A fascinating sequel to the international award-winning "Saving the Burg" (2019), which documented the 30-year comeback of  Philipsburg, Montana. This new work from Director Jim Jenner captures the irony of a frightening virus-spawned economic shutdown being followed by unprecedented waves of pandemic and political "refugees" into Montana. Interviews include dozens of people who experienced the changes wrought when COVID closures ultimately added rocket fuel to remote digital work access and inbound migration to rural communities. Unrivaled real estate price spikes, once-in-a-century building booms, evaporating workforce housing and busier highways are new realities in the Rockies. How small communities learn to deal with these new challenges shows that saving Montana's "Last Best" culture is now very much a work in progress.

 

Jenner was again assisted by Jordan Lefler, Editor, Lacie Grosvold, Associate Producer, and Tori Olson, Production Coordinator. 

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This film was made possible by generous local donations and a grant from the Greater Montana Foundation.