MISSOULA – The new executive director of the Missoula Economic Partnership (MEP) says he learned a lot about the importance of good jobs while he was campaigning for Congress over the past year.
Grant Kier says having a good job is at the center of having a good life, and he sees MEP playing a key role in helping Missoula counter the trend where people have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
“I remember the challenge of finding meaningful work in Missoula when my wife and worked here. It’s something that’s been a struggle for a long time,” Kier said.
“And it’s really the focus of MEP to make sure that we’re not just expanding jobs but we’re expanding high paying jobs that give our talented workforce and the people that live here really exceptional opportunities.,” he added.
Kier was among the front-runners in a heated Democratic Primary running for Montana’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives.
Although he was bested in June, Kier says the experience was valuable because it helped him to understand how jobs are critical to resolving community problems. And he hopes to bring that awareness to play at MEP.
“You know I remember being in Helena and talking to somebody that worked in the nursing field. And her comment was really simple. If people have good paying, healthy jobs they can go to work in a safe place, so many other problems in our community dissolve,” Kier said.
Kier takes over his new position at the Missoula Economic Partnership on October 1st.
