Missoula

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

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

For over 100 years, lumber and higher education will underpin the local economy. Other than those industries, Missoula is a regional trade center serving a trading region consisting of about 180,000 people. The larger trading area includes the western third of the state including 301,000 residents. Important sectors of the local economy are education, health care, financial services, transportation, retail shopping, social/government services, culture, events and arts.

The university is the city's biggest employer. The Community Medical Center and St. Patrick Hospital are the 2nd and 3rd biggest employers. Health care is the fastest growing industry. Slightly more than 50 percent of all employment in Missoula derives from the service and retail industries. The city produces a great deal of product for export, within the engineering, construction, beverage, transportation and forestry industries. Tourism is a very important sector with almost 4 million tourists arriving from out of state on a yearly basis.