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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jul 28, 2017 |
"Great ideas, it has been said, come into the world as gently as doves. Perhaps then, if we listen attentively, we shall hear amid the uproar of empires and nations, a faint flutter of wings, a gentle stirring of life and hope. Some will say that this hope lies in a nation; others, in a man. I believe rather that it is awakened, revived, nourished by millions of solitary individuals whose deeds and works every day negate frontiers and the crudest implications of history. As a result, there shines forth fleetingly the ever-threatened truth that each and every man, on the foundation of his own sufferings and joys, builds for all." Albert Camus
Montana Shows How Government Can Be More Like Google Using Agile Development - You Should Work Here http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Montana STEM Summit, 8/8, Bozeman, Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
Big Sky Code Academy
- Montana Department of Commerce Announces $862,000 in Grants to Fund Technology Innovation
"Investing in technology is a proven way to strengthen Montana's diverse economy and create jobs," said Director Haxby-Cote. "Continuing to fund cutting-edge research is key to ensuring Montana remains competitive with rapidly-changing technology, and is an investment into the future of the businesses that will grow because of that research."
- Montana's Main Street Program Becomes a National Model for Downtown Revitalization
"It's notable that the local ideas and accomplishments supported by the Montana Main Street Program are gaining national attention and are viewed as models of downtown revitalization," Commerce Director Pam Haxby-Cote said.
- Montana Department of Commerce Announces $1.4 Million in Community Development Funds
"The projects in these nine communities are key for developing rural economies and ensuring the health and safety of the folks who live there," Director Haxby-Cote said. "This funding will help create good jobs and keep our communities moving forward."
Early Edge Montana
- Big Sky Code Academy - Big Announcement! - Your Life is Calling for Something Big...
You wake up aching to make a difference in the world. You care about your friends, family and your community. You want more from your career but don't know where to go.
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
- "Better Education Starts With Adults: Our treatment of educators and leaders is key to improving early childhood education."
"Quality starts with creating a thriving village of adults who are prepared, supported and compensated to impact children and one another.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Kalispell Chamber Wins National Awards
"It is an honor to have our work recognized by our peers across the country. We have a special team, board of directors and community that have made it all happen," says Joe Unterreiner, President and CEO of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.
Visit Montana
- Schools Are Missing What Matters About Learning
Curiosity is underemphasized in the classroom, but research shows that it is one of the strongest markers of academic success.
- Florida Axes Homework For Elementary School Kids
Elementary schools in Marion County will say goodbye to everyday homework in the coming school year after Superintendent Heidi Maier said research shows it does not enhance learning.
- Why all parents should care about arts education
Perhaps without even realizing it, though, many parents instinctively know the value of the arts and incorporate them into our children's lives in much smaller ways. Otherwise, why would we give our toddlers that first pack of crayons?
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- Montana's Chinese Wall well worth the trip
The Chinese Wall is a limestone spine averaging about 1,000 feet tall and stretches unbroken for a dozen miles.
- How to make the long road trip to Glacier fun for kids -- all the stops from Missoula and back
They really wanted to see Glacier National Park, the border of which lies at least three hours away. How to get there without making the road trip a form of punishment?
Energy and Climate Change
- Google launches new accelerator program for artificial intelligence, machine learning startups
The Launchpad Studio (via TechCrunch) is a part of the broader Google Launchpad Accelerator program that provides equity-free support, all-expense-paid training at the Googleplex, and access to Google engineers, resources, and mentors.
- This high school kid taught himself to be an AI wizard
With his skill, enthusiasm, and cooperative attitude within the community, Mikel is very much the template of a rising star in the Kaggle and greater AI communities. Except for one thing: Mikel is just 16 years old.
- The Game-Changing Technology Every Company Needs to Prepare for Now
Artificial intelligence is coming soon to reshape your business--and the world.
Come Home Montana
- An Antidote to the Utility-Versus-Renewables Conflict
In a time of tension over the future of the grid, the Rocky Mountain Institute's eLab Accelerator gets all sides talking
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Missoula County Public Schools Holding Job Fair On August 1 To Fill 30 Special Education Positions
For those interested in becoming a special education paraeducator, Missoula County Public Schools will be holding a job fair to fill more than 30 positions.
