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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Apr 6, 2007 |
It has always seemed strange to me that in our endless discussions about education so little stress is laid on the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life. To be able to be caught up into the world of thought -- that is to be educated. Edith Hamilton
Today, We'd like to highlight the need to focus on Montana's education funding. We need to consider all innovative and forward thinking ways to support education. --- "Education Vital for Montana's Economy but "Montana "is systematically disinvesting in education." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Recent Licensing agreement fulfills University of Montana’s goals, obligations. UM President George Dennison responds to Missoulian editorial" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Boomtown Institute
Come Home Montana
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - Follow up on "Immigration History Repeats Itself"
Last week’s Agurban, "Immigration History Repeats Itself", generated far more emails than any other issue that we’ve ever covered.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- MATR Offers Outstanding Marketing Opportunities to Montana and Regional Companies and Organizations
We'd like to thank the companies and organizations who've agreed to be Sponsors or Supporters of MATR. If you'd like to assist us in our mission while also raising your visibility to the growing MATR community, please read on.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Drafter, Combination Technician, Facilities Technician - Mid-Rivers Communications
Mid-Rivers provides telecommunications services to 30,000 square miles in a 21-county area of eastern Montana and three counties in North Dakota. Mid-Rivers is the largest land mass telephone cooperative in the Continental U.S.
- Featured Talent - Communications and Technology Professional - Digium Certified Asterisk Professional (dCAP)
Goal Statement: To architect, design, build, implement and deploy carrier class Voice-Over-IP solutions and applications using the Asterisk PBX platform, and other open source technologies in Montana.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Small Business Development Center Business Advisor - Northern Rocky Mountain RC&D Area, Inc.
This position is responsible for providing confidential counseling, business training and information to small business owners in Gallatin and Park counties.
- University of Montana hires firm to help find Provost
While the search committee has been advertising the provost’s position, Doeg said the firm will be taking a more active role in finding candidates. Doeg said the firm could get in touch with current deans and provosts at other institutions to see if they might be interested in the position or know someone else who would.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Software Engineer - Northrop Grumman - Helena
e are looking for a Software Engineer to Assist in defining and designing complex software applications or part of major/advanced information systems or applications.
- Montana Career Opportunity - VP of Marketing / Online e-commerce sales - Billings
Exceptional full time career opportunity for a VP of Marketing with online/e-commerce sales experience that seeks new challenges and worthwhile opportunity with a progressive organization that is forward thinking and fast tracking. Company offers premium beef products to fine dining restaurants, burger restaurants, grocery stores and home cooks.
Montana Ambassadors
- Kid-Possible! Entrepreneurs Making a Difference 'That Was Easy' Competition Showcases Youth Ventures
"Kids these days," we've all heard it. The words are usually said with disdain and meant to imply that kids are somehow not what kids of generations past were. But finalists in the "That Was Easy" competition may challenge that notion.
- Montana State University Entrepreneur Day 2007
Hosted by the Montana State University College of Business, the day s presenters offered practical tips to students interested in the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management minor and to business professionals pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors.
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana Ambassadors Spring 2007 Newsletter
The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer, not-for-profit organization of leaders in business, education, and the professions with a common dedication to living and doing business in Montana and furthering the best interests of the state, serving at the pleasure of the Governor.
Education
- Montana State University President Geoff Gamble praises governor and legislature, unveils new university magazine at spring address
Gamble also unveiled the new university magazine during his address. "We've got Rolling Stone at one end, Newsweek at another," he said. "Now I'd like to present to you Mountains & Minds, for friends of Montana State University."
- Montana Gov. Schweitzer names Kerra Melvin from Montana Tech, new student regent
Melvin said her goals for her one-year term are college affordability, accessibility and transferability of credits.
- Montana Campus Compact Awarded Funding for Campus Corps
Getting more of Montana’s college students involved in meaningful community service projects is an enterprise worthy of support.
- Montana State University College of Business Instructor, Brian Brown, Finds Success Inside and Out of the Classroom
On a personal level, I feel very blessed to be able to pursue my passion of helping others right here in Bozeman."
- Problem solved: Carroll students, professors put engineering talents to work in Mexico. "Engineers Without Borders"
Through the college's two-year-old chapter of Engineers Without Borders, nine students along with a faculty advisor and local professional engineer will spend eight days in Queretaro, implementing the system they designed.
