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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Dec 13, 2016 |
Deep thoughts of the day... When you clean out a vacuum cleaner, you become a vacuum cleaner.
City Club Missoula Forum - Missoula Republican, House majority leader, may be open to bonding infrastructure priorities http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Montana State University Venture Pitch Competition, 12/14, Bozeman, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =6236
Montana Department of Commerce
Montana Politics & Legislature
- Montana Main Street Contributes to National Publication
The Montana Main Street Program is happy to share the inaugural issue of State of Main, an annual publication of the National Main Street Center, which features the article, "Healthy Places: How Designing For Health & Wellbeing Supports Community Prosperity," and highlights the local successes of several Montana communities, including Montana Main Street Program members Great Falls, Butte, and Anaconda.
Montana Office of Tourism & Economic Development
- Preparing for Marsy's Law in Montana: 'overwhelming', a 'mess' and a 'nightmare'
"Marsy's Law just tears at the fabric of our criminal justice system," said Bozeman defense attorney Al Avignone. "No citizen should feel better now with Marsy's Law being passed. ...Everyone should be concerned."
- Gazette opinion: Invest in Montana's future workforce
We encourage Montana lawmakers to support CTE funding, and call on Billings area legislators to again be leaders. At the Career Center, we can see how well CTE works.
Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- The Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology is accepting proposals for funding.
The emphasis of the program is on projects that lead t o marketable products or processes.
Energy and Climate Change
- One Big Question: How do we manage the downside risks of AI? Darren Quick
If Hollywood is to be believed, the development of super-intelligent AI will spell the end of civilization as we know it and spark an unwinnable war between man and machine.
- Tech's Biggest Showdown Is Unfolding in Your Living Room
It's a race not only for the hearts and minds of consumers, but for a world of business customers, too.
Come Home Montana
- States Are Decoupling Their Emissions From Economic Growth--Federal Policy Be Damned
Decarbonization is happening. But it needs to happen faster.
- Advocates' fears realized as Wisconsin directs energy dollars to internet access
Clean energy advocates are upset that state regulators want to use funds from the Focus on Energy program -- meant for energy efficiency and renewables -- to address the broadband crisis.
- Trump says 'nobody really knows' if climate change is real
Trump said he's "very open-minded" on whether climate change is underway but has serious concerns about how President Obama's efforts to cut carbon emissions have undercut America's global competitiveness.
- Trump says 'nobody really knows' if climate change is real
Trump said he's "very open-minded" on whether climate change is underway but has serious concerns about how President Obama's efforts to cut carbon emissions have undercut America's global competitiveness.
- Al Gore's new climate change movie arrives just in time
The Sundance Film Festival will open in January with a new climate change movie from Al Gore -- and the timing, unfortunately, could not be better.
- Bill Gates, Jack Ma and other tech elite commit $1 billion to clean energy fund
On the same day that President-elect Donald Trump doubled down on his doubts about climate change, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates countered with an announcement of a $1 billion fund dedicated clean energy innovation.
- Extreme rain storms in the US could increase by 400% due to climate change
The increase in rain could mainly affect the Atlantic and Gulf coast areas, but even the central part of America, which could get drier under warmer temperatures, might see extreme rainfall.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Government Contracting Advisor/Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) - Big Sky Economic Development
This position is accountable for the direction, coordination, and delivery of activities for the Billings PTAC.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Information Management Bureau Chief, Communications Director, Senior Computer Systems Analyst, GIS Analyst and many more... - State of Montana
Montana offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community and further your career.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Web Content & Social Media Manager, Director of Alumni Relations, Flight Instructor and more... - Rocky Mountain College
Our College is as much about character formation as it is about intellectual formation. Students will grow in wisdom, maturity, and character.
- Montana Career Opportunities - CFO/VP Finance, Business Development (Surveillance), Senior Electrical Engineer, Design Internship - Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc.
Blackmore is a leader in developing compact and robust frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) lidar imaging and its supporting analytic tools software.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana Photonics Industry Alliance Networking Social, 1/12, Bozeman
In February 2017 the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance is going to engage the entire community in helping our member companies grow and sustain globally leading organizations that create high quality jobs and economic opportunity in Montana.
- KettleHouse, Wilma to build 4,000-seat amphitheater for outdoor concerts on Blackfoot River near Missoula, Montana
With its scenic backdrop, he imagines "this will be like a Gorge or like a Red Rocks" with a more intimate scale that suits Missoula.
- Missoula, Montana's Submittable Raises $1.3 Million to Improve Online Submissions
To date, Submittable's app has allowed organizations of any kind to accept, manage and review different types of content online, from resumes to creative visual or audio files. Submittable handles raw video and 100 different file types.
