City Desk
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By Kathleen Shannon - Producer, Contact - News
Big Sky Connection - A WORKINGNATION/BIG SKY CONNECTION COLLABORATION – Groups in Missoula have formed creative partnerships in order to embrace new industries, after the area moved away from timber following the 2008 recession. The pandemic necessitated a focus on construction. Comments by Nolee [NOH-lee] Anderson-Hendren, program specialist, Girls Representing in Trades (GRIT); and Paul Gladen [GLADE-in], director, Accelerate Montana, and associate vice president for research and economic development, University of Montana.
Click on the image above for the audio. Missoula has a younger population compared with the rest of Montana. Mayor Andrea Davis says the average age in Missoula is 35 but 40 elsewhere. (Kirk Fisher/Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.
Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for Big Sky Connection reporting for the WorkingNation-Public News Service Collaboration
March 13, 2025 - Once powered by its robust, nation-building lumber industry, Missoula, Montana's economy has evolved over the years and diversified. As the country's economy has shifted, so has the types of jobs driving the region.
"Our key industries include creative, professional and business services. That is a mix of a lot of different kinds of employment opportunities that lead into those sectors," says Mayor Andrea Davis. "Bioscience technology, manufacturing, and health care is a major industry, and a major challenge, as it is everywhere."
Located in the western past of the state, Missoula is known for its vibrant outdoor recreational tourism, including skiing, fishing, and white water rafting. Of the 75,000 year-round residents about 88% are white, approximately 2% are Indigenous, and 5% are Latino/Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Davis adds, "In Missoula, we do have a younger population than relative to the state. Our average age in Missoula is around 35 years old, whereas in the state of Montana, the average age is 40 years old."
After the passing of her predecessor John Engen in 2023, halfway through his term, Davis took over the city's mayoral duties to complete the final two years. She is seeking a full, four-year term in November.
Read more: Local economic partnership helps MT town embrace new work sectors
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PNS - Thursday, March 13, 2025 - Farmers worry promised federal reimbursements aren't coming while fears mount that the Trump administration's efforts to raise cash means the sale of public lands, and rural America's shortage of doctors has many physicians skipping retirement.
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PNS - Thursday, March 13, 2025 - Senate Democrats refuse to support GOP budget bill. The EU and Canada respond to steel and aluminum tariffs and some groups work to counter Christian Nationalism, which they call a threat to democracy.
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PNS - Thursday, March 13, 2025 - As shutdown deadline nears, Senate Democrats say they won't vote for GOP-led bill; After USDA funding freeze, Colorado farmers brace for tariffs; NM protests against Musk's Tesla dealerships expand to Sandoval County; Local economic partnership helps MT town embrace new work sectors.