- Summit seeks ways to improve education on reservations in Montana
Senator Tester called for the gathering, the first event of its kind, after listening to the concerns of the state's tribal members during his 2006 campaign, and learning that tribal colleges are playing a more important role in their communities. "Empowering Through Education," was the theme of the event held at Blackfeet Community College.
- National Biological Sciences Education Award Goes to University of Montana Professor, Carol Brewer
"She encourages collaboration between scientists and educators, trains teachers to use their schoolyards for ecological investigations with students, and practices new assessment strategies to clearly connect teaching and learning," AIBS said. "Especially noteworthy is Brewer’s work heading the educational initiatives of the National Ecological Observatory Network."
- Montana State University Undergraduate Scholars Conference, 4/10, Bozeman
MSU's Undergraduate Scholars Conference in the Strand Union Building on 4/10 and starting at 10:00AM, will present approximately 95 projects to be presented by 110 MSU undergraduates who conducted research or creative projects this school year.
Montana Business
- A Joint Platform for Education Reform
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Center for American Progress have come together for the first time with a shared sense of urgency to address a looming educational crisis that—if not addressed promptly and effectively—risks undermining the economic prosperity of future generations of Americans.
- Substitute Teacher Tells History Firsthand and the Students Learn
Mr. Blume and his temporary wards found common footing on a patch of narrative ground where every human, it seems, can stand: “Let me tell you a story about when I was young,” he said, and every young face turned to listen. It is Mr. Blume’s trademark.
- Idaho elementary school students learning business, finance with help from growing Idaho State University Program
The program is taught through the school's Center for Economic Education and is free to teachers.
- Subtracting a 'gifted' gap in math education
Project M3 steers often-overlooked students from low income and minority backgrounds into advanced math classes.
- What does business want from the schools? Some answers may be surprising
n general, businesses want graduates who know how to communicate, who can solve problems alone and in teams, who embrace innovation, and who will function as contributing citizens in their communities, state, nation, and world.
Montana Economic Development
- Employers plentiful at college job fairs
"The days of sitting back and having people apply are over,"
- Chinook Wireless tech unit moves to Missoula
“We just felt like Missoula had the greatest appetite for technology,” said Pat Monroe, Chinook's vice president of engineering.
- "Log Homes with a Concrete Difference" Ecological Home Ideas magazine has recognized Missoula based Cultured Log Systems as an innovator the Green Building movement.
“More and more, we expect these precast concrete designs will take off as word of mouth spreads about what benefits they offer and more people see them being constructed.”
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Education Vital for Montana's Economy but "Montana "is systematically disinvesting in education."
From the global level down to next month's school levy election, a succession of speakers talked Tuesday about the need to develop a high-quality work force geared to the needs of a changing economy.
- Lewistown’s affordable housing project awarded highest ranking in state
Ferdinand said the Department of Commerce notified him the $3 million project, which would create 44 rental units near the Fountain Terrace Condos, is ranked at number one among the Montana projects seeking such financing.
- Network to help guide Missoula small businesses. Montana Business Expansion and Retention, or BEAR, Project
“What we've done is bring those services under one tent,” Gorman said. “We bring the system to them, rather than have them wander around in the system.”
Funding and Building your Business
- Prairie Winds Capital, LLC Becomes 18th Angel Fund in RAIN Source Capital’s Growing Network for Angel Investors
Prairie Winds Capital - New Angel Fund Formed in Sioux Falls, S.D. to Invest in Local Companies
Regional Business
- Forming an Alliance? Plan for Your Break Up
Like a prenuptial agreement, in which a couple discusses divorce options on their way to the altar, negotiating exit options while still at the formation stage of an alliance seems almost counter to human nature.
- IRS may shift AMT gap burden to small biz
To raise revenue, the feds plan to stick their noses deeper into small-business financial records.
- How to Get the Attention of a Venture Capitalist by Guy Kawasaki
#4. Show success.
- Sticky Situations: Six Tips for Managers
When conflicts at work hinge on personal problems, even experienced managers can face a challenge in dealing with them.
Regional Economic Development
- Women Entrepreneurs Take on Rugged Alaska
“Things have changed incredibly in the last 20 years.”
