funding assistance, will benefit from a zoning text amendment allowing microbreweries and brew pubs in the uptown and U.S. 2 zoning districts. The amendment was unanimously approved on a first reading.

In anticipation of a meat packing business possibly moving to town, the city council also approved paying HDR Engineering, of Missoula, $2,310 to study the capacity of the city’s sewer treatment plant. The firm will establish acceptable levels for fats, oils, grease, biological oxygen demand, total suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus.