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Montana economic bill draws rave reviews

January 20, 2005 /

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The centerpiece of Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s plan for improving Montana’s economy drew raves Wednesday from the people who make a living promoting economic growth across the state.

Economic development experts threw their support behind the bill that would create a special fund dedicated to spawning new jobs and aiding local economic development organizations.

Billie Lee of the Lake County Regional Development Corp. said the measure creates the opportunity for the state to have a long-term program of sustained economic development.
Evan Barrett, who heads the governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, emphasized that the program in House Bill 249 is intended to be around for a long time.

"Economic development is not for the impatient and faint-hearted," he said. "To make economic development happen, you have to be in it for the long term."

By BOB ANEZ of the Associated Press

Full Story: http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2005/01/21/news/mtregional/news06.txt

More text of the Gov.’s speech: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2005/01/20/top/a01012005_01.txt

and

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050120/NEWS05/501200303/1002/NEWS01