|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Tue Apr 26, 2016 |
Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them...
Western Montana's Largest Career Fair 2016 - 4/28 - Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =5891
Montana Department of Commerce
Montana Politics & Legislature
- Montana Community Development Block Grant program Community and Public Facilities Application Guidelines.
Montana's CDBG Public and Community Facilities grants help local governments fund construction or rehabilitation of infrastructure and facilities that primarily benefit low- to moderate-income (LMI) Montanans, i.e. individuals earning less than 80% of the area median income.
Northwestern Energy
- Guest opinion: A conservative case for conservation - By RYAN ZINKE U.S. Representative
It's our responsibility to be good stewards and ensure our children and grandchildren's children enjoy the same outdoor opportunities that we have.
- Guest opinion: Protecting the Montana way of life - By STEVE DAINES U.S. Senator
By working together, we can build upon Montana's all-of-the-above energy portfolio to strike the right balance between developing our natural resources and protecting access to the public lands that Montanans so deeply treasure.
- Guest opinion: Energy bill overcomes gridlock, invests in Montana economy - By JON TESTER U.S. Senator
This bill strikes the responsible balance that is needed to strengthen Montana's economy, create jobs, and move our state forward.
- Gianforte's tax plan would save millions for natural resource companies
The top three companies are oil companies -- Cenex, Phillips 66, and Exxon Mobil -- who operate refineries near Billings. They're also major benefactors of the proposed tax plan by Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte.
- Governor Bullock on Earth Day: "We must protect our public lands, clean air and water, abundant wildlife, and the thousands of Montana jobs that rely on them."
Governor Steve Bullock today celebrated Earth Day by doubling-down on his commitment to protecting Montana's clean air and water, protecting access to public lands, and responsibly managing the state's wildlife.
- Building Montana Communities Tour kicks off in Missoula
House and Senate leaders will meet with community leaders and listen to their thoughts and ideas as they outline priorities for the 2017 session.
TicketRiver.com
- Column on NorthWestern building out of line
The irony of the timing between this piece and my presentation was the fact that the author, digital project specialist Landon Hemsley, didn't contact anyone involved in this process before jumping to some unfortunate and incorrect assumptions.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Ticket River knows that even the greatest event is a great flop without an appreciative audience.
We don't get paid until you do, so we're always helping you sell more tickets.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- 2016 Non-profit Board Training, 5/26, Great Falls, Montana
Highlights include: Board Legal Responsibilities; Board Structure; Recruitment and Orientation; Board-Staff Teams; Better Board Meetings and Committees; and Board Roles in Fundraising.
Energy and Climate Change
- 21 Amazing Places in Montana You've (Probably) Never Heard Of
This home state of mine is the fourth largest state in the country, covers more than 147,000 square miles and is expansive. In terms of time, it would take 11 hours to drive from the west side of Montana to the east side of Montana.
Come Home Montana
- 60 Minutes On This Bicycle Can Power Your Home For 24 Hours! (Video)
As, the founder of the Free Electric hybrid bike, shares in the video, it is possible to generate electricity at home while simply doing a daily workout routine.
- Iran city hits suffocating heat index of 165 degrees, near world record
Wherever you live or happen to travel to, never complain about the heat and humidity again.
- Can N.Y. solar-electric deal recharge U.S. green-energy effort?
The head of the leading rooftop solar company in the U.S. told me last year that one of his top priorities was to strike deals with electric utilities that would make them partners rather than rivals in the changing power sector.
- Making electronics out of coal
Coal could become the basis for solar panels, batteries, or electronic devices.
- New solar lab to boost Missoula College energy technology program
Several large solar projects are planned around the state this summer, promising new jobs in a rapidly growing field.
- Missoula gets public solar-powered charging station
The charging station was provided by Climate Smart Missoula, which is a community-funded group that fosters partnerships and actions to address climate change in the community.
- Startup Invents a Bench that Can Cut Air Pollution by Up to 30 Percent.
The startup Green City Solutions has created a 13-foot high installation that can fight pollution with the force of 275 trees while also serving as a hub for free Wi-Fi and other infrastructure needs.
Montana Business
- Missoula job market heating up
"We have 947 positions open here. And that's just at the job service."
