BBER PUBLICATIONS SEARCH RESULTS

This is a study of the economic contributions of the three facilities owned and operated by the metal mining company Sibanye-Stillwater in Sweet Grass and Stillwater Counties in south central Montana. The company?s Montana facilities, which include two mines and a concentrator and recycling facility in Columbus, jointly constitute one of the largest private sector employers in the state, whose 1,978 jobs paid average compensation in excess of $151,000 per year in 2021. The growth in the company?s core business, and the potential for continued growth into the future, merit the update to the BBER assessment of its economic footprint contained in this report. Our basic finding is that the size and scope of the company?s Montana operations have grown significantly since the BBER last studied its economic impact based on 2019 operations.

Farming and Ranching: Navigating Another Drought By George Haynes and Kate Fuller
Forest Products: COVID-19 Hangover Impacts Wood Products By Steven Hayes and Todd A. Morgan
Energy Montana's Energy and Minerals Future By Bill Whitsitt
Manufacturing: Shipping and Supply Chain Are Big Concerns By Robert Sonora
Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Staffing Shortages Cause Concern By Jeremy Sage
Health Care: COVID-19 Drives Exodus of Health Care Workers By Robert Sonora
Real Estate and Construction: Boom or Bubble? By Derek Sheehan
Transportation and Logistics: The Roller Coaster Ride Continues By Simona Stan
Technology and Innovation: Pandemic Has Not Slowed Montana's Growing Tech Sector By Christina Quick Henderson

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.

This is the seventh 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 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.

How COVID-19 Has Reshaped the Economy - What Changes Are Here to Stay? A Life-Or-Death Moment for Cities - New York and Other Metropolises Must Protect Themselves From pandemics or Our Future Will Be Far Less Urban The State of Manufacturing in Montana - Manufacturing Growth Stalls Due to COVID-19

Farming and Ranching - A Year of Volatile Commodity Prices and Near-Record Stimulus Payments Forest Products - Montana Wood Products in the Time of COVID-19 Energy - The COVID-19 Recession Impacts Prices Manufacturing - Continued Growth Is Interrupted by the Pandemic Travel, Tourism and Recreation - Crowds Flock To Montana During COVID Summer Transportation and Logistics - 2020 Was a Year of Disruption Health Care - COVID-19 Alters Health Care Landscape Technology and Innovation - Remote Work, Zoom Towns and a Spotlight on Biotech Real Estate and Construction - The Seller''s Market Continues

Hutterite businesses play a significant role in the state?s economy.

How we work is rapidly changing as we approach the fourth industrial revolution. What can Montanans expect in this new world of work?

This study of the Economic Contributions of the Lehrerleut Branch of the Hutterite Communities in Montana was performed by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana (BBER), in partnership with the Montana State University Department of Economics and Agricultural Economics. It was commissioned by Church, Harris, Johnson and Williams, P.C., on behalf of the Lehrerleut Communities. This research summary highlights the outcomes of the study, which will be described more fully in a forthcoming report. The role of Hutterites in the local economy, and the contributions made by the Communities to the total economic pie are not well understood by many Montanans. The broad goal of this study is to address that information void and highlight the economic impact the Hutterite Communities have on their local economies, as well as on the economy of the entire state. Our basic finding is that the presence of the 81 farming operations owned and operated by the 38 Lehrerleut Communities examined in this study support production, employment and income in the Montana economy that is significant in size and scope. The substantial linkages that exist between their agricultural and other operations and the rest of the state economy ultimately support jobs and income in non-Hutterite and non-agricultural sectors of the economy, resulting in a larger economic pie for all Montanans to share.

This article looks at nine of Montana''s key industries; Farming and Ranching: Price Declines and Exports Make for a Challenging Year, Forest Products: Positive Signs for Montana, Energy: What to Watch for in 2020, Manufacturing: Montana Outpaces Nation as a Whole, Travel, Tourism and Recreation: Nonresident Visitation Stable, Health Care: The Impact of Medicaid Expansion, Transportation and Logistics: A Shortage of Drivers Continues to Cause Concern, Technology and Innovation: Record Revenue, Jobs and Venture Capital Investment, Real Estate and Construction: Housing Markets Lack Inventory.

In early 2018, the Trump administration announced its first round of trade tariffs ? none of the administration?s trade policies have been ratified by Congress. The first round began in January 2018 on consumer appliances, and was quickly followed by tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. In May 2019, an additional $50 billion in tariffs were added on Chinese imports. The repercussions of these restrictive trade policies resulted in predicted retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports. The impacts of these tariffs are being passed on and paid for by U.S. consumers ? because tariffs lead to higher domestic prices for protected goods.

