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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Sep 18, 2009 |
"Who dies with wealth, dies in shame." Andrew Carnegie
If you weren't there, you missed an excellent conference on energy in Montana: "MEDA Fall Conference Presentations, Photos, summaries, and power point presentations." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- See you tonight: ""Montana Matters" - Inaugural Benefit Concert With Shane Clouse, 9/18, Missoula" http://matr.net/events ... =2876
Entrepreneur- America
Glacier Raft and Outdoor Center
- Is your startup a "lampost" company?
The “ light is better under the lamppost” phrase sums up much of business planning.
Ignite Missoula
- Glacier National Park reports busiest summer in 15 years
Glacier National Park in northern Montana tallied its busiest June, July and August in 15 years.
Montana SBA
- Ignite Boulder 6: From 'food porn' to learning Swedish
Geekfest shows off PowerPoint potential to sold-out crowd
Montana World Trade Center
- The U.S. Small Business Administration is expanding its Microloan program.
Microlenders use the funding to provide loans of up to $35,000 to entrepreneurs, which can be used for working capital and acquisition of materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures and equipment.
TechRanch
- Montana World Trade Center Sep 9 Newsletter
MWTC Hosts Marketing Workshop for Montana Artists
Vision Net
- World Famous BioTech Pioneer & Montana Native Dr. Lee Hood, 10/9, Bozeman, Montana
Dr. Hood has been identified as one of the top 100 agents of change by Rolling Stone Magazine and “one of the 15 people the president of the United States should listen to” by WIRED Magazine.
City Club Missoula
- Videoconferencing Locations in Montana
There is a very extensive network of video conferencing sites throughout Montana.
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- City Club Missoula - Business leaders brainstorm for economic success - Western Montana Economic Blueprint
"I've been in economic development in Montana for 30 years. This has never been done in Montana it's been done in other parts of the country and how do we rank with those other areas? That's why we need broad based participation," said MAEDC President and CEO, Dick King.
Come Home Idaho
- MEDA Fall Conference Presentations, Photos, summaries, and power point presentations.
Thanks to each of you for your support and/or attendance at the 2009 MEDA Fall Conference. We had a phenomenal conference. Special thanks to our three hosts extraordinaire – Debi Davidson, Tracy McIntyre and Jennifer Nelson. More thanks to Lincoln County for rolling out their red carpet for MEDA.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- The Coeur d’Alene Area Chamber of Commerce hires headhunter to fill chief executive post
The chamber has 1,200 members, 17 employees and a budget of more than $2 million. The position profile can be viewed at http://www.cdachamber.com.
Montana Biotech
- Business Owners Smile More Often - What Kind of Business Do You Want To Start?
The survey suggests that seeking out enjoyable work and finding a way to do it on your own terms, with some control over both the process and the outcome, is likely for most people to fuel satisfaction and contentment.
- Build a Stronger America - The Kauffmann Foundation
The Kauffman Foundation is spearheading this Entrepreneurs' Movement to influence the dialog on the future of the country's economy so that entrepreneurs and their specific needs are at the forefront of the decision-making process.
Montana Business
- Biosimilars legislation and its importance to Montana
In the past several years Montana has outpaced the national growth rate for funding from the National Institutes of Health. During the same period Montana entities have received an additional 141 bioscience patents.
- The University of Utah is very supportive of H.R. 5629. "Pathways for Biosimilars Act".
For American researchers and developers to continue to compete in the global market for manufacturing new medications, patent protection for these products must be strong.
- Biotech companies court venture capitalists
The event attracted 25 venture capital companies, two-thirds of which were from out of state.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana has unexpectedly larger than expected budget surplus
The state ended the budget year in mid-2009 with a preliminary general fund budget surplus of $392 million, or nearly $23 million more than the Legislature had projected, a legislative fiscal analyst told a committee Thursday.
Regional Economic Development
- Montana Department of Commerce is Accepting Applications for Historic Preservation Grants
Montana cities, towns, counties, non-profit organizations and private entities are encouraged to apply for the more than $3.6 million available through the Program. The deadline to submit applications is November, 16th, 2009.
- Governor Schweitzer Releases 2009 Montana Tribal Relations Report
“This report embodies the State of Montana’s commitment to strong, long-term state-tribal relationships,” Governor Schweitzer said. “We look forward to our continued work ahead in forging more agreements and strengthening government-to-government relationships”.
