Briefs: FWP seeks public comment on open water fishing contests
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on open water fishing contests proposed for the 2021 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.
Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.
Information on the proposed fishing contests can be found on the FWP fishing contest webpage, wp.mt.gov/fishing/whereToFish/contests/, or by calling 406-444-2449. All comments must be received on or before Jan. 9.
Comments may be mailed to FWP Fisheries Division, Attn: Fishing Contests, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701, or emailed to fwpfsh@mt.gov.
CSKT land grant to study purchase of Big Arm store
The Montana Department of Commerce on Friday announced it has awarded a total of $210,000 through the Tribal Business Planning Grant to assist tribes in Montana with planning for business development and economic growth.
Among the recipients of Tribal Business Planning Grants of $30,000 each were the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, to conduct a feasibility study and market analysis for the purchase of the former Big Arm General Store
The Tribal Business Planning Grant program assists tribal governments and organizations to deploy comprehensive business planning strategies. Funds can be used for activities such as business plan development, market analysis, feasibility studies, physical business infrastructure planning, such as zoning, and can be used to match other funding sources to accomplish business growth activities.
Montana’s unemployment rate decreased to 4.9% in November
Montana’s unemployment rate continued to decline to 4.9% in November, down from 5.0% in October. Montana’s rate remains lower than the national rate of 6.7% for November, according to a press release from the office of Gov. Steve Bullock
Total employment growth since the recession trough in April has been faster than in other recessions. Total employment, which includes payroll, agricultural and self-employed workers, surged in May and June as businesses reopened, adding an average of 19,200 jobs per month. From July to October, job growth averaged 3,300 per month. Total employment growth has slowed to 797 in November, but remains much higher than the pace of recovery after the 2008 recession, which averaged about 480 job gains per month.
The labor force added 706 workers in November, bringing the level equal to the labor force in February prior to the pandemic and higher than November 2019.