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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Mar 1, 2016 |
"Now don't forget, Lizzie, when you get to the new world don't stop in America. You go straight to Butte, Montana." Mary Hagan
Gov. Steve Bullock
Montana Technology Innovation Partnership
- Governor Bullock: The State of Montana's Economy is Strong
"Montana's economy is strong and the state's ability to work collaboratively with the private sector has never been better," said Governor Bullock.
- Diverse economy will help Montana weather downturns in agriculture and energy, Gov. Steve Bullock says
Speaking to the Downtown Rotary in Billings on Monday, Bullock said he doesn't envy the challenges facing Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple.
Montana World Affairs Council
- National SBIR/STTR Conference, 5/23-25, Washington D.C.
At this conference you'll learn how to participate and compete for funding in these two programs that encourage small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) and to commercialize your technological innovations.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- Montana World Affairs Council On The Radio With Mehrdad Kia, 3/3, KGVO Radio
March 3rd, Bob will be talking with Mehrdad Kia, Professor of History at the University of Montana and Director of the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Center.
- Bozeman High to Represent Montana at National World Affairs Competition! Congratulations to AWQ Winners!
The Montana World Affairs Council's http://www.montanaworldaffairs.org/ Academic WorldQuest competition, now in its 12th year, brought more than 50 teams of high school students from across the state to the University of Montana campus Tuesday.
Energy and Climate Change
- Travel and Marketing Trends for Montana - February 2016
The 2016 leisure travel forecast looks promising - with Americans expecting to visit at least one small town or rural destination this year and 34% planning to increase their leisure travel spending.
- 4 Montana state parks will help efforts to cater to bicycling tourists
This summer, bicycling campers will find areas constructed specifically for them at four western Montana state parks - Whitefish Lake, Wayfarers in Bigfork, and Placid Lake and Salmon Lake near Seeley Lake.
Come Home Montana
- China to shut down 1,000 coal mines this year
It's a move that will simultaneously cool off China's over-supply of dirty coal and help tackle the country's air pollution crisis -- with even deeper cuts to come.
- Rural electric co-ops, traditionally bastions of coal, are getting into solar
In the US, rural areas and constituencies have typically weighed against progress on clean energy. But that may be changing.
- Maine Proposes to Replace Net Metering With a Market-Based Alternative
Legislators in Maine have introduced a novel solar policy that could boost solar capacity in the state and offer a viable alternative to net energy metering, a policy at the center of several state-level political battles.
- Can This Room-Sized Board Game Help Utilities Plan for Dramatic Changes in the Electric Sector?
What could we -- a mix of utility executives, technology suppliers, government officials, industry regulators, and outside observers -- possibly get out of such a simple exercise? Quite a bit, it turns out.
- Nevada Solar Ballot Initiative Faces Utility-Backed Legal Challenge
Solar advocates continue to advance a ballot initiative that would restore Nevada's retail-rate net metering policy, despite legal challenges from a utility-backed political group.
- The Energy Blockchain: How Bitcoin Could Be a Catalyst for the Distributed Grid
"We are on the ground floor of one of the most significant transitions in human history."
- The Energy Blockchain: How Bitcoin Could Be a Catalyst for the Distributed Grid
"We are on the ground floor of one of the most significant transitions in human history."
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Montana Career Opportunities - Patient Financial Services Director, Payment Analyst, RN, and many more... - Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital
Bozeman Health is a great place to work. With more than 1800 people on staff, we're one of the largest employers in the Gallatin Valley, and currently the largest private employer.
- Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital ramping up search for new CEO
Five months after dismissing its CEO following the discovery of his decades-old fraud conviction, Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital is still in the early stages of looking for a new leader, one of the institution's interim CEOs said this week.
- Montana Career Opportunities - President & CEO/MSUB Foundation, International Marketing & Outreach Spec, Director of Student Services/City College and more... Montana State University Billings
Located in Montana's largest city, MSU Billings is a comprehensive regional university with an enrollment of near 5,000 students.
- Montana Career Opportunities - International Tour Actor/Directors, Volunteer, and more... Missoula Children's Theater
MCT encourages year-round résumé and application submissions as we are always in search of gifted team players who can find inspiration and fulfillment in helping kids reach a new stage.
