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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Sep 29, 2006 |
"Clear eyes, full heart, can't lose."
Is your small community actively working to attract entrepreneurs and the companies they can build? "High-Tech Firms Get Small-Town Benefits" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
2006 Montana Elections
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Project Vote Smart: Educating American Voters With World Class Technology From The Middle Of Montana
“The farther we are from Washington, the more people trust us,”
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- The Entrepreneurs Tour of America - Jerry Yang Founder of Yahoo!
The two founders of Yahoo!, David Filo and Jerry Yang, Ph.D. candidates in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, started their (online) guide in a campus trailer in February 1994 as a way to keep track of their personal interests on the Internet.
- D.A. Davidson & Co. Provides $1 Million to Student Investors
The D.A. Davidson Student Investment Program gives senior-level business students a hands-on education in investing and portfolio management.
- Women entrepreneurs reach for $1M level
The goal is to inspire one million women entrepreneurs to reach $1 million in revenue by 2010.
- Montana High School Students Like Business! Montana High School Business Challenge Program sees nearly 12% increase in enrollment
In the seventh year of helping “take the mystery out of business” the HSBC computer business simulation is taught for 8 weeks in both the fall and spring school semesters. Working with MCEE, the Montana Chamber Foundation which is a private, nonprofit 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization promoting economic development and education opportunities, sponsors the program. A broad spectrum of individuals, businesses and organizations provide financial support and scholarship opportunities to HSBC students.
Education
- Gen X View of the World - What constitutes a “cool community” to set you up to be an attractive destination for the Gen Xers.
“You’ve got three ways to grow your community. You can attract in transplants, who are coming for either love or money (marriage or a job); you can get back the boomerangers; or you can keep the homegrowns, with their deep bench of history on the area.”
- High-Tech Firms Get Small-Town Benefits
Mallet said businesses in rural areas have a main advantage: lower costs.
Montana Business
- Yellowstone Park's leader: Make nature exciting for kids - "No Child Left Inside"
With changing demographics among visitors to national parks, and some observing that kids increasingly feel less comfortable in nature, it's time for gateway communities to launch a "no child left inside" program.
- More university students call for organic, 'sustainable' food
The agonizing decision to pick Yale over Harvard didn't come down only to academics for Philip Gant. It also came down to his tummy. And his eco-savvy.
- Montana University leaders to get pay raises to bring them closer to nationally competitive levels. Montana students deserve the very best leadership.
The presidents of Montana's two leading universities and the commissioner of higher education are in line to receive pay raises of more than $40,000 when the Montana Board of Regents meets this week in Butte.
- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer announces college affordability plan
“Montana’s families have been priced out of an education,” Schweitzer said. “Our most talented should have the opportunity to attend college in Montana and be the engines that drive our state’s future economic growth.”
- Eastern education: University of Montana plans move forward for China campus
UM got connected to private investors in China through Kent Price, a UM alumnus who now sits on the board of the University of Montana Foundation. Price, who got degrees from UM in 1965 and 1966, is now a venture capitalist in San Francisco. When he learned that investors in China wanted to look into English-based curriculum, he said he knew the right school for the job.
- Blogging Debuts on University of Montana Home Page
"Voices" went live this week, replacing the Faces feature. The new blogs are intended to give prospective students an idea of what life at UM is like, as well as to foster a sense of community among UM students, employees and alumni.
- High school seniors should apply now for Montana State University scholarships
"MSU is dedicated to helping Montana students pursue their dreams," said MSU president Geoff Gamble. "We know that affordability can be a roadblock to higher education for many Montana families."
- New Website Links Montana Students to State College Access Resources
A new website launched by the Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program (MGSLP), and the nation’s student loan guaranty agencies will provide a wealth of resources to make college and career planning easier.
- The Montana Guaranteed Student Loan Program (MGSLP) pleased to announce 24% decrease in Montana’s student loan cohort default rate.
MGSLP is committed to a proactive approach, by offering assistance with entrance and exit counseling, providing training to financial aid administrators, and educating students on responsible borrowing habits.
- Panel urges higher-ed overhaul - Sky-high tuition and lack of accountability are targets of a federal commission.
The report urges the most comprehensive reform in decades. It calls for reining in tuition, improving access and graduation rates, and doing more to demonstrate the value of higher education. The issues aren't new, but Ms. Spellings, herself the mother of a college student, is asking Congress, state governments, and both public and private universities to work together to start making changes now.
- High School experiment curbs dropout rate. Talent Development High School is on the cutting edge of a decade-long experiment to stem the nation's dropout crisis.
The back-to-basics approach is decidedly unglamorous, but it could lead the way to showing what cities can do to improve high-school graduation rates.
Montana Economic Development
- Dillon, Montana supplement company, NutraCea, expands
Dillon was chosen as a site several years ago because facilities were available here and could be adapted to the company's needs, chief executive Brad Edson said.
