Bureau of Business and Economic Research
CONTACT
Bureau of Business and
Economic Research
School of Business Administration
Gallagher Business Building,
Suite 231
32 Campus Drive #6840
Missoula, MT 59812-6840
Patrick Barkey
Bureau Director
Larry Gianchetta
Business School Dean
NEWS & EVENTS
| Craft Brewing is a Healthy and Growing Sector of Montana's Economy Craft brewing is growing in Montana. From 2010 to 2011, production increased by 18 percent, employment was up by 39 percent, and sales rose by 20 percent. See the latest Montana Business Quarterly for more... |
| A Look at the Montana Recovery: What's on Track and What's Not The economic downturn has been severe and left no county in Montana untouched. Get the latest economic update in the Autumn issue of the Montana Business Quarterly |
| BBER Study Projects High Impact of Spring Creek Mine Expansion on Montana Economy A new BBER study summarizes the likely impacts on the Montana economy of a significant expansion in coal production at the Spring Creek mine operated by Cloud Peak Energy near Decker, MT. |
| Latest Montana Business Quarterly Reports that Many Montana Families are Working Poor In Montana 34 percent of working families are low-income or have household incomes below the federal poverty threshold of $18,530 for a three-person household, according to the latest issue of the Montana Business Quarterly. |
| BBER Study Projects High Impact of Otter Creek on Montana Economy Due to Rising Demand for Coal in Asia Economic impact study by BBER economists Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin indicates construction of the Otter Creek coal development would lead to significant boosts in Montana jobs, household income, and tax revenues ans Asian demand for the resource expands. |
| Midyear Economic Update Presentations Available BBER economists Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin presented an update on the economy in seven Montana communities in early August on the topic "Five Questions Montanans Should Ask About the Energy Boom". These presentations are now online. Sponsored by the Montana Chamber. |
| BBER Study: Craft Brewing Has Growing Impact on MT Economy Montana's 33 craft brewers represent a growing sector of manufacturing activity in the state, according to a new survey and economic impact study by researchers Colin Sorenson and Todd Morgan of The University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Read the press release. |
| Spring 2012 Montana Business Quarterly Features Economic Outlook with Montana's Leading Experts This Q & A with Bureau economists and industry experts throughout the state discusses the latest economic trends and forecasts, as well as the outlook from Montana's important sectors. |
| Register for Midyear Economic Update Series 2012 BBER economists Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin will present an update on the economy in seven Montana communities in early August on the topic "Five Questions Montanans Should Ask About the Energy Boom". Sponsored by the Montana Chamber. Register here. |
| Announcing the Release of the 2011 MT KIDS COUNT Data Book The KIDS COUNT Data Book is a comprehensive resource of data regarding Montana?s children and families. You can download the complete book here. |
| Montana's Forest Economy Of the major industries in Montana, none was impacted more by the recession and decline in the U.S. housing industry than the forest products industry. Find this article and more in the latest Montana Business Quarterly. |
| View Presentations from 2012 Montana Economic Outlook Seminar Tom Richmond, administrator for the Montana Board of Oil and Gas, discussed "Montana's New Energy Frontier: What are the Prospects?" This half-day seminar held in nine Montana cities highlighted the latest economic trends for local, state, and national economies. |
| Is Montana's Recovery at Risk? Montana's economy has shown slow growth, but is the recession truly over? Check out the latest Montana Business Quarterly for more on the economy. |
| Bureau Takes Home National Publication Awards BBER continues an award-winning tradition, bringing home national prizes for the Montana Business Quarterly, the Montana Kids Count Data Book and the Montana Manufacturers Survey. |
| BBER Annual Report 2011 Tracking the trends and unearthing the facts on Montana's economic evolution has always been the core mission of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. We've tried to give a little flavor of how we go about doing that job on the pages of our annual report for FY 2010-11. |
| Sustainability Becoming a Priority for Montana Businesses Montana businesses are discovering that engaging in sustainable business practices increases worker productivity, reduces costs, preserves the environment, offers opportunities and provides competitive advantages, according to the recently released Montana Business Quarterly. |
| 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book Reveals Effect of Recession on Montana Children Montana ranks 33rd overall in key indicators of child health and well-being, according to data recently released in the Annie E. Casey Foundation?s 2011 KIDS COUNT Data Book. |
