Montana losing more manufacturing jobs

Jonathan Athens (8/25/09)

Montana's manufacturing jobs dropped 5.6 percent over the last 12 months, according to the latest figures from an Illinois-based industrial news company.
Manufacturing companies associated with the home building industry were hit the hardest, Manufacturers' News said in a news release statement.
Bozeman's manufacturing sector shrunk 7.7 percent; Great Falls was down 1.2 percent but Kalispell saw the steepest decline---9.4 percent.
Two Montana cities posted gains: Missoula's manufacturing sector was up 2.2 percent and Billings was up 1.1 percent.
Bozeman home builder Anders Lewendal said he's concerned the decline will affect local companies and contractors---namely plumbers and flooring companies.
Lewendal said in order to get the local economy moving again, he thinks qualified home buyers should take advantage of low interest loans and buy a house now rather than later when the rates are certain to go up.
Bozeman Chamber of Commerce President and CEO David Smith said Montana's manufacturing industry has always faced tough challenges because of its physical distance from ports.
Smith said, in order to create more local jobs, stakeholders should focus on growing existing companies and industries rather than try to lure other businesses to the region.
"You farm in your own backyard. That's what you do. You grow your own businesses right here and we've seen that its successfull time and time again," Smith said.
Manufactures' News says Montana hasn't been hit as hard as other states when it comes to losing manufacturing jobs.
The news company says Montana's losses are offset by its export industry. The news company said, according to government statistics, Montana's export industry was the third highest in the nation from 2004 through 2008.
Anchor/Reporter Jonathan Athens can be reached at: jathens@ktvm.com or (406) 586-0296 Ext. 105.