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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Aug 1, 2017 |
"If you want to test a person's character, give them power." A. Lincoln (rephrased to reflect that Senator Murkowski and Senator Collins are leaders of great character)
Montana STE(A)M Summit, 8/8, Bozeman, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =6467
Gov. Steve Bullock
Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success
- Governor Bullock Announces Funding for Main Street Businesses across Montana
The funds are being awarded through the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) program at the Department of Commerce, Office of Tourism and Business Development.
Big Sky Code Academy
- Missoula based Inimmune lands grants from the Department of Commerce to develop commercial drug applications
A $130,000 state grant has enabled a Missoula biotech firm to hire a new research chemist and move forward with the development of a drug to protect travelers and military troops, among others, against respiratory infections.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Tech program for Montana teachers turns out inaugural class
The program will help give students a better shot at landing the jobs offered by a growing number of businesses.
Montana Office of Tourism & Economic Development
- GFDA Top 10 for 7-31-17
It's been far too long and I know you've missed it. The GFDA Top 10 is back. We're Hungry to Grow the Great Falls region! Here are some highlights from June and July:
Early Edge Montana
- Voices of Montana Tourism
When a state government invests in tourism promotion, it's a win for economic growth, job creation and tax revenues. The evidence is simply overwhelming. Despite these obvious benefits, destination marketers have inexplicably found themselves in the crosshairs of state budget cutters. Since the beginning of this year, elected officials in at least seven states have proposed slashing or eliminating state tourism promotion budgets. . .
Visit Montana
- Governor Bullock Announces Preschool Opportunities in Communities Across Montana
"More Montana kids will now have even greater opportunities growing up here than the generations before them," said Governor Bullock. "This investment helps our families, it helps our kids get off to a bright start, and it helps our economy. We're finally making this long-awaited investment, and by doing so, building a stronger future for Montana."
Energy and Climate Change
- For the Love of Hiking in Northwest Montana
Favorite summits, lakes, wildflower and wildlife viewing areas, and other memories from a Northwest Montana hiking addict
- Journey to the icy heart of Montana's Big Snowies
The true distinctive qualities that make it a gem for the area lie beneath the surface, painted in smooth strokes of ice.
- Check out this stunning video of water in Yellowstone National Park
Waters of Yellowstone
Come Home Montana
- Idaho Power seeks changes for solar customer compensation
The utility's request could significantly change the system that compensates users of rooftop solar panels and other renewable sources for their excess electricity.
- Utility Helps Wean Vermonters From the Electric Grid
Green Mountain Power is trying to turn homes, neighborhoods and towns into virtual power plants, driven by economics as well as environmental goals.
- Steps to Making Utilities Formidable Energy Providers in the On-Demand Era
How utilities can take targeted, no-regrets steps to thrive in a fast-changing energy marketplace.
- Here's Elon Musk's Plan to Power the U.S. on Solar Energy
"If you wanted to power the entire United States with solar panels, it would take a fairly small corner of Nevada or Texas or Utah; you only need about 100 miles by 100 miles of solar panels to power the entire United States."
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Statutory Insurance Accountant - ALPS
Do you enjoy accounting and want to learn the statutory insurance side of the profession?
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Youth gardening program in Anaconda teaches business, too
"They're learning all the things not to do,"
Montana Business
- August News for MEDA
Did you remember to save the date on your calendar for the MEDA Fall Conference on October 5th and 6th?
Montana Economic Development
- Outdoor Industry Emerges as Top Economic Engine in Montana
New report shows that outdoor activities generate $7.1 billion in consumer spending
TED and TEDX Talks
- State Economic Forecast: Growth Shifts West, Ag Producers Worry About Drought
"Kalispell and Flathead County has developed into a regional center," Polzin said, adding that the growth has been spurred by new retail developments and professional jobs.
- Crowdfunding Campaign for Butte's Phoenix Fabrication Studios - Your support can make a world of difference.
The Phoenix Fabrication Studios is seeking to become the central hub for artists, makers, entrepreneurs, business owners, inventors, small manufacturers, and makers of all stripes in the Butte community.
Careers
- Today's TED Talk - Meet Spot, the robot dog that can run, hop and open doors
Join Raibert for a live demo of SpotMini, a nimble robot that maps the space around it, handles objects, climbs stairs -- and could soon be helping you out around the house.
Canada Business & Economic Development
- The Trouble With Trade School
I'm worried that the idea of vocational education has become so popular -- backed by Presidents Trump and Obama -- that its advocates have not thought through the potential downsides.
- Google Employees Weighed In on What Makes a Highly Effective Manager (Technical Expertise Came in Last)
Is it possible to engineer the perfect boss? Google was up to the task, and found data that will forever change the keys to getting promoted.
- Do These 5 Emotionally Intelligent Things Within 5 Minutes Of Meeting Someone
What's the point of networking if not to get other people to like you?
- 20 Under 40: Recognizing 20 outstanding Helena, Montana community members up to age 40
Here are the winners of the 2017 20 Under 40 awards! Congratulations!
- Expert advice empowers next generation of Montana leaders
"A leader is somebody willing to do what nobody else is willing to do."
- How You Can Become a Better Negotiator
The Three Keys to True Negotiating Success & How to Achieve Them
Idaho Business
- Entrepreneurs: Make your pitch and pivot to Canada!
As part of the five-year pilot, launched in 2013, innovative entrepreneurs can apply to become permanent residents after a Canadian venture capital fund or angel investor group has made a significant financial commitment in their business idea, or after a business incubator has accepted them into their program.
