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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jan 12, 2018 |
"The car obviously is going to learn to drive itself, but the city's transportation grid will mutate around what the cars need." Ford CEO Jim Hackett --- http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
GM Will Launch Robocars Without Steering Wheels Next Year http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Gov. Steve Bullock
Montana Department of Commerce
- Governor Bullock Announces Nearly $1.4 Million to Serve Montana Kids with High Quality Preschool
"If we take care of our kids and give them high-quality early childhood experiences, we set the stage for their success in school and in life," said Governor Bullock. "These dollars will enhance our recent investments in high-quality preschool and create more educational opportunities for the next generation of Montanans."
Montana Technology Innovation Partnership
- 2018 Building Active Communities Initiative - 5/8-10 - Livingston, Montana
The three-day Action Institute brings together national, state & local experts with Montana cities & counties who are interested in making their communities safer and more accessible for walking and bicycling and increasing access to healthy local foods.
- Department of Commerce Announces Workforce Training Grant Awards to Train Hard-Working Montanans for New Jobs
"A qualified workforce is critical to the success of Montana's growing economy," said Haxby-Cote. "These grants provide an incentive for Montana businesses to expand the size and quality of their workforce while adding good-paying jobs in communities across the state."
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Calling All SBIR/STTR Grantees! A Free Intellectual Propoerty Webinar Series On Patents, Trademarks, & Copyrights. Multiple Dates Starting 1/29
They will cover all aspects of Intellectual Property protection as well as help you understand your IP Data Rights under the SBIR/STTR grant or contract.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Webinar - Getting Ready For The H-1B Season FY 2019 And Beyond - 1/31
This webinar will address key developments in employment-based immigration since President Trump took office and discuss the changes in immigration law that may lie ahead.
Energy and Climate Change
- How 5 states are rocking education data
States are on the right path when it comes to using real-time education data to inform teaching and learning, but they should continue taking critical steps to improve data use, according to a new report.
Come Home Montana
- Mexico's Record Solar Prices Fall Below the Average Cost of Energy From Gas and Coal
Low costs will keep the market at the forefront of solar development in Latin America.
- New algae fuel cell design ramps up the efficiency
Producing them is also easier and less expensive.
Leadership Montana
- Montana Career Opportunities - Vice President of Philanthropy, Public Relations & Outreach Manager - American Prairie Reserve
American Prairie Reserve is creating the largest nature reserve in the continental United States.
- Montana Career Opportunities -Director, Project Architect/ Project Manager, Architectural Designer - NE45 Architecture
As active and passionate members of our community, we believe we owe it to our neighbors to collaborate with them to design spaces where they want to live their lives.
- Montana Career Opportunity - DevOps Engineer - Goomzee
Goomzee is growing and seeks highly-motivated individuals to contribute towards our continued success.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Business Development Representatives - C2r Product Development
C2r Product Development is looking for an experienced Business Development Representative with a proven track record for identifying and creating new business opportunities through creative sales and marketing efforts.
- Kalispell, Montana Begins Search for New Police Chief
City posted opening online this week after longtime Chief Roger Nasset retired
- Montana Career Opportunities - Careers in Insurance - ALPS
We understand that to deliver the best service to our clients, we must hire the best people.
Montana Business
- Leadership Montana tackles state issues
Chantel Schieffer, President and CEO of Leadership Montana said she is excited for this class to really dig deep into Montana's opportunities and issues, such as healthcare, agriculture, and education.
Montana Economic Development
- Downtown Missoula is the place to be. Movin' on up: ALPS Corp. gutting top floors of Florence ahead of renovations, expansion
"As an organization, we're launching what I'd call a significant expansion into multiple other states. That will all be done from a centralized environment here in Missoula."
- C3 WorkLounge (Missoula's Premier Co-working Space) MeetUp Schedule - 1/18, 2/21, 3/21 - Missoula, Montana
The monthly meetups are intended to start building our membership base to ensure we have a cohesive community come August when the doors open.
- Denise Juneau Launches Blue Cloud Consulting
I want to take my experience of leading a state agency and working with communities and teams on large-scale initiatives like Graduation Matters Montana to help organizations, governments, companies, and individuals be successful.
- Gallatin County economy ranked strongest of its size in U.S.
"The rankings do not reflect the latest 'hotspot' or boom town, but the areas which have the best economic foundation."
- Montana Airbnb Hosts Earned Nearly $20 million in 2017
The guest arrivals represents a 91% year-over-year growth.
- Flying Squirrel trampoline park bounces into Missoula
"Well, we're originally from this area, so we wanted to offer our unique concept to the people of Montana -- and especially Missoula and the surrounding towns," Luke said. "We want to help kids break away from the video games and actually have an active, healthy lifestyle."
- Montana teacher Craig Beals presents at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas
Beals has teamed up with FLIR on a number of projects, and together they have created Invisible Labs. In a series of videos, they aim to highlight science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging way.
