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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Sep 18, 2018 |
"If you can give somebody a leg up when they're 2, 3 or 4 years old, by the time they get to kindergarten or first grade, they’re much less likely to fall behind. You're really improving their odds." Jeff Bezos -- Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pledges $2 billion to help homeless families and launch a network of preschools --- http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Your chance to actively participate in growing Montana's economy - The MEDA Unconference - 9/19-21 - Missoula -- http://www.matr.net/ev ... =7041
2018 Montana Politics
Montana Department of Commerce
- Tobacco-supported group opposing I-185 raises $7.7 million, outspending others by far
With less than two months until the November election, the group opposing a ballot initiative that would increase the tax on tobacco products to pay for Medicaid expansion dramatically revved up its campaign contributions and spending.
Montana World Affairs Council
- Departments of Commerce, Agriculture Invite Consumers to 'Taste our Place'
New program launches to promote and source local food and drink
- Small Towns, Big Screens: Filmmaking in Rural Montana
Montana is proof you don't have to live in a big city to attract film and television production to your community.
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Thomas Meagher Cares Benefit For Montana World Affairs Council's Global Education Initiatives - 9/24 - Missoula
Please join the Montana World Affairs Council http://www.montanaworldaffairs.org for a fun and entertaining evening where we'll be eating traditional Irish pub food to raise money.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Dorsey & Whitney - Does Your Website Violate The ADA? How To Avoid And Defend Against Allegations. - 10/5 - Missoula, MT
Recently, dozens of lawsuits have been brought by plaintiffs' attorneys against financial institutions, retail stores and other businesses alleging that they have been operating websites that violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Early Edge Montana
- GFDA Top 14 Congratulations to the Great Falls Voyager for winning the Pioneer League Championships!
Are you interested in reaching military service men and women with your brand? We are looking for a sponsor for our Boots to Business entrepreneurship program.
The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana
- Montana plans to apply for new round of federal preschool grants
Montana plans to apply for a new round of preschool development grants, the same program that helped create 750 high-quality preschool slots across the state.
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
- The market is stacked against the low-skilled worker - How hourly workers, many of whom earn irregularly, can act entrepreneurially, with help from cities.
These workers are not in control of their own schedules, the number of hours of work they'll get in a week, and typically receive no benefits. But, cities may be in the best position to help hourly workers act more like entrepreneurs.
- Gig-Economy Groceries - Online grocery-delivery service Instacart makes its debut in the Flathead
Valley residents can earn extra cash by being someone's personal grocery shopper, while others can avoid the rigmarole of wrangling a shopping cart.
Montana Ambassadors
- Kalispell Chamber Luncheon To Feature Manufacturing And Student Scholarships - 9/18 - Kalispell, MT
This luncheon will feature presentations from Kalispell Chamber staff on eight weeks of manufacturing programming and events this fall, before kicking off a panel of local manufacturing experts who have successfully addressed workforce challenges by implementing internship and apprenticeship programs.
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- "406" Commerce Opportunities By California Chapter Of The Montana Ambassadors- 10/25 - Glendale, California
The California Chapter of the Montana Ambassadors invites you to join us for an evening of intriguing dialogue with company innovators and leaders from the following Montana-based industries:
Energy and Climate Change
- Missoula County to resume bitcoin business discussions
Bitcoins and block chains are back.
Come Home Montana
- Portland now generates electricity from turbines installed in city water pipes.
A short promotional video describes the technology and benefits involved in harnessing energy from municipal water pipelines:
- Forget smart ovens. Intelligent HVAC is the smart home's future
Alea is promising a home that's always the perfect temperature-and serious savings on the energy bill.
- On Eve of Global Climate Summit, 19 U.S. Cities Launch Electric Car Effort
Their purchasing pledge is a small but symbolic step toward reducing greenhouse gases.
- Dutch cyclists can now ride down a recycled plastic bike path
The PlasticRoad comes in prefabricated modular blocks that are reported lightweight and easy to install with space underneath already in place for pipes and cables.
- California wants to go carbon-negative. No one knows the cost
By the middle of this century, Gov. Jerry Brown wants California to pull more greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere every year than it puts in.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Silicon Valley's longest-serving CEO Ray Zinn retired to Helena, Montana but never slowed down
Along the way, Zinn desired to get back to his ranching roots. He and his wife looked at Idaho, Utah, Colorado and Montana. "I fell in love with this 500 acres," he said of his home near Helena.
Montana Business
- University of Montana Awarded Grant to Help Commercialize Biomedical Inventions
"The goal is to work across the Montana University System and western region to educate and assist university researchers in developing the clinical and commercial potential of their basic scientific discoveries," said CTM Director Dr. Jay Evans, who will serve as the UM principal investigator for the Accelerating Solutions for Commercialization and Entrepreneurial Development (ASCEND) grant.
Montana Economic Development
- Resodyn has roots in Butte, draws worldly audience for annual conference
"It's located in the perfect place. It's blue collar. It's no hassle," said Farrar, adding that he enjoys the sunshine, likes the people and sees it as a good place to raise a family.
