In 2001, Arthur Blank bought his first Montana guest ranch; 25 years later, his four properties span...

Home Depot co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Arthur Blank is expanding his business presence in Montana with a new public riverfront lodge, 25 years after he bought his first guest ranch in the state. Through his holding company AMB West, Blank has developed a 6,000-acre riverfront property in Paradise Valley into Auster at Dome Mountain. The resort sits along the Yellowstone River and includes 20 year-round guest cabins, a main lodge, a casual restaurant, a rooftop bar and a retail market that is open to the public. The project marks a change for Blank, whose earlier ranch purchases in the area were mostly used for private family stays, company retreats, non-profit meetings and conservation work.25 years of growth in Paradise ValleyBlank entered Montana's real estate market in 2001 when he bought Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Emigrant. Over the next 25 years, the businessman bought three more properties in Paradise Valley, building a portfolio that now covers more than 33,000 acres of owned and leased land. AMB West now manages four separate properties in the valley: Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, West Creek Ranch, Paradise Valley Ranch and Auster at Dome Mountain. Mountain Sky o...