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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jan 9, 2018 |
"We should not be afraid of doing something just because some amount of failure is likely to occur." Elon Musk
Hellgate Venture Network, Linnea Stanhope And The C3 Work Lounge Co-working Spacing -1/11 - Missoula http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Governor's Office of Economic Development
Montana Photonics Industry
- 2017 Montana Economic Development Report
I'm bullish on Montana and believe that through the leadership of Governor Bullock our state will continue to thrive. With our workforce's can-do attitude, the optimism of our entrepreneurs and unparalleled quality of life, Montana will continue to be an outstanding place to live, work and play. Respectfully, Ken Fichtler
Montana West Economic Development
- Nebraska - based Elemental Scientific Lasers Acquires Bozeman-based New Wave Research Photonics Company and Will Move Production to Bozeman - More Career Opportunities Now Available
Between 2014 and 2015, the photonics and optics sector in the Gallatin Valley added nearly 60 employees, a bump of more than 13 percent, according to data from the Montana Photonics Industry Alliance.
- Harvard Researchers Have Developed a Metalens That Could Revolutionize Optics
A team from Harvard SEAS developed a metalens that can focus all colors into one single point. This could lead to slimmer lenses in devices around the world.
- Montana Photonics Industry Alliance Winter Networking Social - 1/18 - Bozeman, Montana
Please mark your calendars to join your colleagues and fellow Montana Photonics Industry Alliance members for an evening of networking.
Montana's Outdoor Recreation Economy
- Kalispell startup Velocity Communications is 'Setting a New Bar' for Rural Broadband Internet Service
Wireless internet will be far more prevalent in the U.S. in the coming years and is already widely used in some countries.
Great Falls Development Authority
- 56th Annual Horse And Mule Packing Class With The Legendary Smoke Elser - 1/27-3/3 - Missoula
Have you ever wanted to learn the art of packing all of your gear onto your horses and hitting the trail for parts unknown? You will learn everything you need to know to safely pack up and head to the back country with your horses or mules.
- "Montana In Focus: The Musher" - The Montana Experience: Stories from Big Sky Country
The Musher follows the dogsledding career of Livingston-native Jenny Roddewig, who won Montana's prestigious Race to the Sky as an 18 year old and competed multiple times in Alaska's grueling Jr. Iditarod.
- Backcountry Film Fest At The Wilma - 2/2 - Missoula, Montana
The Backcountry Film Festival is produced by Winter Wildlands Alliance as a celebration of the human-powered experience and a gathering place for the backcountry snow sports community.
- Million Acre Amber: New Helena brew celebrates land conservation milestone
A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Montana Land Reliance, an organization that partners with private landowners to protect agricultural land, fish and wildlife habitat and open space.
Montana Office of Tourism & Economic Development
- Ignite Great Falls 2018 - 1/19 - Great Falls, Montana
Join us as we celebrate projects that are happening in 2018. We are inviting developers, businesses, and entrepreneurs to discuss their new projects.
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- Submit a Nomination and Help Us to Celebrate the Best of Montana Tourism
Nominations for the Montana Tourism Awards, to be presented at the Monday-night banquet of the 2018 Governor's Conference on Tourism and Recreation, are now open!
Energy and Climate Change
- AMA Incubator Invests $10 Million in Blockchain Health Startup
James Madara, the AMA's chief executive, said the healthcare field should adopt technologies which could change existing systems.
Come Home Montana
- How Boiseans will escape the cuts in plastics recycling -- and recycle even more of them
"This is something that's important to Boiseans," city spokesman Mike Journee said. "So it was clear pretty clear that we had to find a solution to this where we weren't sending [more plastics] back into the landfill."
- The World Bank Plans to End Support of Fossil Fuels in 2019
The World Bank took a tough position on climate action recently, announcing its plans to discontinue support of any upstream oil and gas projects in 2019.
- How to Halve the Cost of Residential Solar in the US
American consumers are being charged over two times more for solar than is the average consumer overseas.
