Yellowstone County: next door to a boom.

• Author: Barkey, Patrick M.
• Position: Statistical data

Much was expected of the Billings area economy at the beginning of the year. And for the most part, it has delivered. For several years running now, economic conditions have seemed to improve the further east you travel on 1-90 and 1-94. Billings didn't escape the recession--not by a long shot. But thanks to its proximity to the Bakken, and the muted nature of its housing bust, it has hit a higher growth gear than most other parts of the state.

Perhaps the biggest economic story in Billings in 2013 was construction. Big projects at the refineries, as well as new developments in multi-family and single-family housing, produced a $30 million increase in payrolls in that industry alone. The performance of its other key sectors added to that gain. Particularly strong were the performance of its wholesale trade, professional business services, and mining services sectors.

Billings' traditional role as a transportation and distribution hub has also helped it grow briskly as the eastern oil county development continues its rapid pace. In fact, the reach of the Bakken continues to be seen in almost every economic indicator for the entire county. Services of all kinds are doing well--everything from repair to engineering, even to food and accommodations. Billings is not "the" gateway to the Bakken. But it certainly is one of them.

But even in Yellowstone County, the economic future is not without risks. Air pollution abatement costs may be rising, especially if the EPA follows through and declares its sulfur dioxide levels to be in nonattainment status. Some of its older manufacturing facilities could be affected. Should the current slowdown in the Bakken turn into something more pronounced, those impacts could reach Billings as well.

Those concerns aside, we expect Yellowstone County to again surpass the state average in growth for...