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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Oct 20, 2017 |
"Where's your will to be weird?" Jim Morrison
World's largest bigfoot museum is being built in Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success
Montana Department of Commerce
- Missoula home manufacturing firm, film studio land job creation grants
The latest round of grants, announced Tuesday and awarded through the Montana Department of Commerce's Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund, brings to nearly 175 the number of local jobs created through the program over the past 18 months.
Montana Politics & Legislature
- Montana Commerce's Board of Housing Adds More Affordable Homeownership Opportunities with $42 Million Bond Sale
"For the economy to continue growing, we must house a growing workforce. Families thrive when there is stable, affordable housing available." Commerce Director Pam Haxby-Cote said.
Northwestern Energy
- Billings, Montana Mayoral candidates square off in Last Best News forum
Here is the transcript, which begins with a brief introduction by each candidate, followed by the questions and answers:
Flathead Valley Community College
- Three Governors Join NorthWestern Energy to Mark Careers in Energy Week
"I commend NorthWestern Energy's efforts to drive economic growth and create good-paying jobs all across Montana," Bullock said. "NorthWestern Energy is an essential partner as we continue to develop energy solutions to protect our natural resources, grow our economy and create high-quality energy jobs."
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Sales Expert Teaches Workshop On Managing A High Performance Team - 10/25 - FVCC
Allen Minster is partner and co-founder of Frontline Advisors, LLC and has worked with more than 850 companies worldwide to increase sales revenues, improve marketing strategies and better manage sales staff.
Montana Ambassadors
- Project-based learning, or "gaining knowledge by solving problems rather than by studying textbooks" allows students in this Colorado district learn by working real jobs.
This STEM-focused district hands out paychecks along with report cards
- Students need tech skills for more than just jobs -- they need it to be good citizens
This country desperately needs a science-literate citizenry.
Visit Montana
- Montana Ambassadors Invite You To Attend The 'CHARGED' -Survival Is Just The Beginning L.A. Film Premiere! - 11/4
Come enjoy the premier of a new Montana film, made about a Montanan, made in Montana by Montanans.
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- World's largest bigfoot museum is being built in Montana
This Bigfoot museum and hotel is expected to be a 25 million dollar project.
Energy and Climate Change
- Future of Tech and Media: Waging a War for People's Time
The war for tech supremacy is moving to newer technologies such as augmented reality and voice assistants, as giant internet companies grasp for an ever-fleeting portion of people's time.
Come Home Montana
- This biodegradable water bottle breaks down when it's empty
"Why are we using materials that take hundreds of years to break down in nature to drink from once and then throw away?"
- Zero by Fifty - Missoula's waste reduction plan gears up for its public debut
From the waste reduction station to the action strategies set about the room, the plan to reach ZERO by FIFTY has never been so close.
- Engineer Accidentally Discovers Safer Way To Transport Oil
It's not expected to fully replace the convenience of pipelines, but it could provide a safer, alternative way to get the job done.
- Fire and ice: Glacier superintendent details climate change challenges facing park
Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said the mountainous national park is already a place of extremes.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Industrial Technology Career Fair - 11/15 - Missoula College
Any business or organization seeking to employ students trained in the industrial technology programs of commercial driving, diesel technology, heavy equipment operation, precision machine technology, sustainable construction technology and welding are encouraged to attend.
- An Employment-Seeker's Market
Employers try to attract employees in a post-summer job market as hundreds of jobs remain open in Flathead County
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Blackstone LaunchPad at MSU hosts international female entrepreneurs
The 16 hailed from Bolivia, Cuba, Spain, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia.
Montana Business
- Investment group Frontier Angels announces expansion amid venture capital growth in Montana
The group's investment focus will be on technology-based companies, from traditional software ventures to biotech and the energy sector.
Montana Economic Development
- Montana's Next Frontier Capital Announces First Close of Fund II
Today, Next Frontier Capital announced the first close of Fund II with $22 Million in LP subscriptions. The Fund II target is $30 Million.
- 12 Million Nonresident Travelers Spent $3.04 Billion in Montana Last Year
Nonresident travelers also indirectly supported an additional $1.7 billion of economic activity and almost 13,000 more jobs.