Other Economies
- Video of run-in revives worries caused by Texas billionaires' Idaho land purchase
A video showing a run-in between a security guard and a Valley County recreationist crystallized local worries about two West Texas billionaires' purchase of a vast swath of Southwest Idaho forest that previously had been open to the public.
- Anti-Californian sentiment has gripped Idaho for generations. Has anything changed?
But what are the roots of that stigma? And what keeps attracting Californians to the Gem State anyway -- now more than ever?
Regional Business
- Governor's Innovation Task Force seeks public input to achieve ambitious goal for Missouri's innovation economy
"Our mission is to make Missouri the leader in innovation and entrepreneurship between the east and west coasts."
- New Zealand is luring the world's tech talent over by flying them there for free
Wellington, the country's capital with a population just under 500,000, is working on that by offering 100 tech workers a free week-long trip to the city, under its LookSee Wellington programme.
Regional Economic Development
- More than 500,000 Wells Fargo clients may have paid for insurance they didn't want
... as many as 20,000 lost their cars
- Patagonia's Big Business of #Resist
Now the company is going to war against the Trump administration over protections for public land in a bid to become a serious political player--which happens to be very good for sales.
- Hot Spot for Tech Outsourcing: The United States
"Domestic sourcing is here to stay, and it's going to grow rapidly," said Helen Huntley, an analyst at the research firm Gartner.
- What Steve Bannon Wants to Do to Google
The White House strategist reportedly wants to treat tech giants as public utilities, an idea that some Democrats also support.
Wyoming Business
- Redefining Economic Development Performance Indicators
This effort reflects an ongoing transition within economic development as the field moves from a recession-driven emphasis on job creation via business attraction and retention to a focus on wealth generation and asset building,
- How clusters can catalyze inner city prosperity: report and US case studies
Clusters can also further catalyze economic growth by providing a framework for organizing disparate local and regional public policies and investments directed at economic development.
Education
- Lawmakers, educators weigh how to compare Wyoming's education system to rest of the country
Should officials look at nearby states, such as Utah, which spends significantly less per student than Wyoming? Should those act as a blueprint of how to fund schools here and of how students should be performing on tests?
Montana Education Excellence
- As Paperwork Goes Missing, Private Student Loan Debts May Be Wiped Away
The troubled loans, which total at least $5 billion, are at the center of a protracted legal dispute between the student borrowers and a group of creditors who have aggressively pursued them in court after they fell behind on payments.
Funding and Building your Business
- All are Invited - MSU 2017 Convocation - Take The Higher Ground With Bryan Stevenson, 8/24, Bozeman
Convocation is free and open to the public, however members of the community must obtain a ticket through one of the ticket outlets listed.
- Please help support the Sun River Robotics Team "Among the best in world" - They didn't just win, they crushed the previous competition record
Local high schoolers pulled off the "kid equivalent of landing a spacecraft on a comet" as they battled their way to the world robotics title in New Hampshire.
- New Magazine Examines Crown of the Continent, Yellowstone Issues
The issue features articles by leading Montana scholars, writers and thinkers, as well as stunning photos that reveal the beauty of Big Sky Country.
GIS Technology
- The CEO's guide to competing through HR
"Companies that take these steps will move toward a next generation of HR that's data driven, not experience driven; systematic, not ad hoc; and consistent, not hit and miss,"
- 7 Parts to a Winning Business Plan
To make it an absolute success, getting all the details right from the very beginning is absolutely crucial.
- Co-living startups are reinventing the roommate concept
A far cry from the commune movement of the 1970s, companies are offering modern shared-living arrangements, renting out space in multi-bedroom units to those who want the affordability or companionship of living with roommates without having to find their own roommates.
- How embedded analytics can help early-stage startups
In the world of tech startups, the ability to be ready for rapid growth is the name of the game.
- 10 Truths and Tips on Scaling an Amazing Company From the 'Oracle of Silicon Valley'
LinkedIn's co-founder Reid Hoffman knows a little something about the block and tackle of growth.
Non-Profit News
- 2017 Northwest GIS Users Conference - Boise October 9-13
The 2017 Boise Conference will have training, presentations, ESRI doctor's office, dev meetup, and vendors. Dr. Michael Goodchild will be the keynote speaker.
HACKING AND VIRUS ALERTS
- Out of the Boardroom: How Nonprofit Board Members Can Be Effective Advocates in Troubled Times
In an era where the public is urged to contact their representatives on a weekly basis to advocate or oppose various legislation, how can we as board members effectively leverage our skillset for the greater good?
- Red Ants Pants Festival a big opportunity for small Montana businesses, communities
Sarah Calhoun, who founded both the Red Ants Pants women's workwear company and its namesake festival, says putting the event together hasn't gotten harder as it's grown.
Transportation
- Hackers 5 - Voting Machines 0 - Hackers at DefCon conference exploit vulnerabilities in voting machines in 1 1/2 hours.
"The first ones were discovered within an hour and 30 minutes. And none of these vulnerabilities has ever been found before, they'll all new," said Harri Hursti, co- coordinator of the event.
- The Road Ahead for Connected Vehicles
A new arena for heated competition will be the "low sky" where connected technologies enter the vehicle and need to work seamlessly with the "ground" technologies of the electro-mechanical environment and also to communicate effectively and safely with drivers and passengers.
- Sono Motors unveils the $18,000 SION solar-powered car
Sono Motors just unveiled the SION solar-powered electric car that can travel up to 18 miles using nothing but energy from the sun.
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