Governor Brian Sweitzer Speaks at Luncheon

Gov. Sweitzer received his Masters Degree from MSU and spent time in the Far East developing larger water projects for the Saudi Government.

In his remarks, he discussed why the US will never leave the Far East region entirely. That region produces 40% of the world oil and we must stabilize the area and protect our our oil sources there. Our country must prepare to have a presence there for many decades to come. It is no different than our presence in Korea and Germany after those wars.

A cowboy boot outlines those counties that will experience growth in Montana without really trying with Gallatin one of the leading counties.

Those in the Northeast part of the state face bigger problems perhaps, he said. That is because, the young people are leaving the area for better paying jobs. The future in the area is tremendous because of the coal and wind in the area. The state must train its own young people to fill those jobs.

Wind power in the state hold great promise too, Sweitzer said, if fact the State of Montana has mandated that 20% of the state energy will come from wind power in the next few years at least.