Montana’s Electricity Future: New Project Evaluates the Adequacy of Our Electricity Supply
byIt has been said that many people only care about the power system when they are experiencing a power outage. Electricity customers have come…
The Economic Impact of Filming Yellowstone in Montana
byFilm industry activity has grown significantly in Montana in recent years. Since the enactment of the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act on…
How Montana’s Regional Economies Are Faring
byThere was no escape from the ravages of the COVID-19 recession, but the severe downturn has been closely followed by a vigorous economic recovery.
Montanans Struggle to Access Affordable Child Care
byMontana has a serious issue with a lack of affordable child care. It is an issue that is affecting every business, every sector and every community regardless of size.
Where Housing Is Headed
byAfter rising faster than incomes for years, home prices took a sudden and surprising jump upward across Montana in the wake of the pandemic outbreak.
The Financial Value of Montana’s Natural Beauty
byMontana’s natural abundance upholds a vibrant business economy. But how does one measure our state’s natural capital?
Housing: Trouble in Paradise
byHousing may seem like a sudden crisis, but a combination of factors have been converging for over a decade to produce Montana’s current market conditions.
How Land Use Affects Montana’s Economy
byDo counties with access to ski resorts, open space or national parks have greater economic growth and prosperity in the long run?
Montana’s Tourism Industry Rebounds Through the Pandemic
byDespite the challenges of closed borders, schools and businesses, travelers set records in Montana’s state and national parks.
Resolving Montana’s Labor Shortage
byDemand in the economy has roared back with unexpected speed, but employers are having trouble hiring back laid-off workers.
Tackling Housing Affordability in Montana
byWith few affordable homes available for households earning a low income, many are being priced out of housing markets.
Food Insecurity Rose Steeply During the Pandemic
byFood banks have been facing steep challenges in distributing food to a record number of people who fell into poverty and food insecurity due to the nationwide lockdown.
High-Tech Soars Despite Pandemic
byMontana’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.
The Myth of Montana’s Housing Market Frenzy
byAre concerns about a housing shortage and the inability of working families to find reasonably priced housing in Montana related to COVID-19 migration?
Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act on National Forests
byA review of U.S. Forest Service land management accomplishments, budget and litigation since complying with the National Environmental Policy Act.
Overcoming the Challenges of Going Global
byThere are a number of obstacles for small and midsized Montana firms to face when looking to expand into international markets.
Hospitals Make Sizable Impact on Montana’s Economy
byMontana’s health centers contribute a sizable, ongoing and permanent impact on the state’s economy. Spending, demand and an aging population are spurring growth.
Montana’s Unaffordable Housing Crisis
byThe lack of affordable housing has been an increasingly difficult problem for many Montana communities. A shortage of homes and stagnant incomes have widened the divide.
The Economic Contributions of Montana Cooperatives
byCooperatives have been part of the fabric of Montana nearly as long as we have been a state. They employ thousands and make Montana’s economy significantly larger.
Lumber Prices Skyrocket During Pandemic
byA construction and remodeling boom has driven the demand for lumber and far exceeded the supply, causing lumber prices to rise all over the country.
The State of Manufacturing in Montana
byThe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. manufacturing has been considerable having already felt the impacts of an ongoing tariff war.
How COVID-19 Has Reshaped the Economy
byThe changes in the economy have been profound. With each passing month, the particular character of this recession becomes clearer.
A Life-or-Death Moment for Cities
byIf pandemics become common, then not only New York City, but all of America’s service-based economy faces a bleak future.
Seeing Beyond the Pandemic’s Grip
byCOVID-19’s icy grip left no corner of the state’s cities and regions untouched and bears little resemblance to previous economic downturns.
Mapping the COVID-19 Recession
byThe employment declines in the U.S., Montana and its urban areas were much greater than those experienced during the Great Recession.
Child Care Gap is Costing Montana Millions
byInadequate child care has a significant impact on families, employers and the state economy.
Tracking the Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Tourism
by2020 has proved to be anything but a normal year for the travel industry in Montana.
The Looming Vote on Recreational Marijuana
byThis November, Montanans will have the opportunity to vote on legalizing recreational marijuana.
COVID-19 Creates Economic Uncertainty
byAs states reopen their businesses, what does the future hold for jobs and the economy?
Missoula Housing Prices Soar
byHome prices in Missoula have seen their largest jump in a decade, making it harder for residents to find affordable living situations.
High-Tech Persists in the Wake of COVID-19
byMontana’s high-tech companies anticipate moderate growth and a promising future amid COVID-19.
