Stronger Growth Ahead For Montana Economy

Cities across Montana will see growth in 2011 as the state moves further from the worst economic downturn in more than 20 years, according to University of Montana economist Patrick Barkey.

"The climate for growth has improved significantly in the past eight months, especially for energy and agriculture," said Barkey, director of UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. "Two years have elapsed since the recession’s lowest point, and families and businesses are starting to adjust and both are now positioned to spend more."

Barkey and Paul Polzin, director emeritus of BBER, will outline the outlook for the national, state and local economies at the bureau’s annual Economic Outlook Seminars, to be held in nine cities throughout Montana.

For more than 35 years BBER has traveled around the state to deliver the half-day seminars. Barkey and other economists from the Montana University System will examine the prospects for the state’s major industries throughout the series of seminars.

In addition to economic forecasts this year’s seminars will include the insights of respected Montana journalist Ian Marquand. For the luncheon program Marquand will moderate a panel discussion with seminar presenters and community professionals to discuss how economic impacts are hitting local economies.

The seminar series begins in Helena on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at the Best Western Great Northern Hotel. Other seminars are scheduled as follows:

Full Story: http://news.umt.edu/2011/01/012011bber.aspx