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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Nov 17, 2017 |
"To determine the impact autonomous vehicles will have, municipalities will need to look at data surrounding the desire for self-driving cars. Then, they can make informed decisions related to planning the transportation future of the town." - What Will Self-Driving Cars Mean for Local Economies? - http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Luncheon With Max Baucus, Former US Senator, Ambassador To China - 11/20 - Bozeman http://www.matr.net/ev ... =6582
Gov. Steve Bullock
Montana Photonics Industry
- Governor Steve Bullock Reflect on the Recent Special Session of the Montana Legislature
These aren't just numbers on a balance sheet, these are real people. These are our friends, our families and our neighbors - our children, our grandchildren, our parents and grandparents. While we still have work to do, Montanans can be pleased.
Montana Politics & Legislature
- Special session adjourns: GOP leaders, governor agree on budget fixes
The total includes $32 million that CoreCivic has offered the state in exchange for renewing its 10-year contract with the company to operate the 664-bed private prison in Shelby.
Northwestern Energy
- Montana GOP majority expands special session on budget, transgender issues -Governor Bullock already making budget cuts
"Today we saw a stark contrast between one party that showed up to address the budget issue we face, and one party that wants to waste taxpayer money and ... do things to harm people," said Rep. Bryce Bennett, D-Missoula.
- Montana Governor Bullock says he'll veto state worker furloughs, may not renew prison contract
Hours after the Legislature adjourned, the Democratic governor told reporters that House Bill 8, sponsored by Rep. Barry Usher, R-Billings, was riddled with legal problems and "was pretty half-baked and in many respects, fairly silly."
Spika Design and Manufacturing
- NorthWestern Highlights Scams, Asks Customers to Be Wary of "Disconnection Deception"
While we believe there has been progress in slowing the scam activity, we believe that Montanans have lost tens of thousands of dollars in recent years to utility scammers, who can be quite convincing and sophisticated.
TechLink
- Montana World Trade Center Regulated Export Training & Foreign Military Sales Panel - 12/15/17 - Missoula
Does my product need a license for export? What's considered "dual use?" Is my conversation with a prospective foreign buyer considered a "deemed export?"
Early Edge Montana
- MSU TechLink SBIR Lunch & Learn Series: NASA & DHS, 11/20, Bozeman
Researchers in all areas are welcome to attend, although this session will be focused on SBIR programs and funding opportunities from NASA and DHS.
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- 'Intentional' teaching has big impact on preschoolers
The comprehensive review helps untangle a complicated knot of factors that affect young children.
Energy and Climate Change
- Wyoming Blockchain Coalition Announces Support for Blockchain in Wyoming
"When I tried to donate bitcoin to fund a new endowment at UW, I ran into a brick wall because Wyoming's banking laws prevent bitcoin exchanges from doing business in Wyoming. I'd like to help fix that."
- Inside the First Church of Artificial Intelligence
"What is going to be created will effectively be a god,"
- Hackers Have Already Started to Weaponize Artificial Intelligence
In tests, the artificial hacker was substantially better than its human competitors, composing and distributing more phishing tweets than humans, and with a substantially better conversion rate.
- Blockchain initiative rewards carbon-friendly consumer choices
Canadian startup uses blockchain technology to allow individuals to earn, spend and trade personal carbon offsets.
- The new Atlas robot is amazing. Can you do this?
A robot that can do a flip.
Come Home Montana
- Are IoT-Enabled Smart Meters the Next Step for Utility Providers?
Modern smart water meters can relay real-time water-use data to both the water utility and customers, leading to improved conservation and quicker leak repairs.
- America First? Trump Energy Cuts Would Eliminate Billions of Dollars in Direct Savings to Consumers
The White House is gunning for some of the most popular energy-saving programs in America.
- High Plains Aquifer's Depletion Threatens Rural Areas
Farmers say they're trying to wean from groundwater, but admit there are no easy answers amid pressures of corn prices, urban growth and interstate water agreements
- Digital Infrastructure Should Be a Part of Any New U.S. Project, Experts Say
"If you're going to rebuild the street, put the right sensors in it so we can make better decisions later. We need to build infrastructure for the future, for the next 50 years, not for the last 20."
- How the Government Hid Fracking's Risk to Drinking Water
A new report says the government covered up scientists' doubts about studies that claimed the chemicals were not harmful to groundwater.
- Spokane's Waste-to-Energy plant
This week, Spokane signed an extension of its deal with Avista Utilities Corp. to sell excess electricity generated at Spokane's Waste-to-Energy plant, a deal valued at between $5 million and $5.5 million in each of the next five years.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Founding Director for Media Lab, School of Journalism - University of Montana
We seek a dynamic founding director for this new facility, someone who will help define and launch the program with the aim of establishing a national reputation.
