Jobs Plan Needed to Address Montana's Hard Core Unemployment Situation

The media indicates Missoula has been hard hit by the downturn in the timber and real estate industries. Missoula county is dealing with its share of unemployment, as are many counties around the state. The only member working diligently to address the need for job creation seems to be Senator Tester. I applaud his efforts and hope to work with him to create new community driven alternatives. I am sure if Montanans work together, we can find new solutions to our age old dilemma. Montana has seen the boom and bust economic cycles throughout its history.

The green economy, and clean technology may be the answer to ending this cycle. Reclamation economics present an interim opportunity--places like the Milltown reclamation zone--can be replicated in places in the state where reclamation must be done--such as the Zortman Mine complex in the Little Rockies. Reclamation economics is a good start to remedy ecologically distressed areas.

Lastly, clean and affordable energy is its own reward. I believe Montana can attract the kind of businesses to the state, and investment in our economic future--as we develop our clean energy potential. I believe the wind corridor along the eastern Rocky Mountain Front will be a vital energy source not only to our state but to the region and the nation. There are exciting possibilities for the future, I believe Montana can become a prominent leader in a clean energy economy.

We need leaders that are not beholden to special interests to make that happen. We need new vision, and energy to bring together diverse interests and players to work toward common goals. I would like to see Montana rise from the bottom in terms of living wages, and job-cost of liviing gaps. The resources are here to make this happen, we need leadership to ensure that Montanans come first in the U.S. House.