Montana's Economy And AI Data Centers Explained In Butte, Aug. 5

Montana's economy is changing and a new statewide economic update aims to explain what this could mean for businesses, workers and communities across the Treasure State.

The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) is hosting its annual Midyear Assessment of the Outlook for the U.S. and Montana Economies in Butte on August 5th from noon to 1:30pm at Northwestern Energy, offering an in-depth look at the latest economic trends with a special focus on high-tech industries, artificial intelligence , data centers and the rapidly expanding digital economy.

According to BBER's latest research, Montana's high-tech sector is growing at a pace that far outstrips the state's overall economy. At the national level, investment in AI infrastructure and large-scale data centers has become a major driver of economic growth over the past two years. While much of that investment has occurred elsewhere, Montana is beginning to see its own wave of development.

Several large data center projects are currently in various stages of planning and construction across the state, creating opportunities for new jobs, business investment and long-term economic development. At the same time, those projects are sparking discussions about electricity, demand, energy costs, water use and environmental impacts.

The 90-minute Midyear Economic Update will examine those issues while providing atttendees with the latest forecasts for both the U.S. and Montana economies. In addition to the economic outlook, participants will hear an updated analysis of Montana's high-tech industry and new research exploring the potential economic effects of data centers on the state.

The program will travel to six other Montana communities, giving residents, business leaders and policymakers an opportunity to hear directly from BBER economists. The session will include lunch, making it an informative and convenient opportunity to stay current on the trends shaping Montana's economic future.

Find out more here.

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