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Montana’s Economy Comes Back into Balance

June 29, 2016 /

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Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

After the oil and commodity boom, Montana’s economy is evening out.

"The big story is Montana’s economy is coming into balance both geographically and across industries," said Patrick Barkey, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana.

"Three or four years ago, conditions were right for more rapid growth in rural counties – primarily eastern counties – than in the bigger cities," Barkey said. "Now the more populous western counties are growing again as migration trends resume and income gains make consumer spending stronger."

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/2016/06/062816bber.php