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Economic Development

  • Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data

    Montana Losing Open Space: Sortable Data

    Patricia Hernandez

    Review the different rates of home construction and loss of open space across Montana counties. Read more

  • Estimating Trail Use

    Estimating Trail Use

    Patricia Hernandez

    By pairing limited, local surveys with activity tracking app data, we are estimating trail use across large areas. Read more

  • Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana

    Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Updated: This report describes the benefits of a frontage path–a proposed paved, multi-use pathway connecting Belgrade and Bozeman along an approximately ten-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 10 in Gallatin County. Read more

  • Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos County

    Economic Challenges and Opportunities in Taos County

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    The economic challenges and opportunities in Taos County stem from being both a bustling mountain resort town, and a rural community facing long-term socioeconomic challenges. Read more

  • Great Lakes Cities Vulnerability Assessment Tool

    Great Lakes Cities Vulnerability Assessment Tool

    Patricia Hernandez

    Identify neighborhoods in six Great Lakes cities that meet socioeconomic vulnerability criteria. Read more

  • Lessons from the Timber Transition

    Lessons from the Timber Transition

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    Western counties once dependent on timber today perform similarly to like-sized counties. Three case studies outline economic lessons from counties that weathered the timber transition. Read more

  • Youth Migration in the West

    Youth Migration in the West

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Western counties are experiencing a wide disparity in youth migration. While some are attracting and keeping young adults and families, others are struggling. Read more

  • Which Counties Saw Significant Changes in Poverty Rates?

    Which Counties Saw Significant Changes in Poverty Rates?

    Scott Story

    While national poverty rates dropped in the last year, the county-level picture is mixed. Read more

  • Know Your Economy: Tools for Every Community

    Know Your Economy: Tools for Every Community

    Chris Mehl

    Understanding your local economy and how it compares to peers is a crucial part of community and economic development. Read more

  • Strengthening Rural Communities (slides)

    Strengthening Rural Communities (slides)

    Chris Mehl

    Slide show: A theory of economic development in the rural West. Read more

  • The Growth of Hispanic Populations Across the West

    The Growth of Hispanic Populations Across the West

    Kelly Pohl

    Hispanics account for roughly one in four westerners and one in six rural westerners. Read more

  • Best Practices for States to Fund Outdoor Recreation

    Best Practices for States to Fund Outdoor Recreation

    Kelly Pohl

    Seven case studies illustrate best practices and lessons learned to develop programs for outdoor state recreation funding. Read more

  • Which Counties Are Most Reliant on Medicaid?

    Which Counties Are Most Reliant on Medicaid?

    Patricia Hernandez

    National interactive map and charts show Medicaid-dependent counties and populations at risk. Read more

  • Montana’s Economy, Public Lands, and Competitive Advantage

    Montana’s Economy, Public Lands, and Competitive Advantage

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    This report summarizes Montana’s economy analyzing recent growth and what is driving its performance, including a description of how federal lands help attract people, investment, and businesses. Read more

  • Minority Populations Driving County Growth in the Rural West

    Minority Populations Driving County Growth in the Rural West

    Kelly Pohl

    Minority populations are growing in nearly all rural western counties, helping booming communities expand and slowing the decline in counties that otherwise would have lost people. Read more

  • Economy Surprisingly Dependent on Non-Labor Income

    Economy Surprisingly Dependent on Non-Labor Income

    Ray Rasker, Ph.D.

    Non-labor income sources such as investments, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid often are the largest and fastest growing sources of personal income for many counties. Rural counties especially are surprisingly dependent on non-labor income. Read more

  • The Context and Status of Colstrip’s Coal-Fired Power Plant

    The Context and Status of Colstrip’s Coal-Fired Power Plant

    Mark Haggerty

    A guide to planning for the long-term social, economic and environmental well-being of the community of Colstrip, Montana. Read more

  • Rural Economic Development in Lincoln, Montana

    Rural Economic Development in Lincoln, Montana

    Chris Mehl

    Many rural western towns face economic uncertainty. This report—informed by interviews and public meetings with residents—compares Lincoln to peer communities and outlines rural economic development options building on the town’s strengths. Read more

  • Why the Rural West Matters

    Why the Rural West Matters

    Chris Mehl

    The rural West matters for at least three important reasons: the vitality of the region’s landscape; its impact on local, state, and national politics; and the future of the area’s people and communities. Read more

  • Comparing Trends and Prosperity in Gunnison County

    Comparing Trends and Prosperity in Gunnison County

    Patricia Hernandez

    Explore socioeconomic trends in Gunnison County and neighboring Colorado counties. Read more

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