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| MATR Newsletter - Mon Oct 8, 2018 |
Cities that make the right moves are the ones that will differentiate themselves and perform over the longer term. http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Apologies for no newsletter for awhile and the length of this one but I've been a web hosting/email fiasco (thanks Intertune - Arrggghhhh) that I hope has been resolved. Many thanks to Cody Mitchell at Blackfoot/Modwest for being awesome. Here's where you can find any newsletters you may have missed. http://www.matr.net/ne ... phtml Be sure to check out events http://www.matr.net/ev ... phtml . Lots going on this beautiful Fall in Montana. Thanks, Russ
2018 Montana Politics
Big Sky Economic Development
- Industry groups spending millions fighting Montana tobacco and mining measures
Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris USA, has funneled more than $12 million to a committee organized to oppose the measure
- Gianforte, Williams face off on health care, public accountability in hometown debate
Wilderness Study Areas, Health Care, Trump Tax Cut etc. discussions by both candidates.
- Uber Joins Lyft In Giving Free Rides to the Polls on Election Day - Who do you know that could benefit from this service?
Lyft pointed out an estimated 15 million people were registered but didn't vote in 2016 because of transportation issues.
Montana Department of Commerce
- Building Remarkable-BSED Annual Meeting Lunch - Transforming Communities Through Economic Development - 10/18 - Billings
This year's speakers include three regional Governors (Montana, Wyoming and South Dakota) discussing economic development in their states and the challenges and opportunities each are facing.
- Downtown convention center should be large, versatile, and capture Billings' character, One Big Sky developer says
The vision for the One Big Sky District is getting bigger and coming into clearer focus.
- Entrepreneurs On Tap - 10/18 - Billings
This event will feature the new name and branding for the BSED entrepreneur center, state winners from Early Stage Montana, discussion of building destination/experience entrepreneurs for Billings, great food and networking.
Montana World Affairs Council
- Governor Bullock Announces $490,000 in Grants for Montana Film Production
"Filmmakers are taking notice that Montana is the ultimate location for film production," said Gov. Bullock. "By welcoming them into our communities, we're creating jobs for Montanans, infusing dollars into our local businesses and strengthening our important tourism industry by inspiring folks to visit Montana."
TechLink
- The Montana World Affairs Council - The Changing Nature Of Conservation In A Humanized World - 10/30 - Missoula
Dr. David Western, one of the world's renowned conservation leaders shows how our understanding of nature and our changing sensibilities are reshaping conservation globally in an age of human domination.
- The Montana World Affairs Council - The Changing Nature Of Conservation In A Humanized World - 11/01 - Bozeman
Dr. Western has worked with a wide range of communities to help build local economies while working with local people to save endangered wildlife.
Montana West Economic Development
- 6 Ways to Become an Entrepreneur Without Starting From Scratch - And there's a Montana-based 7th!
You can get into the game with more than money.
- Air Force expands use of express licensing
TechLink currently has 221 DOD technologies available for express licensing, 63 of which belong to the Air Force. The number of Air Force technologies available via express licensing is expected to exceed 100 in early 2019.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Grand opening set for Glacier Rail Park Monday 10/8 at 10 AM
"All the train track will be in for all of the users in the park all of the safety equipment where the train track intersects with the public roads and all the public roads will be finished," Morisaki said.
The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana
- Great Falls Economic Development Top Ten for 10/2/18
Here is our Top 15 for last week, celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy. This catches us up. Thanks for reading two in one week!
- GFDA Top 10
Did you know that exploring opportunities in Information Technology industries is one of our new strategic priorities? Internet service redundancy will be part of this effort.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Co-Working Becomes Mainstay as Freelancing is on the Rise
Now with the rise of freelancing, co-working spaces are becoming the go-to destination for this crowd.
Visit Montana
- Mindfulness classes for parents benefit their kids, too
Through a parenting program researchers created and offered at two early childhood centers, participants learned strategies and techniques that helped them manage their own emotions and behaviors while supporting their child's development.
VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things
- I Ditched My Phone for a Montana Cattle Drive (and Finally Dealt With My Feelings)
On my way to Montana, I'd felt so stuck, bound to go through the motions of subways, coffee, and Netflix nights forever. To my surprise, the biggest reminder of freedom didn't come from horses or cows, but instead the people who had committed to live on their own terms.
Energy and Climate Change
- This Creepy But Handy Humanoid Robot Installs Drywall by Itself
The Japanese machine can pick up and apply drywall sheets maneuvering a cordless screwdriver without human supervision. The future of robotics is here!
- Five things that must happen for blockchain to see widespread adoption, according to Deloitte
Blockchain is perhaps one of the biggest buzzwords in both finance and technology today.
Come Home Montana
- A New Take on Energy Conservation in the Heartland
Rural counties in Northeastern Iowa are capitalizing on an old model of local control to harness their energy future.
