Program

8:00 am – 8:10 am
Introduction

8:10 am – 8:45 am
Building a Green Energy Future Overview
Patrick Barkey, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

8:25 am – 9:00 am
U.S. and Montana Outlook
Patrick Barkey, Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

9:00 am – 9:20 am
Health Care Outlook
TBD

9:20 – 9:30 am
Break

9:30 am – 9:50 am
Tourism and Recreation
Melissa Weddell, Director, Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research

9:50 – 10:10 am
Housing and Construction Outlook
Derek Sheehan, Economist, BBER

10:10 – 10:30 am
Agriculture Outlook
George Haynes, Professor and Agricultural Policy Specialist, Montana State University

10:30 – 10:50
Forest Industry
Samuel Scott, Forest Economist, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

10:50 – 11:00
Break

11:00 – 11:20
Local Outlook
Patrick Barkey, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

11:20 – 11:40
Local Economic Expert

11:40 – 12:00
Break and Lunch

12:00 – 12:10
An Update on Our Energy Investment
Brian Bird, CEO, NorthWestern Energy

12:10 – 12:50
Building a Green Energy Future Panel
Suzanne Tilleman, University of Montana, Moderator
Jeff Blend, Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Heather McDowell, Sibanye-Stillwater

12:50 – 1:00
Conclusion

1:00 pm
Adjourn