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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jul 1, 2005 |
MATR
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"We can believe that we know where the world should go. But unless we're in touch with our customers, our model of the world can diverge from reality. There's no substitute for innovation, of course, but innovation is no substitute for being in touch, either." -- Steve Ballmer
Come Home Montana
Education
- Featured "Come Home Montana" Community~GARDINER
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Career ~ Director of Marketing
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Talent - Desired Field: Technical / Manufacturing Professional
Montana Business
- Redesigning High Schools for College Transition & Workforce Readiness
The brief also profiles five state level programs designed to ensure college and workforce readiness.
- Features Added to University of Montana's Online Student/Employee Directory
Montana Economic Development
- RightNow Technologies (Bozeman) acquires Convergent Voice
This acquisition has also prompted the launch of RightNow Voice, a product that integrates voice-based automation into customer service, sales and marketing.
- Selling sustainability — Earth-friendly businesses like Meadowsweet Herbs go mainstream
More and more colleges are offering courses on sustainable business practices. The public sector has gotten involved, too. More cities recycle waste, for instance. Major corporations such as Exxon and Pepsi have jumped on the "green" bandwagon. And even some venture capitalists and investment groups have geared themselves to invest in "socially responsible" businesses.
- Qwivals of fun - Kirkland family invests in magical fun center in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana
The Kirklands opened the park as soon as they could and continue to construct the remaining features. Already the park hired about 30 employees and plans to have about 60 when it's fully functioning.
- American Capital Invests $13 Million in Acquisition by Montana Silversmiths
"Since our original investment in October 2004, Montana has exceeded our financial expectations and demonstrated attractive growth,"
- Montana cities offer $2 billion for NorthWestern operations
A nonprofit corporation formed by five Montana cities offered NorthWestern Corp. about $2 billion Thursday for its utility transmission and distribution systems in Montana, Nebraska and South Dakota.
- NorthWestern Corporation Responds to Buyout Offer from Montana Public Power, Inc. "not in the best interests of NorthWestern and its stockholders."
"Our improving capital structure and operating performance enables us to continue to invest in our utility infrastructure. Our long-term commitment remains to be a reliable and affordable provider of energy services to our 617,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska while providing a competitive return to our shareholders."
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Western Montana 'Mom and Pops' get creative to play with big-boxes
There are, however, some tricks of the trade that have worked wonders in other towns, tricks that may or may not work in the most rural of rural downtowns.
- Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council President Eugene Little Coyote : Economic growth top priority - Gov. Schweitzer creates new Indian council gives the tribes. Prestigious speakers to address symposium
''We're the neediest of the needy,'' he told Gov. Brian Schweitzer and top administration officials. ''There's a lot of opportunity for business development and we wish to partner with state government.''
- Presentation to the Montana Interim Committee on Economic Affairs by Evan Barrett, Chief Business Officer, Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity
Schweitzer/Bohlinger "New Day" Economic Development Roadmap
- New Montana Economic Development Initiatives from Tony Preite, Director, Montana Department of Commerce
GIS Technology
- Risk Takers, Dream Makers: Venture Capitalists Taking Risks, Infusing State Businesses with Needed Capital to Create High-Wage Jobs
"All entrepreneurs are overly optimistic as are all venture capitalists," Frick said. "It’s harder than it looks, takes longer than you think and takes more money than you can imagine to start a really good business."
- Helping to grow little companies - Two local venture-capital funds find that investing in Wisconsin is good for their returns
Recently, venture capital-backed companies have created more jobs with better wages than all other industry categories, according to a recent study by Global Insight Inc. that was commissioned by the National Venture Capital Association in Arlington, Va.
Funding and Building your Business
- Research Sees GPS Here, There and Everywhere
It is the middle of the night on a farm in the American Midwest, and a tractor is spraying pesticides, guided by GPS. GPS guidance of farm and construction machinery has been growing since the late 1990s, and allows farmers to work more efficiently around the clock.
Regional Economic Development
- 'Click to Call' technology puts customers on lines
Click-to-talk is popping up not only as a customer service tool on Web sites, but as a sales lead generator in online ads. Some systems require customers to dial a special toll-free number and reach a call center.
Government Technology
- Journalists given 'study tour' of South Dakota biotechnology
Big payoffs could come for South Dakota, which has been quick to develop and implement biotechnology but slow to capture a broad foreign market.
- SBA Newsline Eight July 2005
Other Economies
- Nation's Top 10 Digital County Governments Showcased
"There is so much hard work and planning going on behind the scenes in county government -- to make life a little easier for all citizens. Local governments are to be commended for their ambitious efforts, accomplishments and outstanding customer service."
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- The End of the Rainbow- The Success of the Irish Economy - Education
I believe this is because there are enough people who remember the very bad times to de-politicize economic development. Ireland's advice is very simple: Make high school and college education free; make your corporate taxes low, simple and transparent; actively seek out global companies; open your economy to competition; speak English; keep your fiscal house in order; and build a consensus around the whole package with labor and management
University TechTransferThe Creative and Cultural Economy
- TechLaunch conference brings together tech groups, students in Idaho
The goal? To showcase Idaho's science and tech offerings in order to raise the profile of the state as a player among the broader investment community and lure external investors.
Careers
- Yellowstone National Park's new high-tech cameras now online - offer much better views of eruptions
The images on the Old Faithful WebCam page offer larger, sharper images and a much better view of eruptions, officials said.
Energy
- Ready to leave? Why you shouldn't give two weeks' notice
A person leaves the day they resign. Otherwise, they leave the door open for lots of liabilities.
- Hone your pre-interview skills or you may lose that job
It's simply too easy for any job seeker to research a prospective employer for anyone to fail to do so.
- Smart interns look beyond summer
The internship is increasingly becoming a tryout for entry-level positions rather than just a summer job.
Connectivity & Communications
- In ethanol-powered vehicle, Montana Governor Schweitzer touts alternative energy - 18 U.S. States To Produce Biodiesel - Fuel Plan Picks up Speed
"Schweitzer made renewable fuels one of the lynchpins of his first term as governor," said Dave Samson, manager of the Holiday station. "I knew that with Schweitzer pushing ethanol in consumer awareness, people would want it, and they have."
Transportation
- Online Media Take Hold..."Who killed the radio (and the TV)?
More than 20% of people who read newspapers rely primarily on online editions.
- Portland Plans for Metro-Scale Wi-Fi
The network will provide free online access to information from some non-profit services including health care and transportation, but will charge a fee for anyone looking for high-speed Internet surfing.
Community
- Delta to offer Bozeman to Atlanta direct flight this winter
The flight was prompted by the strong interest from Delta customers to vacation in Big Sky and Yellowstone, Delta spokeswoman Chris Kelly said from the company's Atlanta headquarters.
- People, Not Cars, Should Be Focus Of Community Planning
"If you plan cities for cars and traffic, you get cars and traffic. If you plan for people and places, you get people and places."
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