A new project taps into how rural Montana is grappling with its uncertain future.
The Montana Gap
Look at statewide numbers and Montana’s economy seems to be doing well. Between 2000 and 2015, the number of jobs in the state of Montana grew 20 percent, according to a report released last year by Headwaters Economics. Personal income grew, as did statewide employment.
If you live outside a city, though, there’s a good chance you won’t see much evidence of that growth. In small towns, contracting economies, shrinking population and social issues including a lack of mental health services offer mounting challenges. For a year, a group of journalists from western Montana, supported by High Country News and the Solutions Journalism Network, have investigated what Montana communities are doing to be resilient to change, from economic shifts to mental health. This project is funded by the LOR Foundation.
Small towns under the Big Sky address challenges to secure their future, as centers boom.
Long seen as a way to fuel local economies, summer festivals are getting harder for some to justify.
To jolt its economy, a town explores the many uses of the byproduct of its smelting history.
Rebranding could help the town distance itself from past asbestos pollution.
A Montana town is using an obscure program to help clean up contaminated areas.
Montana has a shortage of nurses, teachers and other workers.
Issues of affordable housing and transportation impede rural families from getting out of poverty.
Frenchtown is waiting on a Superfund designation to clean up toxic remnants.
After a mill closure, a town is offseting losses by allowing out-of-district students.
Lack of zoning laws allow entrepreneurs to thrive in East Missoula.
An influx of new people to nearby communities has strained town systems.
Can lessons from Vermont keep local agriculture alive?
In 2010, Challis, Idaho, created a trail for ATV riders. Now, it’s enjoying an economic boost.
Cycling tourism contributes nearly $377 million annually to Montana’s economy.
In Montana, the town of Ronan hops on the brewery bandwagon.
Small-town Choteau, Montana, is working to find answers to the question that is plaguing 23 of the state’s counties.
The gap in health care access is particularly acute in rural areas.
Tourism has given Philipsburg new life — but it’s brought few permanent families.
In the final part of a series on Boulder, Montana, a pathway for solutions for affordable housing woes.
In the second story of the series, the town of Boulder’s aging population is likely to put more pressure on housing.
Today's Featured Stories
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, WINTER WILDLANDS ALLIANCE 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - Winter Wildlands Alliance seeks an experienced and highly motivated individual to lead and manage the organization as Executive Director. Visit https://winterwildlands.org/executive-director-search/ for...
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BIRDS OF PREY NCA PARTNERSHIP - DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING DIRECTOR Background: The Birds of Prey NCA Partnership is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Boise, Idaho, which was established in 2015 after in-depth stakeholder input...
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SOUTHWEST BORDERLANDS INITIATIVE PROFESSOR OF NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE NEWS MEDIA Southwest Borderlands Initiative Professor of Native Americans and the News Media The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University is...
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MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
AWF seeks an energetic Marketing and Communications Director. Please see the full job description at https://azwildlife.org/jobs
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DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS SW REGION The Southwest Communications Director will be responsible for working with field staff in Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico to develop and execute detailed communication plans...
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THE SILVER LEAF CO-HOUSING DEVELOPMENT An intentional community designed for aging in place. Green built with Pumice-crete construction (R32), bamboo flooring, pine doors, T&G ceiling with fans, and maintenance free...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBLE OIL & GAS (CFROG) is a Ventura County, CA based watch-dog and advocacy non-profit organization. cfrog.org
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TED SCRIPPS FELLOWSHIPS IN ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM Take your journalism skills to the next level and deepen your understanding of environmental issues by applying for the 2019-2020 Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental...
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CONSERVATION DIRECTOR The San Juan Mountains Association is seeking a visionary leader to spearhead its public lands stewardship program in southwest Colorado. For a detailed job description...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CASCADE FOREST CONSERVANCY The Cascade Forest Conservancy seeks a passionate ED to lead our forest protection, conservation, education, and advocacy programs.
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HUNTING ADVOCACY NONPROFIT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Mountain Pursuit is a new, bold, innovative, western states, hunting advocacy nonprofit headquartered in Jackson, Wyoming. We need a courageous, hard working, passionate Executive Director...
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CURATOR, DRAPER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM The Draper Natural History Museum (DNHM) at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center of the West in Cody, WY, invites applications for the Willis McDonald, IV...
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WANTED TO BUY
Couple seeks quiet, private, off-grid acreage in area with no/low cell phone service and no/low snowfall. Conservation/bordering public lands a plus. CA, OR, WA, ID,...
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QUALIFY FOR CA INDUSTRIAL HEMP LICENSE? Former northern Sierra winery, with 2208 sq.ft. commercial building, big lot, room to expand.
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COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE The dZi Foundation is seeking a FT Communications Associate with a passion for Nepal to join our team in Ridgway, Colorado. Visit dzi.org/careers.
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EXPERT LAND STEWART Available now for site conservator, property manager. View resume at http://skills.ojaidigital.net.
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CONSERVATIONIST? IRRIGABLE LAND? Stellar seed-saving NGO is available to serious partner. Package must include financial support. Details: http://seeds.ojaidigital.net.
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OWN YOUR OWN CANYON - 1400 SF STRAW-BALE ECO-HOME ON 80 ACRES - 3 HOURS FROM L.A. 1400 sf of habitable space in a custom-designed eco-home created and completed by a published L.A. architect in 1997-99. Nestled within its own 80-acre mountain...
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40 ACRE ORGANIC FARM Suitable for planting hay, hemp, fruit. Excellent water rights. 1800 square foot farmhouse, outbuildings, worker housing.
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ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN NATIVE AMERICAN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES More information: jobs.wisc.edu. Search 96076