Montana University System research has a significant impact on the state?s economy, providing income, jobs and tax revenue.

As in many western communities with a timber heritage, the forest industry in Ravalli County in southwestern Montana has undergone dramatic changes, growing substantially in the decades after World War II and contracting since the 1990s (Keegan et al. 2006). Just 17 primary wood products facilities were operating in Ravalli County during 2014 (Hayes and Morgan 2017) and capacity to process timber was 13 million board feet (MMBF) Scribner, with the majority of that capacity in the log home sector. By contrast, in 1988 the county?s 29 active facilities had a capacity of 91 MMBF ? seven times larger than today.

Global economic conditions are important for Montana businesses because many operate in the world market. Take a tour of the global economy.

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.

Insect and disease outbreaks in the central Rocky Mountains reached epidemic levels in the last two decades resulting in vast stands of dead trees across parts of Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota. Both the States and the Forest Service have increased investments in forest health, hazardous fuels mitigation and safety protection on private and public lands (Wyoming State Forestry Division 2017; State of Colorado 2017; USFS MBRNF 2017). These and other treatments designed to restore ecological condition and function and reduce fire hazard require the removal of a mix of timber valuable enough to offset some of the costs along with smaller trees with limited value and markets (Wagner et al. 2000). The loss of milling infrastructure throughout the West, combined with changing management objectives on federal lands, raise questions about the industry?s ability to purchase timber of varying sizes and quality at a rate that is adequate for the forest and sustainable for the industry (Keegan et al. 2005; Keegan et al. 2006).

In order for land management agencies to meet societal expectations for wood products, wildfire risk reduction, and other goods and services, managers need accurate and up-to-date information on the ability of markets to utilize timber of various sizes and variable quality. Timber harvesting also creates opportunities to offset the cost of treatments while producing value added products. This technical report looks at forest industry capacity for the RioGrande National Forest and surronding market area.

This report presents the findings of the 2016 Montana Manufacturers Survey. The initial Montana Manufacturers Survey was conducted in 1999. Since then, the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana has conducted the survey during November and December each year. The purpose of the survey is to learn the manufactures? assessment of their plants economic performance in 2016 and their outlook for the upcoming year. The 18th annual survey was conducted in late 2016. A total of 250 establishments who were part of the Montana Manufacturing Information System (MMIS) were contacted, including Montana?s largest manufacturers as measured by employment, as well as a sample of smaller establishments representing a wide variety of sectors. Of all establishments contacted, 172 or 69 percent responded to the survey.

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.

Presently there is a lack of information describing US southwestern energy consumption and emissions generated from the sawmilling industry. This article uses a mail survey of softwood sawmills in the states of Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to develop a profile of on-site energy consumption and selected emissions for the industry. Energy consumption is categorized by fuel type on a production basis for both renewable and nonrenewable sources for production year 2012. Selected emissions from on-site energy consumption were also estimated for respondent sawmills. Survey respondents represented 35 percent of total softwood lumber production of 169.2 million board feet. Total annual on-site sawmill energy required was 64.8 billion British thermal units. Sixty-one percent was derived from diesel fuel, primarily for on-site rolling stock; 35 percent was from electricity; 3 percent was from gasoline used for on-site rolling stock; and the remainder was from propane and wood. Energy produced from nonrenewable sources accounted for 94 percent of total on-site energy consumption. Off-site electricity generation for consumption at sawmills comprise the majority of all emissions in this analysis: 62 percent of CO2, 99 percent of CH4, 94 percent of NOX, 99 percent of SOX, and 99 percent of particulate matter <= 10 um (PM10). Diesel fuel, which supplies the majority of on-site energy, comprises 36 percent CO2, 0 percent CH4, 5 percent NOX, 0.4 percent SOX, and 1.1 percent of PM10.

Total on-site energy requirements for wood product manufacturing are generally not well understood or publicly available, particularly at subregional scales, such as the state level. This article uses a mail survey of softwood sawmills in Montana to develop a profile of all on-site energy consumption. Energy use is delineated by fuel type on a production basis for both renewable and nonrenewable sources for production year 2009. Survey respondents represented 92 percent of total Montana softwood lumber production of 449 million board feet, which is 4 percent of western US production and 2 percent of national production. Total annual on-site sawmill energy required was 1.6 trillion British thermal units. Seventy-seven percent was derived from wood and bark, primarily for process heat and steam for lumber drying; 16 percent was from electricity; 5 percent was from diesel used for on-site rolling stock; and the remainder was from gasoline, propane, and natural gas. Energy produced from renewable sources accounted for 86 percent of total on-site energy consumption. In addition to providing an energy profile of Montana sawmills for policymakers, aggregated results may be useful to individual firms in characterizing their energy requirements relative to the state average and in identifying potential opportunities for bioenergy expansion.

