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State’s rosy economic outlook leaves something out — reservations

February 6, 2016 /

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The state of Montana’s most recent economic development report paints a rosy picture — unemployment rates between 3.9 and 4.4 percent, more than 10,000 jobs added, and wages up 3.5 percent in the state last year.

But certain segments of the state — especially Indian Country — aren’t doing as well, said state Sen. Lea Whitford, D-Cut Bank.

Unemployment in Glacier County, which includes the Blackfeet Reservation, last December was 9.3 percent. In Big Horn County, more than half of which is Crow Reservation, it’s 6.3 percent.

Pointing to a map during a presentation on economic development Friday, Whitford asked one of the state’s top economic development workers: "Are you getting out into these communities?"

HOLLY MICHELS and JAYME FRASER Independent Record

Full Story: http://helenair.com/news/state-and-regional/state-s-rosy-economic-outlook-leaves-something-out-reservations/article_dae95c89-b1df-5906-a707-4da83e8e8db7.html