Montana Economic Development
- Trusted startup advice not successfully followed, and it's my fault
One local leader in Missoula's startup scene who comes from the East Coast once told me that Montanans, and Westerners in general, are terrible at talking about themselves, and even worse when it comes to self-promotion.
- Big Sky Resort named one of top 3 ski resorts in US
The top ranking resorts are based on average ticket price, total number of trails and lifts, vertical drop, length of season, average snowfall and average monthly Google search volume for each specific resort.
- Set for growth: University of Montana-based biotech firm DermaXon looks to slow age-related skin diseases
DermaXon http://dermaxon.com/ , based in Missoula, looks to slow the biological mechanisms behind aging and prevent the onset of age-related skin disease.
Careers
- Yellowstone County grants tax break to Phillips 66 oil refinery
Commission Chairman John Ostlund said the county traditionally has honored requests for the tax incentive and noted the large investment by the refinery.
Government
- Data engineers will be more important than data scientists
Data science is a high value endeavor. It is one of the defining factors that will make or break a company in the age of insight and AI. However, without data, data science is a moot point.
Incubators and R&D
- 15,000 Scientists Just Signed A "Warning To Humanity"
In 25 years, human numbers have increased by 2 billion, or 35 percent. Close to 121 million hectares (300 million acres) of forest have been cut down, while the number of ocean dead zones has increased by 75 percent, and the amount of fresh water available per person has decreased by 26 percent.
- The Only Federal Agency Dedicated to Homelessness Could Be Shut Down
The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness helped end veteran homelessness in some places and reduce overall homelessness. The White House and House Republicans want it gone.
- The FCC just repealed a 42-year-old rule blocking broadcast media mergers - Beware undisclosed influence on local news
A major beneficiary of the deregulatory moves, analysts say, is Sinclair, a conservative broadcasting company that is seeking to buy up Tribune Media for $3.9 billion.
- Western Governors' News: Idaho restructures workforce efforts, manufacturing growth in Montana and Colorado's career coaching program
The Western Governors' Association offers a regular roundup of news showcasing the work of Western Governors in economic development, natural resources, education, health and safety, and other areas. Here is what the Western Governors have been working on recently:
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Scientists discover gene that could be making you fat
"This gene could enable us to identify at-risk individuals who should watch what kind of calories they eat and exercise more in order to keep their body weight under control,"
Regional Business
- Small Business Administration (SBA) Dakota Business - Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month
Featured Success Story MEC Development, New Town, ND
Regional Economic Development
- 6.3 million Americans are 90 days late on their auto loan payments
Some have started to compare what's happening in the auto loan market to the home mortgage crisis that helped trigger the Great Recession and financial crisis of 2008-2009.
- For Utilities, a Link Between Customer Engagement and Better Business
"Every utility executive interviewed 'unequivocally stated customer engagement is an executive-level priority,'" noted the report. But this view was not reflected nearly as strongly in survey results, indicating a gap between rhetoric and performance in the c-suite.
Workforce Development
- Recruiting Participants for National Project - "Home-based Businesses: Resources, Challenges, and Factors Influencing Success"
Your experiences and perspective will provide valuable information as we assess different approaches to help communities identify local industries with strong opportunities and better support those businesses.
Wyoming Business
- Montana Registered Apprenticeship program helps build state's workforce
Since 2000, the Montana Registered Apprenticeship program has overseen over 7,600 apprenticeships all across Montana.
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Wyoming legislators advance bills to cut $16 million from schools, add computer science
Though the shortfall facing Wyoming's schools has lessened significantly compared to this time last year, the hole is still more than $340 million for day-to-day operations alone for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years.
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana author Russell Rowland mentors MAPS students
"MAPS has always integrated visiting artists into our programming," Harff said. "MAPS founder, Peter Rosten, believed that bringing in professional artists helped normalize 'artists' for our youth. They not only learn skills, but realize that people like Russell are much like they are, so if Russell can succeed so can they."
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- University of Montana's new president Seth Bodnar is an outside-the-box pick
"We have challenges," but people at UM also have great passion, Bodnar said. "I am incredibly excited and happy and grateful to join this team."
Community
- Montana State University Faculty Senate deals setback to Koch-funded center
The Faculty Senate at Montana State University voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to table a controversial proposal to create a new economics research center funded by a $5.7 million grant from the Charles Koch Foundation.
