Governor Steve Bullock gave an upbeat assessment of Montana’s economy today as he unveiled his office’s 2015 Economic Development Report.
The report echoed the Democratic governor's State of the State address on this date last year, boasting of the state’s business-friendly climate and economic and income growth.
“At four percent, our unemployment rate is a point below the national average. More Montanans are at work all across our state than ever before in our state’s history. Ten thousand jobs were added to our economy in 2015,” Bullock said.
Montana’s economy is taking a central role in the contest for the governor’s seat this year. While Bullock sets groundwork in the primary season on economic success stories, Republican businessman Greg Gianforte offers another narrative.
"As I talk to parents all across the Big Sky, they tell me that too many of our young people are leaving to find work. We have to turn this around. Our kids want to stay. But they need a governor who knows how to create high wage jobs,” said Gianforte.
Gianforte cites a study from the University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research that found the state economy may not generate sufficient opportunities for young, college-educated workers.