Montana Jones

Montana n: A state of the northwest United States bordering on Canada. Admitted as the 41st state in 1889. The fourth largest state in the union, it includes vast prairies and numerous majestic mountain ranges.
Syn: Treasure State, Big Sky Country, Last Best Place.

Jones n: slang. An addiction or very deep craving.

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Flathead economics

Me:
So you have lived in the Flathead your entire life then.
D_:
Yes, there was some time away like when I was in the service. And my forest service job took me away for a few months at a time.
Me:
I bet you have seen a lot of change.
D_:
Oh yes. The last five years in particular there has been tremendous change in the valley.
Me:
When I look around here I smell a boom happening.
D_:
Well it is all construction related. It is all these outsiders that move in for whatever reason. They live here a few weeks out of the year. They are a driving force behind all the building and construction going on. It's the construction jobs that are the only ones that pay anything. The only other jobs are the retail counter jobs that don't pay much and have no benefits. Can only work 20 hours a week. Construction is where the money is coming from. But that will dry up though. I give it another five years and then there won't be as many people moving in and construction will slump off. Then there won't be any money for all the restaurants and smaller businesses. It happened before in the 80's, it boomed then died. It will happen again soon.