Economist says state gains not only the result of energy

The state’s economy is growing at a pace not seen since the energy boom of the 1970s, but is the result of more than just a surge in energy development, a University of Montana economist says.

Paul Polzin, director of the university’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research, said the increase also has a lot to do with developing economies in other countries, which are exporting more metals from Montana, including copper, lead and zinc.

Unlike the boom of the 1970s, this one is driven by demand more than supply, which means the good financial times are likely to last longer than a more supply oriented economy, Polzin said.

"We are becoming more and more optimistic about the Montana economy," he said.

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/articles/2006/06/12/bnews/br82.txt