the economy: part one

As the economic slowdown continues there is no shortage of the ways it is effecting the Flathead Valley and our surrounding areas here in Northwest Montana. Over the next couple of weeks look for this ongoing series of images about the economy here and how Montana is dealing with the changes.
The Flathead Valley has over 85,000 residents and has seen a 25% increase over the past decade. The valley has seen rapid growth over the last several years, but recent changes in the economy and layoffs at major employers have changed how quickly housing is moving in the market.

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In 2006, Kalispell's city council approved the annexation of Silverbrook Estates. The area encompasses 325 acres off of highway 93. Since the annexation, the development is underway but slow. Summer is traditionally a strong time for real estate in the Flathead Valley, but till then many of the lots remain empty.

goodness

This week has been a something different everyday. From the weather (which has been everything to sunny and 70 to sunny and snowing) to my work (I've started a new project on the economy here in the Rocky Mountain West). I'm also happy to announce that an exhibit of my work will be on display at my favorite morning stop for pastries, Ceres Bakery in Kalispell. The show will be a collective of local Montana artists and be up for the month of May. More info to come and hopefully some of you out there can make it!

mountain time

spring skate

Spring is here and I spent some time shooting at the skatepark yesterday. It has been beautiful weather here all week and I think everyone in Montana is pretty eager to get outside and enjoy the fact that it isn't snowing. One of the guys there said that there was still snow covering the rink so they kids got together and shoveled the snow out themselves. That way they could use the rink. I think that's really cool.