'Yellowstone' series injects $70M into Montana economy, university report finds

MISSOULA, Mont. (TND) — The "Yellowstone" television series has brought more than $70 million in additional spending to Montana, according to a study by the University of Montana.

Specifically, the fourth season of the hit television series is what fueled the bump since it wasfilmed in the Bitterroot Valley of the state.

The study found, thanks to the Paramount series starring Kevin Costner, there were:

• 527 permanent jobs in the state, not including the 624 Montana residents who were employed during filming as extras.
• $25.3 million in annual personal income for Montana households.
• $85.8 million in additional gross receipts for Montana businesses and non-business organizations.

The university's Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) reports annual state government revenues were higher by $10.6 million, according to BBER Director Patrick Barkey.

“The production activities of 'Yellowstone' season four in Montana supported jobs and income well in excess of its own economic footprint, making Montana’s economy larger and more prosperous than it otherwise would have been,” Barkey said. “The high-paying nature of the production-related jobs, and the considerable demand for locally produced goods and services, are the main reasons why the economic impacts were so sizable.”

The study, sponsored by the MEDIA Coalition of Montana and Paramount, said Montana has experienced growth in television and film in the last decade, with 122 productions filmed in 2019.

The large-scale film production paying for lodging, rental cars and veterinary/animal services "really helped our bottom line,” said Lynn-Wood Fields, owner of the Montana Media Center, a locally based services provider.