- NorthWestern Energy gets pass on Montana law requiring support of small renewable energy projects
The law is supposed to spur construction of smaller renewable energy projects across the state, as part of a bigger plan requiring utilities to get a small percentage of their electricity from renewable energy projects.
- Emerging Trends Will Energize the Future of Utilities
What if the abundance of electrical power--and not its scarcity--is the greatest problem facing the industry in the future?
- UN report: Earth Nears Global Warming Climax
Every country in the world except the United States has agreed to be a part of the Paris Agreement.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Executive Director - Lake County Community Development Corporation
If you are looking for a job where you never have the same day twice, this just might be a fit for you.
- Hot economy sparks biggest-ever MSU Career Fair - You can post your job openings on MATR.net for free
Thousands of students jostled through packed aisles Thursday to meet with recruiters from more than 210 companies.
- Why more Midwestern tech cos are 'boomeranging' talent away from the coasts
What can companies do to attract "boomerangers" back from the coasts? Is there a way to "sell" someone who has never thought about settling in the Heartland?
Hellgate Venture Network
- Fall Link Up Accelerator For Women : October 10 - November 28 - Bozeman
Link Up Business Accelerator for Women: Take your business to the next level with an accountability and education group
Montana Business
- Hellgate Venture Network Presents PatientOne - 10/18 - Missoula
Why PatientOne? Because better patient preparation leads to better patient outcomes.
Montana Economic Development
- Bozeman-based MeatEater Inc. Investors Next Frontier Capital and the Chernin Group Pleased with new relationship.
Fans of the MeatEater brand span all walks of life, and -- notwithstanding the name -- even includes some vegetarians, according to Steve Rinella
- In Montana, a Tough Negotiator Proved Employers Don't Have to Pay So Much for Health Care
"You've got to get in there and do it."
- Montana biotech company Inimmune receives Small Business Innovation Research Contract to discover novel treatments for seasonal allergies
"The new immunotherapy approach developed at Inimmune for the treatment of seasonal allergies has the potential to offer rapid desensitization, better efficacy, lower side-effects and lower cost compared to currently available antigen-specific immunotherapies."
- A new Missoula tech company "ClassPass" celebrates its 100th employee and new office space
More than 85 percent of ClassPass employees are homegrown Missoulians with the company looking to hire more.
- ClassPass Targets Millennial Employees By Offering Its Services As Corporate Benefits
The fitness platform is making its services available as part of corporate benefits packages, helping employers better cater to the health and wellness interests of their employees
- Helena tour showcases local businesses for National Manufacturing Day
"Manufacturers work really closely with their local two-year colleges and technical education colleges," Brunell said. "Without them, they can't find the students with the critical certificates and credentials to really work in those fields."
- Video: Havre sports bra designer Enell pursues Oprah | Under the Big Sky
Renelle Braaten loved competing in city league volleyball. But participation was accompanied by a significant problem. Sport bras designed for large chested women did not exist.
- 60 Minutes Presents: Author John Green (The Green Brothers): Reaching young adults and dealing with mental illness
In 2007, the early days of YouTube, John Green and his kid brother Hank began sharing videos as a way to stay in touch with each other.
Careers
- Day three on the job, MEP director Grant Kier details organization's future economic goals
"I saw firsthand what it felt like to be an overqualified employee in our marketplace," Kier said. "I know what it feels like to have ambitions about what I wanted to do with my talents, and how I wanted to give back to my community, and feeling like I wasn't able to achieve my own potential because of the very few job opportunities that existed here."
- Beartooth Resource Conservation & Development Economic development agency invites Yellowstone, Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater and Sweet Grass county residents to take a quick survey
In a news release, Beartooth RC&D describes the strategy as "a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process and document that successfully engages a diverse set of partners to create good jobs, diversify the economy and spur economic growth."
- Butte economic development team tests public sentiment for using big data to attract retailers
"I think it's a step in the right direction personally."
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- How to find out why you didn't get the job
If you think the interview went well but you end up not landing the job, it's natural to wonder what went wrong. Here's the right way to ask.
- How to Negotiate a Better Salary in Just 2 Simple Sentences
Put on your negotiation shoes. Get closer to your desired salary.
- 5 things I'm telling my kids to prepare them for the future
As young people start to enter the workforce, things are going to be very different than they are now. Here's how to prepare them.
- The Job Interview Secret No Recruiter Will Ever Reveal
Practice makes perfect.
Rural Communities
- It's not just you: Internet outage sends Great Falls area back to the Stone Age
"Due to geographic challenges in the area the damage occurred, technicians are currently working to put a temporary solution in place in order to restore service as quickly as possible," Picciolo said in an email.
