Changing times: Good, bad and ugly
There's a yin and yang in the Flathead's booming economy.
Jobs are plentiful … but it may take two or three part-time jobs to make a livable wage.
Shopping choices are as plentiful as they've ever been … but retail giants are challenging locally owned businesses.
Construction is at an all-time high as hundreds of new homes and townhouses fill new subdivisions … but much of that new housing is out of reach for the working class.
Philanthropy is ever-increasing, providing money for a variety of community amenities … but local food banks and social-service agencies struggle to keep up with the need.
THE DAILY Inter Lake today concludes its weeklong "Changing Times" special report. The news staff looked at growth in the Flathead Valley from all angles and found that, indeed, there is a yin and yang here - opposing forces that make up the wholeness of our corner of the world.
Certainly, there is a dark side to the boom.
The housing crisis is pushing some people into motels - often four people to a single room - because they can't afford the security deposit or first and last month's rent for an apartment. Free clinics are at capacity treating those without insurance. The Samaritan House homeless shelter likewise is constantly full. Crime has increased along with the population and the county jail is overcrowded.
BUT AS we look around, there are a lot of good things happening, too. Entertainment options have expanded with additions such as Signature Theatres Stadium 14 complex and the newly completed $5.3 million performing-arts auditorium at Whitefish Middle School.
We should count our blessings for the diversity of churches helping meet the Flathead's spiritual needs.
Rich people are moving here in record numbers, but they're opening their pocketbooks to support hospital foundations and any number of cultural and sports facilities.
Retail growth offers a lot more variety that's keeping people here instead of sending them down the road to Missoula or Spokane.
Our local government leaders are struggling with growth alongside the rest of us. It's a thankless task to decide how much growth there should be and where it should go. Many agencies are at work to ensure the continuing quality of our water and timber resources.
On many levels, we're doing the best we can to preserve the specialness of the Flathead and take care of one another. We could always do more.
We're all in this growth spurt together. It behooves each of us to find a way to make a difference that will make the Flathead future a little brighter for us all.