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Montana
byThe unprecedented declines in economic activity due to the pandemic have not spared Montana.
New Study Gauges Hutterite Economic Contributions
byHutterite businesses play a significant role in the state’s economy.
The Future of Work
byHow we work is rapidly changing as we approach the fourth industrial revolution. What can Montanans expect in this new world of work?
The Economic Impact of a Global Pandemic
byFinancial markets have been interrupted and workers are being furloughed. When can we expect a recession?
Ending Youth Homelessness in Montana
byMore than 1.5 million youth in the United States experienced homelessness during the 2017-18 school year. It’s the highest number recorded in over 10 years.
Scientific Research’s Multimillion-Dollar Economic Punch
byMontana University System research has a significant impact on the state’s economy, providing income, jobs and tax revenue.
How the Forest Industry Changed the Bitterroot Valley
byWhat would the economy of Ravalli County look like today if timber harvests hadn’t declined?
Renewed Medicaid Expansion Grows Montana’s Economy
byMedicaid expansion has provided nearly $1.4 billion of health care to beneficiaries during its first two and half years.
How Montanans Get Their News
byThe latest survey on news media preferences found that Montanans have moved into the mobile device phase of the digital media age.
Youth Suicide in Montana
byMontana persistently ranks in the top three states with the most youth who die by suicide – and their method of choice is overwhelmingly firearms.
The U.S. Economy Remains Robust
byThe U.S. economy continues to move into positive territory and the unemployment rate is at a near historic low. But is a recession coming in 2019?
Timber Jobs Matter
byConclusions from a Headwaters Economics report on timber-dependent communities in Idaho are incorrect – analyzing the wrong variables and using the wrong statistical test.
Montana’s Economy at a Glance
byEach Montana community has its own unique economy. Take a look at the largest communities in the state, as we summarize their recent economic trends.
Homebuilding in Montana’s Hot Markets
byHave builders and developers responded to higher home prices by expanding their supply of housing through new construction?
Fueling Energy Independence
byMontanans use more energy per capita than consumers in most other states and we spend more per person on energy overall.
Facing the Challenge of Affordable Housing
byAs we work toward solutions in Montana, high housing costs are emerging as a significant public policy issue.
Mining, Taxes and Jobs in Montana
byWhat would the economy of the state of Montana look like if the eight largest hard rock mines did not exist?
What Happened to Montana’s Forestry Jobs?
byTimber harvests are the major cause of declining employment and labor earnings in Montana’s forest industry.
Entrepreneurship in Montana
byMontana has more entrepreneurs per capita than any other state and a business survival rate that ranks in the top 10.
The Rise of Short-Term Rentals
byWhile Montana is facing an affordable housing crisis, it’s also seen a surge in short-term rentals, limiting options for year-round residents.
The State of Montana Forestry
byThe U.S. Forest Service hopes to improve forest health and reduce wildfires with increased timber harvests. How will that effect Montana?
The Succession Crisis of Baby Boomer Businesses
byA crisis is brewing in Montana and across the country for retiring business owners in their 60s and 70s – who will take over their businesses?
The Future of Colstrip
byWhat will be the economic impact of the early retirement of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired Colstrip Electric Generating Station?
Synchronized Global Expansion
byGlobal economic conditions are important for Montana businesses because many operate in the world market.
Buying Genuine Montana
byThere are a variety of products that bear the Made in Montana mark and it seems to be cropping up everywhere. But what does it mean to be Made in Montana?
Struggling to Get Paid Time Off
byTwenty-five years ago, the Family and Medical Leave Act was passed to help working families, but today the law is no longer adequate.
Medicaid Expansion a Huge Success
byMedicaid expansion in Montana generates several thousand additional jobs and several hundred million dollars in additional income.
New Heights for High-Tech
byMontana’s high-tech companies generated a record $1.7 billion in revenue in 2017 and are growing nine times faster than other sectors of the economy.
Bitcoin in Montana
byBitcoin has been all over the news lately thanks to its meteoric rise last year. So, what is Bitcoin and what are its implications for Montanans?
Tackling Montana’s Workforce Shortage
byIf you travel across the state and talk with Montana’s employers, you will hear frequent complaints about their difficulty finding workers.
2018 Economic Roundtable
byWe asked speakers from the 2018 Economic Outlook Seminar to share their insights on the prospects for some key sectors of the state economy.
Recovering from the Mountain Pine Beetle
byBeginning in the late 1990s, the pine forests of Montana began to experience the largest mountain pine beetle outbreak in recorded history.