- Connect Telephone & Computer Group Announces Business Communications System Buy Back Program
The Buy Back Program embedded in C-TAP gives Connect Telephone & Computer Group the ability to offer cash back to a customer for their existing communications system.
- Big Sky, Big Farms, Big Tools - The 5th Annual Ag & Construction Expo
The Ag & Construction Expo (or ACE Show) has been expanded from the popular Ag Technology Show, and features manufacturers unveiling their newest technology in the Ag and construction industries.
- Businesses from Billings, Sidney, Ennis, Havre and Cascade are the winners of the 2006 Montana Family Business Awards.
"It is wonderful to be able to recognize exemplary family businesses that have all shown a commitment to customer service, family values, and diversification to satisfy the needs of their markets, often in challenging situations," said Nancy Dodd, director of the Montana State University College of Business State Farm Insurance Family Business Program and an MSU professor of management.
- Modwest Newsletter September 2006- SPAM is more than just a major food group.
What Can You Do to Stop Spam?
- Bio-fuel plant expected soon along Hi-Line
Greater Montana Bio Energies is on the verge of beginning construction on an oil-seed plant, which should be operating by harvest time next fall
- International office products company, Masters Group International looks to build distribution center in Butte
“Butte will be our North American distribution center,”
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Client is interested in purchasing a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Computer Data Center in Montana
The company is in the financial industry, they expect the venture to create around 25 jobs for a redundant data center. The ideal timing is sometime between the beginning of 2nd quarter 2007 to the end of 2007.
- Montana Main Street - Success Stories - Tree Planting Project in Butte, Montana - Reviving the Stevensville Hotel
In the process of community forums, a recurring theme from Butte citizens has been the need for more greenery, especially trees, to enhance the appearance of Uptown Butte to residents and visitors alike.
- Montana Governor's Economic Development Presentation,10/12 , Chester, MT
Governor Schweitzer has put together a presentation about his plans to use energy development to help drive economic development in Montana (particularly eastern and rural Montana).
- Dawson County, Carter, Fallon, Prairie and Wibaux counties will make up the Eastern Plains Economic Development Corporation
The five counties in the Eastern Plains EDC are the last five counties in Montana not already in a regional economic development corporation, Oraw said.
Funding and Building your Business
- Snowe-Kerry Introduce 'Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Act of 2006'; Measure Creates 25 Percent Tax Credit for 'Angel Investors'
Sens. Snowe and Kerry said that recent research shows that venture capitalists are now targeting their investments for larger businesses or for later in a business's development, leaving precious little seed money for new businesses. Today, venture capitalists invest an average of $7 million per deal, an amount that far exceeds the needs of a nascent small business. Moreover, in 2005, of the $21.7 billion invested by venture capitalists, just 3.3 percent was allocated to start-up small businesses showing the necessity of this legislation.
Regional Business
- Roadmapping: How Your Product Finds Its Way
A startup will often live or die based on its first product release. Did it get released? Did people find it useful? Good roadmapping dramatically improves your chance of getting to “Yes!” on these critical questions.
- The price needs to be right when keeping up with the competition
Pricing is a key to sales success. With that in mind, you need to continuously monitor the prices of goods or services in your industry.
- Amazon.com Servers for Hire
The company is bringing its invisible back-end operations front and center. In a series of initiatives launched over the last year, Amazon has begun to rent out parts of its IT infrastructure as Web services.
- Three Experts' Tips for Hiring, Retaining IT Staffs
When it comes to hiring and retaining IT staffs, the future doesn't look so bright.
- 2006 Small Business Resource Guide CD-ROM Available from IRS
The free CD includes forms and publications for small businesses and tax information for startups.
- Inside Entrepreneurship: Investors are angels, not saints
The odds will work against you until you accept that startup capital is expensive. Don't bother to play unless you are willing to pay.
Government Technology
- ``Silicon Valley is a hotbed'' of economic espionage"
The valley is home to many of the estimated 3,000 Chinese front companies nationwide set up to steal secrets and acquire technology, according to the FBI.
Idaho Business
- Town of Cary, NC, Delivering Valuable Information With Location Intelligent Web Site
Maps Online http://www.townofcary.org/depts/midept/gis/gismainpage.htm , the Town of Cary's location intelligent Web site, enables current and prospective residents and town officials to get instantaneous and visual access to the local information they need and want in a very efficient manner.
Washington State Business
- Meridian plans free Wi-Fi zone. Downtown wireless Internet program starting this week may be the first to be offered by an Idaho city
Meridian officials hope free Wi-Fi will attract new businesses and jobs to the growing city, which has made revitalizing its downtown a priority, said City Attorney Bill Nary.
- Idaho companies recognized for innovation at the Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards
From robotic life forms to imaging chips for digital cameras, eight of Idaho's top innovations were recognized Tuesday during the Stoel Rives Idaho Innovation Awards.
