Briefs for April 5, 2017
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Labor market portal provides economic data
News from Montana Department of Labor and Industry
HELENA — The Montana Department of Labor and Industry is excited to announce the addition of local area profile data to the Labor Market Information website allowing job seekers and businesses the opportunity to understand their counties’ economic status better.
Using dropdown menus this interactive data tool allows Montanans to get the most up-to-date labor market data for each of the state’s 56 counties including:
—Top private employers;
—Employment by industry;
—Annual average wages;
—Annual per capita income;
—Employed, unemployed and unemployment rate and;
—Annual population by age.
Using this new tool is simple. Access under the Local Area Profiles tab and select County under the “Select Coverage” heading. Under the “Select Area” heading click on the county name. State data continues to be available by clicking on “State” under the “Select Coverage” heading and then clicking on “Montana” under the “Select Area” heading.
This new tool replaces county flyer publications that can quickly become outdated due to printing timelines. The Research and Analysis Division is currently working to provide these same data options for the state’s seven reservations in the future.
$42 million bond sale increases access for homebuyers
HELENA – The Montana Board of Housing has sold nearly $42 million in bonds with the proceeds of that sale going to fund loans for first-time homebuyers.
“Thanks to the bond sale, these first-time homebuyers will have access to mortgage rates that are lower than conventional rates,” said Bruce Brensdal, Executive Director of the Montana Board of Housing. “This means more Montana families will be able to purchase their own home, and will make it easier for developers to build new affordable housing units.”
By paying a lower-than-conventional interest rate, low and moderate income homebuyers will save a collective $6.5 million over the course of a 30-year mortgage.
As a direct result of the bond sale, approximately 200 Montana families with an average income of $50,000 will be able to move into a home that has an average purchase price of $161,000.
The bonds issued by Montana Board of Housing are municipal bonds issued to finance mortgages on single-family housing for first time, low or moderate income homebuyers, or to finance mortgages for multifamily rental housing for low or moderate income tenants. Housing bonds can also be used to support regional redevelopment, housing rehabilitation or home improvements.
For more information, visit our website at housing. mt.gov or call (406) 841-2840.
