Governor touts soaring economy in City Club Missoula 2nd Anniversary Celebration

The fourth largest state in the union has the ninth fastest-growing economy in the country, Gov. Brian Schweitzer told City Club Missoula http://www.cityclubmissoula.org/ members Monday night.

“The economic conditions have never been better in Montana,” Schweitzer said. “We have the lowest unemployment rate in the history of our state. If you have a job to fill, you can’t find people.”

But half the state isn’t feeling the effects, Schweitzer added.

“In eastern Montana, the towns are getting smaller and the age of the population is getting greater and the bright kids are leaving because there are no opportunities for them,” said Schweitzer, who was born in Havre and grew up in the Judith Basin. “It’s a wonderful place to raise a family, but you can’t make a living.”

With that, the governor pushed his plan to develop new energy sources in eastern Montana, from traditional ones such as coal, to wind power and bio-fuels.

By VINCE DEVLIN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2006/09/26/news/local/news04.txt

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Governor touts state’s energy

By CLAIR JOHNSON
Of The Gazette Staff

Gov. Brian Schweitzer welcomed a national conference on abandoned mines to Billings on Monday with a rousing speech about developing energy using cleaner alternatives for making electricity and fuel.

The group of more than 225 responded with a standing ovation. Afterward, a woman buttonholed the governor to pose with her for a photo, while another participant, a woman from Utah, offered to run a presidential campaign for Schweitzer.

The governor took it all in stride and didn’t miss a beat in talking about his vision for energy development in Montana.

"I’m excited about our opportunities," he said.
Schweitzer sees 10,000 jobs and great potential for Eastern Montana’s land, coal, oil, gas and wind.

Full Story: http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/09/26/news/state/40-energy.txt