So, what IS the actual unemployment percentage for the Valley? If the official number is around 9-10% then with the high number of independent contractors in this area who are not officially counted, the number must be huge. 15- 20%?

The unofficial unemployment rate is probably higher that 20 percent, when you also take into account those not filing for benefits as well as partially unemployed workers, those who have had their hours reduced.  Things are a lot worse in the more rural counties of Montana, I’m pretty sure.

independent contractors are never counted in the unemployment figures…..

reagan didn’t like the high unemployment numbers so he simple re-defined how they are counted

the national rate is about double the “stated rate” so JB is probably right on the money

The number is very inaccurate. They also fail to mention the number of out of work people in the Real Estate industry this has affected, also people who have quit jobs in other states to move here and the countless others who work as Independent Contractors that have not filed for un-employment.

The unemployment rate is merely an indicator, its not really meant to be an accurate number of how many people are not working; its more to show the trend or direction.

Thanks for printing this article.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people in our valley who don’t qualify for unemployment, have no jobs or income and have no way to earn money right now.  IF the market doesn’t turn around, people will be leaving our valley or be homeless and hungry on the streets.

Is this an indicator of the slow down in McMansions being build that have plagued that region for the past decade?

I own a local business devastated by the economy and although I work at least ten hours a day seven days a week (result of having to lay off half the help) I consider myself unemployed.  I haven’t had a paycheck since November.
Thus I can’t afford groceries any better than a Plum Creek employee. Can’t get unemployment welfare, food stamps, government bailout, SBA loan.  Credit is maxed.  Only option is bankruptcy. 
Need to shoot the horses, they eat better than I do.  Can’t afford to rent the tractor needed to bury them.  The county sheriff has his eye on my house, failure to pay the property taxes makes it his soon. We don’t have a car anymore, Toyota finance got it back.  The company work truck is the family ride. 
We’re on eviction notice from the California Jewish Attorney who leased us business space.  Sorry, folks, get your stuff online from now on.  Buy local?  Can’t afford it. 
Yeah things will get better soon.  We’ll be gone by then.  I heard Mexico is the place to live.

I’ve talked with many small business owners Valley-wide who can’t make their rent. One retail shop owner pays $3,000/month for her rent and last summer had a month where she only sold $400 of clothing. That was summer folks! In Whitefish, the “tourist” town for all those rich out-of-state visitors, several shop owners are begging their landlords for reduced rent because they can’t afford to pay it this winter. I know of at least two women who also asked their landlords for reduced rent at home and received a break. You know who is busy right now? U-Haul is hopping. I forecast by August, you won’t be able to get a U-Haul truck because they’ll all be on the road heading out of Montana.

Very very true words, Constance, from what I know about local business.  I have heard that U Haul is immensely enjoying the volume of truckloads leaving town. 
Retail rent prices are sky high.  I know most people don’t realize how expensive it is.  When I tell them how much a space at Hutton costs they are shocked.  Guess what?  It isn’t worth it.  That place is dead.  How do I know this?  Because it has cost me over fifty grand to try to provide a nice, fun atmosphere for people to shop for things they really need or badly want.  There is NO other store in this valley even remotely similar to it.  Guess what?  It will all be gone in two weeks.  Everybody please welcome the Armed Forces Recruiting Center.  They have no problem coming up with the outrageous rent, and they don’t need any success to cover it.  You and I will pay the rent in the form of taxes.  Way to go, Harris.  Some retail center you promised your tenants.  That leaves several other vacant spots there, I suggest moving the unemployment offices and welfare center there next.  They (you and I) can jolly well pay that rent, it comes out of your paycheck.  A soup kitchen would be well received there, too.  The line would run all the way to the theatre.

Tis So…and Constance, it is very unfortunate what is happening around this Valley. I recently returned after 5 years working abroad. When I left here, Real Estate was on the rise with people coming from all over to purchase homes and land, business owners were flourshing as were the realtors and developers. Now look at the mess we are in. I just might pack up and go back to Europe., but I don’t know if I can sell my home.