Web site of Scott McMillion - Journalist, author of Mark of the Grizzly, senior editor of Montana Quarterly

Archive for the ‘The Economics of the West’ Category

“How the Money Flows”

By Scott McMillion
Photography by Thomas Lee
Montana Quarterly
Summer 2011

The federal government spends billions in Montana. Here’s where it goes, county by county.

“Winds of Change”

By Scott McMillion
Photography by Thomas Lee
Montana Quarterly
Winter 2010

Montana is on the threshold of becoming a major wind energy producer. The benefits are clear, but at what costs?

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“Cowboy Politics”

By Scott McMillion
The Montana Quarterly
Spring, 2010
Photography by Thomas Lee

From vigilante days to the cyber age, the Montana Stockgrowers Association remains a big player in state politics, with a little help from Uncle Sam.

“Hard Times in the Last Best Place”

By Scott McMillion
Montana Quarterly
Spring 2009
Photography by Thomas Lee.

Twenty years ago, Bill Kittredge and Annick Smith completed their remarkable collection of Montana literature, a book they called The Last Best Place. And that title sure did sing to us, even if the tune was a little sad. It told us that we Montanans had something the rest of the country lacked, or had lost, something we hadn’t screwed up yet.
I wonder, sometimes. Would it still sing today?

“Economic Slump Hits Residents of ‘The Last Best Place’”

Guest Essay

 ”The News Hour with Jim Lehrer.”

Originally Aired: November 12, 2008

Introduction by Ray Suarez: “Twenty years ago, Montana offered sprawling landscapes and inexpensive living, but the economic meltdown is changing life in “the last best place.” Guest essayist Scott McMillion of the Montana Quarterly reflects on the changes, including job losses, poverty and tight budgets.”

Video [Video opens in new window or tab]

“Ted Turner Puts his Money where his Heart Is”

By Scott McMillion
Bozeman Daily Chroncile
April 17, 2008
Photography by Erik Petersen
Through his philanthropy and his activism, Ted Turner, at 69, is working on hunger, malaria, global warming, red-cockaded woodpeckers, nuclear annihilation and the volunteer fire department at the tiny town of Alder, Montana. Plus he’s writing a book, skiing at Big Sky and hoping to hear the howl of a wild wolf before he dies.

Click here to read the entire story.

“Our Old Economy”

By Scott McMillion

Montana Quarterly

Spring 2007

Photography by Thomas Lee.

Based on muscle and stink, dirt and metal, are Montana’s timeworn industries a thing of the past?

“An Uncommon Prairie Occurrence”

By Scott McMillion

Montana Quarterly

Summer 2005.

The prairie out here eats optimists. Surivors in this climate have learned to hunker down, expect the worst and live like a prickly pear: close to the ground, where you can save your juices. Thorns have a purpose.

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