Montana’s economy is on the upswing, according to the Department of Labor and Industry | ABC Fox Montana Helena
HELENE, Mont. — Despite inflation and constant economic uncertainty across the country, as we near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, Montana is experiencing unprecedented economic growth since the end of the COVID-era lockdown and restrictions in 2020 .
According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DOL), more Montanans have returned to work, with the state’s unemployment rate falling from 2.6 percent to 2.3 percent in March, the fourth-lowest in the country.
With unemployment rates exceptionally low for the time, the DOL says the market is tight as more customers return to work, increasing competition. But businesses are still putting “Now Hiring” signs on doors and in windows like restaurants, bars and other food industries to make up for lost staff during the peak of the pandemic.
Small businesses like Steve’s Cafe, where owner-operator Steve Vincelli spoke about his efforts to hire and attract skilled employees in recent years, which has forced him to reduce hours from seven to five days a week.
“It’s been a struggle, I’m trying to go back to seven days a week, but you know, finding those extra 10 people or five people, or however many we need, it’s a problem with training, with that, people to get, knowing that they will be reliable, knowing that we can trust them. It’s just a gamble, with every single person it’s a gamble,” Vincelli said.
The DOL said that while unemployment has fallen in all 56 counties across Montana and all seven reservations, businesses and customers are still feeling inflationary pressures, now at a 41-year high, continue to rise and costs are rising everything from gas to food, making recovery even more difficult.
“And you know, like it or not, in this day and age there are still a lot of diseases, there are a lot of family issues, there are a lot of issues and we have to take care of each other,” Vincelli continued. “It’s really unfortunate, even with so many people that we have, it’s been tough, it’s been really, really, tough. That’s why we simply do our best to take care of our employees as best we can […] We’re coming through slowly and steadily, we’ve lost some battles but we’re winning the war.”
Vincelli suggests that if anyone is out there looking for employment, come to your interview prepared and professional, with a resume and resume ready.
Stay open-minded, committed and flexible.
He also advises that if you’re not serious about the job, take the job seriously and don’t waste anyone’s time, especially your own.
“Always have a resume, always an application and take 10 minutes, go on google and do an interview – watch a youtube video about interviewing what not to say what to say , if you’re serious about the job – do some homework, don’t make it easy on wings.”
Visit Montanaworks.gov for more information on job opportunities through the DOL
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Christine Sullivan, news reporter
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