- Portland home-sellers must disclose home energy score under new city mandate
It's modeled off programs in cities including Austin, Texas; Berkley, California; and Boulder, Colorado.
- Thieves in China Steal Section of Newly Installed Solar Road
A section of an experimental solar road was stolen by thieves in China. The motivation for the crime remains a mystery.
Hellgate Venture Network
- Meet New Company To Missoula - ClassPass - Career Opportunities Available - 1/17 - Missoula, Montana
You're invited to join the ClassPass team for a meet and greet happy hour hosted by our Recruiting Team. Learn more about how ClassPass is revolutionizing the fitness industry and the exciting opportunities available to work in our downtown Missoula office.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Data Network Engineer, IS Project Coordinator, Field Services Supervisor - Blackfoot
Join the Blackfoot team today!
Montana Business
- Hellgate Venture Network, Linnea Stanhope And The C3 Work Lounge Co-working Spacing -1/11 - Missoula
This month's meeting features Linnea Stanhope who will tell us about the C3 Work Lounge a co-working spacing opening in the Old Sawmill District this summer. We are excited to be hosted in the new Stockman Bank Building on the corner of Orange and Broadway. Thanks to Bob Burns and his team at Stockman for hosting!
TED and TEDX Talks
- Look behind the curtains of a $5 newspaper campaign - Support 'The Current'
As it turns out, the donation email wasn't produced by the Missoula Current, but rather by our corporate competitor, the Missoulian.
- Podcast- Can Do: Missoula-based Vim&Vigr Wins With Designer Compression Socks
Today on "Can Do," host Arnie Sherman talks with Michelle Huie about how she grew her business exponentially in just four short years, and what she's learned along the way.
- Montana's $4 million in taxes on beer
In 2010, Montana had 29 licensed breweries. The state now has 82, the Department of Revenue reported.
Careers
- oday's TED Talk Mammoths resurrected, geoengineering and other thoughts from futurist Stewart Brand
"The story we're told is that we're the next meteor," Brand says, but "things are capable of getting better."
City Club Missoula
- TED Talks - You aren't at the mercy of your emotions -- your brain creates them
She shares the results of her exhaustive research -- and explains how we may have more control over our emotions than we think.
Government
- City Club Missoula - Ending homelessness: Missoula making progress with 10-year plan, experts say
Adopted in 2011, the plan has helped the city move from the old way of doing business to something that now resembles a coordinated, citywide approach.
Idaho
- Missoula's Water Utility: Where Are We Now? - 1/9 - Missoula, Montana
Mayor Engen and several other city officials involved in the purchase and operation of Missoula's water utility will be present to give an update on the final purchase, current and future operations of the water utility and answer questions from the audience.
- Montana Senator Jon Tester fields questions from Kalispell High School students as part of his "Montennial" tour
The senator answered questions ranging from net neutrality and the new tax bill to same-sex marriage and the state of the North Korea situation.
- The FCC Disqualified a Bunch of Rural Communities from Receiving Internet Funding After Big Telecom Said They Already Have Internet
Companies and co-ops, big or small, will no longer be able to apply for money to build internet infrastructure in many of these regions, because Big Telecom says there's already internet there.
- The FCC Cited Zero of the 22 Million Consumer Comments in its 218-Page Net Neutrality Repeal
"Despite the millions of comments, letters, and calls received, this Order cites, not even one consumer comment."
- FCC Commissioner Clyburn's extended dissent guts anti-net neutrality order
The whole statement is a whopping 6,000 words, and well worth reading in its entirety -- especially if you missed her delivery of it on the day. Perhaps half its length dedicated to the new, more technical exposition of the rule's flaws.
- Silicon Valley's biggest lobbying group says it will help sue the FCC over net neutrality
Friday's announcement foreshadows a barrage of lawsuits on net neutrality that could soon drop.
- Federal Tax Cuts Could Make Montana Special Session 'Strong Possibility'
Mike Kadas says if there's not a special session, Montana faces either a new $46 million hole in its budget this year, or lawsuits from taxpayers.
