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Grants targets Montana logging to help retrain wood-products workers for other jobs.

February 17, 2008 /

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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.

The state has received a $250,000 federal grant to help certain seven western Montana counties move from a declining timber economic base toward high-growth industries providing better job opportunities.

The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced the regional innovation grant awarded to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry’s Workforce Services Division, which sought it.

"With the nature of the area’s economy changing, western Montana is ready to focus on new ways to advance the region’s economy," said Douglas Small, the federal agency’s assistant secretary for employment and training.

State Labor Commissioner Keith Kelly said the state department sought the grant in November to address the significant changes occurring in the wood-products industry in western Montana.

By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
Missoulian State Bureau

Full Story: http://www.jacksonholestartrib.com/articles/2008/02/17/news/business/6954b6443d9a6ffc872573f100638fbe.txt