- Not Just a Silicon Valley Phenomenon, High-Tech Innovation Shapes Montana, Too, Says Leading Tech Policy Think Tank in Study of U.S. Congressional Districts
"Indeed, Montana has tech-driven activity occurring locally. This should serve as a signal to every member of Congress from Montana and the rest of the country that tech matters to their states and districts, so they should support broad-based, bipartisan policies to spur further innovation and growth at home and across the nation."
- Bozeman, Montana-based Blackmore Sensors and Analytics Inc. raises $3.5 million from Next Frontier Capital and Millennium Technology Value Partners to build better eyes for your self-driving car
According to Next Frontier General Partner Richard Harjes, his firm sees Blackmore as "seriously ahead on the tech" that could make self-driving cars safe and a mainstream reality sooner rather than later.
- Whitefish Energy Holdings Eyes CFAC Site for Large-Scale Manufacturing Plant
Company aims to manufacture power transformers, could add 1,000 jobs to local economy
Careers
- Butte Local Development Corporation Newsletter
What is community? For me, community means the personal connections and relationships with my family, my co-workers and counterparts, my friends, and my neighbors, and these relationships sustain me and give me great joy.
Idaho National Laboratory
- 41 well-paying Oregon jobs that don't require a 4-year degree
These jobs in Oregon pay an average wage of at least $56,000 and top out in the six figures. None of them require a four-year degree.
- Here's Do It Yourself from Montana's Gallatin Valley
Once you believe you can do anything, you have to do everything.
- This is the key to happiness and it's not what you think
On a scale of one to 10 on "how satisfied are you with your life, these days?", the doubling of someone's wage saw their happiness rise by less than 0.2.
Montana Data Focused Business Cluster
- Idaho National Laboratory licenses technology for forecasting battery health to Dynexus Technology of Boulder, Colorado
From an environmental standpoint, the INL technology could help find new uses for EV batteries after their capacity fades beyond acceptable power and range performance, usually defined as below 80 percent of initial capacity.
Rural Communities
- Why our efficient minds make so many bad errors - "The Undoing Project"
We rely on rules of thumb, which are good for making quick judgments but also lead to frequent errors.
City Club Missoula
- Democrats search for a path back into rural America's good graces
There's too much other evidence that they have lost touch with parts of the electorate and will need to take stock as they begin to try to regain ground.
- For Rural America to Win In Corporate Site Selection and Economic Development
There are certain competitive advantages that rural communities can offer to potential companies that would consider investing in them.
Government
- City Club Missoula Forum - Missoula Republican, House majority leader, may be open to bonding infrastructure priorities
While the state once had a surplus ranging in the hundreds of millions of dollars, that money has since dwindled, leaving Tschida open to the possibility of bonding, so long as the projects are clearly identified.
Idaho Business
- Montana Senator Jon Tester Announces New Chief of Staff - Aaron Murphy will Lead Senator's Montana and Washington D.C. Offices
"Aaron is a strong leader who will help me continue to fight for the next generation of Montanans," said Tester.
- Montana Governor Steve Bullock announces top-level appointee changes
"Every large organization goes through change, and the state of Montana is no different," Bullock said.
- "The Man From Montana " - Decades later, Senator Mike Mansfield's thoughts on politics ring true
"Looking to politics past to make sense of politics present."
- What We Don't Know About Trump's Carrier Deal (and Most States' Business Deals)
What the public will likely never know is how much the deal helps the air conditioning company's annual state tax bill.
- Finding Ways to Do More With Less Is Job. No. 1 for Arkansas' New Chief Transformation Officer
She heads a department of just one: herself -- a move aimed at dispelling any notions of shrinking other areas of bureaucracy while simultaneously creating more of the same. "The governor felt it was important and shows ... if he's asking state agencies to find efficiencies, he wants to do the same and lead from the top down in that regard."
- Replacement of Missoula's Russell Street bridge lopped off state's 'delay' list
"The bridge itself is ranked as a public safety issue, so the bridge project is going to move forward but the street upgrades would not move forward unless the Legislature took action." Dan Villa, Bullock's budget director
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Beyond worker rights violations, complaint against Idaho Department of Labor alleges possibly criminal acts
"This is about everything we hope Idaho government never becomes, and that's abuse of private citizens' rights." David Leroy, defense attorney, former prosecutor and attorney general
- Idaho projected to see $139M surplus
The amount is $92 million more than what lawmakers initially estimated and would make for a surplus of $139 million.
Oregon Business
- Next North Dakota governor Doug Burgum says success lies on Main Street
His so-called Main Street Initiative, touted during the campaign alongside promises to cut spending and halt property tax increases, aims to turn downtown areas into vibrant social and economic hubs that are attractive to live in.
Other Economies
- Portland Adopts Surcharge on C.E.O. Pay in Move vs. Income Inequality
The surcharge, which Portland officials said is the first in the nation linked to chief executives' pay, would be added to the city's business tax for those companies that exceed the pay threshold.
