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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Sep 12, 2006 |
There are three upcoming events for those of you in the Missoula area that I encourage you to consider: "MATR Roundtable "Innovation That Matters" With Experts From IBM, 9/22, Missoula"--- http://www.matr.net/ev ... =1694----- "City Club Missoula Presents Governor Brian Schweitzer “State Round-Up” 9/25, Missoula" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html---- Frontier Angel Fund - What Do We Look For In A Startup? 9/26, Missoula http://www.matr.net/ev ... =1668 ---Please RSVP if you do plan on attending. Russ
2006 Montana Elections
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- 'Blogosphere' spurs government oversight
"It's probably the biggest expansion of government oversight that we'll ever have," says Thomas Schatz of Citizens Against Government Waste, one of the groups pioneering the effort. "It will turn every American into a watchdog."
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Building Maine's creative economy and the State's Creative Community Handbook
This report articulates the many ways in which a creative economy development strategy for Maine cuts across and bolsters all state initiatives to increase jobs and wealth for Maine people.
- 'Born' or 'made,' entrepreneurs share key traits
Even if you believe that entrepreneurs can be "made," I think you have to agree that certain key character traits have to be in place in order for someone to make it in the thrilling — and sometimes frightening — world of entrepreneurialism.
Montana Education Excellence
- Some companies get creative to fill jobs. Hiring retirees and disabled is a way to cope with shortage
"It all boils down to diversity, because we need to utilize every person that is able to work," Cosgrove Holmes said. "Diversity used to be the right thing to do. Now it's a business imperative."
- Silicon Valley starts to party like it's 1999
J.P. Auffret, a professor at George Mason University in Virginia, says the only tech buzz he's noticed recently is an increase in Silicon Valley job postings. Few of his colleagues are interested, he says. "There's a more rational view on opportunity and risks. And there's the perception that it's quite expensive to live there."
- Engineers agressive when it comes to recruiting engineers
Schauer budgets more than $25,000 annually to pay travel and hotel expenses that bring potential engineering recruits to the firm, which specializes in pre-design work for projects throughout Washington and Oregon.
- Finding solace, clients in a rural setting. Former Wells St. John patent attorney currently has 100 clients in 20 states
Near the sleepy town of Spangle south of Spokane, in a building across the road from a 3,000-acre cattle ranch, is the main office of Gregory I.P. Law, a one-person law firm owned and staffed by patent attorney Randy Gregory.
Education
- Montana native students realizing the power of higher education
It’s one of the reasons I appreciate college towns like Missoula. “It’s vibrant and exciting,” said Russell Daniels, a transfer student who moved here from Salt Lake City. “There’s a lot of energy, youthful energy, all kinds of energy.”
Montana Business
- Defining Reliability For Students In a Wild Wiki World
Many teachers and professors have forbidden their students to use, or at least cite, information found on Wikipedia and similar user-generated sites. Now, Dulles-based AOL thinks it may have a solution.
- How Municipal Leaders Can Mobilize Communities to Improve Public Schools
This report looks at five cities where mayors have engaged the public and built civic capacity around education reform, using the leverage of their office in strategic ways.
Montana Meth ProjectMontana Economic Development
- Tom Siebel - Montana Corporate Cowboy and Founder of The Montana Meth Project
“Hey, this could be a meth lab from 1929,” Siebel jokes in the gravelly voice. Coming from anyone else, the statement might earn a chuckle. But for Siebel, the man behind the Montana Meth Project, it carries a weighty message. He's invested more than $10 million into ridding the state of what he calls “the devil’s drug.”
Funding and Building your Business
- Despite low risk, Montana gets funds to combat terror
With money coming from — and going into — different pots, it's difficult to pinpoint exactly how much Montana received in the last five years. Looking at money given to state and local agencies, the allocation approaches $200 million, or $219 per person.
- MATR Roundtable "Innovation That Matters" With Experts From IBM, 9/22, Missoula
IBM's Emerging Internet Technologies Team will visit Montana during the week of September 18th for a series of discussions centered on Innovation that Matters.
- Agriculture Development Council selects GTA projects
"We had a diverse group of applicants, ranging from start-up businesses to existing businesses, each focusing on keeping more of the value of agriculture production within Montana," said Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture.
Regional Economic Development
- Good idea to protect your ideas
It pays to be a little paranoid when it comes to protecting a company's intellectual property, experts say.
- Why Smart Companies Do Dumb Things
We all know companies that cook the books and throw outrageous parties at one end of the spectrum to sell lousy products at the other. A sweeping answer is that companies are run by smart people, and smart people do dumb things as we’ve learned.
Idaho Business
- New England colleges could go high-tech to good advantage
The challenge is real. We’re into a century when workers without a community or four-year college degree — including strong grounding in math and science — will be consigned to low-paid jobs. Take 100 graduating ninth-graders in New England today. Based on recent performance, there’s not a state in the region in which more than 77 will actually graduate from high school, 52 will actually enter college, or 29 will successfully graduate with either an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- Marketplace: Aerospace elevates Northwest exports
According to Parks' latest report, this is a record-breaking year for exports in Washington, Oregon and Idaho.
- What One Person Can Do
What decision that you make today could have the impact on your town or region?