Careers
- How the 'scenery economy' reinvigorated a Montana town
If there's anywhere in rural Montana that's managed to make the shift from the mines-and-mills industry of the past to the scenery economy of the New West, it's here.
- The challenges of urban economic growth vs. rural stagnation in the West. What can communities learn from each other?
What are rural Montana communities doing to respond to a growing economy in the cities without much evidence of that growth in their communities? What can they do to help their residents weather the economic winter? And what could they learn from other communities?
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- Do You Make Bad Decisions? Here's How to Tell, According to a Professional Poker Player
Educate your gut, quantify your confidence, and don't let bad choices get you down.
- 10 Ways to Immediately Improve Your Listening (and Networking) Skills
We think that we're listening to the other person, but we're really not giving them our full and complete attention.
Rural Communities
- Slower Speeds, Less Access: The Public Agency Response to Rural Broadband
Public entities like the Federal Communications Commission and state legislatures are supposed to look after the common good. Instead, their policies are making things tougher for small towns and rural areas anxious to improve their connectivity.
- Colorado Town Votes to Go Ahead with Broadband Despite Cable Company's Best Efforts
A media campaign funded by Comcast and CenturyLink failed to stop the ballot initiative in Fort Collins to install universal broadband service delivering gigabit speeds.
City Club Missoula
- Can rural towns stem the trend of population decline?
Small-town Choteau, Montana, is working to find answers to the question that is plaguing 23 of the state's counties.
Government
- City Club Missoula Membership Discount *Limited Time*
"City Club offers a venue for our citizens to learn about and discuss issues that affect our city and state. Our monthly forums give community members the opportunity to become educated on a variety of issues and further engage in the growth and well-being of our community." Heidi Starrett, Vice Chair, City Club Missoula
Idaho
- Montana Senator Jon Tester Joins Senate Commerce Committee to Fight for Montana Businesses
"I'm honored to serve the people of Montana on this important Committee," said Tester. "Our state's economy will be front and center as we work together to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, boost broadband and broadcasting, and fight for higher paying jobs. I look forward to partnering with Montana businesses to ensure our state's Main Streets are thriving."
- City council members give update on Missoula's water
"They are thinking their seeing a change because in previous years when there wasn't this issue of ownership changing people just got their water bills and paid them and didn't think anything about it. This year when you combine with an extra dry July and August people are noticing," said Leifer.
- Senator Tester Calls on House to Curtail Invasive Government Surveillance
"It's plain and simple: this is about maintaining our national security and ensuring Uncle Sam follows the Constitution," Tester said. "This bill will defend Montanans from increasing government intrusion and protect our freedoms and constitutional rights."
- Net Neutrality to Get U.S. Senate Vote as Democrats Force Issue
Republicans are being asked to acknowledge they support the FCC's reversal of Obama-era rules
- Congress prepares to knock down barriers to broadband expansion in rural America
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican who leads a key House subcommittee, said she expects to introduce several pieces of legislation in the next three months to remove the barriers to broadband expansion into rural areas.
- U.S. Department of Interior plans to move thousands of workers in the biggest reorganization in its history
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke launched an unprecedented effort Wednesday to undertake the largest reorganization in the department's 168-year history, moving to shift tens of thousands of workers to new locations and change the way the federal government manages more than 500 million acres of land and water across the country.
- 'Montana's economy is kicking a little': Lawmakers cautiously optimistic after revenue report. Special Session may not be needed.
"I would be shocked if there's another special session," Jones said. "Something would have to drastically change from what we're seeing now."
- Senator Jon Tester's Great Falls Town Hall - 1/15
I will be hosting an in-person town hall meeting in Great Falls on Monday, January 15, 2018 to hear from Montanans face-to-face.
- Podcast - Could Iceland's Equal Pay Law Work in the U.S.?
The New Year ushered in a new wage policy in Iceland, where it is now illegal for companies to pay men more than women for the same job.
- Idaho lawmakers undergo anti-harassment training
"People I never would have suspected have a problem with this."
Other Economies
- Micron, Intel curb their partnership. What it means for Boise's top for-profit employer
Micron is Boise's largest for-profit employer, with about 6,800 employees here.
- Idaho lawmakers mull ambitious plan to address state's severe doctor shortage
If the plan is enacted as proposed, Idaho would move up from 49th in the nation to 41st in 10 years.
- INL at work on nation's most challenging national security and clean energy issues
It's interesting, though, that few people ask why we do this work.
Regional Business
- Wisconsin launches ad blitz to lure Chicago's 'disillusioned' millennials
Wisconsin has launched a $1 million marketing blitz to convince Chicago millennials to trade their hot dogs for brats and move north of the border.
Regional Economic Development
- Facebook Overhauls News Feed to Focus on What Friends and Family Share
Facebook said that it would prioritize what their friends and family share and comment on while de-emphasizing content from publishers and brands.
Wyoming Business
- SBA Announces Presidential Appointment of Jeremy Field as Regional Administrator for SBA Region X
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announces the appointment of Jeremy Field as regional administrator for SBA Region X - also known as the SBA Pacific Northwest Region - which serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state.
