April figures suggest Montana added jobs, held unemployment at record lows

While the Biden administration and congressional Democrats take credit for the nation's job growth and economic progress, the Gianforte administration is doing the same in Montana, saying it's been his policies that have led to the state's mended economy.

Regardless, the state's unemployment rate remains at a record low while the labor force is reaching a record high, according to new figures released on Friday.

“Our continued focus on cutting taxes, rolling back red tape, and attracting and training workers in critical industries like health care, construction and manufacturing is key to fueling future job creation, growth and prosperity,” Gianforte said in a statement.

Montana’s April unemployment rate lingered at 2.3%, well below 3.6% nationally. Gianforte said the those figures were achieved after he took office. The unemployment rate at the end of former Gov. Steve Bullock's term was 4.2%.

Missoula had an April unemployment rate of 2.6% and has added more than 2,990 jobs since the same time last year, according the Montana Department of Commerce. Ravalli County had an April unemployment rate of 2.7%; Flathead 3.3%; Sanders 4.3%; and Mineral 5%.

While the Gianforte administration has lauded Montana infrastructure projects funded by federal money freed up by Congress and the Biden administration, he also has taken aim at inflation, saying it has taken a “heavy toll.”

Montana households are paying an average of $652 more per month due to inflation, including $66 more in food costs and $166 more in energy costs, according to the governor's office.

“Montana families are struggling to make ends meet as the Biden administration has imposed an inflation tax on them, eating away at what they work hard to earn,” Gianforte said. “We wouldn’t be in this massive hole if the federal government hadn’t recklessly spent trillions of dollars it didn’t need to spend.”