Rep. Joel Krautter said Montana’s urban counties are rapidly expanding and spearheading the state’s economic growth while rural counties are being left behind.

“But for Montana’s other 44 counties — our rural areas — we are seeing a population flatlining. Where are we going to be in 15, 20, 30 years? Are we just going to be a state of seven urban booming areas and 44 ghost counties?” he said.