Industry Studies
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2021 Montana Manufacturing ReportBy Montana State University Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research This report is on the state of Montana manufacturing conducted for the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC). The report and analysis was done by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana. This is the 25th year that BBER and MMEC have collaborated to produce reports on Montana’s manufacturing climate. The three primary topics are: the state of manufacturing at the state and national level in a general economic context; a survey of Montana manufacturers about the state of Montana manufacturing; and an impact survey of firms which used MMEC’s consulting services. |
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A Profile of Montana's High Tech IndustriesBy Bureau of Business and Economic Research This is the fourth annual report on the high tech industry in the state of Montana. The Montana High Tech Business Alliance (HTBA), 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 fourth iteration of this study adds new questions focused on hiring and the high tech labor force. |
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The Contribution of Health Care to Flathead County's EconomyBy Bureau of Business and Economic Research This report explores the contribution of health care to Flathead County's economy. Specifically, we investigate how health care contributes by addressing eight questions: |
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The Economic Implications of Implementing the EPA Clean Power Plan in MontanaBy Bureau of Business and Economic Research On August 3, 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its Final Rule for its Clean Power Plan aimed at reducing CO2 emission rates for electric generating units around the country. The implementation of this plan will require a larger percentage reduction in CO2 emission rates – comparing 2030 targets to the 2012 baseline – than any other state. The large revision in Montana's required CO2 emission reduction has narrowed the choice set for compliance for our state. This report estimates the economic impact of a scenario in which the main emission reducing mechanism is the closure of Colstrip SES. Utilizing the REMI economic model the report details employment, business gross receipts, personal income, tax and non-tax revenue, population and consumption impacts. |
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A Profile of Montana's High-Tech IndustriesBy Paul Polzin, Emeritus Director Strong growth in Montana manufacturing employment occurred despite permanent closures in several manufacturing industries. Employment in the wood and paper products industry decreased by 550 workers between 2009Q2 and 2013Q3. Employment in all the other components of Montana manufacturing increased by about 1,600 workers, or 11.3 percent. In summary, since the start of the recovery Montana manufacturing employment has increased considerably faster than the national rate. This strong performance was in spite of permanent closures in the wood and paper products industries. |
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Results from the 2014-2015 Montana Manufacturing SurveyBy Colin B. Sorenson, Steven W. Hayes, Todd A. Morgan, Each year the Bureau conducts a survey of Montana's largest manufacturing facilities (as measured by the number of people employed), as well as smaller firms representative of their sectors. Of the firms contacted, 76 percent responded to the survey. Manufacturers are asked about how the previous year went and what they expect for the coming year. Additional questions are asked about major concerns and trends. |
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A Profile of Montana's High-Tech IndustriesBy the Bureau of Business and Economic Research 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. |
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Results from the 2013-2014 Montana Manufacturing SurveyBy Steven W. Hayes, Charles E. Keegan III, Todd A. Morgan, Colin B. Sorenson The 2014 manufacturing outlook for Montana is quite positive, with expectations of higher sales, increased production levels, and greater profits among most of the state's manufacturing sectors. Many manufacturers are also predicting increased employment in 2014. |
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Results from the 2012-2013 Montana Manufacturing SurveyBy Steven W. Hayes, Charles E. Keegan III, Todd A. Morgan, Colin B. Sorenson 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. |
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The State of Montana ManufacturingBy Paul E. Polzin The U.S. economy is now in the fourth year of an exceedingly slow recovery that began from a cyclic trough in the second quarter of 2009. The recovery is under way in manufacturing. The comeback of durable goods production accounted for most of the growth. This report was prepared by Montana State University Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research and examines trends in Montana manufacturing. |
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