- Montana Cooperative Development Center to get $200,000 grant from ag department
It's part of the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative." That's a USDA program designed to connect people more closely with the farmers who supply their food and to increase the production, marketing and consumption of fresh, nutritious food grown locally in a sustainable manner.
- Hardin officials assure residents about suspect jail contract
The vice president of Hardin's economic development agency is trying to assure residents that its contract with a California company to operate and expand a private jail is legitimate.
- The Montana Film Office has entered the world of online social media and we’d like to invite you to be a part of our growing community.
Visit the Montana Film Office website and read all about our great new incentive package, Studio 406.
- Montana Border Projects Come To A Halt
Secretary of Homeland of Security, Janet Napolitano, put a stop today (9/16) to any new border construction projects, and will review how her department made the original funding decisions.
- Montana West Economic Development September Newsletter
Montana West Economic Development and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority are a public/private partnership serving the Flathead Valley and Northwest Montana.
- Governor Schweitzer Releases Report on Montana's Restoration Economy
"Good-paying jobs are being created every day in Montana for men and women operating back-hoes and driving dump trucks who are working to correct mistakes of the past," Governor Schweitzer said. "They're working in our watersheds and forests, on our rangeland, and in mine and land reclamation projects. It's a new restoration economy where workers are upgrading hometown water-systems and revitalizing watersheds as well as Main Streets."
- Governor Brian Schweitzer Announces Grants for Biomass Energy Feasibility Studies
"Biomass is another tool we can use to build a smarter, cleaner energy future for Montana," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. "By harnessing this and other innovative energy ideas, we can help to ensure the viability of timber jobs for Montana families and communities and manage forest health. Through these funds, we are putting people to work, reinvesting in our economy, improving efficiency, increasing public safety, and making a cleaner, healthier Montana."
- Montana-Alberta Tie Line - $213 million Energy line a go
Almost two-thirds of the 214-mile transmission line will be located on United States soil, creating American jobs while allowing for the continued expansion of renewable energy production, according to the DOE.
Funding and Building your Business
- Rural America At A Glance
Update of an annual series, the 2009 edition of Rural America At A Glance deals with effects of the major recession on rural America.
- In Search Of America's Best Manufacturing Locations
Forget about 'one site fits all.' Look for 'one site fits me.'
Incubators and R&D
- 7 ways to boost publicity for yourself, company
By becoming comfortable with these tactics, you’ll start inching your way into the limelight, and you’ll gain more attention for your business in the process.
- Why attitude matters most
No one ever succeeded because of execution tactics learned from a Dummies book.
- Army Joins the Federal Hunt for Innovative 'Apps'
The United States Army has unveiled a new competition to foster the development of software and services that will be of use to the military.
- Things to ask before you redo your website
"If you were in charge of this, who are the 2 or 3 people you’d want to be sure to talk to – to help think through the issues, help us figure out who should do the work, etc.?"
- How Did Calypso Raise $50M? The Story Behind Seattle’s Biggest VC Deal of 2009
To hear Meier tell the story, a number of small, but important things have been adding up behind the scenes.
- Memo to Start-ups: You’re Supposed to Be Changing the World, Remember?
Not enough passion, not enough swinging for the fences, not enough trying to change the world.
Montana Education Excellence
- The Ideas Market - University of Montana research brings money, jobs, innovation to state
“America’s university research system is the strongest in the world and has been responsible for the remarkable growth of the economy of the United States since World War II,” UM VP of R&D Dan Dwyer says. “The private sector is wholly and totally dependent on university-based research to produce new products and new business opportunities.”
- With science journalism in retreat, universities try new strategy for informing the public
The universities have formed what is essentially their own nonprofit wire service, called Futurity, to provide articles to popular Web sites such as Yahoo News and Google News, along with MySpace and Twitter.
Idaho Business
- Grant Brings Arabic Language Classes to Missoula County Public Schools
The grant will create the school district’s first critical language program in collaboration with UM.
- Tastes like home: Lolo company, Montana Food Products helps Missoula students bite into food grown locally
"What they're doing here is creating something that other school districts around the country will be able to use as they move to provide more local food to their schools."
