BBER PUBLICATIONS SEARCH RESULTS

The purpose of the Montana World Trade Center International Trade and Investment Survey is to illuminate key characteristics of Montana businesses that engage in international trade. These characteristics demonstrate the importance of international trade to the Montana economy in terms of jobs produced, wages paid and revenue generated. The findings of this survey also provide information that business and government decision makers can use to grow our international trade portfolio.

Montana's high-tech companies not only survived, but even benefited from the dynamics of a pandemic economy, generating more than $2.9 billion in revenue.

View a recording of the webinar. Public opinion polls will increase as we get closer to the November general elections; it?s important to understand the types of polling done in Montana and the effects they can have. Presented jointly with the Greater Montana Foundation (GMF) on Thursday, July 9th.

This Mail/Internet/Telephone survey of Montana residents in Feburary-March of 2019 asked about the source and consumption of news. Results from 2019 are compared with the 2015 News Media survey. Key findings: 1)News sources proliferated, total news consumption may have increased; 2) People consumed individual news sources more selectively/ 3) News source credibility varied widely; 4) Local news was valued and trusted; 5) The importance of issues facing the state changed moderately over 4 years; 6) News ?echo chamber? behaviors showed a mixed trend.

The latest survey on news media preferences found that Montanans have moved into the mobile device phase of the digital media age.

The purpose of the 2018-2019 U.S.D.A. Forest Service Region 1 Social Surveys was to examine: 1) perceptions of the purpose for federal public lands; 2) views about possible management actions on those lands; 3) opinions about possible concerns regarding federal public lands; 4) frequency of self-reported activities on federal public lands; and 5) opinions about the quantity of services provided on federal public lands. The 2019 survey is an extension of the 2018 survey which was designed to help policy-makers and planners quantify public opinions about federal public lands that are close to the home of Region 1 residents.

The purpose of the 2018-2019 U.S.D.A. Forest Service Region 1 Social Surveys was to examine: 1) perceptions of the purpose for federal public lands; 2) views about possible management actions on those lands; 3) opinions about possible concerns regarding federal public lands; 4) frequency of self-reported activities on federal public lands; and 5) opinions about the quantity of services provided on federal public lands. The 2018-2019 surveys were designed to help policy-makers and planners quantify public opinions about federal public lands that are close to the home of Region 1 residents. The mail and internet-administered surveys provide U.S.D.A. Forest Service rigorous, representative samples by which to gauge current public opinion. The surveys were constructed to act as a benchmark that would allow possible future exploration of trends in public sentiment regarding federal public lands in U.S.D.A. Forest Service Region 1.

This is the fifth annual report on the high tech industry in the state of Montana. The Montana High Tech Business Alliance (HTBA or the Alliance), formed in 2014, is a member-driven group of high tech businesses and other organizations statewide. The Alliance asked the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) to collect information and insights from its members so that a better assessment of its economic footprint and its prospects for continued growth could be made. This report presents the findings of that research. The fifth iteration of this study adds a new question focused on skills that are in demand among the industry?s new hires.

The purpose of the 2018 U.S.D.A. Forest Service Region 1 Social Survey is to examine: ? perceptions of the purpose for federal public lands; ? views about possible management actions on those lands; ? opinions about possible concerns regarding federal public lands; ? frequency of self-reported activities on federal public lands; and ? opinions about the quantity of services provided on federal public lands. The survey is designed to help policy-makers and planners quantify public opinions about federal public lands that are close to the home of Region 1 residents. The mail and internet-administered survey provides U.S.D.A. Forest Service a rigorous, representative sample by which to gauge current public opinion. The survey was constructed to act as a benchmark that would allow possible future exploration of trends in public sentiment regarding federal public lands in U.S.D.A. Forest Service Region 1.

Montana ranked third out 50 states in the most traffic fatalities per 100,000. Wearing a seat belt saves lives, yet the state does not have a primary seat belt law. Read the results of a public opinion poll about seat belt regulation in Montana.