| Housing Affordability and Montana's Real Estate Markets A report prepared for the Montana Association of Realtors by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Published June 10, 2011. |
| Vacation Homes Skyrocket in Western Montana From 2000 to 2010, the number of vacation homes in Montana skyrocketed, particularly in popular recreation areas such as Flathead and Madison counties, according to Jim Sylvester, an economist at UM's Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Read the Flathead Beacon story here. Read the Missoulian story here. |
| Register for Midyear Economic Update Series 2011 Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin of the Bureau will present an economic outlook update in seven Montana communities in early August on the topic "Montana's Construction-less Recovery". Register here. |
| National, State, and Local Area Economic Forecasts are Featured in the Latest MBQ The latest issue of the Montana Business Quarterly includes national, state, and local area economic forecasts as well as information on housing, travel and recreation, health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and forest products. |
| Some Shifts in 2010 Census Numbers Due to Boundary Changes, Not All Growth Many Montana communities saw increases in population between the 2000 and 2010 Census, but in some cases these shifts were because of changes in geographic boundaries, as well as population growth, according to University of Montana researcher Jim Sylvester. |
| Housing and Construction Weak Spots in Improving Economy The sounds of cement mixers, jackhammers and work trucks will be mostly absent again this summer. BBER Director Patrick Barkey estimates it will be another two years before Montana sees anything resembling healthy demand for new homes. Read the Missoulian story here. |
| Missoula's Housing Market Report Released Just released - the 2011 Missoula Housing Report. Research from this report was conducted principally by the Missoula Organization of Realtors and the BBER. |
| Bureau Hires New Marketing Director BBER welcomes Christina Henderson, our new Marketing Director/Events Planner. Christina relocated from Michigan in January and brings more than ten years of experience in economic development, marketing, and education. |
| 2011 Montana Legislature The winter issue of the Montana Business Quarterly features Montana senators Dave Wanzenreid and Jim Shockley discussing important issues for this year's legislative session. |
| New Census Data Reveals Population Trends for Missoula County Missoula's population has grown 17 percent from 2000 to 2010. Check out the slides from Jim Sylvester's presentation at the Missoula Organization of Realtors press conference. Data from other counties coming soon. |
| Tax Credit Could Reduce Employers' Cost To Provide Health Care Insurance Nearly 7,400 small businesses in Montana may qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the health insurance premium they pay for their employees. For employers wanting to reduce the cost of providing health insurance, the tax credit should ease the burden somewhat. |
| Check Out the New Montana Business Quarterly The Summer Montana Business Quarterly includes articles on baby boomers migrating to rural populations; the economic impact of The University of Montana; the impact of new health care legislation; the high number of alcohol-related vehicle crashes in Montana. |
| Midyear Economic Outlook Update for 2010 Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin of the Bureau presented an economic outlook update in seven Montana communities in early August. Our state is in economic recovery, but conditions are still weak. Their Powerpoint presentations are available here. |
| BBER IS ON FACEBOOK Follow us on Facebook to hear the latest news on Montana's economy and receive information about upcoming BBER events. |
| Marketing Director Position Open at BBER - CLOSED Job opening for Marketing Director/Events Planner at BBER. Responsible for marketing, public relations, and event planning including the annual Economic Outlook Seminar series. |
| From Recession to Recovery: Montana's Outlook It has certainly been a trying time for the Montana economy. The state remains in the grip of its worst recession since the 1980s, and news of closures and layoffs is depressingly easy to find. Yet the long-awaited recovery in the economy has begun to take hold. |
| Economic Impact of The University of Montana BBER's recently released report on UM's economic impact reports that 9,700 Montana jobs, $1 billion in after-tax income, $200 million in state tax revenues, and $352 million in annual investment spending are attributable to the University. |
| Smurfit-Stone Closure Will Have Lasting Impacts on Missoula's Economy The closure of the Smurfit-Stone facility in Frenchtown, with its 417 full-time jobs and about $45 million in payroll and benefits, will have significant short-term and long-term impacts on the Missoula-area economy. |