- FCC Uses Bogus Data to Show Big Increases in Broadband Access
At the end of the year, the Federal Communications Commission released data that it knows to be inaccurate, which will damage the lives and livelihoods of millions of our fellow citizens who live and work in rural America.
- Trump Justice Department Pushes for Citizenship Question on Census, Alarming Experts
"This is a recipe for sabotaging the census," said one. The administration's stated reason for the controversial move: protecting civil rights.
- SEnator Tester: Use Capitol Christmas Tree to Rebuild Glacier National Park's Sperry Chalet
"This wooden and stone landmark, built in Glacier's rugged backcountry more than a century ago, is irreplaceable," wrote Tester. "But efforts are underway to rebuild the Sperry Chalet, and I can think of no better use for some of the Montana lumber in our Capitol Christmas Tree to assist in that endeavor. I'd like to see this tree go home to Big Sky Country, where it can continue giving to the people to whom our public lands belong."
- Montana Senator Jon Tester Holds Wells Fargo Accountable for Fraud, Helps Get Victims Their Day in Court
"Wells Fargo must be held accountable," Tester said. "This is a step in the right direction to ensure that victims of fraud are made whole again and I will keep fighting relentlessly for the millions of families that were deliberately lied to and bullied by Wells Fargo so they can receive justice."
- Net neutrality debate heats up in Montana after FCC ruling
"I think it's everybody, and people want the Internet the way it's always been," Tester said. "The best example I have is actually Billings West, when I was there meeting with one of their senior civics classes and the first three questions were on net neutrality."
Regional Business
- 5 things to watch as Idaho lawmakers return to Boise for 2018 session
2018 is shaping up to be a gangbuster political year for Idaho, for two particular reasons.
- For first time in 19 years, most of Boise's City Council will be women
"What I realized after the [2016] election was that I just needed to be present," Sanchez said. "I was heartbroken at some of the things I saw people writing on Facebook, for example. People who I considered to be my friends. It was shocking to me to see the overt hatred and racism."
- Idaho governor to push for higher education changes
Otter said creating a higher education CEO would help the state reach its 2010 goal of getting 60 percent of Idaho's young adults to complete a post-secondary degree or certificate by 2025.
- Idaho National Laboratory a major contributor to Idaho's economy
"It's rewarding to see the positive impact we have on Idaho's economy," INL Director Mark Peters said. "Ultimately, that means we are improving the lives of all Idahoans and their communities."
Regional Economic Development
- Southwest spends $15 million to settle lawsuit alleging collusion among airlines - Conquistadores del Cielo: The Secret Club of Top Airline Executives
The group would steadily grow to include leadership from the airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and other aviation related companies, and would look forward to each year meeting at the A-Bar Ranch located in Wyoming.
- Cities May Be Facing a New Housing Crisis
As rents and demand for renting increase, millions of Americans are being evicted -- sometimes with only a few days' notice.
- Credit card debt hits new record, raising warning sign
Americans' outstanding credit card debt hit a new record in November, highlighting a more confident U.S. consumer but also flashing a warning signal of potential trouble down the road.
Washington State Business
- While One Big Sky Center plans develop in Billings, another convention center proposal is ready to strike
Billings is actively shopping for a new, full-scale convention center that will attract regional and national groups and businesses to the city.
Wyoming Business
- Infrastructure improvements help lure new business to Spokane Valley
The announcement of two companies building manufacturing facilities could add hundreds of jobs and potential for new businesses.
Montana Education Excellence
- Wyoming has struggled to increase population since it was a territory
In his 1977 book, "Wyoming," University of Wyoming historian T.A. Larson said that the state was facing a challenge and also an opportunity "to demonstrate what America could have been if planners and developers had traded short term profits for long term gains."
- Defining 'small town' Wyoming: In the country's least populous state, what qualifies as rural?
Bar Nunn illustrates the complexity of small town in life in Wyoming, where the importance of a community is often dictated by what surrounds it or what it offers rather than the population listed on the green sign at the edge of town.