- Montana Talent Available - Seeking a challenging position in either an organizational or supportive staff position.
The focus of my successful forty-five-year Social Service career has been on Executive Management and Program Development/ Implementation for non-profit organizations in South Dakota and Montana.
- Tech workers are increasingly looking to leave Silicon Valley - They should consider Montana!
The portion of searches for work outside of the Bay Area--which has the most expensive rents in the US--was also highest among people ages 31 to 40, suggesting that people are leaving to find better opportunities elsewhere or to settle down in more affordable areas where they can improve their quality of life.
Montana Business
- "Silicon Prairie," America's new entrepreneurial frontier - You Should Be in Montana Growing Your Company
"You can grow your team a lot faster with a lot less capital. Same with office space."
Montana Economic Development
- For Billings inventors, patents are key to making ideas pay - Tracer Technology Systems
Overcast obtained an international patent for his invention, which can detect gunshots and immediately send a message through a cellular network to emergency personnel.
- Whitewater Rescue Institute - Missoula-based business helps 'The Revenant' filmmakers raft Kootenai River
"The helicopter ended up swinging his cable to us. Right at the last second, I was able to clip it. He had started lifting the boat straight up."
- AAA MountainWest offers grants to Montana Rural and Volunteer Fire Departments
Rural and volunteer fire departments looking for additional funding may be in luck.
Careers
- TEDD OK'd by state, paving way for SmartLam expansion in Columbia Falls, Montana
SmartLam already has a plant in Columbia Falls behind Super 1 Foods, but the new plant would be a major expansion, employing about 50 people and indirectly employing 250 more.
- Missoula's Southgate Mall moving forward with new visionary change this spring
It's the first piece in a larger vision that may eventually include residential units to the south, all built around a street realignment approved by the Missoula city council this winter.
Government
- How much are your skills worth?
Big-data platform Paysa provides market insight to ease the often awkward, sometimes emotional, conversations about compensation.
Idaho Business
- How an East Coast think tank (ALEC - Koch Brothers) is fueling the land transfer movement
ALEC is becoming increasingly involved in the public lands debate by providing model bills for Western states.
Oregon Business
- House editorial: College supporters: Never too early to prepare for Idaho supermajority
Once numbers are crunched -- no matter how high or low they turn out to be, and almost no matter how much support there is for moving forward - you will feel the weight of the supermajority.
- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho company, Empire Aerospace, expects to double in size by servicing jets
Empire Aerospace has serviced large propeller airplane known as turboprops for about a decade, but it is now looking to diversify because more and more customers are choosing to fly in jets.
Regional Economic Development
- Tech Sector Makes Inroads in Portland
Some residents are also concerned that a massive inflow of tech could lead Portland down Seattle's path.
Utah Economic Development
- 3 Trends of the Best Economic Development Websites
Websites are no longer designed to just wait for people to find them. Instead they are the vehicles for promoting content through news feeds and social media.
- Want the Economy to Grow? It's Time to Look at Cities and Efficiency
One way to do this is to improve the productivity of our cities in various ways, including better land use, beefed-up infrastructure and smarter technology.
- Economic Diversification In Coal-Reliant Regions, 3/22, Webinar
This webinar will be of interest to communities and regions located in coalfields, that are home to coal-fired power plants, or are part of the coal transportation network.
Workforce Development
- State launches new aerospace association chapter
Such programs can become the foundation needed to develop a strong pipeline of qualified workers to move into the high-tech workforce of tomorrow
Wyoming Business
- RevUp Montana gives job seekers access to training in high-demand fields
RevUp programs offer students a chance at quicker training so they can still enter the workforce with the ability to demonstrate the necessary skills.
- How a Less-Skilled American Workforce May Be Holding Back Growth
Growth in "labor quality," a measure of the skill set of the average worker, has declined in the last few years.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Mergers, the new fad in utilities, comes to Wyoming
A nationwide tally by Bloomberg Business estimated some $50 billion in planned acquisitions were being reviewed nationwide by regulators in late 2015.