| Economic Outlook Seminar Registration The seminar will focus on recession impacts, economic recovery, and workforce issues. Economists will explore other local, state and national economic topics in 9 Montana cities beginning 22 January. * Locations * Agenda * |
| Health Care Reform: What Should We Expect? In polls across the country, fixing health care is right up there with fixing the economy. Emotions are high on both sides of the health care debate. Reform of some shape will have to occur because our present health care cost trajectory is unsustainable. |
| Montana's Labor Pool: More Workers than Anticipated Available to Fill Jobs With Montana's median wage rate over $2 an hour lower than the national median wage rate, it is not surprising that half of the state's workforce is willing to switch jobs. The labor pool available is larger than statistics suggest. |
| Economic Outlook: Montana's Recovery is Closer The forecasting business is by its very nature future-oriented.So even though evidence of the recession remains depressingly easy to find, the signs of recovery in the coming months are becoming clearer as well. The question for Montana?s economy is, what will the recovery look like? |
| Economic Outlook Seminar Registration Paying for the Recession-Rebalancing Montana's Economy Putting off retirement for another few years? Pushing back that home remodel for awhile? The economy is emerging from the recession, but Montanans face a variety of challenges. How do we rebalance the economy? Hear from economists and experts in all industry sectors beginning 25 January. * Locations * Agenda * |
| Is Health Care Reform too Complex to Pass? How can health care be more affordable without driving costs up as the result of increased use? How can programs be financed without adding to the federal deficit? How can reform occur that contains costs without sacrificing quality or choice for the consumer? |
| Forest Products Industry Post Gains, Outlook Still Gloomy Montana's forest industry saw increases in employment, wages, and production during the second quarter of 2009, but these indicators remain at very depressed levels. |
| New Montana Law Allows for Long-Term Care Partnership Plans New partnership laws encourage individuals to purchase long-term care health insurance, thereby protecting assets and reducing the burden on Medicaid. |
| Housing Costs are Straining Montanans' Budgets Housing costs are pushing the limits of Montanans' pocketbooks, with four markets - Kalispell, Bozeman, Missoula, and Hamilton - failing the housing affordability criterion. |
| BBER Held Summer Economic Outlook Throughout State The worst recession in a generation isn't over yet, but now is the time to start thinking and planning for the recovery. Check out the presentations for more information. |
| Subscribe to the Montana Business Quarterly For more than 40 years, the award-winning Montana Business Quarterly has provided accessible and reliable information about Montana's business and economic climate. The Montana Business Quarterly offers readers state and local economic analyses and forecasts, up-to-date information about Montana's major industries, and business reports and profiles.Subscribe or renew your subscription online now |
| BBER Hires New Director of Health Care Industry Research Gregg Davis, the Bureau's new director of health care industry research, will examine the state's health care markets, trends, costs, and other high visibility topics. Davis was an economics faculty member at Flathead Valley Community College, where he directed the Center for Business Information and Research and chaired the Division of Social Sciences. Click here for the full story. |
| Publications Assistant Position - Closed The Bureau is looking for a Publications Assistant to do graphic design work for our print and web-based publications. Please follow the link to see the job description and the instructions to apply. |
| BBER Study Receives National Attention: The Economic Cost of Alcohol Abuse in Montana Alcohol abuse costs the Montana economy more than $500 million annually, according to a BBER study. The study, authored by Patrick Barkey, director of the BBER, is the first of its kind for the state of Montana.Click here to view study.Forbes Magazines posting of the study: Click here to view press release. |
| BBER Provides Report Commissioned by the Department of Labor and Industry BBER survey researchers produced a report highlighting workforce availability in Montana. Data gathered in 2008, from over 6,200 individuals, provides a baseline analysis for prospective businesses and industries. The questionnaire addressed labor market status, availability, training, and other information of relevance to current and future employers. This is vital information for employers and economic developers who need to know the capabilities and talents of the local work force, said BBER Director Patrick Barkey. Click here to access the report. |
| 44th Pacific Northwest Regional Economic Conference The Bureau hosted "Opportunities and Challenges in the Pacific Northwest Hinterlands," a conference on energy, tourism, health care, resource use, and much more. |