Business & Economics

Montana's population is among the oldest in the country. While inflation levels near a 40-year high, cost of living adjustments for things like Social Security and food assistance aren't keeping pace, leaving some older adults struggling.

Yellowstone visitation is down 40% after historic floods washed out roads. One neighboring town is struggling to survive, so park officials have opened a temporary road to try to help.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte says his administration has surpassed a major goal for economic growth during his first year in office: adding 10,000 jobs that pay $50,000 a year. At the same time, rising inflation is cutting into Montanans' earnings.

According to data from the state labor department, in 2021 Montana added nearly 13,000 new jobs that pay above the state’s median wage. That exceeded the governor’s goal to add a net of 10,000 new jobs that pay more than $50,000.

A recent survey of Park County businesses found many sustained significant losses as a result of the Yellowstone floods last month.

In addition to a vendor fair Saturday with about 20 businesses and artists, Indigifest included two nights of fashion, comedy and music. Organizers hope to make it an annual event.

With wheat prices rising, some experts anticipated farmers in Montana would have planted more of it this spring. But a new acreage report shows farmers decided to plant less spring wheat and put more land into barley.

The company will research and manufacture its self-driving technology for commercial and passenger vehicles out of the planned 78,000 square foot facility.

Gas prices are anticipated to be the most expensive on record for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. While more Americans are planning road trips compared to last year, a recent survey shows they're still hesitant to lock in summer plans.

Tourism and spending in Montana returned to near pre-pandemic levels last year, according to research from the University of Montana.