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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Dec 26, 2006 |
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In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing. We lived at the junction of great trout rivers in western Montana, and our father was a Presbyterian minister and a fly fisherman who tied his own flies and taught others. He told us about Christ's disciples being fishermen, and we were to assume, as my brother and I did, that all first-class fishermen on the Sea of Galilee were fly fishermen and that John, the favorite, was a dry-fly fisherman. Norman Fitzroy Maclean "A River Runs Through It"
Come Home Montana
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montana Career Opportunity - General Manager for OneEighty Communications in Billings, Montana.
OneEighty Communications operates in Billings and Bozeman, Montana, employs 34 telecommunications/Internet professionals, serves 1,500 customers, and reports revenue of $7.2 million.
- Virginia native creates her dream job in Montana
"I've always had dreams of living out West,"
Montana Education Excellence
- Money, vision needed to get 'young and restless' to settle here
We will need to combine top level researchers with the most creative people we can attract — largely through providing the highest quality of life our communities can offer. Our economic future depends on it.
- Paducah, Kentucky is recruiting artists with promises of low cost of living, financing and other benefits.
Paducah, Kentucky wants artists. "The difference between New York's SOHO and here is the artists own it, and they have a piece of it. The arts always make it a cool place to be. Without the arts it's just another suburb."
- West of Washington State's mainland finds new niche in people. Economy changing as business owners, retirees from the city seek 'shift in lifestyle'
The Olympic Peninsula, once dependent upon exporting logs and lumber, is building an economy based on the importation of people, their companies and their money.
- Seattle shouldn't disregard the Other Washington
The Other Washington is also proving to be a destination for retirees, want-to-be retirees and entrepreneurs, all looking for an alternative to big-city life. That makes the Other Washington a relief valve for growth and ever-escalating housing prices in the Puget Sound area, but it also makes it a competitor to Seattle as a place where adults of all ages decide they want to live, work, start businesses, raise families and retire.
Education
- Montana State University virus scientists to be featured Jan. 3 on national PBS show. "Viruses that live in the thermal pools of Yellowstone Park"
Mark Young and Trevor Douglas will be featured Jan. 3 in the first episode of a PBS science show.
2007 Montana Legislature
- Yale Makes MBA Students Study Abroad
"We are at the beginning of what over the next five years will be tremendous change in business education," said Joel M. Podolny, dean of Yale's School of Management.
- Lee Newspapers poll: Montanans want more funding for education
Sixty-five percent of those surveyed support increasing state funding for public schools by 6 percent over the next two years, while only 25 percent said they opposed it. Ten percent were undecided.
- Clicker technology catches on among teachers. Remote-control-like devices used to gauge students' understanding
"It's totally changed the way I teach," Tomlin said. "With the clickers, I assume much less about what students have learned. We can see right away who got it right and who didn't."
Montana Business
- New channel to broadcast 2007 Montana Legislature, live, unedited
This isn't a partisan matter at all. It's about making state government transparent,” he said. “TVMT will be a truly statewide public affairs channel.”
Montana Economic Development
- AG tradeshow expands into a Big Iron, Heavy Equipment Show
Major manufacturers will demonstrate the latest in technology advancements in the ag and industrial construction markets.
- A W A R E: Thriving, growing, helping in Montana
“We’ve helped close to 50 people statewide buy their own homes,” Noonan added. “It’s part of the American Dream.”
- Becuase of the outstanding success of the 2006 exhibition, Oil Painters of America exhibit headed back to Missoula in 2008
“We were truly overwhelmed by the town's response in welcoming us and celebrating the work, so it was kind of a no-brainer to come back,” said Kathryn Beligratis, executive director of the OPA. “Dudley (Dana, owner of the Dana Gallery) and his staff did such a tremendous job that we all felt he had earned it.”
Funding and Building your Business
- Gov. Brian Schweitzer trying to boost tax breaks for movie projects in Montana
"I think $50 million (in movie business) got away from us because we weren't competitive enough," Schweitzer said in an interview.
- Restoration priorities sideline competitive whitewater park (and significant economic development) opportunities at the new confluence of the Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers in Bonner, Montana
There were conceptual drawings presented at meetings hosted by Missoula County and people ended up excited about the recreational potential, as well as the idea it could bring some additional economic opportunities into the small community. But that idea died a quiet death after the state of Montana began putting together its restoration plan for the confluence of the rivers.