- Delivery Cookies Come to Missoula, MT - 'That's One Hot Cookie'
Currently, they have ten different cookies to choose from that are made from scratch. They arrive fresh out of the oven, directly to your door, and they couldn't be happier to provide Missoula with a uniquely, tasty evening snack.
- Bozeman pet toy manufacturer West Paw expands international distribution to include China
"I think it's really an opportunity and also a real testament to our culture at West Paw," Williams said.
- Missoula Compost Collection offers curbside compost pickup
Especially interested in pickup were Missoulians who live in apartments and condos, an increasing segment of the population that lacks at-home composting options. "We're trying to make it more accessible to renters that can't put a compost pile in their yard," Doty says.
- Made in Montana: Homegrown filmmakers salute the land, the writers
For me, the power of "Walking Out" lies in the love of the Montana land - particularly the Paradise Valley -- which is lovingly captured by cinematographer Todd McMullen.
MSU Leadership Institute & UM Global Leadership Initiative
- Create new high-tech vision for national forests
We need a new paradigm that manages the assets of our national forests to benefit all Americans while attracting new high-tech jobs for Montanans.
Careers
- MSU Leadership Institute students "Boardroom Bobcats" paired with local nonprofit organizations
Students gain practical boardroom experience, familiarity with the nonprofit sector, mentee opportunities and lifelong leadership skills.
- 7 Character Traits Exceptional Leaders Have in Common
When the leader is respectful and honest, the team does not hesitate to follow.
Come Home Idaho
- Volunteering keeps older minds sharp
"They're the tools and methods the brain uses to process information. It's the brain's working memory and processing capacity that benefit the most from volunteering."
- Algorithms can't replace these jobs of the future
Work is changing.
Government
- Vacation-rental company lists 30 jobs as it ramps up for expansion in Boise
Using a fresh $103.5 million investment, Vacasa plans to increase the number of employees in Boise by at least 30 percent.
Idaho Business
- Facebook could make up for delay in census data
Data from social media websites like Facebook could supplement US census data, particularly for information about migrant populations, a new study suggests.
- Daines, Gianforte support STEM, sort of
They've seemingly ignored or dismissed data-based input from scientists who actually studied what does and doesn't exacerbate the potential for and spreading of wildfires.
Incubators and R&D
- "Mom, all the other kids are making fun of us !!!" Isn't It Time to Grow a More Entrepreneurial Idaho?
A huge opportunity to talk about what we can do to grow a more innovative, entrepreneurial Idaho. And create a new narrative for growing Idaho... entrepreneurially!
- Idaho's Single Largest Tech Event
This year's VR Bash had over 20 vendors, 1200 plus attendees, and thought leadership from some of the biggest names in the VR/AR industry.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- The Hunt for the Brain-Eating Amoebas of Yellowstone
A team of researchers in waders sampled the water for a brain-eating amoeba that kills 97 percent of the people it infects.
Other Economies
- Small Business Owners Graduate from SBA Emerging Leaders Fargo Program
This is the third year the SBA North Dakota District Office has provided the seven-month executive education series.
- Connected and Smart and Rural in North Dakota
The Rural Broadband Association, honors Red River Communications' dedication to transform this otherwise unassuming corner of North Dakota into an internet-heavy hub.
Regional Economic Development
- In rural New Mexico, a new brewery founded by former Missoula residents Marianne Blaue and John Masterson creates momentum - Truth or Consequences looks for ways to attract a new generation of entrepreneurs
"We developed a crush on the town." John Masterson - Truth or Consequences Brewery http://www.torc.beer/
- Why save the small town?
Cities may seem inevitable, but rural communities are finding ways to hang on.
- Tony Fadell's Next Act? Taking on Silicon Valley--From Paris
"If you're launching a startup today, don't go to Silicon Valley if you're not from there," Fadell tells a group of students. "Don't do it!"
Wyoming Business
- Infographic: Where in the West young people are moving
Some counties in the region buck the aging trend.
Education
- A study found that Wyoming could save $200 million. Now what?
Lawmakers are a little stumped on how to actually implement the suggestions.
- National & local leaders consider Wyoming's economic future in new ENDOW video
There is a lot happening in Wyoming this fall as the ENDOW Executive Council, Advisory Council and local partners continue working together to expand opportunities for our state's most vital resource: Wyoming people.