- State of Montana Career Opportunities
You could be here building your career and living a wonderful life in Big Sky Country
Montana Business
- Guest opinion: Montana revs up innovators
The Innovate Montana Symposium held this month in Billings gathered some of the greatest minds across the state -- a collection of world changers, seasoned professionals, talented artists and fresh thinkers. Held annually, the event aims to fosters business development and partnerships across industries.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana Made: StoneTek - No Waste Countertops
As much as 35 percent of the slab is waste. The Petersens take that waste and repurpose it.
- Montana as Tourist Magnet
As Montana's state and national parks continue to bring in record crowds, the tourism industry moves forward to claim a larger piece of the economic pie
- Alchemy Systems Acquires Bozeman, Montana based Wisetail
"We are delighted to have the talented Wisetail team join the Alchemy family," said Jeff Eastman, Alchemy CEO. "Both Alchemy and Wisetail share a passion to help companies build an inspired, engaged, and trained staff that can deliver great guest experiences every time."
- Electronics recycling rides again in Montana! Oreo's Recycling
Oreo's offers free pick-ups and pays customers 1 penny per pound for electronics. More information can be found on the Oreo's Refining Facebook page.
- Made in Montana Business Jelt Leverages Tourism to Grow
Jelt produces belts designed for active lifestyles. The belts are flexible and grip to pants with or without belt loops. Manufactured from recycled water bottles, they contain no metal and may be worn through airport security checkpoints.
- Economists: Montana job market strong, earnings growing slowly
"We've actually reached a period, both in Montana and in the U.S. economy, where wage and salary folks are doing better than business owners," he said.
- MSU/UM report indicates positive trends in Montana's manufacturing sector
The report suggests a generally positive trend in its overview of manufacturing in the state. According to the report:
TED and TEDX Talks
- Key to values, key to our economy: Montana Governor Bullock moves forward with outdoor recreation office
The office is meant to help grow their industry and support outdoor recreation, which he views as important for multiple reasons.
Careers
- Today's TED Talk - A simple new blood test that can catch cancer early
It could be a ray of hope in a fight where early detection makes all the difference.
Come Home Washington
- Podcast - Daniel Goleman: Mindfulness, the Dalai Lama, and How You Can Be a Force for Good
How the news skews our view of what's really going on in the world
- These 10 brutal truths about life will help you get your s*** together
#1 - Without goals, life is pointless
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- Seattle's software job openings outpace Silicon Valley's
Seattle is home to more open software jobs than Silicon Valley, accounting for one out of every six postings in the U.S.
Government
- Notice of Funds Availability - Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program for FY 2017.
The Rural Broadband Access Loan and Loan Guarantee Program furnishes loans and loan guarantees to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide service at the broadband lending speed
Idaho Business
- Montana will cut services, lay off more than 20 employees to balance budget
After revenues came in $75 million lower than projected, the state Tuesday announced severe cuts that will deeply affect the way government serves Montanans, including lost jobs and reduced or terminated programs.
- Montana Viewpoint: Calling foul on unlawful 'forfeiture'
In more modern times, federal, state and local law enforcement developed a nifty fund-raising technique called "civil forfeiture," whereby they took money--lots of it, sometimes--from your wallet or seized your car home, or other assets based on the assumption that you may have committed a crime--or might be about to.
- Trump Administration Pulls Cities' Funding for Obamacare Enrollment
Health policy experts say the move could further destabilize the market.
- Great Falls schools will lose $270k in funding
The cuts are for at-risk programs, special education, data for achievement and the combined block grant program.
- Daines introduces single-payer amendment, which he's long opposed
"Instead of holding in person town halls or contributing in any significant way other than being a guaranteed yes vote on legislation that will increase costs for Montanans, D.C. Daines' only contribution to the health care discussion is a shameful proposal that plays politics with Montanans' health care and has no chance of passing." Chris Meagher
Other Economies
- New Micron CEO sees a bright future for the Boise-based company
Micron produces the semiconductor memory and storage that is used in almost all of the gadgets that have become indispensable over the last 15 years, including mobile phones.
Regional Business
- Foxconn deal would cost Wisconsin $230,700 per job
Foxconn has so far committed to creating 3,000 jobs at the plant by 2020, with an average yearly wage of $53,000.
Workforce Development
- Today's TED Talk - The manipulative tricks tech companies use to capture your attention
Harris shares how these companies prey on our psychology for their own profit and calls for a design renaissance in which our tech instead encourages us to live out the timeline we want.