- Spectrum services down impacting local businesses in Great Falls, Montana
For the last two days, thousands of Spectrum customers have been without internet or cable.
Business Plan Forums
- When rural communities thrive, Montana thrives - Lt. Governor Mike Cooney
Farmers and ranchers described what is a "perfect storm" threatening Montana's most important industry.
Government
- Early Stage MT Showcase inspires 200 who witness an unexpected tie for $50k prize.
I'm really glad we did this and highly recommend it to others looking to grow a tech company in Montana." ... "I just hope every young tech company in Montana gets a chance to benefit from this like we did."
Idaho
- Rural Americans Suffer the Costs of Faulty FCC Broadband Data
A recent vote further damages the government's ability to accurately study the nation's access to broadband--and it could damage the 2020 census.
- "The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis - What are the consequences if the people given control over our government have no idea how it works?
Willful ignorance plays a role in these looming disasters.
- How a group of firefighters in California helped save net neutrality
By shutting down their broadband in the middle of an emergency, Verizon may have unwittingly proved that California needs to regulate Big ISPs.
- Senator Tester Delivers Grant to Support Homeownership in Montana $434,246 to Educate, Improve Housing Conditions Across the State
The $434,246 will benefit NeighborWorks Montana, which works to increase access to quality, affordable housing for low-income Montanans.
- Illinois' New Education Cluster CIO Talks Training, Upcoming Work
Parker's arrival in the state came just a few months before the launch of the Illinois Government Innovation Academy, which is designed to bolster gov tech knowledge, buy-in and skills among the state government's 60,000-some employees by facilitating a five-week leadership development program, among other efforts.
Incubators and R&D
- Idaho's business opportunity: energy resilience
Idaho has an immediate opportunity: To capitalize on energy resilience. This will create Idaho jobs, bring revenue to the state's rural and urban communities, and increase the security and reliability of our power grid.
Oregon Business
- Funnel-web spider venom found to contain potent killer of skin cancer cells
Beyond that, the team says the discovery provides fresh impetus to continue exploring how bioactive compounds in venom can be used to treat not just cancer, but liver disease, obesity and disorders relating to metabolism.
- New Research Might Mean the End of Flu Shots
A novel flu vaccine built from DNA holds a promise for a new way to protect against the seasonal disease.
Other Economies
- Why This Oregon Town Could Be the Next Napa
The natural surroundings are ideal for adventure, or just marveling out the window.
Regional Business
- Phoenix Partnership Promises to Further Regional Smart Cities Work
The region’s biggest challenge lies in its inability to “clearly elucidate our collective challenges, identify our strategic opportunities, and build consensus on key priorities for the region,”
Montana Education Excellence
- Employers are courting less-educated workers -- finally -- but they aren't offering pay increases
As competition for their services intensifies, the average full-time salary for college-educated workers in the survey rose about $5,800 over the past year. Over the same time, the comparable salary for less-educated workers in the survey has declined by about $4,700.
- In Just 11 Words, This Shocking New Research Reveals Why Many Airlines Really Don't Care About Customers
Airlines might say they care about making customers happy, but the more their executives talk, the more one gets the impression that it's only Wall Street that matters.
Community
- University of Montana Earns $10M Contract to Develop Universal Flu Vaccine
The five-year award went to Dr. Jay Evans, director of UM's Center for Translational Medicine and a research professor in the Division of Biological Sciences. The contract is titled "Development of TRAC-478: A Synthetic Dual TLR Adjuvant Combination System."
- Governor Bullock Celebrates Progress Connecting Montana Students to Broadband
Montana sees 20% increase in the number of districts with broadband or fiber
- Longtime MSU technician reflects on internet's origins - The Dark Ages
"There were no (web) browsers," Hitch recently recalled of that time. "(The internet) was just for sending email and connecting with other computers. There was nothing to look at."
- University of Montana Launches Most Ambitious Fundraising Campaign in its History
Across UM, philanthropy fuels student opportunity, research and learning. Donors think big about how their gifts can change lives. Collectively, their support shapes UM's future in bold ways.
- University of Montana enrollment VP: 'We're going to get it right'
"What we're doing right now is we're digging deep into our data for the past five years, and we're looking at the type of student who has come to the institution and has been successful at the institution," Cole said.
- MSU announces $12 million gift for American Indian Hall
The Kendeda Fund has committed $12 million as the lead gift for the $20 million project that will be built on the eastern edge of MSU's Malone Centennial Mall.
Funding and Building your Business
- Missoula Downtown Master Plan Update - 10/18 - Missoula
We want to fill every seat in the Wilma on Oct. 18 and learn firsthand what the community wants Downtown Missoula to be 10 years from now.
- Community-Based Planning: A Case Study
When neighborhoods are allowed to plan and zone without considering the regionwide interest in increasing housing stock, scarcity results.
