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Missoula Jobs Director Wolf Ametsbichler, worries about Missoula work force, wages and economic future

Up until the national recession hit early last year and the Missoula economy began its slowdown last fall, the city was enjoying 2 percent to 3 percent unemployment.

The historic lows were certainly something to celebrate, said Wolf Ametsbichler, director of the Missoula Job Service.

It meant, essentially, there were more jobs than people to work them. It also meant the worker shortage was in some cases driving up wages because employers were desperate for hired help.

At the economic forum last week, which attracted hundreds of community leaders, business representatives and concerned citizens, Missoula’s educational community was absent.

“When Jane Karas asked for a show of hands in the audience to see what sector of the community they represented, there was not a single educator in the room,” Ametsbichler said. “I thought it was pretty gutsy of her to do that – and the room looked around and duly noted the absence of our university and educational professionals.”

Missoula has the potential to become stronger by joining up its educational forces, but the challenge is bringing everyone to the same table.

By BETSY COHEN of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/05/03/news/local/news05.txt

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View a PowerPoint presentation from the Missoula spring economic forum http://www.missoulian.com/123-2009/businessforum.ppt The full forum will also be rebroadcast on MCAT so check the listings.

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The Kauffman Foundation Index Of Entrepreneurial Activity Ranks Montana 3rd in the Nation. Why isnt’ this great news? http://matr.net/article-34151.html

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There’s going to be a growing effort to develop a Missoula Economic Blueprint. It will need input from every citizen interested in securing a better economic future for Missoula. If you’re interested in learning more, please contact Dick King, CEO of the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation http://www.maedc.org (406) 728-3337

There will also be an excellent conference that will help us learn how to better retain and attract creative and successful businesses in Missoula and Western Montana. "IEDC Business Retention And Expansion Course, 5/12-13, Missoula, Montana" http://matr.net/events.phtml?showdetail=2719

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The Kauffman Foundation Index Of Entrepreneurial Activity Ranks Montana 3rd in the Nation. Why isnt’ this great news? http://matr.net/article-34151.html

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Missoula, Montana resilient during recession – At forum, statistics show city good place to live http://matr.net/article-34083.html

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Economist, Larry Swanson, director of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West – "Bitterroot Valley could recover quickly" http://matr.net/article-34138.html

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