Montana Education Excellence
- More Wyoming Airbnb users, combined with new tax deal, lead to revenue boost for state
That growth was greater than some neighboring states including Montana, where guest arrivals were up 91 percent in 2017 compared to the year prior, according to the company.
Community
- MSU Wonderlust lifelong learning courses now open for registration
Wonderlust offers classes, forums, book clubs and workshops for the intellectually curious.
- Redesigned UM Program Lets Students Earn MBA Anytime, Anywhere
The program lets students choose between attending traditional face-to-face classes, teleconferencing into live classroom discussions or viewing recorded lectures online.
- Montana Tech plays key role in developing 'game changer' system for power grids - Receives Award - "Oscars of Invention"
The new smart-grid system won a prestigious R&D 100 Award in November, recognition that Trudnowski says ranks Montana Tech in the big leagues of research and development players such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University.
- Buckle up -- Bozeman school buses to get seat belts this fall
The second reason for requiring seat belts is that student behavior improves significantly when kids are buckled in facing forward, which makes them less likely to mess around with kids behind them.
- University of Montana Professors Steve Running and Ragan Callaway Listed Among 'World's Most Influential Scientific Minds'
Research continues to surge at a record pace at UM, with the institution bringing in nearly $88 million in new funding during the past fiscal year to support homegrown Montana research, entrepreneurship and statewide outreach. This exceeds the previous year's record of $86 million.
Funding and Building your Business
- All Invited - Special Meeting -- The Future Of Cable TV In Missoula - 2/6
MCAT and the City of Missoula have the opportunity to plan for the future communications needs of our community through the upcoming Charter cable franchise renewal process and we need your assistance!
- Give a Day for Democracy - Please Become an Election Judge
Missoula County is recruiting a new generation of election judges and we are asking our community leaders for their help.
- Community conversations spark to find ways to address homelessness in Helena
Homelessness is in issue that impacts communities across the country, and Helena is not an exception.
Government Technology
- How to Join a Business Mastermind Group, Plus 4 Ways to Make the Most of It
Meeting with like-minded people can help you improve and develop your business.
- Venture Capital Investments in 2017 - PricewaterhouseCoopers' 2017 MoneyTree Report
Where were the investments in 2017 geographically and by market segment?
- Do you make these simple mistakes in interviewing?
"When you are being interviewed, it can sometimes feel as though you are being "interrogated".
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- All Mayors Should Launch Policy Labs
The Lab's mission is to embed the scientific method into the heart of city operations to provide decision-makers with high-quality evidence that they can use to achieve better outcomes for residents.
HACKING AND VIRUS ALERTS
- How a promising Alzheimer's drug turns back the cellular clock
Now Salk scientists have figured out the mechanism behind it, which could see J147 used to fight other age-related conditions as well.
- Do we really need an Alexa-powered toilet?
How about an Alexa-powered dog collar or backyard umbrella?
- The Best of CES 2018 - Highlights from Tech's Biggest Event
The Brain makes waves
Transportation
- This Device Protects Your Data on Any Public WiFi Connection
Keezel encrypts your network so all of your connected devices remain safe, and it comes with a lifetime of service.
Events
- More Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Planned For Flathead Valley
The Flathead Electric Co-op is hoping to partner with a few local business to install about dozen more.
- Next step in driverless cars: Boot the driver - Ford lays out grand vision for a self-driving car future
"The car obviously is going to learn to drive itself, but the city's transportation grid will mutate around what the cars need." Ford CEO Jim Hackett
- Robomart's autonomous rolling produce market makes convenience stores more convenient
Robomart has unveiled its eponymous driverless, electric, mobile market that not only delivers groceries on demand, but allows customers to select their own fresh produce without preordering while costing only a fraction of conventional delivery services to run.
- TSA PreCheck enrollment to begin at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
During peak travel times at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, passengers can also keep their laptop in its case and keep travel-size liquids and gels in their carry-on bag.
- KERBspace announces program to deploy Electric Automobile Charge Spaces across SW Montana -- discounts available
Install KERBspace 210 at your business and stand out from your competitors, attract electric vehicle drivers...and lots of curious onlookers.
- Ford will Connect Cars with Bikes and Everything Else
The vehicles and bikes - even city stoplights and signs - will all communicate with each other in a system that Ford is calling "Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything." Ford is working with chipmaker Qualcomm to produce the system.
- GM says it's mass-producing cars without steering wheels
The company says it has filed a petition with the federal government seeking permission to put the vehicles on the road sometime next year with no human backup drivers.
- Autonomous Vehicles Could Help Millions of People Catch Up on Sleep, TV and Work
There's a lot more free time when the car can drive itself.
- Project Management Learning - PMI Montana Chapter - Billings, 01/26, Billings
- Missoula Micro Fund Night, 2/8, Missoula
- 2018 Small Business Summit, 02/06, Helena
- Montana Cooperative Summit 2018 - Cooperatives Transforming Rural Communities - 3/7-8 - Fairmont Hot Springs
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