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Montana Senator Jon Tester calls for more local hires at Yellowstone

Senator wants park vendor to hire Montanans, boost area economy

Senator Jon Tester is calling on the National Park Service to prioritize the hiring of Montanans as it awards new contracts to operate Yellowstone National Park’s hotels and restaurants.

Yellowstone is preparing to award a contract to a new company to operate non-Park Service facilities for the next seven years. Park vendors typically hire hundreds of workers each year to work at Yellowstone, but many come from outside the region or even overseas.

Tester wants park officials to select a vendor that prioritizes the hiring of Montanans and other workers from the region.

"Yellowstone National Park is an integral part of what makes Montana the ‘Last Best Place,’" Tester told National Park Service Regional Director John Wessels. "Our outdoor heritage is our way of life and is a vital part of our state’s economy. Montanans and all Americans should have the opportunity to work to maintain our way of life."

Tester, who highlighted Montanans’ strong work ethic, said that hiring local employees will help Montana families and teach young workers new skills.

"We should focus on securing our workforce locally, not outsourcing it abroad," Tester said.

Tester, Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, also recently introduced legislation to require that all items sold by the National Park Service in gift shops and visitors centers are made in the United States.

Tester’s letter to National Park Service Regional Director for the Intermountain Region John Wessels is available below and online HERE.

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August 13, 2012

Mr. John Wessels

Regional Director for the Intermountain Region

National Park Service

P.O. Box 25287

Denver, CO 80225

Dear Director Wessels:

I write you today concerning Yellowstone National Park’s current consideration of proposals for a new concessionaire to operate the Park’s facilities for the next seven years. As you consider applicants to provide this service, I urge that you make every effort to ensure that the concessionaire selected focuses on hiring domestically first, preferably from within the region.

Concessionaires hire thousands of workers each year to support the needs of the park. The current unemployment numbers in Montana and nearby states drive home the point that we should focus on securing our workforce locally, not outsourcing it abroad. Simply, my number one priority is to create jobs for Montanans. My constituents are highly skilled and ready to work. Encouraging concessionaires to hire local employees will help struggling families and particularly youth across our state–many of whom are amongst the 6.2 percent unemployment rate across the state.

Yellowstone National Park is an integral part of what makes Montana the "Last Best Place." Our outdoor heritage is our way of life and is a vital part of our state’s economy. Montanans and all Americans should have the opportunity to work to maintain our way of life.

As you finalize your selection of a concessionaire contractor, I urge you to keep the hiring of local residents a priority. I appreciate your time and attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

(s)

Jon Tester

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