Social Media, Connectivity & Communications
- This Study of 1,614 Employees Reveals the Most Sought-After Office Perk--and It Totally Makes Sense
Just imagine, if the yearly payroll was $150 million, a 15 percent productivity gain would've saved the company over $22 million. Annually.
- Startups need women in their boardrooms, too
Diversity among directors should start sooner
- How Digital Tools Support Hyper-personalized Customer Experiences
Customers will choose companies that offer them hyper-personalized and differentiated experiences
- These 16 Founders Can See the Future of Everything From Artificial Intelligence to Ice Cream
These entrepreneurs on Inc.'s Female Founders 100 are challenging the norms across industries.
- Stanford Professor: Successful Leaders Do These 3 Things to Build High-Performing Teams
More diversity. Less hierarchy. Tackle problems quickly.
- What Google Teaches Its Leaders
Much attention has been paid to Google's idiosyncratic (and now widely copied) hiring practices. But it was the company's success at reliably turning the supremely talented people it found into elite managers that enabled it to maintain and extend its dominance over two decades -- an eon in internet time.
- Why data culture matters
Organizational culture can accelerate the application of analytics, amplify its power, and steer companies away from risky outcomes. Here are seven principles that underpin a healthy data culture.
Government Technology
- Expanded Access to Wi-Fi Is a Keystone in San Leandro, Calif.'s Smart City Plan
In the coming years, the public library in San Leandro, Calif., could have more than just books and movies to lend out: Patrons may also be able to check out a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot device.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- USDA Launches Interactive Data Tool to Help Rural Communities Address the Opioid Crisis
The opioid misuse Community Assessment Tool enables users to overlay substance misuse data against socioeconomic, census and other public information. This data will help leaders, researchers and policymakers assess what actions will be most effective in addressing the opioid crisis at the local level.
- Montana Governor Steve Bullock Announces Launch of Online Healthcare Dashboard
Montanans can see how Medicaid is providing the preventative care that avoids health complications down the road. In every county of our state, we are making a real difference in improving the health of thousands of Montanans.
- North Dakota Adds a Chief Data Officer to Its List of Recent Hires
The state of North Dakota has been busy unifying its shared services and moving to cloud under Gov. Doug Burgum, but it's also been expanding the tech wing of its C-suite and has hired its first-ever data czar.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Ed Harris gets $300K grant to film adaptation of Montana novel
"It would showcase Montana and that Breaks country up around Great Falls that I love so much."
- The AT&T Film Awards is an open competition seeking imaginative, undiscovered short films from aspiring creators who want their voices heard.
We are seeking short films from middle and high school students, ages 13-18. Your mission is to create a short film using a mobile device (shot on smartphones, tablets and drones)--between 2-5 minutes, addressing one of the following themes:
Transportation
- "Curing" death: Inside the conference dedicated to reversing human aging
Fast Company attends RAADfest, where the faithful rage against the "unnecessary evil" of getting old--and share ways to stay healthy, sharp, and active.
- New Research Might Mean the End of Flu Shots
A novel flu vaccine built from DNA holds a promise for a new way to protect against the seasonal disease.
Events
- Let's Improve Missoula's Reserve Street
It's critical that our transportation infrastructure keeps pace with development.
- Uber Writes an Equation to Help Cities Measure--and Manage--the Curb
After years of neglect and scorn, this strip of urban infrastructure, long the sole domain of the meter maid, has gotten incredibly crowded.
- City of Billings MET Transit's new app is now accessible to public
This app will allow bus riders to track their bus. This free application is called Double Map and anyone can download it with their smartphone, tablet, or PC.
- Cities that make the right moves are the ones that will differentiate themselves and perform over the longer term.
I'm not going to say that roundabouts are the ultimate in infrastructure, but clearly Carmel has invested heavily in its streets compared to Fishers and it shows, even to an out of town reporter from New York.
- Health Professions Career Fair And Expo Set For Oct. 12 At Missoula College
- 'Wild' Author Cheryl Strayed To Deliver Upcoming President's Lecture At University Of Montana - 10/15 - Missoula
- Mansfield Center To Host CHINA Town Hall On U.S.-China Relations, Tariffs- 10/09 - Missoula
- Join Us For Our Next MPIA Networking Social! Hosted By Montana Instruments - 10/17- Bozeman
- Global Leadership Summit Missoula With Seth Bodnar, President Of The University Of Montana - 11/8
- 2019 Beer Now Conference | Great Falls | June 6-8, 2019
- Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins, Liberian Refugee To Speak At University Of Montana Oct. 17 - Missoula
- Town Hall To Discuss Bigforkfs Future - 10/13 - Bigfork, Montana
- Baucus Institute To Open Lecture Series With Journalists Maureen Dowd, Carl Hulse -10/10- Missoula
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