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 would the economy of the state of Montana look like if the eight largest hard rock mines did not exist?
Timber harvests are the major cause of declining employment and labor earnings in Montana’s forest industry.
Montana has more entrepreneurs per capita than any other state and a business survival rate that ranks in the top 10.
While Montana is facing an affordable housing crisis, it’s also seen a surge in short-term rentals, limiting options for year-round residents.
The U.S. Forest Service hopes to improve forest health and reduce wildfires with increased timber harvests. How will that effect Montana?
A crisis is brewing in Montana and across the country for retiring business owners in their 60s and 70s – who will take over their businesses?
What will be the economic impact of the early retirement of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired Colstrip Electric Generating Station?
Global economic conditions are important for Montana businesses because many operate in the world market.
There 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?
Twenty-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 in Montana generates several thousand additional jobs and several hundred million dollars in additional income.
Montana’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 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?
If you travel across the state and talk with Montana’s employers, you will hear frequent complaints about their difficulty finding workers.
We asked speakers from the 2018 Economic Outlook Seminar to share their insights on the prospects for some key sectors of the state economy.
Beginning in the late 1990s, the pine forests of Montana began to experience the largest mountain pine beetle outbreak in recorded history.
It’s no secret that Missoula has a vibrant arts and entertainment industry. Art shows, music concerts and movie festivals fill the city every weekend.
Buying 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.
Montana’s sexual minority youth have it rough. Despite enormous strides in acceptance and understanding there’s still much work to be done.
There 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…
Depression 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…
For many, the first image of Montana is a vast mountainous landscape with pristine forests and rivers, replete with charismatic wildlife…
There are a number of reasons why worldwide economic conditions are important to us in Montana. First of all, a large part of the…
The 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…
During the past year, most Montanans became aware of the controversy concerning enrollment declines at the University of Montana…
As 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…
We 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…
Fort Benton used to be a sleepy farm town that was going downhill fast, according to a prominent local business woman. Now, thanks to Shep…
Montana’s current legal gambling environment has evolved from a long tradition, dating back to the free-wheeling mining and logging…
Missoula is a great place to live for many reasons – the natural beauty and wealth of available activities are two aspects that have…
Have you ever had an idea that you thought might make a good business? How far did you pursue that idea? Did you evaluate…
Reading the morning newspaper or watching the evening news on television is becoming a bygone habit. Over the past decade, the internet has evolved…
As early as 1791, American women were identified as a potential cheap labor force. That stigma is still playing out today despite the fact…
This year, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research traveled to nine cities across Montana to deliver its annual assessment of economic activity in…
A 2016 report by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, based on a survey of 200 Montana High…
When evaluating a region’s economy, the first question to ask is, “Do people want to live there?” If people want to live there, then…
Did you “Find Your Park” in 2016 to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service? This was the theme throughout the…
When asked what souvenirs were the best to sell in a store, a blogger responded by saying, “Tourists buy any and all crap. That’s…
For years, northwestern Missoula was a declining industrial district with shuttered warehouses and empty industrial areas, lacking places to drink and socialize. Then in…
Deciding 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 American energy boom began with improvements in technology. Advances in geophysics, nanotechnology, engineering and production management led to the shale-energy revolution and a…
Intercollegiate athletics play a major role in colleges and universities, individual communities and American culture. At the individual level, participation in intercollegiate athletics by…
During the past few years, Montana families and children have experienced a range of positive developments. Montana children overall are doing better than they…
Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau completes a survey of the population. If you participated in 2010, you likely remember filling out a…
College towns evoke images of brick buildings surrounded by expansive lawns and large old houses on wide, leafy streets. Look at any of the…
The 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…