Montana Economic Development
- Yellowstone visitors spend nearly $500M near park in 2015
The money was spent in several local communities, including towns west of West Yellowstone and Gardiner.
- Missoula-based Sun Mountain wins Golf Digest's top award
"We are honored and flattered that of the hundreds of different golf bags in the market, three Sun Mountain bags have been singled out as the best," said company founder Rick Reimers. "Our company's heritage is in designing and building a better golf bag and it's incredibly gratifying for our dedication and work to be recognized and awarded."
- Spiker Communications hires new specialists and moves into new Missoula location
The company is also on a bit of a hiring spree.
- Missoula, Montana's Doctor Carter Beck's unique procedure for the Sacroiliac (SI) Joint fusion draws worldwide patients
Dr. Beck created a new technique that secures the Sacroiliac Joint with a titanium implants -- it's a SI joint fusion procedure that's getting a lot of attention.
- Visitors spent $200M near Glacier, but it comes with an asterisk
In Northwest Montana, visitors to Glacier dropped almost $200 million into cash registers within 60 miles of the park in 2015, supporting 3,474 jobs in that same radius, according to the report.
- Study Tracks Spending Patterns of Montana Visitors
Ideally, it is preferable to have visitors who will spend more while visiting the state, so understanding who has higher spending patterns helps promoters target their market.
TEDx Events in Montana
- John Brewer, President and CEO of Billings Chamber of Commerce reflects on recent trip to Oklahoma City
Brewer says one of the biggest things they learned on their trip was the way city, civic and business leaders of Oklahoma City share the same vision for the city.
- Despite obstacles, determination paves way for development on Montana's reservations
"Even though we live in the state of Montana and our tribes make up 7 percent of our population, there's a lot of really basic questions like 'Do they have their own laws? Do they have their own court system?' "
Careers
- Ted Talk of the week Juan Enriquez: We can reprogram life. How to do it wisely
"This is the single most exciting adventure human beings have been on," Enriquez says. "This is the single greatest superpower humans have ever had."
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- How to Redesign Your Life With Just 3 Questions
Here's the main problem with the way that most people live their life: Instead of living the life they want, they live the life they are given.
- The Real Reason Women Are Leaving STEM Jobs
A recent report revealed a surprising gender gap: women job hop more than men and it's getting more pronounced.
- Thinking Beyond Money in Retirement
"We only talked about money. Then we started asking some simple questions."
City Club Missoula
- At schools with sub-par Internet, kids face a poor connection with modern life
The experience of students at Monroe Intermediate shows how the financial decisions of telecom companies have put rural students at a disadvantage, leaving some without basic digital abilities that many in America take for granted.
- Facebook Hopes Its Antennas Will Force the Internet to Expand
Facebook now builds wireless antennas that can beam Internet signals across cities and well beyond.
Idaho Business
- City Club Missoula - Downtown Redevelopment And Preservation: A Balancing Act, 5/9, Missoula
Downtown Redevelopment and Preservation: A Balancing Act Featuring Paige Good of Save the Merc and Mayor John Engen
Incubators and R&D
- Capital is accessible for Idaho's tech entrepreneurs
Companies in Idaho's triangle of innovation (east, north and west) are finding capital, talent and opportunity without having to move to capital-rich locations on the coasts.
Other Economies
- Google reportedly starting an in-house startup incubator
The plan is to allow entrepreneurial Googlers and their teams to develop their ideas with Google's support and funding and potentially branch out with Google as an investor.
Workforce Development
- This Fund Will Invest In Startups That Aren't Run By White Men In Big Cities
JumpStart will select about 20 companies and invest an average of $500,000 in each, ranging anywhere from $250,000 to $600,000 depending on the company's needs.
Wyoming Business
- Idaho's '60 percent goal' for education is missing mark
Since 2010, the State Board of Education has declared that 60 percent of Idaho's youngest workers -- ages 25-34 -- should have some kind of post-secondary training by the year 2020. It could include a certificate, a two-year degree or a four-year degree.
Education
- National park tourism benefits Wyoming economy $1.1 billion
More than 7 million people visited national parks in Wyoming in 2015, a 13.5 percent surge in visitation compared to the year before.
- Wyoming Governor Mead seeks budget cuts after revenue projections fall short
At this point, the state is behind about $25 million combined in its general fund and budget reserve accounts.