Funding and Building your Business
- Video Interview - Seth Bodnar: University of Montana's new president and a 'Man on a Mission'
As part of a continued effort to increase transparency of the state institution, ideas have been brought up for regularly-scheduled meetings with the new president in order to, not only discuss the issues the university is facing, but the great work that is being done by everyone wearing maroon and silver.
- University of Montana President Seth Bodnar takes the reins
"When you hike up the M with a group of students, it's actually such a refreshing experience, just physically and mentally," Bodnar said.
- New University of Montana President Seth Bodnar lays out goals
Bodnar laid out four main points in the email.
Connectivity & Communications
- Missoula Micro-Fund Night - 2/8
Do you have a great idea and need some support to implement it?
- 8 Ways New Ventures Burn Resources Without Thinking
Waste in a startup is any activity that spends resources, but creates no value or competitive advantage in the eyes of customers.
Government Technology
- The Looming Digital Meltdown - "It is past time to panic."
As a citizen of a world in which digital technology is increasingly integrated into all objects -- not just phones but also cars, baby monitors and so on -- it is past time to panic.
- The current state of broadband Internet access in rural Montana
Twenty-five percent of residents are still under served, meaning they receive less than 25 mbps, the FCC standard. However, 99.1 percent of residents have access to mobile broadband service.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- The Government IT Workforce: Pivoting Toward the Cloud
"If somebody has knowledge of how they've been doing something four years ago, and that's still their job," he said, "we've probably failed as management and as leaders in not modernizing those systems and improving those processes or training other people to have that knowledge."
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- The Montana Arts Council is now accepting nominations for the 2018 Governor's Arts Awards!
The Governor's Arts Award honors outstanding citizens and organizations in Montana whose achievements in the arts, or on behalf of the arts, benefit all Montanans.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Technology, the smartphone and the battle for our soul
Our future has come at a price.
- Thoughts on the New Year from Robert Kennedy
Knowing that if we can make it through this past year; together, we can make this New Year a little better, a little brighter, and a little bit happier.
HACKING AND VIRUS ALERTS
- The virus that can attack brain tumors and stimulate the immune system to do the same
For the first time researchers have shown that the reovirus has a remarkable ability to cross the protective membrane that surrounds the brain, called the blood-brain barrier.
- Fat fighting drug could let you lose weight without dieting
NNMT acts as a metabolic brake which slows down fat cell metabolism, so the more of it that's expressed, the harder it is for the cells to burn fat - it's a vicious circle.
- CES 2018: 20 most innovative gadgets at show
The trade show of the Consumer Electronics Show will open Tuesday, but we've got a sneak peek on some of the coolest technology set to debut at the world's biggest consumer trade show.
Transportation
- Pyramid scheme making the rounds on Facebook in Montana
The state Auditor's Office sent out a news release Monday warning of the scheme.
Events
- California moves to ban sales of fossil-fueled cars from 2040
The UK is following this up with a plan to get all existing fossil burning cars off the road by 2050.
- Will self-driving cars threaten your security?
Imagine the following scenarios:
- Case Studies in Autonomous Vehicles, Part 3: Will Autonomous Vehicles Be Able to Handle All Driving Conditions?
Autonomous vehicle technology is generally evaluated against a spectrum of 6 levels, ranging from Level Zero, which is a completely human controlled vehicle, to Level 5 being "completely" autonomous with no human intervention save perhaps for directions.
- What it's like to ride in a self-driving Lyft
Riding in a self-driving Lyft car is way more boring than you'd expect. But that's really the point.
- Vision Zero Touted as Traffic Deaths Hit Historic Lows in 2 Major Cities
Vision Zero starts with the premise that humans make mistakes, but road infrastructure ought to account for that. Its champions stress making changes to the physical aspects of streets and sidewalks to reduce vehicle speeds.
- 2018 Robert Burns Birthday Celebration Supper -1/26 - Missoula
- ChickTech To Encourage High-school Girls To Enter Computing And Technical Fields - 4/14 - Pablo, MT
- The Art Of Diplomacy: How The Arts Impact Society, International Relations And Our World - 1/13 - Missoula
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