Looking for workers
Workforce scarcity continues to hamper Missoula businesses, pushing some ‘to the brink.’
Exploring Montana’s economic future
Montana, as the saying goes, is one big small town with really long streets. The Long Streets Project aims to cover it like that, focusing on the economic trends and issues that shape the opportunity Montanans have — or don’t have — to make a decent living.
Funding for Long Streets is provided by The Greater Montana Foundation — encouraging communication on issues, trends and values of importance to Montanans.
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Few eastern Montana projects in $258 million broadband proposal
An initial project ranking would award more than half the grant money for broadband buildout to Charter Communications, drawing criticism from small telecom providers.
How higher interest rates are stifling Montana homebuyers
Real estate professionals say the state’s red-hot market may be cooling off as the Federal Reserve raises rates. Mortgage buyers are feeling the pain.
Governor focuses housing task force on regulatory relief
Some members and commenters want the effort to also consider solutions involving state spending and laws targeting out-of-state money.
Gianforte announces housing affordability task force
The group is tasked with advising the governor on solutions to Montana’s housing crunch.
Fallout from historic flooding already devastating tourism in park’s gateway communities
‘Shocked and overwhelmed’ businesses report massive cancellation of summer reservations.
Dept. of Revenue puts limits on tribal marijuana cultivation licenses
In a letter sent to the Economic Affairs Interim Committee, DOR Director Brendan Beatty insists that language in House Bill 701 requires his department to cap combined grow licenses for tribes at Tier 1, the smallest possible size.
Yellowstone Co. trounces marijuana repeal effort
Thirteen counties add local-option cannabis taxes, and Granite Co. flips from ‘green’ to ‘red.’
Helena Habitat for Humanity presses Gianforte on housing solutions
Citing MTFP reporting on Gov. Greg Gianforte’s “Come Home Montana” program, the nonprofit’s capital branch urges action to alleviate Montana’s housing shortage.
‘Come Home Montana’ push collides with housing angst
Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature pledge to bring home Montana’s kids and grandkids, now backed by a $700,000 marketing campaign, has run headlong into angst over Montana’s ‘crazy real estate market.’
Montana’s fastest-growing city last year? It wasn’t Bozeman.
New Census Bureau estimates chart Montana’s population shifts during the first full year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kalispell led the pack.
Tax data says California and Washington were the top origin states for new Montana residents in 2020
Data culled from state tax filings by legislative fiscal analysts provides one of the first hard-number looks at how pandemic-era migration is bringing new residents — and their money — to Montana.
Study argues pro-duplex zoning would ease Montana housing crunch
A new report by the conservative Frontier Institute says Montana cities should roll back development restrictions to allow more mid-density housing in existing neighborhoods — and calls for the state Legislature to step in if they don’t.
The initiative that could upend Montana’s tax system
Supporters say CI-121 would cap residential property tax growth to keep homeowners from being priced out. Critics say the consequences could ripple across the state for generations.
State unveils broadband access map, solicits grant applications
Data presented by the state broadband office indicates two-thirds of Montana addresses have current or pending 100 mbps service.
¾ of Montana’s return-to-work bonus funds went unclaimed
The program was a carrot to complement the stick of reduced unemployment benefits, offering $1,200 one-time payments to workers who left unemployment for steady jobs.
Growing home in Ekalaka
Eastern Montana’s Carter County is bucking longtime trends toward population declines in rural plains communities, adding 255 residents according to the 2020 census. How? Oil money, dinosaurs and family.
Stimulus infrastructure funds headed to water and sewer projects
State engineers, an advisory commission and Gov. Greg Gianforte have allocated an initial round of infrastructure grants funded from Montana’s share of the March American Rescue Plan Act.
Labor Department touts economic rebound
Department of Labor & Industry economists cite childcare access, housing costs and the continuing pandemic as ongoing challenges for Montana workers and businesses amid the state’s tight labor market.
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