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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Aug 30, 2016 |
"We are the only federal agency with a mandate to ensure that the American people have some fun." Jonathan B. Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service. http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Free Big Sky Broadband Workshop For Regional Broadband Stakeholders, 8/31-9/1, Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =6085
Montana Politics & Legislature
Missoula Schools Excellence
- Guest opinion: How unfair tax code cuts Montana public school funding
At least two-thirds of Montana schools were built before 1970. If you own an older home, you know that it needs serious updates. Our schools do, too. Many need new roofs, electrical systems, and heating and cooling systems.
- Former RightNow CFO Susan Carstensen says Bullock, not Gianforte, is best pick for governor
"I don't believe that his success in business translates to success in public service." Susan Carstensen
- Zinke, Juneau reach out to rural voters in first debate
The night's first question centered on comments made by a candidate in a different race entirely, Republican candidate for governor Greg Gianforte.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- First Montana public elementary school International Baccalaureate (IB) program comes to Missoula
The IB Primary Years Program expands student opportunities through inquiry while developing new models for teaching and learning.
Big Sky Commerce
- Building the Beartooth Highway in Montana: Book celebrates 'America's most beautiful drive'
"The Beartooth Highway is a tremendous accomplishment, building a road where no road existed before. It also says something about the importance of our national parks in that Congress funded the construction of it in the first place - primarily to serve tourists."
- Helena makes its mark as a mountain-biking destination
"Helena has magic dirt."
Energy and Climate Change
- A call for critical yeast at the University of Montana - How can you contribute to the success
Here's a thought-provoking and compelling op-ed about how to accomplish positive change at our University of Montana! How can you and your business contribute to this necessary "critical yeast?"
Montana Business
- Solar Roadways project underway at Town Square in Sandpoint, Idaho
This project will include solar panels along the walkway that have temperature sensors and the ability to melt snow. They will also feed back into the grid and offset energy usage by the city of Sandpoint, which draws from metered power in the area. It will also power the pump for the fountain in the square.
- Colorado Governor Hickenlooper says climate change is hurting state economy
Governor may ask for 35 percent cut in CO2 pollution
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- Missoula based CarryLinks - Access and manage your bookmarks on any device, browser or system from anywhere.
YES, it is SECURE and FREE.
- Missoula's Blue Marble Biomaterials biochemical company creates highly sought-after natural bacon flavoring
Blue Marble specializes in creating products employing used biomass as the starting material, rather than petroleum-derived ingredients.
- "Best Beer Bar in Montana" - Missoula's Dram Shop
The Dram Shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiIjTxxPxdY is Montana's first dedicated, stand alone growler fill station.
- Fiddlestix - Gorgeous Handmade Custom Instruments from Montana
Dan's passion is not only in building unique, beautiful instruments but to use repurposed and salvaged items from Montana and Washington.
- Why Seattle is pushing 'secure schedules' for hourly workers - Companies need Dolce
Now, the mayor, city officials and labor-backed groups are targeting erratic schedules and fluctuating hours they say make it difficult for people to juggle child care, school or other jobs, to count on stable income or to plan for the future.
Careers
- The Wheeler Center Presents - "Divisiveness In Democracy", 9/9-10, Helena, Montana
This day-long conference will not only explore the historical, political and social dyanmics that drive divisiveness, but will also draw in the experience and perspectives of up-and-coming politicians and mechanisms to overcome that divisiveness.
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- When did retirement become a dirty word?
After all, if you could stop working tomorrow, wouldn't you want to?
Rural Communities
- 3 Ways Governments Are Working to Make Broadband Universally Accessible
Here's how a city, a state and a school district are working to make sure everyone has access.
Government
- How a Small Town in America Is Staging a Comeback
If you drive anywhere in America off the interstates that connect the large cities, you'll find hundreds of small towns struggling with an uncertain future.
Incubators and R&D
- Yellowstone: 'For the benefit and enjoyment of the people'
What will inspire Americans in the next century to conserve what conservationist and President Theodore Roosevelt called "the most glorious heritage a people ever received"?
- Glacier Park in 2116: Challenges we can't even imagine likely on the horizon
"I see a place where the beauty will change," Milhalic says. "But Glacier Park will still be special in comparison to everything else."
Regional Business
- Protein successfully combats Alzheimer's in mice
"There's much more work ahead before neuregulin-1 could become a treatment, but we are excited about its potential, possibly in combination with other therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease."
- Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of Montana providing invaluable help for Chilton Skis
His connection with the Blackstone LaunchPad at UM has ensured he has a refined plan and a cadre of professionals in the community offering free expertise to help him get off the ground when he's ready.
Workforce Development
- Latest: Feds warn states against letting mining companies self-bond
Three major coal companies have filed for bankruptcy this year.
- Cloud Computing Brings Sprawling Centers, but Few Jobs, to Small Towns
Local people, along with many economists and officials, often think these data centers are a key to an industrial revival. But the reality is less impressive.
- A fortress against fear - In the rural Pacific Northwest, prepping for the day it hits the fan
American Redoubt describes a settlement of the God-fearing in a lightly populated territory that includes Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and the eastern parts of Washington and Oregon.
Wyoming Business
- Retaining college grads key to Missoula's economic growth
The reality is that 80 percent of our graduates are employed in Montana a year later, and we are working diligently to push that number even higher.
