Arthur Blank’s Montana ranches now span 33,000+ acres after 25 years

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.