Rural Montana Communities

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Over Half of Missoula Renters Struggle with Housing Costs

A recent survey shows 53% of Missoula renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, with rising rents and limited tenant protections worsening instability. Local advocates are pushing for stronger protections and innovative solutions to address these challenges.

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For four years, one of the best marketers on earth grew almost entirely by charging more. That just stopped working.

People are still buying, but they won’t keep paying more just because the label is familiar.

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Are Your Employee Social Media Stars Your Best Marketing Opportunities?

Companies are using more of their marketing budgets to utilize store staff and micro-creators into brand ambassadors—and it’s outperforming traditional mega-influencers.

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Sharing Shack Offers Free Camping Gear to Glacier Park Visitors

The Sharing Shack in Columbia Falls lends essential camping equipment at no cost to Glacier National Park visitors. This donation-based program aims to ease access to the wilderness while honoring local ambassador Mia Totten.

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The Coming Food-Stamp Crisis

Enrollment in SNAP, America’s signature food-aid program for low- and no-income people, has sharply declined. States now face a deadline that could spell the end of the program for millions of Americans next year.

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GFDA Quarter Index 2026Q2 Numbers to Celebrate

Our Mission

Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.

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I’m the CEO of ClassPass and live in Missoula, Montana. I love CrossFit and fly-fishing meetings — here’s my routine.

I moved to Missoula about eight years ago, after we opened a ClassPass office here. My wife and I bought a home thinking it’d be a vacation home, and then we moved here full-time.

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Montana Sees Surge of Young Adults Moving to the State for Jobs

Young adults aged 18 to 24 are leading in-migration to Montana, driven by strong economic growth and expanding job opportunities in areas like Great Falls. This influx could reshape local labor markets, though challenges remain with many youth still disengaged from work or education.

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Federal Cuts Threaten Rural Maternal Healthcare Access and Safety

Rural mothers face higher mortality rates and hospital closures worsen care access. Federal policies raising costs and cutting Medicaid risk deepening these critical healthcare disparities. Care will be in shorter supply, travel distances will stretch farther, and high-risk situations will more likely result in tragedy.

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Montana SMART Manufacturing Roadshow – 8/26 – Helena

WHO should Participate? Manufacturing Leads, Supervisors, Managers, and Leaders who want to discover potential applications of advanced technologies and data integration across all aspects of manufacturing operations.

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