What: The Bureau of Business and Economic Research’s mid-year economic update
When: Tuesday, July 30th - Thursday, August 1st
Billings - July 30th, 7:00 - 8:30 a.m.
Bozeman - July 30th, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Butte - July 30th, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Helena - July 31st, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Great Falls - July 31st, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Missoula - Aug. 1st, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Kalispell - Aug. 1st, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Where: The BBER’s mid-year economic update will travel to the following 7 cities:
Billings - Northern Hotel
Bozeman - Best Western GranTree Inn
Butte - NorthWestern Energy General Office
Helena - Delta Hotels Helena Colonial
Great Falls - Meadow Lark Country Club
Missoula - Hilton Garden Inn
Kalispell - Hilton Garden Inn
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE EVENT:
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER)’s mid-year economic update program provides an in-depth overview of Montana’s economy. This year’s special focus will be on Montana’s housing market and affordability.
Statewide, housing prices today are 60 percent higher than the beginning of 2020, and rents have ballooned as well. Median home prices in Bozeman now exceed prices in Seattle, approaching $1 million. The pressure on housing is showing up everywhere from property tax bills to homeless encampments. The BBER’s 2024 Economic Outlook program will take a fresh look at policies and actions that could move the needle on housing affordability.
The mid-year economic update program is 90 minutes long and the $35 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, or appetizers depending on the city.
Guest Speakers:
Patrick Barkey
Director of the BBER
Patrick Barkey has served as Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research since 2008. He has been involved with economic forecasting and policy research for more than 30 years, in both the private and public sectors. His recent research has been on the economic impact of energy development, the property tax treatment of the telecommunications industry and the economic impact of trade with Canada. He holds a B.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan.
Todd O’Hair
President and CEO at Montana Chamber of Commerce
As President and CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, Todd O’Hair works with over 2,000 business members representing every size, industry, and region in the state. A Montana native, O’Hair hails from Livingston where his family owns a multi-generational family ranch. Before being named President and CEO of the Montana Chamber, he 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.