The 51st Annual Economic Outlook Seminar
Coming to 9 Cities January – March 2026
Economic Outlook Seminar 2026
The 2026 Economic Outlook Seminar will highlight the latest economic trends for local economies and the state of Montana, with special focus on taxes and whether it’s time to reconsider having a sales tax in our state.
Sales Tax In Montana: Is It Time?
Montana is one of five states without a general sales tax. Voters resoundingly defeated sales tax proposals in 1993 and 1973, and the idea still polls poorly today.
It’s been over 30 years since Montana voters have weighed in on sales tax, and interest in putting it on the ballot again is rising. At least five bills were introduced in the 2025 legislative session having to do with sales tax. As tourism increases and property taxes become more unpopular, some Montanans believe it’s time to reconsider a sales tax.
How would a sales tax affect Montana’s economy? How much revenue could it generate, and could it meaningfully reduce property taxes? Could it be designed to target tourists and reduce the impact on local residents?
That’s exactly what BBER economists and our keynote speaker, Bob Story, executive director of the Montana Taxpayers Association, will be discussing at our 2026 Economic Outlook Seminars being held around the state in January – March.
Join us to hear more about the research and history of sales tax in Montana in the context of today’s economic conditions and trends. As always, we’ll present the economic forecasts for communities around the state, along with a look at Montana’s important industry sectors. Don’t miss this informative program about Montana’s economy!
Why Attend EOS 2026?
BBER economists will present national, state, and local economic forecasts for Montana’s largest communities, and industry experts will give their outlook for the state’s important sectors, including tourism, health care, real estate and housing, agriculture, manufacturing, high-tech and forest products.
Keynote Speaker
An information packed half-day seminar with Robert Story, Executive Director of the Montana Taxpayers Association.
BBER’s long-running economic outlook seminar series will run from January through February 2026 in nine Montana cities. Attendees will have the opportunity to network and take advantage of the insightful economic forecasts that have benefited the Montanans for 50 consecutive years.
Bob Story
Bob Story has served as the Executive Director of the Montana Taxpayers Association since November of 2013. He is responsible for the Association’s governmental affairs activities and overseeing the daily operations of the Association. Story has extensive experience in the tax policy arena. He served sixteen years in the Montana Legislature from 1994 through 2010. He sat on the taxation committees in both the House and the Senate all of his tenure in the Legislature. He was chairman of the House Taxation Committee in 2001, and served as vice-chairman in 1997 and 1999. He was vice-chairman of the Senate Taxation Committee in 2003. He was elected President of the Montana Senate for the 2009-2010 Session.
Story is considered one the leading experts when dealing with the complexities of Montana’s taxation and school funding issues. He has worked on several major tax proposals, property reappraisal issues, school funding bills, and issues related to local government funding.
Schedule
EOS will be held in nine cities across the state of Montana
January 27, 2026
Helena
Helena Great Northern Hotel
835 Great Northern Blvd.
Helena, MT 59601
January 28, 2026
Great Falls
Great Falls Event and Conference Center
2800 Terminal Drive
Great Falls, MT 59404
January 30, 2026
Missoula
Hilton Garden Inn
3720 N. Reserve St.
Missoula, MT 59808
February 3, 2026
Billings
Northern Hotel
19 North Broadway
Billings, MT 59101
February 4, 2026
Bozeman
The Commons
1794 E. Baxter Ln.
Bozeman, MT 59718
February 5, 2026
Butte
NorthWestern General Office
11 East Park Street
Butte, MT 59701
February 10, 2026
Kalispell
Hilton Garden Inn
1840 Highway 93 South
Kalispell, MT 59901
March 10, 2026
Lewistown
Central Montana Head Start
25 Meadowlark Lane
Lewistown, MT 59457
March 11, 2026
Havre
MSU-Northern
300 West 11th Street
Havre, MT 59501
The Speakers
Our lineup of speakers include industry and economic experts focused on Montana.
Jeff Michael
Director
Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Bob Story
Executive Director
Montana Taxpayers Association
Joel Schumacher
Extension Specialist
Agricultural Economics & Economics
Montana State University
Derek Sheehan
Economist
Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Melissa Weddell
Director
Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research
Sam Scott
Forest Economist
Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Seminar Sponsors
Principal Sponsor:
Premier Sponsor:
