Focus on Missoula, Montana: Moving Away from its Legacy Industries to a More Diversified Economy
Once powered by its robust, nation-building lumber industry, Missoula, Montana’s economy has evolved over the years and diversified. As the country’s economy has shifted, so has the types of jobs driving the region.
“Our key industries include creative, professional and business services. That is a mix of a lot of different kinds of employment opportunities that lead into those sectors,” says Mayor Andrea Davis. “Bioscience technology, manufacturing, and health care is a major industry, and a major challenge, as it is everywhere.”
Located in the western past of the state, Missoula is known for its vibrant outdoor recreational tourism, including skiing, fishing, and white water rafting. Of the 75,000 year-round residents about 88% are white, approximately 2% are Indigenous, and 5% are Latino/Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
