HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Representative Joel Krautter says Montana’s urban counties are rapidly expanding and spearheading the state’s economic growth.
“But for Montana’s other 44 counties, our rural areas, we are seeing a population flatlining. Where are we going to be in 15, 20, 30 years? Are we just going to be a state of seven urban booming areas and 44 ghost counties?”
Tim Pierce with the UM Legislative News Service reports that Krautter, who’s from Sidney, is sponsoring House Bill 405, which would appropriate about $1 million from a special state fund every year in grants to bring skilled workers into rural areas.
The grants would give workers up to $15,000 as an incentive and would be given depending on the needs of the county and whether or not they have a job offer, or if they work in a specific field. Krautter says he wants people to stay in these communities, so those receiving funding would be forced into a five-year commitment.
“Five years is enough time to establish roots and relations within a community. And that’s ultimately what we want. We want people who are going to stay beyond the five years.”
The bill had 12 supporters and no opponents when it was heard before the House Business and Labor Committee Monday.
