Page 33 - Flathead Beacon // 6.15.16

around 4 percent would be considered normal by economists’ standards.
There are challenges to the econ- omy in the Flathead, though. Among the barriers is a lack of a ordable housing, including a di cult rental market, which creates a ripple e ect on the labor force.
“We do have people who come in look- ing for a job but also can’t nd a place to live,” Gardner said.
A common issue across Montana, wages are historically among the lowest on average in the U.S. The average hourly wage for all occupations in Montana was $18.79 an hour and $39,090 annually in 2014, according to Montana Department of Labor and Industry data. The Flat- head Valley has the second lowest aver- age wages in the state by region — $17.79 per hour and $37,000 annually.
Last year saw signi cant wage growth across Montana, including the Flathead, where the rate in this corner of the state hit 3.5 percent on average, the second highest in the state. Southwest Montana, which includes Gallatin County, led with 4.4 percent in 2015.
Worker shortages lead to increased wages and that appears to be happening locally.
“Wages are going up. They’re not near what we need them to be but we are seeing them go up, which is a good thing,” Gardner with the Job Service said. “We’re encouraging employers to increase wages and o er perks or ben- e ts, but we’re still having a hard time getting people to apply.”
The shortage could harm economic
development. This year four new hotels are opening in the valley — two in White sh, one in Kalispell and another in Columbia Falls. Yet these new busi- nesses have had a hard time nding enough sta at almost every position, Gardner said.
“These hotels are struggling as they’re trying to open for summer,” she said.
Similarly, businesses in the manufac- turing industry are still having a hard time nding skilled and trained employ- ees in the local market.
Flathead Job Service has seen roughly 100 people per day coming in to use the free services the state agency o ers, including computers for job searching and training for interviews.
The labor shortage is also tied to the retiring Baby Boomer generation. At least 130,000 baby boomers in Mon- tana are expected to retire in the next decade, according to the Department of Labor and Industry. Nearly 6 percent of Montana’s labor force is over 65 with an additional 97,000 workers between the ages of 55 and 64.
Commissioner of Labor and Industry Pam Bucy has said that Montana doesn’t have enough younger people to ll those jobs even if every one of them entered the workforce.
For more information about nding a job in Flathead County, visit Flathead Job Service at 427 First Ave. E. or call 758-6200 or visit http://jobservices.dli. mt.gov/about-job-services/kalispell.
dtabish@ atheadbeacon.com
TRANSACTIONS
WEEKLY BUSINESS BRIEFING
CRAGGY RANGE BAR & GRILL REOPENING AFTER REMODEL
Craggy Range Bar & Grill in White sh reopened June 14 after an extensive remodel.
“We are excited to reveal Crag-
gy’s new gastropub-inspired
menu and interior. Hammerquist
Casalegno Construction and CTA
Group have helped us create an
entirely new feel and design that
has elevated the operational ow
of the restaurant and allowed
us to meet and even exceed cur-
rent industry trends,” said Brad
Ridgeway, Glacier Restaurany Group president.
During the renovation, an historical wall of hand-painted sign art on cinder blocks was revealed. The wall art includes local family names going back three and four generations in White sh, including the Goble and Sillaker families. The wall now serves as a focal point to the cen- trally located bar, home to a large at screen TV which covers an old window cut-out in the center of the historical nd.
In addition to the hand-painted sign art, some other unique and edgy additions are the garage-style front windows, the longest frost bar in Montana and an upgraded stage area for live music.
Opening, moving or expanding a business in Northwest Montana? If you would like to be featured in “Transactions,” please email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com
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JUNE 15, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
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