Funding and Building your Business
- Tell Us Something is grateful to YOU! -- November Newsletter - Live Event Coming Soon! December 12 - "Getting Away With It"
Live Event Coming Soon! December 12 - "Getting Away With It"
Connectivity & Communications
- What Every Venture Capital Investor Is Thinking When You Pitch Them
Two important investing concepts to know when seeking business funding
- Advantages of having a Live Chat Service provider on your website
It is the prime duty of Live chat agents to sort the issues of a client. Here are the advantages that come along with it:
- How Google's venture capital arm invests its billions
What GV looks for in companies, hot technology areas and why ICO's are over-hyped, according to a general partner at the firm
- Why analytics will be the next competitive edge
Analytics is becoming a competitive edge for organizations. Once being a "nice-to-have," applying analytics is now becoming mission-critical.
Government Technology
- FCC Proposal Will Let Carriers Provide Worse Broadband, Advocates Say
Advocacy groups have petitioned the agency to vote against a proposal permitting carriers to cut costs when updating legacy networks.
- Wave Broadband brings gigabit-speed internet to all customers in Washington, Oregon, California
Wave already offered gigabit speed to most businesses and to some residential customers, but this will enable all customers within Wave's coverage area to get the faster speeds, no matter where they live.
Non-Profit News
- Startup in Residence Program Expands to 12 Jurisdictions Nationwide
Focus is to make it easier for tech startups to break into government while at the same time helping to solve public problems with private-sector innovation.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Current Tax Reform Proposals Would Devastate the Charitable Sector
Tax reform legislation proposed by the House and Senate would have devastating impacts on our nation's charitable sector, greatly hindering the ability of nonprofits to meet the critical needs in our communities across the country.
- Why you shouldn't volunteer at a soup kitchen this Thanksgiving
In the spirit of giving, thousands of well-meaning people search for opportunities to volunteer at soup kitchens or food banks on Thanksgiving day each year.
Transportation
- Nonviral nanoparticles carry CRISPR to most successful gene edits ever
CRISPR has the potential to change how we treat a huge range of illnesses.
- Here Kitty, kitty.... Boston Dynamics gives SpotMini robot a sleek restyling Robotics
The streamlined quadruped is clad in a sleek yellow casing and lacks the somewhat creepy giraffe's neck and sheep's head manipulator of the previous SpotMini unveiled in 2016, and sports some smooth moves that are uncannily lifelike.
- The Secret to Long Life?
It May Lurk in the DNA of the Oldest Among Us
- Brain Implant Appears To Boost Memory In Humans
In an experiment that has never been done before, scientists implanted "memory prosthesis" in 20 volunteers. Afterwards, their memory improved by up to 30 percent.
- Drug that mimics genetic mutation that helps Amish families fight aging, diabetes and even baldness is in trial
Carriers were found to live on average 10 percent longer (about 14 years) than those without, be significantly less likely to develop diabetes and have much healthier vascular systems into old age.
- Italian doctor says world's first human head transplant 'imminent'
A controversial Italian doctor announced Friday that the world's first human head transplant was "imminent" and that it would take place in China because his efforts to get backing for the project were being ignored by medical communities and scientists in the United States and Europe.
- Will Electric Vehicles Replace Gas-Powered Ones?
Three experts offer their takes on the vehicle fleet of the future and how quickly it will change
- Autonomous vehicles will drive Washington state's future
There is a growing conviction among influential leaders in Washington state, ranging from the governor through local elected officials and business executives, that autonomous vehicles will play a key role in this state's transportation future.
- Free rideshare listings! Carpool Missoula
Find your perfect rideshare!
- Could Autonomous Vehicles Save Lives in Disasters?
Autonomous vehicles could provide life-saving assistance in the event of a large-scale evacuation, if a shared fleet of autonomous vehicles is built with this purpose in mind.
- Build roads for the future, for the next 50 years, not for the last 20."
Another hurdle may lie in an unwillingness on the part of local governments to partner outside of their own silos.
- Fisker Proclaims Electric Car Breakthrough with a Minute Charge for 500 Miles
The Danish automotive designer has grand plans for the future of his electric car company, including a battery that seems to do the impossible.
- Video: Tesla Semi, an electric big rig truck with 500-mile range, rolls into reality... also announces insanely fast new roadster
CEO Elon Musk said the truck is capable of traveling 500 miles on an electric charge with a full 80,000-pound load.
- What Will Self-Driving Cars Mean for Local Economies?
To determine the impact autonomous vehicles will have, municipalities will need to look at data surrounding the desire for self-driving cars. Then, they can make informed decisions related to planning the transportation future of the town.
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