NewWest.Net Development

Deer Lodge Lumber Mill Lays Off 23

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 08:51:45 MDT

Sun Mountain Lumber of Deer Lodge, Montana, has laid off 23 employees who worked in the finger joint and planer operations. The layoffs were effective Thursday. Owner Sherman Anderson says poor market conditions led to the decision. Mills in Bonner, St. Regis, Columbia Falls and Libby have announced layoffs totaling nearly 180 workers since May.

Rural, Resource-Rich States Skirt Meltdown

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:33:20 MDT

As the national economic meltdown takes its toll, some out-of-the-way states are enjoying an economic boom, reports the AP's Daniel Wagner, because they're isolated from major urban centers and benefit from an abundance of in-demand commodities.

New West Conference: Now More Than Ever

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:46:00 MDT

When we launched Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies two years ago, markets around the region were booming and the big questions on many peoples' minds were about how to control runaway growth. Today the environment is very different – but we think the insights you'll gain into the economy, the real estate market, and land use issues at this year's Real Estate and Development in the Northern Rockies conference, taking place Oct. 23-24 in Missoula, will be more valuable than ever. With an historic election just weeks away and financial markets continuing to gyrate in unpredictable ways, the timing of this event is in some ways fortuitous. On Thursday, Oct 23, we'll have four of the top journalists in the region assessing the political climate, the election, and how that might impact growth and change in the Northern Rockies. We're also inviting elected officials to be our special guests at the Thursday reception, and they'll undoubtedly have a lot of insight into the political dynamics as well.

90 Layoffs at Moonlight, as Resort’s Cash Troubles Continue

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:48:05 MDT

A mass layoff at Moonlight Basin near Big Sky, Montana, has sent a chill through Gallatin Canyon's resort community. Sources said about 90 employees lost jobs. CEO Lee Poole declined in a written statement to address specifics of the layoffs or how many workers remain. "Moonlight Basin Ranch and a number of its subsidiary companies have decided to immediately implement temporary layoffs of a portion of its workforce," Poole said in a press release issued late Wednesday afternoon. "We are deeply saddened by this painful but necessary action."

The Sage Mountain Center: “Conservation is Not Deprivation”

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:35:41 MDT

In 1989 Christopher Borton and Linda Welsh moved to Montana with the dream of establishing an educational retreat center. Today, they own and operate the Sage Mountain Center, located about 30 minutes east of Butte, Mont. Their love of the natural world drives them to share the knowledge and experience gained through twenty years of sustainable living with all who pass through. Recently, NewWest.net photographer Graham Coppes spent the day with Chris and Linda gaining insight into their unique lifestyle.

‘Log, Baby, Log’: A Bailout for Montana’s Timber Industry

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:54:07 MDT

There is an aggressive effort behind the scenes to "bail out" Montana's timber industry with an ill-conceived initiative divorced from economic reality and any concept of sustainability. Led by the Missoula Area Economic Development Corporation, this initiative is based entirely - and, up to this point, only - on a "wish list" that was put together by the timber industry. The basic premise of MAEDC's initiative, which in August was given to state officials, legislators and the Montana Congressional delegation, can be summed up simply: Log, Baby, Log. The initiative calls for "immediate action" to increase national forest logging by 330%, double state land logging and a bizarre plan for the state to seize control of a million acres of national forests, purportedly for even more logging.

Fuel Costs Hit Montana’s Major Markets: What’s Next?

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:26:21 MDT

Transportation issues are bearing down on the economy of Montana. How is this affecting our farmers, industries and how we view our future strategies, policies and approaches? The Burton K. Wheeler Center, at the Montana State University, hosted a conference on transportation in Billings last week, with the goal to discuss with leaders and legislators how this increase in fuel has forced a shift in our economy and how are we to approach the future. Representatives from three of Montana’s major industries — tourism, farming and food distribution — discussed how Montana’s markets are being significantly affected by fuel costs.

Senate May Take Up Broad Public Lands Bill in November

Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:41:02 MDT

A collection of bipartisan bills that would protect land and rivers and limit energy development around the West -- the Omnibus Public Land Management Act -- may make it to the Senate floor in November, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reports.

Amtrak to Consider Restoring Western Routes

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:08:01 MDT

With Wednesday's passage of a veto-proof $13 billion Amtrak funding bill, Amtrak will consider restoring two bygone Western routes, the Pioneer and North Coast Hiawatha. The Pioneer, from 1977 to 1997, connected Seattle and Chicago via Oregon, Southern Idaho, Utah and Colorado. The North Coast Hiawatha, from 1971 to 1979, diverged from the Empire Builder and ran through southern Montana and North Dakota. Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo and Montana Sen. Jon Tester introduced the amendments.

More Montanans Seek Bankruptcy Protection

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:31:19 MDT

Mortgage resets, the rising cost of food and fuel and the slowdown in the housing market have pushed personal bankruptcy filings to nearly double the numbers from two years ago, according to numbers from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Butte. In the first nine months of 2008, there were 1,140 new Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings, up from 664 over the same period two years ago. The most dramatic increase has been in the past few months, especially in September, said Lynn Myers, chief deputy clerk at the state's bankruptcy court. "We had 25 cases open up in one day," Myers said. "We haven't seen something like that since October in 2005."