At the economic summit last week, there was plenty of chat about
population growth, in-migration, out-migration and other demographic
stuff.
In some northcentral Montana counties, economist Larry Swanson
explained, population loss is simply a matter of deaths exceeding
births.
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While it may seem odd to view
the beginning and end of our human experience as economic
indicators, Swanson is not alone in the pursuit.
A recent headline in a Bozeman newspaper noted that the local
hospital had broken a record for births. The arrival of the 1,000
baby of 2005 came on Dec. 7, beating the 2004 full-year mark of 996
with weeks to spare. Births at the Bozeman hospital have climbed
steadily in recent years.
"It does reflect the influx of young people into the valley,"
said Dr. Steve Nickisch, a Bozeman obstetrician.
In Great Falls in 2004, there were 1,401 births at Benefis
Healthcare. As of the middle of last week, the total was 1,233.
The 1,000th birth in Bozeman was a son born to Melissa and Travis
Bender, who recently moved to Belgrade from Great Falls for a
construction job. Travis Bender says he knows several other couples
who are expecting.
"I can't say if it's the economy or what," Bender said. "It's
just a good time had by all."
Marketplace move
The Macerich Co. clearly has been busy working on redevelopment
plans at Holiday Village Mall.
The recent announcement of plans for a new Scheels AllSports
store, along with the development of Starbucks, Hollywood Video and
eventually, Ross Dress for Less, are proof of that effort.
But Devin Hartley, Macerich's local property manager, speaking at
the economic summit, piqued curiosity with mention of a possible
project at the Great Falls Marketplace.
He told summiteers that Macerich is working with a group on a
30,000 square-foot "retail facility" near the Carmike Cinemas. An
available 3.8-acre lot is the last significant space available at
the Marketplace.
There were no names mentioned, leaving plenty of room for
speculation.
"We are hoping to get that deal done in 2006," Hartley said.
It seems simple
City of Great Falls plans for seeking energy self-sufficiency can
hardly be described as simple.
The components include a partnership with electrical cooperatives
in a $515-million coal plant east of town and another partnership
with other Montana cities in trying to buy Northwestern Energy.
There's also a desire to own and operate power poles and lines in
Great Falls. Generating electricity at the city's sewage treatment
plant is also part of the plan.
City Manager John Lawton's explanation of the city's energy
endeavors understandably had a few heads spinning at a recent Great
Falls Development Authority board meeting.
After explaining the plans and winning the GFDA support, Lawton
noted that electricity isn't the only meaty issue on the city plate.
"Electricity is difficult, complicated and time consuming,"
Lawton told the board. "But it's not anywhere near as difficult as
golf," a reference to the city's struggle to find profit in its two
golf courses.
greatfallstribune.com