Regional Business
- It's time for Californian independence.
Californians receive 1/70th of the representation per person in the US Senate that an American in Wyoming receives and 1/3 the representation per person in the electoral college.
Utah Economic Development
- Accusations of Fraud at Wells Fargo Spread to Sham Insurance Policies
According to three former managers in Prudential's corporate investigation division, Wells Fargo employees appeared to have signed up bank customers for Prudential insurance without the customers' knowledge or permission.
- Colorado internet-tax case could change online shopping
At least three other states -- Louisiana, Oklahoma and Vermont -- have passed similar laws that could take effect given the resolution of the Colorado case.
Workforce Development
- Lucid Software to expand, adding up to 339 jobs
Founded in 2010, the company develops cloud-based applications designed to improve visual communication and collaboration within work environments.
Wyoming Business
- Older workers get boost from federal training program, but do they get jobs?
A recent outside survey of program participants found that more than a third either received computer training that didn't meet their needs, or they needed computer training but got little or none. Only about half of trainees went on to get jobs after they left the program, records show.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Wyoming Gov. Mead emphasizes $2.5M economic diversity plan
"The endowment is going to incorporate everything from energy to tourism to ag to technology, which I think should be our next emerging sector, to everything including the taxes situation."
- Wyoming Governor Mead: Tax reform needed for economic diversity
"If we're going to bring in new industries to diversify us, whether it's manufacturing or whatever it may be, we have to make sure that there is a tax benefit to that," Mead said.
Education
- A Great Science Teacher Quit Because US Schools Are Broken
"I think the whole system needs to be changed and the focus needs to be on thinking and not so much on facts."
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Teacher to Trump's education pick: Let's 'address the elephant in the room.' It's you.
The selection of Betsy DeVos by President-elect Donald Trump as his education secretary nominee has been attacked by public school advocates who see her longtime support for school "choice" and private Catholic education as evidence that she does not support America's public education system.
Montana Education Excellence
- MAPS Works gives Montana's students the tools to shine
Student producers in MAPS Works have created impressive documentaries and public service announcements that shine the spotlight on local non-profit organizations and boost the caring community.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana Tech Named Top Public University in Montana
This ranking is based on rigorous analysis of academic, admissions, financial, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni.
- Dual enrollment grows in Montana, but reduced cost still insurmountable for some
It's an effort Gov. Steve Bullock pointed to often in his bid for re-election this fall, saying he wants to expand dual enrollment opportunities.
- University of Montana Philanthropy Class Awards $10,000 in Grants to Local Nonprofits
The class, which is part of UM's Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI), awards grants to nonprofits that operate within Missoula County and address issues related to youth and mental health.
- Hour of Code adds to Missoula school coding programs growing in popularity
The mission: Write code to make the Angry Bird catch the naughty pig. The programmers: Lewis and Clark fourth- and fifth-graders.
Community
- Missoula College teams with Allegiance Benefit Plan Management to provide apprenticeship program
The low jobless numbers meant that a small pool of potential job-seekers could be extremely choosy, so old ways of luring workers wouldn't fill empty seats.
- MonTech robot helps Western Montana kindergartener stay connected
"When we first bought the robots, we just wanted to demonstrate how they work," Doerner said. "We wanted to plant a seed at different conferences."
Funding and Building your Business
- Top 10 reasons not to move to Bozeman, Montana
I could list more than these Top 10 Reasons Not To Move To Bozeman, but like I said, this is long enough.
- Strong communities build strong leaders
To build a sense of community, leaders can make sure members know they are personally invested in their success and growth.
Connectivity & Communications
- Investment Termsheet: Valuation
For the first blog in this series, there's no point burying the lede - every founder I know will search out the valuation as soon as they see a termsheet, so let's start there!
Government Technology
- Solana Beach, Calif., to Test Smart Water App
A new smart phone app to be tested in Solana Beach will allow residents to electronically monitor minute-by-minute water use at their homes.
HACKING AND VIRUS ALERTS
- Wondering What 'Sustainability' Is? Just Ask Austin.
The city's new open data website breaks down how sustainability is defined -- and how it's being achieved.
Transportation
- President Obama orders review of election hacking
President Obama has ordered a full review of hacking-relating activity possibly linked to attempts to disrupt the November presidential election. He wants the report before he leaves office on January 20.
Events
- Michigan Governor Signs AV Rules Eliminating Human Driver Requirement
State officials on both sides of the aisle hope will put the state at the vanguard of investment and development for the budding industry.
- How Vancouver got half of its citizens out of their cars
50 percent of trips are taken on foot, bike, or transit--including a SeaBus!
- MSU's Western Transportation Institute releases mobile version of its popular real-time traffic tool
"The mobile version provides closed-circuit television camera images, electronic sign messages, road incidents, chain restrictions, weather conditions and Google traffic information,"
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