Montana Education Excellence
- Boise State video 'game' could transform nursing education
Learning via gaming is also much more cost-effective
- Free Community College Gets Financial Aid From White House
Congress rejected the president's proposal for tuition-free community college, so his administration is instead helping regions launch the program themselves.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- University of Montana Business Majors Score in 94th Percentile in Nationwide Field Test
The test covers a broad set of topics, including accounting, economics, management, quantitative business analysis, information systems, finance, marketing, legal and social environment, and international issues.
- Girls encouraged to get involved in STEM in Missoula
A recent report by the American Association of University Women seems to show that young women doubt their abilities to succeed as scientists. STEM workshops in Montana are working to change that doubt to get more girls involved in science.
- MSU graduate Maurice Hilleman most successful vaccinologist in history
Maurice Hilleman was a pioneer in vaccine development with impacts around the world.. In fact university officials tell us he might be the one of the most profound graduates from MSU.
Community
- Entertainment agent Rob Beckham, co-head of the National Office for William Morris Endeavor returns to Missoula
He says this is one of the rarest programs in United States. It's one of the few places that successful people from the entertainment industry come to share their expertise with students.
Funding and Building your Business
- THREE New grant announcements
- Missoula-style debates require strong leaders - Downtown Redevelopment And Preservation: A Balancing Act, 5/9, Missoula - Featuring Paige Good of Save the Merc and Mayor John Engen
Missoula loves a good civic rumble. We're legendary for our tussles over everything from baseball to mother-in-law cottages.
- This Is Our Country. Let's Walk It.
Walking across the so-called freest country on earth should be every person's right.
- Living near nature linked to longer lives, says study
"We know already that vegetation can help mitigate the effect of climate change. Our study suggests the potential co-benefit for health."
Connectivity & Communications
- SBA Releases New "My Brother's Keeper" Videos to Celebrate Millennial Entrepreneurs
On 2nd Anniversary of President Obama's groundbreaking initiative to empower young men of color, SBA Champion Mike Muse rolls out videos featuring Lance Rios, Reggie Miller, and Chef Max Hardy
- Alibaba CEO Jack Ma banned his first employees from living more than 15 minutes from work
The revelation is a reminder of the demanding cultures common at start-ups, and the sacrifices employees must often make.
- Montana SBA happy to lend a hand, or just cash, to Montana small businesses
Wayne Gardella's prescription for what ails the state's economy features heavy doses of SBA-backed financial capital, but also plenty of free or low-cost contracting advice and business counseling -- the agency's two other areas of expertise.
Government Technology
- Wishbone app speaks to young teens
In this son of Snapchat--a new social network for young folks--some 4 million monthly users spend hours daily answering these questions in a quiz format. Even more are expected in the summer months when school gets out.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- New website "Hazard Ready" is natural disaster resource for Missoula
"Hazard Ready" tells users their risk level for natural hazards based on their exact coordinates.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Bringing Hollywood to Montana
RG Best Selling Author and international award winning director, Junior Michael Ray tells his story and how others here in Montana can do the same.
Transportation
- Mind-controlled drones race to the future
Advances in cheaper brain-wave-reading equipment is moving the technology out of the lab.
- The Untold Story of Magic Leap, the World's Most Secretive Startup That's Raised $1.4 Billion
At the beginning of this year, the company completed what may be the largest C-round of financing in history: $793.5 million. To date, investors have funneled $1.4 billion into it.
- Property management in one, single platform
Castle is a startup that brings together all the traditional elements of property management -- listing, marketing, rent collection, maintenance -- into one simple platform.
- Startups Find That There's Money in Death
Jae Rhim Lee wants you to be less squeamish about death, and she thinks a suit lined with flesh-eating mushrooms might do the trick.
- Driverless pods to race down Singapore's roads by the end of 2016
It may not be the full solution, but it is a start.
- Driverless cars set to end American love affair
Tesla's driverless cars have gone from Los Angeles to New York in two days -- with the car driving itself 96 percent of the time.
- Missoula passes tougher cellphone ban while driving
While texting or talking on a phone while driving has been illegal in the city for the past four years, using a cellphone or electronic device in any capacity is now against the law unless it's hands free.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page