- Butte business owner encourages the hiring of employees with disabilities - "OMG! I Have A Job!" Event To Increase Employment Of People With Developmental Disabilities - 10/24
About 20 percent of the staff at OMG Mongolian grill in Butte have a disability and owners Tom and Kristi Cronnelly encourage other business owners to consider hiring those with disabilities.
TED and TEDX Talks
- Butte-Silver Bow to give out more than $60K for projects to boost economy
Residents and organizations still have time to propose initiatives that could benefit Butte's economy while getting county money for their idea or cause.
- Downtown revival, "hot" market and Missoula's reputation speak to district's future
"Things are growing and changing, and those are the reasons why it's time for us to take a look down the next 10 years and that next phase of whatever downtown is going to be," McCarthy said. "We need to make sure we're protecting the assets we want to protect."
Careers
- New on TED - How to create a world where no one dies waiting for a transplant
Learn more about this cutting-edge science and how it could help solve the organ shortage crisis.
Business Plan Forums
- 2020 Census Jobs - Nationwide
Earn extra income while helping your community. The Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count.
- Research Says the Boss of the Future Looks Nothing Like Today's Managers. Here's What You'll Need to Learn
This is the end of management as we know it.
City Club Missoula
- Google holds competition to help its algorithm tell bikes from birds
What's the difference between a bird and a bike? There's a million answers but Google might not know the difference.
Developing an Angel Network in Montana
- City Club Missoula Forum - Missoula Open Space Bond - 10/15 - Missoula, MT
Attendees at City Club Missoula October 15 will hear both sides of the question.
Government
- Angel Capital Association Study Provides New Insights on Angel Group Investments and Their Portfolio Companies
The ACA report provides an initial picture on angel groups' investments, the startups they support and the factors that lead to business and investor success.
Other Economies
- "The United States In A New Global Order: An Evening With Larry Summers And Max Baucus" - 9/24 - Missoula
“Bringing two speakers of this caliber to campus on the same day is a privilege and an honor,” UM President Seth Bodnar said. “Summers and New will provide our students, employees and wider Montana community with exceptional learning opportunities.”
- Thanks to SCOTUS, States Are Taxing Online Sales. But the Legal Fight May Not Be Over.
In order to sell goods online to Coloradans, retailers have to register by Nov. 30 for a remote seller's license.
- A Troubling Trend for Cities: Slowing Revenue But Rising Spending Growth
The annual National League of Cities report signals potentially more challenging times ahead for many localities.
- Montana Association of Counties meets in Missoula to develop legislative goals
Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, will address the conference on Wednesday.
- The House Is Trying to Sneak These Controversial Changes Into the Farm Bill - Even if the SNAP work requirements don't make it through, these three wrinkles could.
Such as: Preventing localities from regulating pesticides. Titled "Regulatory Reform," Section 9101 of the House Bill would forbid "political subdivision[s] of a state"--i.e., counties, cities--from imposing their own restrictions on pesticide use.
- Bozeman's first affordable housing manager to leave job
This comes as leaders are trying to build Bozeman's definition of what's affordable and decide what responsibility City Hall has to keep housing within reach.
Regional Business
- How Iceland Dealt with a Volcanic Financial Meltdown
Iceland treated its banks as being "too big to save."
Regional Economic Development
- 10 Years After the Lehman Brothers Collapse - What are the risks to our economy now?
The crisis was followed by the Great Recession
Washington State Business
- Everything About Tax Increment Financing - Community Voices: TIFs are a tool for revenue growth, not a raid on city revenues
A new report by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy sheds light on the subject.
Wyoming Business
- SIXSITE Gear - High-end camouflage apparel produced in Spokane by K-L Mfg. Co. for former Navy Seal
Going offshore is easier and less expensive -- "that's why most apparel companies do it. But from a quality perspective and from a heritage perspective, I did not want to manufacture overseas."
Education
- Scottish carbon capture company takes root in Wyoming coal country
Carbon Capture Machine recently filed as a Limited Liability Company in the state, with plans to utilize the state's Integrated Test Center at Dry Fork, with skilled workers in the construction and maintenance industries, to launch their company.
Montana Education Excellence
- Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos pledges $2 billion to help homeless families and launch a network of preschools
"If you can give somebody a leg up when they're 2, 3 or 4 years old, by the time they get to kindergarten or first grade, they're much less likely to fall behind. You're really improving their odds." Jeff Bezos
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana State University records yet another strong year for research
"There is intense competition for research dollars nationwide," Reijo Pera said. "The fact that our faculty continue, year after year, to compete so fiercely is further evidence that MSU is home to some of the best and brightest minds in the world."
- How Poetry In America Is Bringing Verse To The Small Screen" - 9/24 - Missoula
New earned her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1998 and came to Harvard in 1999. She is the author of several books, including “The Regenerate Lyric: Theology and Innovation in American Poetry.” Her online Harvard course is titled How to Read American Poetry.