In 1972, the state of Montana legalized a variety of gambling games, including bingo, raffles, poker and other card games. In 1997, the Montana Legislature appointed the Montana Gambling Study Commission to conduct research and make public policy recommendations. The following article is an excerpt from an extensive survey conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research in 1998.

The internet has evolved to become a common tool that Montanans use to consume news. This fundamental sea change in how we get information is having a sweeping effect on our culture - from the rise of fake news to the filter bubble that feeds and reaffirms our beliefs.

High-tech and manufacturing companies are projected to grow seven times faster than the overall Montana economy and pay average annual salaries of $57,000 ? more than twice the median Montana wage. The sector shows no signs of slowing down in 2017.

Women are less likely to become entrepreneurs. The disparities in entrepreneurial propensity between men and women appear at the earliest stages of the entrepreneurial process. However, most of the existing literature on women entrepreneurs examines individuals who have launched a business or are actively working toward launching a business. To increase women?s participation in entrepreneurial activity, it is important to understand and address women?s lower participation at the earliest stages. This paper describes and begins to explain gender disparities in early stage, or pre-entrepreneurial, activities among university students and alumni. We show that women in a university community are less likely to engage a low-stakes resource for nascent entrepreneurs, the Blackstone BLP. We show that women are less likely to report having an idea for a new venture, less likely to report that they would spend even a few hours pursuing a new idea if they had one, and less likely to believe that they will be an entrepreneur at some point in their life.

Visitors with strong geotraveler tendencies tend to spend more nights and more money in Montana than those who did not. Purchasing local products and services is one way this geotraveler attempts to experience our state.

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) reviews its Economic Outlook Seminars, other Outreach efforts, publications, reseach projects and finances for 2015. Each of the BBER programs: Economic Analysis, Forest Products, Survey Research, Manufacturing Research, Energy Research, Heath Care and Montana KIDS COUNT is discussed.

This is a PowerPoint presentation of the results of a survey, funded by The Greater Montana Foundation, of Montana Statewide Media Habits which collected data from a telephone survey of 526 adults in Montana in April-May 2015. Key Findings: Television remains a key source of news and information, local news from all sources is very closely followed and highly sought after, the rate of internet access in homes now matches that found nationwide, handheld devices are used by a significant portion of Montanans to access news.

This report provides information on the agency costs and other impacts associated with litigation of forest management projects in the Northern Region (i.e., Region One) of the Forest Service (FS) through a combination of literature review, information provided by the agency?s Region One (R1) and Washington offices, and a case study of the Spotted Bear River (SBR) project on the Flathead National Forest. Data to determine the total cost of litigation are not readily available from publicly accessible or even internal databases, and a high level of cooperation is needed from personnel at various levels within the involved agencies in order to determine the costs and other impacts associated with litigation.

Montana is quietly increasing its footprint in high-tech businesses, with growth projected to vastly exceed the average statewide economic growth. Unbeknownst to many, there are a number of high-tech companies scattered across Montana that are creating high paying jobs and challenging the older stereotypes about our economic base.

This report on the high-tech industry in the state of Montana is the first of its kind. The Montana High Tech Business Alliance (HTBA), a newly formed, member-driven group of high-tech businesses and other organizations statewide, asked the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) to collect information and insights from its members so that a better assessment of its economic footprint and its prospects for continued growth could be made. This report presents the findings of that research.

Montana''s high-tech industry will grow 8-10 times the projected statewide growth rate, with average wages at about $50,000 - twice the median earnings per Montana worker, according to a recent study by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

This is a study of the economic contribution of the operations of the Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association (MBWDA) to Montana?s economy. The beverage distributing industry is a major contributor to the economy, with impacts throughout the state and across industry sectors. To illustrate these contributions, MBWDA sought to determine precisely how distributor operations impact jobs, income, and sales of all Montana businesses and households. Using a state-of-the-art policy analysis model and data collected by MBWDA staff, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana produced a detailed assessment of beer and wine distributors? impact on employment, income, output, and population in the Montana economy.

