Workforce scarcity continues to hamper Missoula, Montana businesses, pushing some ‘to the brink.’

Before the summer season even began, Iron Horse chef and general manager Todd Engel sat down with his cooks and gave them a raise, knowing that the restaurant’s staffing struggles were not going away any time soon.

“We’re just pushing things to the brink,” Engel said. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years, and I’ve never had it be this hard.”

Staffing challenges at the downtown Missoula restaurant have persisted this fall — despite an influx of students returning to the University of Montana — with some positions remaining unfilled and Engel having to additionally replace summer employees who have left.

by Courtney Brockman