MISSOULA – The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana is set to will kick off its 44th annual Economic Outlook Seminar series.
The half-day seminar highlights the latest economic trends for local economies and the state of Montana.
“The question for Montana is not whether or not we will get another recession. It is what kind of recession it will be,” said Patrick Barkey, BBER director.
Every year, industry experts give their outlook for Montana’s important sectors, including health care, forestry, energy, tourism, real estate and agriculture, according to a news release.
The seminar will also include the outlook for high-tech and start-up industries for the first time this year. The theme of this year’s seminar tour is “Facing the Challenge of Affordable Housing.”
“Housing has always been a policy priority,” Barkey said. “That’s why we’re taking on what is probably one of the hardest issues to solve.”
Housing prices have been rising faster than household incomes in almost every urban area of Montana – in some places, almost twice as fast. BBER economists will discuss the future of housing markets and attendees can pose questions to a panel of speakers from their local communities.
Registration costs $90. Registration for Montana University System faculty, staff and students is $25. Click here for more information and to register or call (406) 243-5113.
The seminars run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The full schedule is:
- Tuesday, Jan. 29, Great Northern Hotel, Helena
- Wednesday, Jan. 30, Hilton Garden Inn, Great Falls
- Friday, Feb. 1, Hilton Garden Inn, Missoula
- Tuesday, Feb. 5, Doubletree Hotel, Billings
- Wednesday, Feb. 6, The Commons, Bozeman and live webcast
- Thursday, Feb. 7, NorthWestern Energy General Office, Butte
- Tuesday, Feb. 12, Hilton Garden Inn, Kalispell
- Tuesday, March 12, USDA Agricultural Research Services, Sidney
- Wednesday, March 13, Sleep Inn & Suites, Miles City
- Thursday, March 14, Warren Miller Performing Arts Center, Big Sky
