economy workforce and employment the gateway region is centrally located among population economic centers of montana surrounding s borders are bozeman 100 miles to southeast butte 50 southwest missoula 120 west great falls 85 northeast in 2000 four county area supported a 72 082 census 46 728 jobs us bureau analysis 2002 contains eight percent state residents ten its figure 2 1 displays planning trends from 1970 through during 30 year period increased by 28 915 67 number grew 25 569 121 most substantially 1970s 1990s slowly 1980s recent decades has been growing faster than this phenomenon results increasing numbers being working age groups ages 16 64 an increase labor force participation
