Community News

They’re back!  Bozeman’s average age declines and his pulse increases at the end of August each year. Montana State University was established in 1893 and has been one of the reasons that our town is such a thriving, exciting community. “College towns” in their own right have a certain amount of allure, and Bozeman capitalizes on MSU’s presence in many ways. 

Enrollment has been on the rise at MSU. The number published last September 2014 was for record enrollment at 15,421 students. That figure was the eighth time in the previous nine years to post increases. This year’s final tally will be an interesting one to watch.  Increased enrollment equates to bolstering our local economy in a number of ways.  Students purchase items locally to fill up their dorm rooms and apartments; parents spend weekends at local hotels when visiting from out of town; the restaurants receive additional business.  The list goes on. The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) published a report in 2010 using 2008 data to state that “the direct impact of nonresident student spending on Montana’s economy was approximately $34.7 million” in Bozeman for that year.  Due to both inflation and increased student enrollment, it can be surmised that this figure is significantly higher now.

Growth occurs in many areas, but the MSU Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Engineering have been the two colleges with the largest amount of growth.  Gallatin College MSU, which offers two-year associate degrees and one-year professional certificates, is also making nice strides.

To make space for this rising student population, new construction is prevalent on MSU’s campus. Jabs Hall was funded by a $25 million gift from the building’s namesake and MSU alumni, Jake Jabs.  The Norm Asbjornson Innovation Center for the College of Engineering will be constructed from a $50 million donation which is the biggest gift in history for Montana’s higher education.

And where do these students live? According to MSU’s website, there are around 3,500 students in the campus residence halls. To keep up with increased demand, MSU Residence Life has begun construction on a new co-ed building that can accommodate 400 freshman students.  Completion is expected in the Fall of 2016. An exciting off-campus project that came to life is Stadium View Apartments and Townhomes which is a brand-new student community. The complex offers several different sizes of apartments and also includes amenities such as a clubhouse, fitness center, and outdoor hot tubs, and fire pit. The units are fully furnished, and the property has a full-time, professional management staff on-site at all times.

Additional projects that have kept contractors busy around campus include upgrades on the Fieldhouse, upgrades on the Miller Dining Hall, Strand Union Building ballroom remodel, and many others.

The students are obviously an important part of the equation, but according to MSU’s most recent Economic Impact Study, published in 2011, the effects are far-reaching. At that time, MSU- Bozeman’s existence provided 9,000 jobs generating almost ¾ billion dollars in earnings.  Tax revenue, compensation, and investment spending are three other categories that see a positive impact because of MSU. The BBER’s Economic Outlook update for 2014 credited MSU as “the largest basic industry in Gallatin County, accounting for about 32 percent of total basic earnings.”

Statistics are all very positive when it comes to the average SAT, ACT, and high school GPAs of incoming freshmen. The majority of students who receive Montana University System honors scholarships have been choosing MSU. Efforts to bolster student retention seem to be paying off. Graduation rates are up. MSU President Waded Cruzado was quoted as saying “Montana State University continues to grow, which is an indication of the value of higher education as well as the incredible education our students receive from our world-class faculty.” The future is certainly looking bright for MSU students and graduates.  Oh and by the way…GO CATS!