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Published on Monday, March 20, 2006 Gazette Opinion: Billings' bright future depends on
citizen action
Take a look at a Montana population chart and
the gap is obvious: Our state has relatively few 20-something and
30-something residents. Upon completing college or other job training, too
many of the best and brightest young Montanans choose to move somewhere
else. The scarcity of young adults, those most likely to be starting
families and having young school children, has serious consequences for
the future of Yellowstone County and the rest of Montana.A big labor shortage is looming, economist Larry Swanson from the Center for the Rocky Mountain West told a gathering of 300 Billings area leaders and business people Friday. Aging demographic profileThe demographics are ominous: Montana isn't on track to produce, retain or attract enough young workers to meet increasing demands. Mid-career people in their 40s and 50s and senior citizens are flocking to Billings. The city won't have workers to serve that population as it ages -- unless concerned citizens get involved in a strategy to lessen the impending shortage.What would keep our young people closer to their Montana homes and attract young professionals into Montana? Starting wages that are more competitive with what they can earn elsewhere. Training for well-paying jobs. Good schools for their children. Parks and recreational facilities for active young families. Billing is under investing in its public sector, compared with other cities, Swanson said. While it's great that private sector jobs are increasing, there has to be an appropriate level of public sector services to maintain the quality of life that those businesses, their owners and employees want. That means adequate investment in public services for a growing community, such as police, firefighters and teachers. That means adequate investment infrastructure, including school buildings, streets, parks and utilities. Urban economic enginesMontana's seven largest cities are its engines of economic development and offer the greatest opportunities for growth, Swanson said. Yellowstone County leads Montana in per capita income. But wealth doesn't stop at the county line. Surrounding rural areas benefit economically, he said. Rural and urban areas must be allies in economic development, Swanson said, urging formation of a regional economic development roundtable.Billings area residents should mull over Swanson's ideas, but they also need to act. Celebrate Billings, led by a partnership of Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare, Montana State University-Billings and The Gazette, has arranged for SuzAnne Miller of Lolo to facilitate the creation of a community action plan. If you want to make a difference in Billings' future, let Miller hear from you at the Web site listed in the box above. As Swanson said, "Growth can be taken for granted or it can be invested in strategic ways." Billings needs a solid, workable strategy to keep our city a great place to live as it surpasses the 100,000 population mark. Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. |
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