- Amazon looking to fill 50,000 jobs as labor market tightens
Amazon plans to make thousands of job offers in just one day as it holds a giant job fair next week at nearly a dozen warehouses across the U.S.
- Amazon May Be the Next Tech Giant Muscling Into Health Care
Because what else is there left for the company to try, really?
- Saving Journalism: What Big Media Can Learn from Non-profits
For-profit media companies can learn from them -- if they are willing to collaborate in unconventional ways.
Wyoming Business
- Google writes a $50 million check to prep the world's workers for the rise of its robots
Google.org said Wednesday that it's set aside $50 million to fund nonprofits focused on teaching new job skills and supporting low-wage earners in preparation for advances in automation and artificial intelligence that could upend many of the world's labor markets.
Education
- With emphasis on enrollment and collaboration, University of Wyoming board approves strategic plan for first time in years
The University of Wyoming aims to recruit and retain more students as it moves beyond a year dominated by severe budget cuts and staffing reductions, according to a five-year plan approved by the school's board of trustees.
Montana Education Excellence
- There are 2.4 million fewer college students than there were five years ago
Why is Montana in the "Red"?
- How America Is Failing Native American Students
American Indian and Alaska Native students are disciplined more than most other racial groups, and they have a dropout rate twice the national average, resulting in what academic experts call a nationwide "crisis" for Native students.
Community
- University of Montana Sets Research Funding Record for Third Straight Year
Scott Whittenburg, UM vice president for research and creative scholarship, said these benchmarks all indicate that research at UM will continue to grow.
Funding and Building your Business
- 'We've been discovered' White Sulphur Springs, Montana gets ready for Red Ants Pants Festival
"It's something everyone should do at least once; it truly is a unique experience," Walker said.
Government Technology
- 'Buying Time' Can Provide a Path to Happiness
Spending money on time-saving services reduces stress and boosts overall happiness, according to new research, but shockingly few of us do it.
- Adobe to kill off Flash, which is good for developers and consumers
Apple CEO Steve Jobs predicted its end
- When Family-Business Owners Don't Want to Retire
A lot of entrepreneurs in their 60s are hanging on. So how do their children fit in?
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Montana Shows How Government Can Be More Like Google Using Agile Development - You Should Work Here
In Montana, a team of 50 application developers collaborates using agile development. Is this the future of government IT?
- San Francisco's Startup in Residence Program Seeks to Expand to Other Cities Across North America
To be eligible for the STiR program's coming expansion, interested cities must RSVP by Aug. 4 by simply filling out a short form. Organizers from the program will then get in touch with further information about the application process, which is slated to run from Aug. 7 through Aug. 31.
Transportation
- 100x faster, 10x cheaper: 3D metal printing is about to go mainstream
This Massachussetts company is preparing to turn manufacturing on its head, with a 3D metal printing system that's so much faster, safer and cheaper than existing systems that it's going to compete with traditional mass manufacturing processes.
- The fountain of youth might reside deep in our brains
In a major breakthrough for our understanding of how the brain controls aging, scientists managed to both speed up and slow down the aging process in mice by disrupting the volume of neural stem cells found in the hypothalamus.
- Must read article on how our lives will change dramatically in 20 years.
In the US, young lawyers already don't get jobs. Because of IBM Watson, you can get legal advice (so far for more or less basic stuff) within seconds, with 90% accuracy compared with 70% accuracy when done by humans.
Events
- Autonomous cars will create a trillion dollar passenger economy
Cars will be transformed from single-serving modes of transport, into hyper-customizable, seamless extensions of living space.
- Salt Lake company brings tracking technology to solve movement problems
Service helps transporation planners, Sundance festival, and could play role with driverless vehicles
- Bikes That Talk in a World of Self-Driving Cars
Now researchers say part of the answer is to have bikes feed information to cars.
- Self-balancing single-wheeler could be coming to a street near you
In the case of the electric Uno Bolt, it also features what is claimed to be "the quickest responding gyroscope to be put into a one-wheel machine."
- The Tesla Model 3 Is More Than an Electric Car―It's a Landmark in Automotive History
The arrival of Tesla's Model 3 signals a new chapter in automotive history, one that erases 100-plus years of the gas engine and replaces it with technology, design, and performance hot enough to make electric vehicles more than aspirational--to make EVs inspirational.
- Join WGA For The Workforce Development Workshop In Sioux Falls And Online: Aug. 3 & 4
- India For SMBs, 08/18, Missoula
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