Legislative Newsletters
- Deloitte Survey Reveals 72 % of Americans Want to Work for Companies that Support Charitable Causes
“The market for talent is competitive and a company’s commitment to communities is a decision factor for many Americans,” said James H. Quigley, CEO of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. “We have found both statistically and anecdotally, that people want to work for an organization that lives its values and gives them a reason to feel proud.”
- Realistic Projections That Attract Investors
Trying to get investors interested in your business? Address these 10 factors in your financial projections, and you're sure to attract attention.
- Know how to get from A to Z before you ring a VC (or an Angel)
"We want entrepreneurs with a long-term vision who can quantify that vision as a plan,"
Regional Business
- The Latest From Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
Montana is the best place to start a business, raise a family and build a community- together, we can make it even better. Nancy and I wish you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Regional Economic Development
- Qwest battling cable providers in 6 key markets
Qwest is doing all it can to hammer perceived weaknesses about cable competitors, into the minds of consumers as it aggressively fights to hold ground in key metropolitan markets.
- Two Timber Firms, Weyerhaeuser Co. and Plum Creek Timber Co., Pretending To Be 'Green,' Groups Allege
The Seattle Audubon Society and the Natural Resources Council of Maine have demanded in documents sent to the Sustainable Forestry Board that it revoke certification for the companies until they comply with standards they have pledged to uphold.
Idaho Business
- Everett, Washington to spend $250,000 on image
City officials say the money will pay for a whole new identity, not just a slogan.
Government
- Boise company updates software. MobileDataforce program lets businesses integrate office, mobile operations
Kevin Benedict's company is hoping to encourage more companies to unlock the power of their mobile computing devices.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Communications Director, Todd Shriber (who became an Internet joke) to Montana Rep. Denny Rehberg Fired After Soliciting Help to Inflate College Marks
"This was out of character for him. But at the end of the day, he just wasn't exhibiting the kind of veracity that we need and demand out of our employees." Erik Iverson, chief of staff for Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont.
University TechTransfer
- Four tech/biz insiders whose blogs you don't read, but should say you do.
All four are way more successful than you. Each posts faster than you can read.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- The Washington Research Foundation files patent lawsuits against electronics giants, Matsushita, Samsung and Nokia, using Bluetooth
The suit alleges that those companies' Bluetooth-based computers, cell phones or headsets violate at least one patent issued to a former UW student, Edwin Suominen, and now held and protected by the foundation.
- Utah-based TechniScan lands $2.8M NIH grant Most of award to spinoff will go to tests of 3-D technology used to spot breast cancer
TechniScan, a private company, is a byproduct of the University of Utah's department of bioengineering.
Careers
- Christopher Paolini of Paradise Valley in Montana sees his book, "Eragon", on the big screen.
Paolini returned to the Livingston-Park County Public Library to thank the community for their support and to sign books Sunday. It was his last stop on a promotional tour that took him to London for a premier of "Eragon," the recently released movie based on his best-selling book.
Non-Profit News
- Young and Restless for Success
Don't get jealous of peers who seem to be better off than you. Get a plan and stick to it.
Commuter Rail Development
- Computer 4 Kids spreads bytes of holiday cheer
Computer 4 Kids takes donated computers, refurbishes them and gives them to families who otherwise could not afford one.
- Missoula-based Adventure Cycling Association looks back, plans for future as the largest nonprofit cycling organization in the country
“It's sort of the Mecca of bicycling,” Sayer said. “People just feel the need to come by, and we love to see them.”
Community
- Light Rail An Expected Economic Boon In Oregon
Planners say the MAX line on its way to Clackamas County in 2007 will lay down track for more than just a light-rail train. It also will carry an economic engine for jobs and business stretching into the next decade.
Leadership Montana
- Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space: Many cities changing one-way streets back
"There's a lot of emphasis now on taming the automobile and emphasizing walking and biking. It's all part of creating a place that people want to be," says Marya Morris of the American Planning Association.
- Leaders, successful entrepreneurs put people first
"The entrepreneur, the leader, the 'captain,"' from November 2003. "As Thomas Aquinas said, 'If the primary mission of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would never leave port.' The leader is not only willing to leave port, but he also has a bias for action. Centuries ago it was said, 'Where there is no vision, the people perish."'
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