Craft breweries are bigger than ever and contributing in large ways to Montana?s economy. This sector?s growth has been remarkably steady and shows no signs of slowing down. Since 2010, craft brewing in the state has grown by 87 percent.

This is the second 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.

After four consecutive years of growth, it appears that 2015 was the first year that Montana saw a decline in manufacturing jobs. Montana?s manufacturing sector had experienced steady gains since the Great Recession ended.

The big story is Montana''s economy coming into balance; both geographically and across industries. Three or four years ago, commodity prices were high and oil was booming. That, along with high agriculture prices, made for faster growth in rural counties, primarily eastern counties, rather than in bigger cities.

2015 was a year of challenges and disappointments for wood products markets. New home starts in the U.S. failed to materialize at predicted levels and the Chinese economy?s slowdown reduced exports of logs, lumber, and other wood products from U.S. and Canadian producers to Asia.

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.

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.

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.

A wide-ranging discussion covering economic topics of interest. The discussions include: the Economy, Healthcare, Tourism and Recreation, Agriculture, Manufacturing, Forest Products, Housing, and Energy. A panel of industry experts and economists provide their responses to important questions regarding Montana?s economy.

Cascade County is a classic example of why historic data, however accurate, may not be a reliable indicator of what is happening now. Specifically, the latest annual data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis do not reflect the new indirect energy-related manufacturing activity that only started to show up late in 2013.

The Gallatin County economy has been on an economic roller coaster since the onset of the Great Recession in 2008. The Bozeman-area economy experienced a significant contraction early in the recession. But the economy began to turn around in 2010 and has continued upward ever since. In fact, Gallatin County is one of only two major urban areas in the state (the other being Yellowstone County) to significantly exceed the statewide growth rates during the recovery phase of this business cycle.

The Helena economy has traditionally been non-cyclic because of its dependence of state and federal government. The data corresponding to the Great Recession certainly confirm this notion. Lewis and Clark County was one of the very few urban areas in Montana which did not have at least one year of decline during the last decade.

Economic growth in Missoula?s economy has been frustratingly slow. After three straight years of decline during the Great Recession, the Missoula economy turned upward in 2011. But the growth rates have been have been anemic. The Missoula economy expanded about 1.5 percent per year in 2012 and 2013, as compared to 3 percent to 4 percent annual growth before the recession.

Recent economic statistics demonstrate Ravalli County?s economy is slowly emerging from the downturn experienced in the Great Recession.

The Yellowstone County economy continues to benefit from the indirect impacts of the Bakken oil field developments on the Montana- North Dakota line. Even though Billings is more than 300 miles and five hours driving time from the epicenter of the drilling activity in Williston, North Dakota, it is an attractive location for the indirect and service activities associated with the oil boom. A number of North Dakota cities are closer to Williston, but at best they have roughly half of the population of Yellowstone County. This means that industries such as finance, wholesale trade, and professional services are probably much larger and have more depth and resources in Billings than in the North Dakota cities.

If Rip Van Winkle were an economist, he would marvel at the changes in the Custer County economy since he went to sleep for 20 years. What was once a regional center for state and federal agencies and businesses serving area farms and ranches has now evolved into a trade and finance center and, most recently, home to firms serving the Bakken oil fields.

The most recent federal data report accelerating growth in the Flathead economy. After a crippling decline during the Great Recession, the Flathead County economy posted an increase of 2.4 percent in 2011, about 3 percent in 2012, and a stunning 4.2 percent in 2013. The most recent figures suggest this rapid growth may have moderated in 2014.

Until about 10 years ago, Richland County has enjoyed a relatively stable and prosperous economy based on agriculture, food processing, and a utility company. Then technological advances enabled the extraction of crude oil, which was previously uneconomic. It has been dubbed the ?unconventional energy revolution.?

This station Bulletin of the Idaho Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station Moscow, Idaho examines current conditions of the Idaho Forest Products Industry and its outlook for 2015. Topics examined include: sales by sector, economic impact, lumber production trends, employment and worker income, and value-added by forest products manufacturing.

he Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana started an annual survey of Montana?s largest manufacturers in 1999. The surveys are conducted each year during November and December and query manufacturers on a variety of business issues pertaining to both the year just completed and the outlook for the coming year. The results shown here are from the fifteenth such survey, completed in December 2013. A total of over 220 firms were contacted for this year?s survey, including 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.

This poster presents the findings of the Bureau''s Survey of California forest products mill operations for 2012. It graphically presents the location/types of mills, California timber harvest by species, disposition, timber processing capacity and sales value. It also summarizes the results and highlights of the survey.