Education
- With Wyoming's energy sector struggling, tourism unlikely to save the day
Tourism alone can't turn around Wyoming's economic fortunes. With some experts predicting the slump in oil, gas and coal production is here to stay, the state may find that attracting more visitors won't meaningfully boost the state's sluggish economy.
Montana Education Excellence
- U. of C. tells incoming freshmen it does not support 'trigger warnings' or 'safe spaces'
As colleges across the country wrestle with balancing academic freedom and open discourse with student health and safety, University of Chicago Dean of Students John Ellison told incoming freshmen in a letter what they should expect on campus.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Guest opinion: New standards teach Montana students to work like scientists
The main focus of NGSS is for students to actively do science and engineering, the way scientists and engineers do, rather than passively learning about it.
- President Engstrom says the University of Montana reaching new highs but must adopt customer service approach to students
"We are committed to improving our customer service," Engstrom said. "I will be honest with you, we have considerable work to do in this area."
Community
- MSU Business students to offer free consulting for area businesses and non-profits
During the four-month courses, students will help manage special consulting projects requested by area businesses and non-profit organizations.
- Koch's $5.6 million to MSU part of outreach to campuses
The Charles Koch Foundation's $5.67 million grant to Montana State University to create an economic research center fits with the billionaire's long-term efforts to influence not only academic research and government policy but also the "hearts and minds" of America's next generation.
- University of Montana College of Education announces $5 million gift
The UM Foundation announced the donation Monday for the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences to create the venue with 500 seats.
Funding and Building your Business
- Not In Our Town Billings, 8/28, Billings, Montana
“Just creating that awareness of that we all belong and we all are different, and different is what we are trying to celebrate. That difference is a good thing.”
- 20 Exceptional Women who are making a difference in Billings
These women have chosen to take a path forward to make a difference for themselves and others in the world around them.
Montana Biotech
- President Obama orders final 'blacklisting' regulation on federal contractors
"Contractors that illegally cut corners at the expense of their workers should not benefit from taxpayer-funded federal contracts," Labor Secretary Thomas Perez said in a statement.
- 5 Steps to Create a More Inclusive Workplace for Employees with Disabilities
More than 70 percent of people with disabilities in the United States are unemployed.
- Amazon is piloting teams with a 30-hour workweek
The pilot program would differ in that an entire team, including managers, would work reduced hours.
- After a painful bankruptcy she created a multimillion dollar marketing firm
"I'm confident when I look at the future that I'm just starting."
- 8 Keys To Attracting The Right Technical Co-Founder
Should you go after high-tech nerds for partners, or professional technologists?
- 6 Ways To Find A Fundable Startup Market Opportunity
Business projections with no third-party validation have no credibility with investors, and smart potential investors will walk away.
- Warned of a Crash, Start-Ups in Silicon Valley Narrow Their Focus
Silicon Valley start-ups were set to face a great reckoning in 2016. Yet the crash hasn't happened.
- How the Army prepared Proterra CEO Ryan Popple to go from tanks to Tesla to electric buses - CEO guides company down a green path
We had little rules in our unit like, you never ate before an enlisted soldier.
- The Right Way To Get Funding From Family And Friends
The reality is that investors, including myself, believe that the entrepreneur is more key to business success than the idea.
- Inside Silicon Valley's most grueling ritual: Raising cash
"For most founders, this is the first time they're raising money -- a lot of the process is a mystery."
Connectivity & Communications
- In search of a cure: Upstart Missoula biotech company Inimmune on the cutting edge of science
“The potential is huge,” Evans said. “When you talk about markets like allergy and autoimmunity, really the the sky’s the limit. Hopefully ours will be a model for university professors and others to start a biotech here in Montana. It’s a great place to live and do that kind of work.”
Non-Profit News
- Broadband Law Could Force Rural Residents Off Information Superhighway
City officials say cable and telecom companies that have lobbied for state restrictions will be encouraged to fight for even more draconian laws, potentially squashing competition that could lead to lower prices and better speeds to access the web.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Famed paleontologist Horner says he was pushed out of museum, Krauss questions leadership
Horner, 70, said that at the retirement party no one asked him why he was leaving or if it was amicable, and no one asked him to stay. He said he is still unsure to this day what happened.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Ballet treasures from the Treasure State
While ballet is filled with multiple generations of performers and numerous sibling combinations, the Khan-MacKay foursome is notable for being born in unlikely Montana to parents who never danced.
Transportation
- Laurie the Moose Lady Puts 'Heart and Soul' Into Roadkill
Laurie Speakman is passionate about moose meat. "I work my life around roadkill."
- One curious effect of the recession may bolster the case for driverless cars
Fewer people die in car crashes, it turns out, when the economy is hurting.
- Forget Self-Driving Cars. Let's Make Self-Driving Living Rooms
The imminent arrival of the self-driving car will change how people move around city streets, but they could do so much more.
- Forget Self-Driving Cars. Let's Make Self-Driving Living Rooms
The imminent arrival of the self-driving car will change how people move around city streets, but they could do so much more.
- Electric buses to join UDASH fleet at the University of Montana
"ASUM is able to be more nimble than a lot of agencies with this project. Internally, we have had a lot of good reactions from ASUM and the student body."
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