MONTANA BUSINESS QUARTERLY

Volume 51, Number 1, Spring  2013

Economic Outlook

Q & A

by

MBQ Staff

Q & A with Bureau economists and industry experts throughout the state about the latest economic trends and forecasts, as well as the outlook for Montana's important sectors.

Smooth Sailing Toward a Cliff?

by

Patrick M. Barkey

A lot of things started to fall into place for the recovering Montana economy in 2012. We estimate that the state economy grew by about 2.7 percent in 2012.

Economic Transformation Continues

by

Patrick M. Barkey

The process of diversification away from its historic mining roots continued in the Butte-Silver Bow economy in 2012, yet the influence of minerals and natural resources to the local economy remains important.

Opportunities and Challenges

by

Patrick M. Barkey

The good news for Great Falls and Cascade County is that the recession of 2008-09 was kinder and gentler to the local economy than in almost any other part of the state.

Indirect Energy Impacts

by

Paul E. Polzin

Despite its image as a wild and woolly cowtown, Miles City has a diverse economic base dependent on federal and state government, agriculture, and agricultural-related activities and transportation.

A Matter of Perspective

by

Gregg Davis

Probably all are painfully aware of the impact the Great Recession had in the Flathead Valley economy. The Flathead is over 4,000 jobs shy of its 2007 peak employment of more than 41,000 jobs. Economy-wide wages are $57 million shy of their peak in 2008.

Shifting to a Higher Gear

by

Patrick M. Barkey

Is the Gallatin County economy regaining its pre-recession form? Judging from the most recent data you might be tempted to say it has.

Gorvernment is a Double-Edged Sword

by

Paul E. Polzin

There is no doubt about it Helena is a government town. The end of the state government pay freeze should temporarily boost growth in 2014. But the near-term trends for all levels of government will keep overall growth in the Lewis Clark County economy less than 2.0 percent per year, less than the statewide average.

A New Growth Reality?

by

Paul E. Polzin

This has been a long recession for the Missoula County economy, but the end may finally be in sight. The latest data for employment show definite growth during 2012 while corresponding figures for inflation-adjusted wages also turned upward, but with significant volatility.

Slowly Coming Out of Recession

by

James T. Sylvester

Ravalli County's economy appears to be coming out of the Great Recession, albeit slowly. The real estate market has stabilized with the number of residential real estate sales in 2012 increasing over 2011 levels. Prices are about the same, but days on market increased slightly over 2011 levels.

It's Not Just Oil

by

Paul E. Polzin

The past decade has been an economic roller coaster for Richland County. Annual growth rates ranged from a -7 percent to almost 19 percent. Most of the volatility can be traced to the Bakken oil boom and trends in the mining industry.

A Unique Montana Trade Center

by

Paul E. Polzin

The direct and indirect impacts of the eastern Montana energy boom made for a short recession in Yellowstone County. There was one year of stagnation (2008) and one year of decline (2009) followed by accelerating growth in 2010, 2011, and 2012.