This poster presents the findings of the Bureau''s Survey of Four Corners state''s forest products mill operations for 2012. It graphically presents the location/types of mills, timber harvest by species, ownership, timber processing capacity & use, and industry employment. It also summarizes the results and highlights of the survey.

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.

Living a "Montana lifestyle" with access to recreational opportunities is one of the advantages of operating a business in Montana, according to respondents to BBER''s annual manufacturers survey.

Reversing a decades-long trend, it was the rural, eastern counties that led the state in growth and the more populous western counties that suffered the steepest declines.

The Great Recession hit the Lewistown economy, with the greatest impacts in construction and manufacturing.

Manufacturing Council, Center, and Bureau Recognize Manufacturing Day The Montana Manufacturing Council, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, and UM Bureau of Business and Economic Research will recognize national Manufacturing Day in Montana October 8 in Kalispell. Events include manufacturer tours and a press conference.

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.

Even as growth continues to spread and solidify across the state, important pieces of the economy remain far from healthy. The national economy will turn in a more sluggish growth performance this year. This and other global economic developments make us a bit more measured as we re-examine Montana''s growth prospects.

North Dakota is experiencing an oil boom that has increased total U.S. oil production as well as sheltered the state from the economic impacts of the Great Recession. Montana doesn''t have as much oil development activity as North Dakota, but is experiencing impacts of the development in Western North Dakota.

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.

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.

The first decade of the Twenty-first Century proved tumultuous for the West's forest products industry. A strong economy, low interest rates, easy access to credit, and real estate speculation fostered more than two million U.S. housing starts in 2005 and record lumber consumption from 2003 to 2005. With the decline in U.S. housing beginning in 2006, the 2008 global financial crisis, an over 50-year record low 554,000 housing starts in 2009, wood product prices and production fell dramatically. In 2009 and 2010, virtually every major western mill suffered curtailments and 30 large mills closed permanently. Sales value of wood and paper products in the West dropped from $49 billion in 2005 to $34 billion in 2009. Employment declined by 71,000 workers and lumber production fell by almost 50 percent from 2005 to 2009. Capacity utilization at sawmills and other timber-using facilities in the West fell from over 80 percent in 2005 to just over 50 percent in 2009 and 2010. With the exception of exports and some paper markets, U.S. wood products markets have improved little since the recession officially ended in 2009.

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?

Craft brewing is a healthy and growing sector of Montana's economy. From 2010 to 2011, production increased by 18 percent, employment was up by 39 percent, and sales rose by 20 percent.

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

The Bureau survey of Montana manufacturers indicates a slight improvement in operating conditions for Montana manufacturers in 2011 compared to 2012.

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 full force of the global financial crisis and recession did not hit Montana manufacturers until late in 2008, leading to substantial declines in 2009, with employment down by nearly 2,500 workers. Value of production dropped by an estimated $1 billion, and income to workers fell by more than $100 million during 2009.

Despite the recent recession and extensive declines in wood products, manufacturing remains a substantial component of Montana's economy. Measured as products left the plants, Montana manufacturers had sales nearing $7 billion in 2009. The state's manufacturers generated more than 21,400 jobs and workers earned more than $1 billion in labor income during 2009.

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

After four successive years of growth, Montana manufacturers saw a decline in activity during 2008. The 2009 outlook is for declines in Montana manufacturing activity and related employment, with expectations that the United States and other major economies will remain weak through 2009.

The U.S. economy is projected to slow in 2008, and further declines in the U.S. housing industry, tightening credit availability, and high oil prices all present risks to Montana manufacturers. However, while increases in global economic activity may slow slightly in 2008, continued strong economic performances, especially in China, India, and Russia, could help sustain demand for many Montana products.

Since 2004, Montana's manufacturing payrolls have gone up as national employment numbers in the same area decline. Nationwide, the economy has shifted from producing products to services. Yet, manufacturing continues to employ more and more Montanans each year and the state's manufacturing exports increased more than 280 percent since 2003. BBER economist Patrick M. Barkey and Steve Holland, director of the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center at Montana State University, describe how Montana has deviated from the national trend since 2004 and what impact this growth has had on the state.

Montana's manufacturing industry had increased sales, employment, and worker earnings in 2006, building on improvement both in 2004 and 2005. The sector in 2006 produced approximately $8 billion in product output and employed close to 27,500 people who earned $1.2 billion in labor income. The manufacturing sector accounted for over 20 percent of Montana's economic base. Some Montana manufacturers were also positively impacted by the continued growth of Montana's economy and those of adjacent states.