Montana Education Excellence
- 10 reasons why your kid isn't ready for a smartphone
These ten questions can help determine if your child is really prepared to have their own online device.
- Where the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will spend education money in next 5 years
Here's where Gates said his foundation would be investing more than $1.7 billion in K-12 education over the next five years.
Community
- UM Western recognized as top 25 university in western region
Both the US News and World Report and the website College Choice recently ranked the small Dillon college in the top 25 of universities in the western region.
- Missoula College to Host Cybersecurity Awareness Week - Oct. 23-27
"An awareness of cyber threats is crucial to understanding how to protect yourself from cyber-attacks, and in today's digital world, cybersecurity is a critical skill for everyone to have," said Tom Gallagher, MC information technology professor.
Connectivity & Communications
- EIGHT New Grant Opportunities
- Feds Halt $120K Grants for 2 Great Falls, Montana Economic Development Entities
HUD's concerns stem back to a controversy surrounding management of the CDBG application process last spring, and the influence city commissioners Tracy Houck and Bill Bronson may have had in securing grants for Paris Gibson Square and NeighborWorks Great Falls.
Government Technology
- 'Rate your experience at Albertsons' your phone says. How did they know you were there?
As Ross' experience shows, a rating system or survey request pushed to a phone from a vendor might not be the most satisfying experience for a customer.
- City-Owned Internet Network May Become a Reality for San Francisco
"Bridging the digital divide is right for our residents and right for the future of our city," Mayor Ed Lee said in a statement.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- States Compete for Top Data Science Talent
As more and more data government data becomes available, states struggle to hire the right professionals to make sense of it.
- What New Tech Holds the Most Promise for Colorado Government?
"If I can take eighty percent of our tier one calls off of those phones, then I could provide better customer service for the people that do call in."
Transportation
- Where is technology taking the economy?
We are creating an intelligence that is external to humans and housed in the virtual economy. This is bringing us into a new economic era--a distributive one--where different rules apply.
- Google's new super-secure email is crazy strong but not for the forgetful
This is so not plug-and-play.
- Alphabet's Sidewalk Labs will build a futuristic tech world in Toronto
On Wednesday, the City of Toronto and Sidewalk Labs -- which is the urban innovation arm of Google's parent company Alphabet -- announced a partnership to radically re-imagine 800 acres of the city's largely vacant, post-industrial Eastern Waterfront, and turn it into a tech-integrated neighborhood called Quayside.
- Less small talk, more genuine conversations - WATCH OUT! : Vertellis can cause uncontrollable hugs, kisses and maybe even a little tear...
We want to help develop genuine connections between people, all over the world and stimulate time offline.
Events
- Roads made recycled plastic are stronger, greener and maintenance-free
Lightweight and easily installed, the roads are built to last three times longer.
- Nissan Rogue gets ProPILOT driving assist tech Automotive
ProPILOT Assist is the first of what Nissan says is the foundation for fully-autonomous vehicles.
- Transportation in Tempe: How One Arizona City Is Going All-In on Autonomous Vehicles
So we're still at the beginning of figuring what autonomous vehicles are going to do in our city, but it's definitely on the mayor's radar and is part of the way we're thinking about our future investments.
- Shell opens its first electric vehicle charging points
"We recognize that electric vehicles are part of the future of transport in the country and we want to make sure that we offer our customers choice and that they have the option to recharge on one of our forecourts if they want to."
- Lessons in Public-Private Transit Service Contracts
"Given the risk of private companies' profit margins outweighing the public's interest, the New Orleans arrangement serves as a cautionary tale for other cities and transit agencies interested in contracting out public services to private companies," explains Evans of the report's findings.
- To Survive the Streets, Robocars Must Learn to Think Like Humans
Treating every pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle as an obstacle to be avoided might keep you from hitting anything, but it could just as easily keep you from getting anywhere.
- Ambassador Max Baucus - Live Video Conference With Montana High Schools - 10/24
- 1 Million Cups Bozeman - 11/1
- 13th Annual Bulls, Blues, And Brews Benefit And Silent Auction - 10/20 - Missoula
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