- Rural America At A Glance, 2006 Edition
The brochure provides information on key rural conditions and trends for use by public and private decisionmakers and others in efforts to enhance the economic opportunities and quality of life for rural people and their communities.
- Going for the "Big Score" or hedging your bets: Two economic development strategies
Wisconsin is incremental. Florida is go for broke. Which economic development approach is superior?
Government
- HyperSpace receives almost $30 million in critical funding
The company announced previously that it hopes to raise an additional $25 million. With Friday's announcement the company still has more than $20 million to raise to meet its goal.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- California Legislation Would Make State CIO a Cabinet-Level Appointment
The State Chief Information Officer shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor, subject to Senate confirmation. The State Chief Information Officer shall be a member of the Governor's cabinet.
Incubators and R&D
- At home on the range. An Englishwoman in Big Sky Country
I have wanted to go to Montana since meeting a local cowboy dressed from head to foot in Western gear in a bar in Soho. It seemed to me that he was from a place where people are supremely happy to be what they are.
University TechTransfer
- 'Crabby' Compound from Montana State University Researchers That Skewers Bacteria Could Prevent Medical Implant Infections
The researchers say that while chitosan is well known for its antimicrobial activity, this is the first time its anti-biofilm activity has been described.
- Suspension seat post from Montana State University Researchers helps mountain bikers combat muscle fatigue
Although full-suspension mountain bikes offer more comfort than so-called hardtail bikes with front suspension only, some bikers looking to save on expense and weight will augment a hardtail bike with a suspension seat post.
- High-tech equipment tested by Montana State University may help reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions
As part of a six-year study, researchers at the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University have helped test and develop an animal-detection system that may give motorists the upper hand in avoiding crashes with wildlife across the nation.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Mixing Students and Scientists in the Classroom
In his course on commercializing science and technology, Lee Fleming combines students from business, engineering, law, science, and medicine. The result: Ideas for products from scale-eating bacteria to quantum dot cancer treatments.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- UM's Farm to College program links Montana producers with campus consumers.
“Farm to College has become standard operating procedure,” says UDS Executive Chef Tom Siegel. “At first, finding new vendors was this big effort. Now we have our inroads laid. We know our vendors. We’ve made the leap; it’s not new anymore. It’s the way we do business.”
Non-Profit News
- Geological Road Signs Share Montana's Past and Spark Interest in Future
"Science is exciting and full of discovery," said First Lady Nancy Schweitzer. "The geological road signs are a way to enjoy science as a family and to learn about so many of the natural wonders of Montana."
Energy
- Philanthropy at work in Glacier National Park. The Glacier National Park Fund.
The Glacier Fund has provided more than $1.3 million to Glacier National Park and has grown to the point where we have become our own independent foundation called the Glacier National Park Fund
- The Montana Nonprofit Association September 2006 Newsletter
- A gift for an entire village. A failed mountaineer becomes a philanthropist after a village without a school saves his life. Greg Mortenson and his Bozeman-based Central Asia Institute
Today, 13 years after Mortenson's failure as a mountaineer on K2, his success as a humanitarian continues to grow. By the end of the book, he has made 27 trips to Pakistan, commuting halfway around the world with the casual air of a business traveler shuttling between Boston and New York. He has built 55 schools.
Hydrogen News
- Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano issues executive order on hybrid cars, emissions, solar tax credits
Napolitano also ordered state agencies to only purchase hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles for government fleets starting in 2007
- Solar Cells for Cheap - Gratzel Solar Cells are Coming
Not everyone gets a solar cell named after them: but Michael Gratzel did. He says his novel technology, which promises electricity-generating windows and low manufacturing costs, is ready for the market.
- Green ideas ready to bloom - Chicago Shines With Sustainable Design
"Sustainability is in the air, and you're going to see it more and more."
Connectivity & Communications
- South Carolina Pushes Hydrogen Economy
Years ago, engineers for the federal government here studied hydrogen for its bomb-boosting capabilities. Now, scientists are working toward developing an economy that runs on the element.
City Club Missoula
- Helena 911 center can send automated emergency info to the public
The new outbound notification system allows officials to set up automated calls to residents when an incident threatens public safety.
- Alliance Selected to Build Free Wireless Net for Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Region
Once complete, the network would be available for free outside and inside some homes close to the wireless access points. Internet access at higher speeds would be available for a fee.
- Digg Fights Top Users For Control
Digg's open news model -- stories on the site are ranked on popularity among its users -- has been criticized recently for being vulnerable to fraud or abuse.
- Former space tourist takes on Microsoft with open source operating system
"Ultimately open source is the platform of the future,"
- BPL to the rescue?
Enter “Virtual Dark Fiber,” a new concept that makes power lines throughout the world analogous to dark fiber that needs to be “lit” by BPL equipment. This “virtual dark fiber” approach to the communications market gives local power companies dark fiber inventory throughout the world.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- City Club Missoula Presents Governor Brian Schweitzer “State Round-Up” 9/25, Missoula
SAVE THE DATE!
- Duke scientists set sights on cloak of invisibility. Artificial materials may make science fiction dream a reality
So unusual is this undertaking for a serious academic electrical engineering team that Smith has created an elaborate Web site discussing the dream of invisibility as viewed in science fiction--Harry Potter and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft are mentioned--and relating such ideas to scientific fact.
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