We all have stake in economy – We all need to help develop a plan for the future

For far too long, Missoula has allowed its economy to blow around like a leaf on the wind instead of steering its own financial future. Our future. And it’s time we decided to do something about it.

In Missoula, you can have one or even two jobs and still live in poverty. In Missoula, you can have a four-year degree or better and still take home dismal wages.

And yet Missoula remains one of the best places in the nation – no, in the world – to live. That’s why we all live here, right? Apart from our enviable natural amenities, our population is growing steadily and we are attracting more commerce. Clearly we have something to offer.

Missoula is not immune from the effects of a national recession – but neither has it seen the sort of devastation other communities throughout the U.S. have experienced. The thing is, our economic fortunes seem to be more the result of luck than of conscious effort.

Full Opinion: http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/05/10/opinion/opinion65.txt

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Economist Larry Swanson: Missoula lags behind other cities when it comes to the crucial elements of sustainable and focused economic development http://matr.net/article-34152.html

Missoula Jobs Director Wolf Ametsbichler, worries about Missoula work force, wages and economic future http://matr.net/article-34153.html

Economist, Larry Swanson, director of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West – "Bitterroot Valley could recover quickly" http://matr.net/article-34138.html

Missoula, Montana resilient during recession – At forum, statistics show city good place to live http://matr.net/article-34083.html