Economic Development

As U.S. jobless claims reach historic levels from the coronavirus pandemic, find the latest county-level unemployment numbers.

Most U.S. states are adding electricity generation capacity faster than capacity is being retired. Renewable energy adds the most capacity in 18 states.

The capacity to generate electricity has transitioned from coal to natural gas to renewable energy, a trend projected to continue.

Where rural recreation counties rely on public funding for health care, fiscal solutions should diversify the ways local governments can save and spend.

View a presentation given at the Our America’s Rural Opportunity forum about the context of public lands and the rural west.

The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state.

The most effective fiscal policies for communities facing transition away from coal dependency are those that build wealth over time and strengthen community capacity.

Montana’s outdoors attracts people and talent, creating jobs and a high quality of life. The outdoors is essential to the state’s future economic growth.

Funding for Montana’s working lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is not keeping pace as population, visitation, and development pressures expand.

Rural and isolated communities face wrenching economic and demographic transitions. A solution to uncertainty is to focus on resilience.