About 77,200 off-highway vehicles (OHVs) were registered for off-highway use in Montana during 2013. These vehicles are used both for pleasure and work. OHV-owning households own an average of two machines, and two family members usually participate in outings. Montana OHV users spend between 4.2 million and 5.9 million days recreating. This project was sponsored by Montana State Parks. Montana State Parks administers the OHV Program.

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research''s most recent surveys suggest that about 8 percent of the state''s households include snowmobile recreationists. Nearly always, the whole family participates. With an average household size of about 2.5, perhaps as many as 100,000 Montanans participate in the sport each winter. Nonresident snowmobilers are important contributors to the Montana economy. Our estimates suggest that nonresident snowmobilers spend about $147 per activity day, including food, lodging, and often, snowmobile rental costs. Nonresidents accounted for about 97,000 activity days during the 2013-2014 snowmobile season, spending an aggregate of nearly $14.3 million in Montana. That spending supports about 200 winter jobs. This project was sponsored by Montana State Parks, which administers the Snowmobile Trails Program.

Forest managers are constantly faced with the need to reliably estimate harvest costs. Because of the inherently variable conditions under which logging occurs, estimating costs inexpensively is challenging. Yet costs estimates for timber harvest are especially important as new treatments aimed at ecosystem restoration are developed. The Bureau conducts surveys on logging and hauling costs during alternate years to help managers develop cost estimates for various scenarios.

Bureau of Business and Economic Research''s Annual report for fiscal 2012 - 2013 details the activities and finances for the year. Each of the BBER''s programs are reviewed and various research projects and publications are highlighted.

Although the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, manufacturing in Montana continued declining through 2010, falling to fewer than 20,000 workers after the pre-recession level of nearly 24,000. However, both 2011 and 2012 revealed growth for Montana manufacturers, with annual sales increasing to more than $13 billion and employment topping 21,000 workers for the first time since the recession's end.

Although the Great Recession officially ended in 2009, manufacturing in Montana continued declining through 2010, falling to under 20,000 workers after the pre-recession level of nearly 24,000. However, both 2011 and 2012 revealed growth for Montana manufacturers, with annual sales increasing to more than $13 billion and employment topping 21,000 workers for the first time since the recession''s end. This article includes the results from the annual survey of Montana''s largest manufacturers, which queries manufacturers on a variety of business issues pertaining to both the year just completed and the outlook for the coming year.

This is a report on a study conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research which examined the economic contribution of the craft brewing industry. The research was designed to answer the question, What does the craft brewing industry contribute to the Montana economy?

Annual report for the BBER covering the years activities and accomplishments featuring major projects from each of the program areas.

Forest managers are constantly faced with the need to reliably estimate harvest costs. Because of the inherently variable conditions under which logging occurs, estimating costs inexpensively is challenging. Yet costs estimates for timber harvest are especially important as new treatments aimed at ecosystem restoration are developed. The Bureau conducts surveys on logging and hauling costs during alternate years to help managers develop cost estimates for various scenarios.

Annual report for the BBER covering the years activities and accomplishments featuring major projects from each of the program areas.

Annual report for the BBER covering the years activities and accomplishments featuring major projects from each of the program areas.

The University of Montana is a major generator of economic wealth throughout the state of Montana. Its presence in the state economy makes the economic pie significantly bigger. Our analysis indicates that 9,700 jobs, more than $1 billion in after-tax income, and almost $200 million in state tax revenues are attributable to the presence of UM-Missoula in the Montana economy.

Forest managers are constantly faced with the need to reliably estimate harvest costs. Because of the inherently variable conditions under which logging occurs, estimating costs inexpensively is challenging. Yet costs estimates for timber harvest are especially important as new treatments aimed at ecosystem restoration are developed. The Bureau conducts surveys on logging and hauling costs during alternate years to help managers develop cost estimates for various scenarios.

