A survey of hundreds of manufacturers and other businesses across Montana and the Northern Plains as well as the Fed’s own estimates shows the expectation of continued economic expansion throughout the region next year, according to a pair of economists.
Thursday’s presentation showed that Montana has made strong strides in personal income over the last several years, outpacing the rest of the region and nation.
Ranked 47th in 2000, Montana has averaged nearly 5 percent annual wage growth since then to vault to 41st nationally.
It’s getting harder to find good help, the survey showed.
So, Montana's economy is doing great, the only problem is finding good help. I will attest to that. The new hired man is working out great but it sure took a while to find one and I had to offer a lot more money than I wanted just to find someone so I believe this. That's the only problem for employers with this forecast. Low unemployment means we have to pay higher wages to get help. It's good for the employees and overall an improving economy is good for the state so take the good news as it is.
Every economy is uncertain. Referring to this or any economy as "uncertain" is an unnecessary and pessimistic redundancy. Bo Bennett
