Business recruitment’s importance underscored again in Great Falls, Montana

Not to put a damper on a new and promising year in Great Falls and northcentral Montana, but a look over the weekend at the future of the local military installations reminds us — again — that efforts to diversify and grow the local economy have never been more important.

Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard, both based in Great Falls, have for years formed a cornerstone of the local economy.

Together, they employ about 5,000 people with steady local spending estimated at about $450 million — roughly a third of the area’s economic base concentrated in two operations.

Full Story: http://www.greatfallstribune.com/article/20100105/OPINION01/1050304/1014/OPINION/Business-recruitment-s-importance-underscored-again