- Morning Star School, Bozeman, Montana’s largest elementary school, one of nation’s best schools
“We have high expectations n we don’t settle for mediocrity,” Hughes wrote in her application. “We are a school that looks for solutions and we have the attitude of ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’”
- Montanan - The Magazine of the University of Montana - Fall 2009
Utah Business
- Officials: Dell closure creating opportunities in Twin Falls, Montana
State and local officials say there's a silver lining in the closure of the Dell call center:It gives Twin Falls the opportunity to do something it hasn't done for some time- create new jobs.
- WaterCooler of Boise, Idaho launches $50K fund, attracts new startup
The Prototype and Equipment Grant (PEG) fund will provide grants to local entrepreneurs to help bring promising, but untested ideas to market, Rivers said. He noted that angel investment and financial help from friends and family is often out of reach for emerging companies without a way to prove that their products work.
- The wreck of tech: What did Idaho learn?
Thus Idaho's long affair with high-technology industry began. But 37 years later, love's on the rocks.
- Idaho may be close to landing hundreds of solar panel manufacturing jobs
A German solar panel manufacturer will likely announce within the next two weeks where it will locate as many as 1,200 jobs, and Idaho is one of only two sites in the running for the project, said Boise Valley Economic Partnership Executive Director Paul Hiller.
- Stoel Rives names finalists for Idaho Innovation Awards
This year’s program has been expanded to include the Governor’s Choice Award, which will be presented by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter at the event, slated for Sept. 24 at Boise State University’s Stueckle Sky Center.
Washington State Business
- Software giant Adobe buys Orem, Utah's Omniture for $1.8B
One software heavyweight is taking over another in a $1.8 billion deal that may result in a handful of layoffs now but ultimately could lead to more jobs in Utah.
Wyoming Business
- Washington State could shine as solar hub
The reason Washington can't keep up, Phillips says, is that it doesn't have the same cash incentives that Oregon does. The two states rank closely in terms of the range of tax breaks available to renewable energy companies. But Oregon allows companies to sell their tax breaks early to other companies, providing much-needed cash.
Education
- Casper, Wyoming incubator project wins federal dollars
The next step, Barnes said, will be hiring an incubator manager. The job description has already been written, so as soon as the right person is put in place, "we'll be able to start working with entrepreneurs immediately," Barnes said.
Other Economies
- Higher Education Change Agents article in Fast Company magazine
Fascinating article from Fast Company magazine on the radical change agents right now working to change the current higher education model in the U.S. (which has increased in cost more than anything else in the economy since 1990, has slipped from #1 to #10 in world ranking for producing graduate degrees, and ignores market signals more thoroughly than any sector of the economy.)
- MBA 2.0: Trading in Textbooks for Blogs?
Bret Simmons, Assistant Professor of Management from the University of Nevada, Reno, is requiring his MBA students to subscribe to at least 5 leadership blogs and provide comments to at least one of them each week.
Energy and Climate Change
- Hawaii businesses facing huge tax increase next year
Hawaii businesses will have to pay nearly $1,000 more per employee in monthly taxes come April to help keep the government’s unemployment fund afloat.
Grupthink
- More Efficient, and Cheaper, Solar Cells
New manufacturing techniques could cut solar power costs by 20 percent.
- Kentucky Governor Creates Bioenergy Task Force
“I am asking this group to take a hands-on approach in working towards finding viable energy resources that will not only address the future energy needs of Kentucky, but will develop an industry that can revitalize rural and local economies, create jobs, and develop prosperity for the state as it seeks to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions,” said Gov. Beshear.
- Geothermal Power Offers a Hot Hand Up
Geothermal power is available to all Earthlings, but finding the right spot for a full-scale electrical plant takes a long drill, a lot of money, and luck.
- IBM wants to make Dubuque, Iowa a sustainability showcase
IBM has high hopes that a visit by high ranking federal officials to Dubuque, Iowa today will help cement local taxpayer support for Big Blues' grand plan to turn Dubuque into a model "sustainable" city.
- Have a Nice Day
The reason that all these other countries are building solar-panel industries today is because most of their governments have put in place the three prerequisites for growing a renewable energy industry:
Government Technology
- Grupthink of Missoula, Montana Announces New Web Service, Enabling Branded Feedback Communities
Grupthink, available at http://www.grupthinkpowered.com/, is a web service that makes it easy and affordable for companies and organizations of any size to continuously learn from their customers via their own Grupthink-powered feedback community.
- Four Strategies for Transforming State Government
As Obama seeks to bring transparency to the federal government, he has plenty of examples to draw from in the states.
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