- Montana Board of Regents OK new MSU degree to help solve rural teacher shortage
The regents voted unanimously at their meeting in Billings this week to give the Bozeman campus permission to offer the new teaching master's and two additional degrees, in data science and chemical engineering.
- Helena Public Schools to offer real-time bus tracking app
EduLog Parent Portal provides bus stop information, estimated time of arrival and "Where's My Bus?" real-time bus locator.
Community
- University of Montana's journalism school launches a laboratory. Colleges see a surge in admissions to Journalism schools.
The lab is the school's bid to make itself Missoula's go-to resource for local nonprofits, businesses and other members of the public to learn journalism skills that they can use to communicate with their audiences.
- Montana State University's engineering college appoints Boeing Professor
Weaving more discussion of social and ethical responsibility into first-year engineering courses "will not only better prepare engineers, it will also increase their motivation."
- University of Montana Global Public Health Program Launches Internship Program
"Why not gain credit for the work you do?" said Peter Koehn, the GPH program director. "Local is always part of global, so we thought we could step in to offer these new opportunities for our students."
Funding and Building your Business
- Can Mark Zuckerberg Fix Facebook Before It Breaks Democracy?
The most famous entrepreneur of his generation is facing a public reckoning with the power of Big Tech.
- Tell Us Something - "It's Complicated" Your Community, Your Stories. - 10/2 - Missoula, Montana
Eight storytellers will share their true personal story without notes on the theme "It's Complicated".
- Entrepreneurs talk future of Bozeman's Midtown
Echoing the "if you build it they will come" mentality on Monday, Nick Checota described the scene of crowds arriving in Bozeman for artists who, in the past, left Montana off their lists of stops. He talked about people swinging into local restaurants, bars and hotels after a show.
Government Technology
- An IRS Clarification Could Save Your Business a Lot This Year
"There's potentially the opportunity for partnerships or some other pass-through businesses to claim deductions above what they'd be able to do with the capped state and local tax deduction."
- Benioff on the big issues
Salesforce's CEO on the future of jobs, education, homelessness and the environment - and everything else we could get him to talk about
- Launching A Brand: The Basics With Guest Speaker, Olivia Shjeflo - 9/20 - Missoula
Olivia's project with Tata Global Beverages and Talking Rain Beverage Company focuses primarily on how to launch a new beverage brand in a crowded market with two primary stakeholders.
- Managing Cultural Nuances With Guest Speaker, Olivia Shjeflo - 9/20 - Missoula
Get insights into how to communicate and bridge two cultures in order to achieve organizational goals.
- How to convince your boss to give you year-round "summer" Fridays
Maybe it's not just for the summer slowdown: Some experts say that a shorter week year-round fosters productivity.
- Here's Why Everyone Will Be Jumping at the Chance to Hire Gen Z Workers by 2020
The question isn't whether they will create more innovative products than anyone else. It's whether any of us will keep up.
- Small Business Certifications Plus Contract Language And Liens , 10/10 - 11/15, Various Montana Communities
Certifications—What they can do for YOU
- Jeff Bezos Banned PowerPoint in Meetings. His Replacement Is Brilliant
In his 2018 annual letter, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos repeated his rule that PowerPoint is banned in executive meetings. What Bezos replaced it with provides even more valuable insight for entrepreneurs and leaders.
- Hundreds of Female Founders Speak Out on Ambition, Politics, and #MeToo
One thing is clear: Nothing is going to get in the way of their ambition.
Non-Profit News
- 6 Organizations Making a Big Impact on Smart Cities
Partnerships with nonprofits and foundations drive city innovation.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- New director Chris Dobbs leads the Museum of the Rockies
"Teach people about the past, with an immersive experience."
- Making it in Big Sky: Big Sky Community Food Bank
Seeing a constant increase in the need for emergency food in Big Sky, Anderson approached the Human Resource Development Council in Bozeman with the idea of starting a food bank.
- Missoula Nonprofit MoFi Up For Million-Dollar Prize
Missoula's MoFi, an organization that helps build community through entrepreneurship financing and consulting, is one of 20 finalists of more than 2,000 entrants from across the country - all vying for their chunk of $10 million in total funding.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Tom Griffiths: 3 ways to make better decisions -- by thinking like a computer
Cognitive scientist Tom Griffiths shows how we can apply the logic of computers to untangle tricky human problems, sharing three practical strategies for making better decisions -- on everything from finding a home to choosing which restaurant to go to tonight.
Transportation
- What is 5G, when is it coming and why do we need it?
Plus 5G will surely enable us to dump our domestic phone lines and have home broadband which is completely dependent on cellular networks.
Events
- Electric Flight Will Transform Our Cities for the Better, and It Will Happen Sooner Than You Think
These technical advancements are enabling a new vision for on-demand electric air taxis, allowing an entirely novel type of urban transportation modality that's as affordable as renting a car or buying a train ticket.
- Transit Advocates: Is the White House Purposefully Delaying Project Funds?
Delaying these projects, they argue, could increase costs for local transit agencies.
- Self-Driving Car Developers Should Put Pedestrians First
The success of self-driving cars depends upon a rise in walking as a practical means of getting around.
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