Montana job growth ‘modest’

Job growth in Montana continued at slightly below 1 percent during February, but that modest rate was in sharp contrast to the deteriorating national employment
picture, a leading economist said Tuesday.

By Bob Anez of The Associated Press The Montana Standard

Montana added 3,200 jobs between February 2002 and the same month this year, an increase of 0.8 percent for the second consecutive month, the state Department of Labor and Industry reported.

Paul Polzin, director for the Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research, said that growth compares with a national decline in jobs of 1.7 percent during February. That worsened in March with
2.3 percent decrease, although Montana figures for that month are not yet available.

‘‘The possibility of
double-dip recession seems to be increasing,’’ Polzin said. ‘‘Whatever’s affecting the U.S. economy does not seem to be affecting the Montana economy.’’

The state’s monthly labor report showed natural resources and mining to be the most robust industries. Although those businesses added just 300 jobs, that represented a 5.1 percent increase.

Polzin said oil and gas exploration companies in that category experienced an 8.3 percent growth, probably reflecting the usual quick response to
rising natural gas and oil prices.

Construction companies increased by 700 jobs, or
3.9 percent, with highway construction leading the way with a 6.9 percent growth. Specialty construction, which mostly involves remodeling projects, accounted for about half the growth in this sector, and building supply stores also had a healthy increase in jobs.

Polzin attributed the
latter two increases to
continued low interest rates spurring Montanans’ desire to work on their homes.

Leisure and hospitality businesses grew by
1,500 jobs, or 3.2 percent, since February of last year. Most of that change was in restaurant and bars.
Financial businesses had 900 more jobs, a 4.8 percent improvement, and education and health services had 800 more jobs, a 1.6 percent increase.

But several sectors fared worse over the past year. Manufacturing firms had 1,000 fewer jobs, a drop of 5.1 percent, and transportation, warehouse and utility operations were off by
500 jobs, or 3.2 percent.

http://www.mtstandard.com/newsregional/rnews3.html