Recession's Ripple Effect Strikes Missoula, Mont.

This story first aired on NPR's Morning Edition, Jan. 19, 2010.

Montana has been mostly insulated from the national recession. Local economists say the state is typically the last to enter a recession, and the last to emerge from it. In Missoula, the largest industrial plant shut its doors last month — sending 417 people to unemployment lines. In addition, Macy's announced it is closing the downtown Missoula store.