Arts Equal Big Business
byIt’s no secret that Missoula has a vibrant arts and entertainment industry. Art shows, music concerts and movie festivals fill the city every weekend.
Poverty with a View
byBuying a house in Montana can be hard. A recent Gallup study found 45 percent of Montanans were dissatisfied with the availability of good affordable housing.
LGBTQ Youth in Montana
byMontana’s sexual minority youth have it rough. Despite enormous strides in acceptance and understanding there’s still much work to be done.
Montana’s Revenue Woes
byThere has always been a lot of confusion in discussions about tax revenues in Helena. More accurately, there is confusion when these discussions circulate outside the political…
Wildfire Emissions in Montana
byDepression era bank robber Willie Sutton’s reasoning for why he robbed banks was summed up in a famous quote, “Because that’s where the money…
Recreating the American Prairie
byFor many, the first image of Montana is a vast mountainous landscape with pristine forests and rivers, replete with charismatic wildlife…
World Economic Outlook
byThere are a number of reasons why worldwide economic conditions are important to us in Montana. First of all, a large part of the…
Don’t Tie Me Down
byThe way Montanans regulate seat belt use can be confusing. It is illegal in Montana for an adult to ride in a car or truck without wearing a seat belt…
Enrollment Trends: The University of Montana (Retrospective 1978)
byDuring the past year, most Montanans became aware of the controversy concerning enrollment declines at the University of Montana…
Sexual Deviance in the House of Representatives (Retrospective 1971)
byAs my father’s eye caught the title of this essay, he looked disapprovingly at me. “How did you know?” he queried. I knew because I was the deviant…
Poverty in Montana (Retrospective 1965)
byWe have been hearing a great deal about poverty in the midst of plenty these days. For most Montanans – and for most Americans – the idea of poverty…
Heritage Tourism: Montana’s Hottest Travel Trend (Retrospective 1998)
byFort Benton used to be a sleepy farm town that was going downhill fast, according to a prominent local business woman. Now, thanks to Shep…
Gambling: Montana Style (Retrospective 1998)
byMontana’s current legal gambling environment has evolved from a long tradition, dating back to the free-wheeling mining and logging…
Missoula’s Affordable Housing Crisis
byMissoula is a great place to live for many reasons – the natural beauty and wealth of available activities are two aspects that have…
Barriers to Women’s Entrepreneurship
byHave you ever had an idea that you thought might make a good business? How far did you pursue that idea? Did you evaluate…
How Montanans Get Their News
byReading the morning newspaper or watching the evening news on television is becoming a bygone habit. Over the past decade, the internet has evolved…
Montana’s Gender Pay Gap
byAs early as 1791, American women were identified as a potential cheap labor force. That stigma is still playing out today despite the fact…
2017 Economic Round Table
byThis year, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research traveled to nine cities across Montana to deliver its annual assessment of economic activity in…
High Tech Boom
byA 2016 report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, based on a survey of 200 Montana High…
The High Wage Jobs Puzzle
byWhen evaluating a region’s economy, the first question to ask is, “Do people want to live there?” If people want to live there, then…
Montana’s Crowded Parks
byDid you “Find Your Park” in 2016 to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service? This was the theme throughout the…
Traveler Spending in Montana
byWhen asked what souvenirs were the best to sell in a store, a blogger responded by saying, “Tourists buy any and all crap. That’s…
One Beer at a Time
byFor years, northwestern Missoula was a declining industrial district with shuttered warehouses and empty industrial areas, lacking places to drink and socialize. Then in…
Picking the Right College
byDeciding where to attend college can be one of life’s pivotal decisions – one that can largely shape a student’s future. Every year, high…
The Economic Impact of the Bakken
byThe American energy boom began with improvements in technology. Advances in geophysics, nanotechnology, engineering and production management led to the shale-energy revolution and a…
The Economic Contribution of Grizzly Athletics
byIntercollegiate athletics play a major role in colleges and universities, individual communities and American culture. At the individual level, participation in intercollegiate athletics by…
Montana Lagging in Child Well-Being
byDuring the past few years, Montana families and children have experienced a range of positive developments. Montana children overall are doing better than they…
2020 Census Goes Digital
byEvery 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau completes a survey of the population. If you participated in 2010, you likely remember filling out a…
Curse of the College Town
byCollege towns evoke images of brick buildings surrounded by expansive lawns and large old houses on wide, leafy streets. Look at any of the…
What in the World is Going On?
byThe world is buzzing with the news of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. Despite the talk and speculation, experts just don’t…