Bureau of Business and Economic Research, Economic Outlook Seminar

MONTANA’S NEW ENERGY FRONTIER

What are the Prospects?

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Ranchers in Sidney, Montana, are receiving $1 million royalty checks. Homeowners are renting unheated garages to oil workers for $600 a month. And new technology has opened up 4 billion barrels of oil in the Bakken, arguably the largest inland oil find in the U.S. in the past 50 years. Is Montana’s eastern energy boom here to stay? What does it mean for statewide employment? Tax revenues? The environment? Are we next in line for North Dakota’s payday?

Hear from Tom Richmond, administrator and petroleum engineer for the Montana Board of Oil and Gas, as he discusses developments on Montana’s new energy frontier and our prospects for future growth at the 37th Annual Economic Outlook Seminar.

This half-day seminar and luncheon will highlight the latest economic trends for local, state, and national economies. Bureau economists Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin will present economic forecasts for each seminar city, and industry experts will provide the outlook for Montana’s important sectors: nonresident travel, health care, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, and forest products. Longtime Montana journalist, Ian Marquand, will moderate a luncheon panel of community leaders and industry experts on local economic issues. Continuing education credits are available.

Fees:

Cost is $80. Includes the seminar, a proceedings booklet, lunch, and a one-year subscription to the Montana Business Quarterly, the state's award-winning business journal (a $35.00 value.)

Group rate of $50/person for groups of 5 or more (does not include a subscription to the MBQ).

Locations:

• Helena - January 24, 2012 (Tuesday) - Best Western Great Northern
  
• Great Falls - January 25, 2012 (Wednesday) - Hilton Garden Inn
  
• Missoula - January 27, 2012 (Friday) - Hilton Garden Inn
  
• Billings - January 31, 2012 (Tuesday) - Crowne Plaza
  
• Bozeman - February 1, 2012 (Wednesday) - Best Western GranTree
  
• Butte - February 2, 2012 (Thursday) - Express Ventures Inn/La Quinta Inn
  
• Kalispell - February 10, 2012 (Friday) - Hilton Garden Inn
  
• Lewistown - March 13, 2012 (Tuesday) - Central Montana Education Center
  
• Havre - March 14, 2012 (Wednesday) - MSU N. Hensler Auditorium
  

Continuing Education Credits:

The following organizations offer Continuing Education Credits ($30 per accreditation):

• Montana Society of CPAs, 4 credits
• Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers, 5 credits
• Montana Board of Realty Regulation, 4 credits, require license number at registration
• Institute of Certified Management Accountants, 4 credits
• Society of American Foresters, Cat 1-CF - 0.5 hours; Cat 2 - 3.5 hours
• Montana Insurance Continuing Education Program, 2 credits, require license number at registration
• Montana Teacher Professional Renewal Units, 5 credits
• Montana Board of Social Work Examiners and ProfessionalCounselors, 2 hours
• Human Resources Certification Institute, 4.5 Strategic Credits

Agenda:

7:45 --8:00       Coffee and Registration
8:00 – 8:05      Introductions – Ian Marquand
8:05 – 8:45      Keynote – Tom Richmond, administrator for Montana Board of Oil & Gas
8:45 – 9:15      National and State Outlooks – Patrick Barkey
9:15 – 9:30      Local Outlook- Paul Polzin
9:30 – 9:40      Coffee Break
9:40 – 10:00    Nonresident Travel - Norma Nickerson
10:00 – 10:20 Health Care – Gregg Davis
10:20 – 10:40 Agriculture - George Haynes
10:40 – 10:50 Coffee Break
10:50 – 11:10 Real Estate – Scott Rickard
11:10 – 11:30  Manufacturing and Forest Products - Todd Morgan
11:30 – 11:50 Local Perspective
11:50 – 12:00  Break
Noon - 12:50   Panel Discussion on Outlook
12:50               Closing Remarks

For additional information, contact Christina Henderson.

For information on past Economic Outlook Seminars click here.