Mining City progress: Some positive signs lead to optimism in Butte, Montana

Butte’s economy has taken some hits in recent days with the announced closings of J.C. Penny and the Copper King — one a retail chain store and the other an independently owned hotel and convention center.

And it’s not the best of times to start your own business, not here or in most of America, unless you have a nice chunk of money to plop down up front. Banks, since the financial crisis in 2008, are generally tighter and pickier with lending.

But there are positive signs for Butte’s economy and small business that some here point to with optimism.

By Mike Smith

Full Story: http://mtstandard.com/special_reports/economic_outlook_2014/mining-city-progress-some-positive-signs-lead-to-optimism-in/article_60ffd040-8632-11e3-bf21-0019bb2963f4.html