What Would A Montana Data Center Cost? 10% of a data center’s total cost would go toward Montana jobs and goods.

The University of Montana’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) presented an analysis quantifying the economic footprint of a hypothetical data center in rural Yellowstone County. This assessment underscores the financial benefits and local concerns tied to such developments, reflecting underlying tensions in Montana’s evolving tech infrastructure landscape.

According to BBER, roughly 10% of the total project cost would be spent on Montana labor and goods, supporting approximately 500 temporary construction jobs and 250 permanent positions. The remaining $18 billion would cover infrastructure likely sourced out of state. Local property tax revenues from the data center equipment might reach $33 million. Yet, critics, including the Montana Environmental Information Center, question BBER’s independence given its sponsorship by NorthWestern Energy, an energy provider to these projects. Concerns about water supply and rising utility costs have fueled opposition in Butte and other communities, stalling projects in Bonner and Great Falls. BBER plans to release a comprehensive report with full data and methodology before the end of September 2026.

Looking ahead, the full BBER report will offer deeper insight into the economic and logistical underpinnings of these developments.

The balance between economic gain and resource strain may shape how communities respond to future projects.

What a data center costs, and where the money lands
By Zeke Lloyd, Montana Free Press