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Annual economic outlook seminar comes to Kalispell Feb. 11

Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 week, 4 days AGO
| January 18, 2025 11:00 PM

After a pandemic-era boom in which Montana had one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S., Montana’s economy is growing at a slower rate, according to a University of Montana economist.  

“In recent years, Montana’s economy has boomed as its population swelled and new residents flocked to the state,” said Jeffrey Michael, UM’s new director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. “Not any longer.”  

While high housing costs have applied the brakes to in-migration, tourist visits set records in 2024, and hospitality, construction and health care propelled job growth higher as other sectors slowed, he said.  

Michael and a team of BBER economists and industry experts will begin a nine-city tour at the end of the month to provide the economic forecast for the state and national economies. 

The seminar series stops in Kalispell on Feb. 11 at the Wachholz College Center. It runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

BBER will celebrate its 50th anniversary for the Economic Outlook Seminar. In addition to an in-depth look at Montana’s economy, the 50th annual seminar features keynote speaker Paul Gladen, UM associate vice president for research and economic development, who will discuss artificial intelligence and what it means for Montana businesses.  

The seminar theme, “Montana’s AI Future: Rethinking How to Staff and Run Your Business,” addresses advances in computing power and machine learning, which have spawned an avalanche of innovations and investments that mimic what human brains do at higher speeds and lower costs. Gladen’s keynote presentation will focus on how Montana businesses can creatively leverage AI.  

The Bozeman seminar on Feb. 5 will be webcast live.  

For more information or to register, visit EconomicOutlookSeminar.com or call 406-243-5113. Registration is $99 and includes lunch.  

Continuing Education credits are offered for both the webcast only and in-person options. Established in 1948, BBER is the main research unit of UM’s College of Business. Bureau researchers engage in a wide range of applied research projects that address different aspects of the state economy, including survey research, economic analysis, health care research, forecasting, wood-products research and energy research.  

For more information visit bber.umt.edu or call 406-243-5113. 


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