The legendary Hotel Baxter building on Main St. in Bozeman. (Shutterstock)

How Montana’s Regional Economies Are Faring

There was no escape from the ravages of the COVID-19 recession, but the severe downturn has been closely followed by a vigorous economic recovery.
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Volunteers build bags of dry goods outside AT&T Stadium during a food distribution event in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo, Tony Gutierrez)

Food Insecurity Rose Steeply During the Pandemic

Food banks have been facing steep challenges in distributing food to a record number of people who fell into poverty and food insecurity due to the nationwide lockdown.
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Ryan Hansen, the founder of Lumenad in Missoula, where his software company is based. (Lido Vizzutti)

High-Tech Soars Despite Pandemic

Montana’s high-tech companies not only survived, but even benefited from the dynamics of a pandemic economy, generating more than $2.9 billion in revenue.
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Melisia Muscat stands on the front porch of her new home in Billings that she and her husband bought sight unseen before moving from the Seattle area. (Casey Page, Billings Gazette)

The Myth of Montana’s Housing Market Frenzy

Are concerns about a housing shortage and the inability of working families to find reasonably priced housing in Montana related to COVID-19 migration?
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Bruce Leibold protests Montana’s mask mandate in front of the Mike Mansfield Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse in Butte. (AP Photo, Meagan Thompson)

Seeing Beyond the Pandemic’s Grip

COVID-19’s icy grip left no corner of the state’s cities and regions untouched and bears little resemblance to previous economic downturns.
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Traffic crosses Main Street in historic downtown Missoula. (Ian Dagnall)

Missoula Housing Prices Soar

Home prices in Missoula have seen their largest jump in a decade, making it harder for residents to find affordable living situations.
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Democratic Rep. Mary Caferro, left, and Republican Rep. Ed Buttrey, right, look on as Gov. Steve Bullock signs House Bill 658, reauthorizing Montana’s Medicaid expansion program. (AP Photo, Amy Beth Hanson)

Renewed Medicaid Expansion Grows Montana’s Economy

Medicaid expansion has provided nearly $1.4 billion of health care to beneficiaries during its first two and half years.
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Light traffic flows through downtown Bozeman, Montana. (Shutterstock)

Montana’s Economy at a Glance

Each Montana community has its own unique economy. Take a look at the largest communities in the state, as we summarize their recent economic trends.
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Homebuilding in Montana’s Hot Markets

Have builders and developers responded to higher home prices by expanding their supply of housing through new construction?
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Lena Faulconbridge stands outside her home in Missoula, Montana in 2018. She faced eviction from her trailer court because it was being developed into apartments. (AP Photo/Missoulian, Kurt Wilson)

Facing the Challenge of Affordable Housing

As we work toward solutions in Montana, high housing costs are emerging as a significant public policy issue.
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