A Midyear Assessment of the Outlook
for the U.S. and Montana Economies
with a Special Focus on High Tech, Data Centers, and the Digital Economy
Presented by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research
The tech boom seems to be creating a modern-day gold rush across the nation, with AI and data centers at the forefront. Our latest research findings tell us that Montana’s high-tech industry is growing seven times faster than the statewide economy. And while investment in data centers has been driving U.S. economic growth for the past two years, the phenomenon has mostly bypassed Montana…until now.
Several large data centers are in various stages of development in Montana, creating new prospects for job growth and economic development along with ongoing debates about energy costs and environmental impacts.
Join us this summer as we travel to seven cities to deliver a midyear update on the state and national outlook. In addition to the overall economic outlook, the event will feature an updated profile of Montana’s high-tech industry and a new BBER analysis of the potential economic impacts of data centers in Montana. The Midyear Economic Update is 90-minutes long and includes breakfast or lunch, depending on the city. Don’t miss this informative program with all of the latest economic data and forecasts.
Join Us This Summer:
Helena – Tuesday, July 28
Noon – 1:30 pm, lunch
Carroll College, O’Connell Hall
Great Falls – Wednesday, July 29
7:30 – 9:00 am, breakfast
Hilton Garden Inn
Kalispell – Thursday, July 30
Noon – 1:30 pm, lunch
Hilton Garden Inn
Billings – Tuesday, August 4
7:30 – 9:00 am, breakfast
Northern Hotel
Bozeman – Wednesday, August 5
7:30 – 9:00 am, breakfast
Grantree Inn
Butte – Wednesday, August 6
Noon – 1:30, lunch
NorthWestern Energy
Missoula – Thursday, August 6
Noon – 1:30 pm, lunch
University of Montana Phyllis J. Washington
College of Education
Speakers
Jeffrey Michael is the director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. Dr. Michael has decades of experience in regional economic forecasting, public policy analysis, and environmental economics, including work on the economic impacts of the Endangered Species Act, climate change, and regulation on land use, infrastructure, property values and employment growth. Prior to joining BBER, Dr. Michael was director of Public Policy Programs and professor of Public Policy at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, executive director of the Center for Business and Policy Research in the University of the Pacific Eberhardt School of Business, and associate dean and director of the Center for Applied Business and Economic Research at Towson University (MD). Dr. Michael has a Ph.D. In Economics from North Carolina State University, and M.S. in Natural Resource Economics and Policy from the University of Maine, and a B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College (NY).
Todd O’Hair, President and CEO at Montana Chamber of Commerce
As President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Todd works with over 2,000 business members representing every size, industry, and region in the state. A Montana native, Todd hails from Livingston where his family owns a multi-generational family ranch. Before being named President and CEO of the Montana Chamber, Todd was the Senior Manager of Government Affairs for a major coal mining company, Cloud Peak Energy. While at Cloud Peak, he served on the Montana Chamber of Commerce board of directors and was the chair of the board in 2016-17. Before Cloud Peak Energy, Todd worked in Gov. Judy Martz’s office for four years. He also served as the Natural Resources Policy Advisor for Congressman Rick Hill in Washington, D.C., and later as State Director.
Christina Henderson, Executive Director, Montana High Tech Business Alliance
Christina has served as executive director of the Montana High Tech Business Alliance since its launch in April 2014. She worked previously as the Marketing Director for the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research and as Director of the Delta County Economic Development Alliance in Escanaba, Michigan. She teaches in the University of Montana College of Business and writes for Montana Business Quarterly and other publications. Christina holds an English/Education degree from the University of Iowa and an MBA from the University of Montana.
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