Forklift Attachments Missoula

Forklift Attachments Missoula - Missoula (population 66,788) is a city in the western portion of the state of Montana. It is the 2nd biggest city within the state and serves as the county seat of Missoula County. It is known as the "Hub of Five Valleys" because of its location at the convergence of five mountain ranges. The larger Missoula Metropolitan Area has a population of about 109,299.

Missoula was founded during the year 1860 along the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers. It was initially named Hellgate Trading Post when it was part of Washington Territory. The settlement moved upstream to be nearer a convenient water supply that will enable the establishment of a flour and lumber mill. It was then called Missoula Mills, and eventually just Missoula. The settlement supplied settlers traveling west along the Mullan Road and the occupants of Fort Missoula. The Fort was established in the year 1877 to provide security for settlers. In the year 1883 the Northern Pacific Railway arrived within the region, sparking population growth and boosting the lumber industry. During the year 1893 the Montana Legislature chose the City of Missoula as the location for the new very first university of the state. In 1908 the U.S. Forest Service established its head office in the city.

The local economy was based mainly on higher education and lumber for more than a century. Now Missoula serves as a regional trade center which consists of more than 180,000 individuals. The bigger trading area includes the western third of Montana including 301,000 residents. Key industries of the economy of the city are health care, education, transportation, financial services, retail shopping, government/social services, culture, events and arts.

The university is Missoula's biggest employer. St. Patrick Hospital and the Community Medical Center are the 2nd and 3rd biggest employers. Health care is the fastest growing trade. Slightly over half of all employment in the city comes from the retail and service sectors. The City of Missoula produces a great deal of product for export, in the engineering, construction, forestry, beverage and transportation industries. Tourism is a really significant sector with approximately 4 million tourists arriving from out of state on an annual basis.