A boost to the Hi-Line

As the U.S. Border Patrol has beefed up its resources along the Canadian border, the influx of new personnel has not only made the Hi-Line more secure, it's brought a welcome boost to local economies.

Since December, more than 60 Border Patrol agents have been assigned to new positions in northern Montana, joining the 20 who were transferred here in the aftermath of 9-11. The economic and cultural impacts of the agents and their families have been felt by businesses and schools in a number of communities.

"It's not just one impact," said Paul Tuss, executive director of Bear Paw Development Co...