Montana Leaders promote economic growth – Montana on the Move

Montana’s seven largest cities are growing economically, but they need the Legislature to allow them to place local-option taxes before voters to help pay for various public works projects, speakers at a Montana on the Move luncheon said Tuesday.

This project, launched by civic and business leaders in the seven cities, sponsored a lunch at the Great Northern Best Western Hotel for lawmakers to promote the group’s goals. More than 100 people attended. The effort, a project of the Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the University of Montana, uses economic and demographic material developed by Larry Swanson, the center’s associate director, as a platform for communities to address the opportunities and challenges presented by Montana’s changing economies.

"The whole concept of regional economies is so important," said master of ceremonies Mike Gulledge, publisher of The Billings Gazette.

"The most important thing we’ve got to talk about is economic development," Gov. Brian Schweitzer told the crowd.

Economy and Business CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Lee State Bureau

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Montana on the Move: http://www.crmw.org/MontanaOnTheMove/