For the 43rd year, the University Of Montana Bureau Of Business and Economic Research's Economic Outlook Seminar will hit the road to communities throughout the state.

Director Patrick Barkey said on Monday that the focus of this year’s seminars will be the future of higher education in Montana.

“Higher education is an important piece of the economy in many parts of the state,” said Barkey. “Throughout the state, institutions of higher educations play a vital role. We look at that first as researchers and what the issues are in higher education in terms of demographics, of financing, and in terms of measuring its effectiveness. We’re also going to hear from one of the players in higher education, particularly Regent Robert Nystuen and how Montana’s system of higher education is going to meet those challenges.”

Barkey said the seminar will travel to nine cities across the state.

“”We’ll start in Helena on January 23rd, Great Falls on the 24th, and we’ll be in Missoula on the 26th at the Hilton Garden Inn,” he said. “Then, we’ll be in Billings on the 30th and Bozeman on the 31st, February 1st in Butte and the 2nd in Kalispell. Then, we’ll take a break and be in Lewistown and Havre on March 13th and 14th.”

Barkey said the cost of attending the seminar is $90 or $25 for a Montana University System student or faculty member. Find the link to register here.

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