Other Economies
- State help sought for life sciences research in Washington State
If the Puget Sound area is to be the premier region for life science research and biotechnological innovation, the state has to increase incentives to at least match what other states are offering, according to recommendations presented Monday at the governor's second annual Life Science Summit.
- $10 million in venture capital to help Wallop build social network
In an interview, Jacob said that Wallop is introducing a new way for 18- to 25-year-olds to "express themselves online."
- Twisted Pair wins $9 million in venture capital to expand
Twisted Pair has developed software that enables devices, whether a walkie-talkie, a landline phone, a cellphone or a computer, to interact.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- From Concept to Commercialization: The Oklahoma Strategy
Oklahoma's TBED investments provide one of the nation's most complete portfolios to transform ideas into innovations.
- Tennessee Governor's Innovation Strategy Targets High-Tech Research Jobs
"My personal philosophy is to let the private sector do what it does best by driving efficiency and new ideas, but these are some smart, sensible ways we can help," the governor said in a press release announcing the new plan.
- India is latest stop for young executives
Just a few years ago, often the only way to tempt expatriates to set up shop here was a lecture about company loyalty or a hefty hardship allowance. Now, an increasing number of interns and even executives are coming here voluntarily to witness - and to fuel - the rise of India Inc.
Incubators and R&D
- Emblem of the West Is Dying, and No One Can Figure Out Why
“What’s causing the aspen to die?”
University TechTransfer
- Lobbying brings $8 million to UM
“President Dennison set the direction of the university that we were no longer going to be exclusively a liberal arts university,”
- Park Service may license microbe use
By rough estimate, 99 percent of Yellowstone National Park's colorful microbes - those tiny, heat-loving creatures that dwell in hot springs and geysers - have not been named or studied.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- "Working with Universities to License and Launch Innovations"
Universities offer substantial opportunities to license technologies and launch spin-offs but they can also present numerous perils.
Small Diameter Timber Utilization
- Montana Festival of the Book, September 28-30, 2006, Missoula, Montana
Welcome to the Montana Festival of the Book! The 2006 Montana Festival of the Book will feature scores of the region’s writers in a variety of readings, panels, exhibits, demonstrations, signings, workshops, entertainments, receptions, and other events. More than 5,000 visitors from across the state, the nation, and Europe are expected to attend. The Festival is presented by the Montana Center for the Book and the Montana Committee for the Humanities, in association with numerous other national, state and local organizations and businesses.
Careers
- Smallwood Utilization Network (SUN)
SUN offers you a broad network to deal with the complex set of challenges in supply, production, and marketing for the emerging smallwood industry.
Energy
- What Role Colleges Play In Career Success Stirs Debate
Gauging from the scores of readers who responded to my recent column "Any College Will Do," the question of whether a degree from an elite school boosts one's chances for success in business is hotly debated.
- 17 Pithy Insights for Startup Employees
#1- If you’re just looking for a job, you’re probably better off looking elsewhere.
Connectivity & Communications
- Glue Made From Ethanol-production Leftovers May Be Worth More Than The Fuel Itself
"We think that the fermentation residue may actually be more valuable than the ethanol. And it may mean that we can do without pretreatment."
Community
- Wireless Networking May Soon Get Faster. Will Anyone Care?
Many in the industry seem split over whether the technology, known as fourth-generation wireless, or 4G, will usher in a new era of instant Internet availability or become a multibillion-dollar flop.
- Educators, law enforcement learn how to help protect kids on Internet
“It's extremely difficult for young children to grasp the idea of a virtual world and what kind of dangers lurk there,” said Rachel Johnston of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “It's not like strangers with candy. They don't realize how vulnerable they are online.”
- They know their audience. Page views? Unique visitors? Hits? How the Internet methodically measures its users
The ratio of crud to quality is much higher on the Web, to be sure.
- New browser allows surfers to remain anonymous; could help people involved in illegal online activities
A group of would-be hackers has released Torpak, an Internet browser that lets people surf the web anonymously. The browser uses a series of servers to continuously change the IP address a website sees, making it impossible to track the person visiting the site.
- Rural Areas Left in Slow Lane of High-Speed Data Highway
Verizon is not alone in its desire to reduce the number of landlines it owns.
Leadership Montana
- Study: Communities Unready for Elderly
"The question that people need to ask themselves _ and their community leaders _ is, 'Is my community a good place to grow old?'" she said. Steps to make it so, she added, "will make the community a better place, not just for the elderly, but for all."
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- One-Minute-Manager Guru On Leadership for M.B.A.s
Strong leadership skills are critical for M.B.A.s aiming to become top corporate managers.
- Prick up your ears: New gizmos on way
Editing Hollywood movies. You'd love to show Finding Nemo to the kids, only the shark scenes are too upsetting. With Cuts (now in beta), you can virtually wipe out (or mute) objectionable scenes from copyrighted movies — legally, according to the company.
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