Annual report for the BBER covering the years activities and accomplishments featuring major projects from each of the program areas.

This report details the findings of a comprehensive evaluation of labor force availability in the 11 counties of north central Montana. During the summer and fall of 2008, researchers at The University of Montana''s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) surveyed a random sample of adults in Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Liberty, Phillips, Pondera, Teton, and Toole counties to assess the labor force status, availability, training preferences and other characteristics. The purpose of the project was to construct and present a more comprehensive assessment of labor force status and availability than can be obtained from the employment and unemployment statistics gathered regularly by state and federal statistical agencies. The emphasis was on those in the adult labor force who are receptive to new job opportunities. This includes both the under- and the unemployed.

Our basic finding is that there are a substantial number of individuals currently working who report themselves as willing and available for new job opportunities. Statewide, there were almost 261,000 adults who could be classified as available for new job opportunities.

About 54,000 off-highway vehicles (OHVs) were registered in Montana during 2007. OHV owning households own an average of two machines and two family members usually participate in outings. Residents spend nearly all of their out-of-pocket trip costs for gasoline. We estimate that OHVers buy about 5.3 million gallons of gasoline per year. With a base tax of $0.27 per gallon, we estimate that OHVers in Montana generate over $1.4 million in revenue for the state highway trust fund.

Management of public lands occurs today with high levels of scrutiny and controversy. To succeed, managers seek the support, involvement, and endorsement of the public. This study examines trust as an indicator of managerial success and attempts to identify and measure the components that most influence it. A review of trust literature yielded 14 attributes that were hypothesized to contribute to trust, grouped into the three dimensions of Shared Norms and Values, Willingness to Endorse, and Perceived Efficacy. Operationalizing these attributes and dimensions, a telephone survey was administered to a sample of Montana, USA, residents living adjacent to the Bitterroot National Forest (n = 1,152). Each of the attributes was measured in the context of federal lands fire and fuel management. Structural equation modeling showed that all 14 attributes were found to be influential contributors to levels of trust. Results suggest that if managers are to maintain or increase levels of public trust, they need to consider each of trust''s attributes as they make social, ecological, and economic resource decisions.

The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) needed information about citizens'' perceptions regarding seat belt use, child safety seat use, and possible laws governing their use. This information is one important component that will be used to inform MDT''s long-range planning process.

Our basic finding is that the number of workers currently residing in Flathead County who are potentially available for new employment opportunities is substantially larger than official unemployment statistics would suggest. We estimate that as of summer/fall 2008, there were approximately 19,500 individuals, aged 18 or older, who identified themselves as candidates for new job openings. By contrast, the Montana Department of Labor and Industry reports that for September 2008, the most current month available at press time, the number of unemployed individuals in Flathead County was slightly less than 2,200. The wide discrepancy between these two estimates stems from the fact that the available labor pool contains substantial numbers of individuals who are currently employed, but willing to change jobs in response to new opportunities.

Annual report for the BBER covering the years activities and accomplishments featuring major projects from each of the program areas.

There is a large difference between the views of Missoula City residents and residents of Missoula County who live outside the city on the question of which action would improve Valley transportation more: expanding road capacity or improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Two-thirds (67.5%) of County residents said expanding road capacity would improve transportation more than improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities. However, city residents were evenly split on the issue. 50.3% said expanding road capacity would result in more improvement, while 49.7% said improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities would improve the system more. Missoula Valley residents displayed little change in 2008 when compared to 2000 in how they travelled to work. Missoula Valley residents transportation mode choice in 2008 for all purposes resembles that of the United States as a whole. However, cold weather during survey administration may have been a confounding factor when examining modes like walking, bicycling, and motorcycle riding.

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research?s most recent surveys suggest that about 8 percent of Montana households include snowmobile recreationists. With an average household size of 2.5, perhaps as many as 85,000 Montanans participate in the sport each winter. Nonresident snowmobilers are also important contributors to the Montana economy. Snowmobiling is a popular, revenue-generating winter activity in Montana.