Montana Education Excellence
- "Nursery Fields Forever" - Farming preschool would teach kids how to grow their own food
Part farm and part school, "Nursery Fields Forever" offers three approaches to learning: learning from nature, learning from technique, and learning from practice.
- Testing for Joy and Grit? Schools Nationwide Push to Measure Students' Emotional Skills
"Would you rather put out fires, or prevent them?"
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Forbes names Carroll College best in Montana
"We are extremely proud of the educational experience we provide and the quality and character of not just the student, but also the person, who graduates from Carroll."
- "Expanding Your Horizons" STEM Conference For Girls In Grades 6 Through 8, 4/23, Missoula, Montana
This event fosters middle school girls' enthusiasm for STEM careers, informs them of professions and opportunities, and encourages them to continue their studies in science and math to reach their goals and aspirations.
- University of Montana STEM Conference: Helping Girls Find Their Place In Science
A University of Montana study found that despite having many Montana students who are proficient enough in science and math, about 75 percent of those students don't end up pursuing those fields in their careers. Particularly with women.
- Montana State University earns $4.5 million in performance money
The campuses are competing against their own past performances -- not against each other.
- Girls Make Apps Workshop By Montana Code Girls, 3/12, Missoula, Montana
Girls Makes Apps workshops are a type of "coding party" where teams, coaches, mentors, instructors come together to learn the MIT App Inventor - the programming language you will be using to create your mobile apps for the Technovation Challenge.
Community
- University of Montana declining enrollment not just a campus issue - it takes a community
"To be a great city, you must have a great university."
- Teens learn business lessons at Mystery Ranch thanks to One Montana
"Kids your age are Montana's greatest export," Gleason told the students, because so many young people leave the state to seek careers. But today, thanks to technology, it's easier than ever to be decentralized and, he said, "to get an idea and put something together, if you want to stay where you grew up."
Funding and Building your Business
- How Cities Can Get Smart: 6 Tips from Local CIOs
Before the Internet of Things can reach its potential, there needs to be a way for objects to connect with one another. That's why Miguel Gamiño, CIO of San Francisco, said he's looking first at establishing connectivity.
- Bozeman partners with social media app nextdoor.com to bring together neighbors
Anyone can sign up for the free app, but they can't sign up for just any neighborhood.
- Bozeman Commission to debate city priorities for coming year
"It's an attempt to make sense out of what we do for us, and, at the same time, the public," said Carson Taylor, beginning his two-year term as the city's mayor.
Connectivity & Communications
- The 2016 Montana SHRM State Conference - "HR Is A Beach, Indulge In Beach Therapy", 5/4-6, Kalispell
Conference topics will feature experts on a wide variety of human resources related topics such as: creating organization excitement, employee relations, ADA and many others. This is a must-attend event for anyone interested in human resources and workforce topics.
- Using Analytics to Better Hear the Strategy Shout from Your Employees
The separation disconnect that I am referring to is between the strategy that is formulated by the executive team and the employees tasked to implement it. It is rare that there is a good connection between the two.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Net Neutrality Is in More Danger Than Ever
The FCC's decision has catalyzed the forces that oppose government-enforced net neutrality.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Relaxation
See how your mind calms while watching this video....
Transportation
- If you're alive in 30 years, chances are good you may also be alive in 1000 years
Personally, I think it's very close to 100% certain that we'll manage to do this.
- In Sweden's 1st unmanned food store, all you need is a phone
"My ambition is to spread this idea to other villages and small towns," said Ilijason. "It is incredible that no one has thought of his before."
- Now You Can Type in Google Docs by Speaking
It's more than just a straight dictation feature, too. You can edit and stylize your written text with voice commands as well.
- How Utilities Are Planning Electric-Vehicle Infrastructure in California and Beyond
Electrification of the transportation sector is one of the biggest opportunities to secure new revenue for utilities -- and many are moving forward with related initiatives.
- How Driverless Cars Can Reshape Our Cities
A potential shift to a society of riders could reclaim roadways for green space and help reshape the public realm
- Google car hits bus while traveling at 2 mph, first time at fault
The Google car anticipated that the bus would slow down, while the bus driver believed the Google car would retreat from its effort to merge. There were no injuries, and the accident resulted in damage to the left front fender and some sensors.
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