Economists from the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research presented findings in Helena this week showing what a large data center could mean for a rural Montana county — and the numbers are substantial. Using a hypothetical facility modeled on a proposed project in rural Yellowstone County, the bureau estimated roughly 500 temporary construction jobs and approximately 250 permanent positions once the center is operational.
The bureau holds two economic summits annually focused on Montana-specific economic questions, and this week's presentation brought together policymakers, business leaders, and local government officials to examine the fiscal and workforce implications of data center development. The Yellowstone County model served as a stand-in for the kind of large-scale infrastructure investment that several rural Montana communities have been actively courting.
For Helena and Lewis and Clark County, the presentation carries practical relevance. The region has seen growing interest from technology and data infrastructure companies attracted by Montana's relatively low land costs, available power infrastructure, and cooler climate. Whether a project of this scale would materialize locally remains an open question, but the bureau's modeling gives local officials a framework for evaluating future proposals — including what to ask for in tax increment agreements, workforce development commitments, and utility planning.