Sorry I didn't see this post earlier.
I've only been here for a few months so I can't speak with great authority about the economy as a whole. Great Falls is nice, I live in the Bitterroot Valley myself and things are pretyy good. I'm just thrilled there's a public range 15 min or so from my house. Keep looking for land/house. Some of these properties have been for sale for 3+ years. The bubble has gotta burst sometime.
How much land are you looking for?