Utah Business
- Growing and Keeping Businesses in Your Region. Business Retention on a Budget: The Billings, Montana BEAR Program Leverages Volunteers. The Winter 2007 EDA Newsletter
In 2001, Joe McClure, then the new executive director of Big Sky EDA, created a new position charged with developing a business retention program. As in other small cities – and predominantly rural states – resources were limited. For one employee to run such a major initiative successfully, resources would have to come through partnerships.
- April/May 2007 Newsletter: O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, The University of Montana
This is another installment in our regular report to you and others here in the region on the activities of the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West. We want to keep you informed about what we're doing and hope that you continue to have an interest in the Center and its work.
- The Sustainable Communities Awards Program - 2007 Applications are due May 11th
The Sustainable Communities Awards Program recognizes outstanding urban, suburban, and rural counties whose innovative collaborations are leading the effort to create sustainable communities through economic enhancement, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
- Northwest Communities Invited To Host 2010 Olympic Training Teams, 4/11, Everett, WA
While the 2010 Games are still several years away, teams from around the world are scouting training facilities now. To learn more about the opportunities, the process of contacting teams, and considerations for your community in planning outreach, join us for this valuable workshop.
- What Is the Digital Economy?
"At each point in the last 40 years the critical step in the transformation of technological potential into economic productivity has been the discovery by IT users of how to employ their ever greater and ever cheaper computing power to do the previously impossible."
- Coping with water scarcity in the West
Up to 75 percent of the water supplies for the Western United States come from snowpack. As glaciers and snowpack decrease with warming temperatures, this natural water reservoir will be depleted, threatening Western water supplies.
- Digital Communities Race
If digital communities intend to be communities of the future, their planners and decision-makers must take into account the global landscape. The magnitude of global change and its impact on communities is critical to understand. When leaders incorporate this data into their planning, they significantly increase and enhance their ability to build competitive and sustainable future communities.
Idaho Business
- Utah's aerospace industry is booming. ATK expands ahead of boom
Utah's aerospace industry is getting another boost - one that will further enhance the state's reputation as a center for the manufacture of high-tech composites used in space applications and on commercial and military aircraft.
Washington State Business
- Is Idaho’s science and tech industry in trouble? Idaho told it must invest in tech industry. Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter "science and tech council went too far into advocacy"
Earlier today, IBR reported on a presentation showing that wages for Idaho's tech community are dropping.
- China trade show to feature Idaho firms
"China's economy is considered one of the fastest growing in the world and continues to hold tremendous opportunities for Idaho businesses," said Commerce and Labor Director Roger B. Madsen.
- Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter on his economic development goals for the State
“Preparing Idaho’s economy for the future is important,” Otter said. “To do that you need to prepare the workforce. I’m hoping to do that through community college system in a year or two. We need somebody to take a critical look at not only where we aren’t but where we should be and how we get there. I think there’s a ready reception for you at the state board of education.”
- Boise, Idaho Web firm, Balihoo secures investment funding
Lacuna’s investment will be an integral part of Balihoo’s launch to the broad media buying and planning community.
- Higher ed borrowing deserves a close look
It makes sense. The state must pay to play in the global game of high-tech economics, and higher education is a good place to invest.
- E. Idaho Technical College wins $1.35M contract for workforce training
The college will provide INL employees with training in radiological controls, respiratory protection, first aid and transportation.
- Micron Technology reports 2nd quarter loss of $52 million
Market conditions in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 for memory products led to significant declines in average selling prices for much of Micron’s product portfolio, the company said in a statement.
- Forbes ranks Boise No. 3 for business, careers
"The city of Boise is moving in the right direction on many fronts," Mayor Bieter said in a statement. "Whether it's creating neighborhood libraries or working to prevent sprawl and traffic congestion, the city is committed to the task of making Boise the most livable city in the USA."
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- The Not-So-Evergreen State
Widespread development in Washington has changed the landscape of the state from forests to houses. Experts are predicting a further loss of more than 300,000 acres of forests within the next several years.
- Microsoft to reveal plans for Bellevue expansion
the company has plenty of need for expansion space: Microsoft added a net total of more than 10,000 worldwide employees last fiscal year, the largest annual increase in its history, taking its total employment above 71,000 as of June 30.
- Sciences fund attracts applicants. Designed to channel millions of dollars toward life-sciences research in Washington.
The state authority that governs the fund received letters of intent from 102 researchers, representing 26 institutions. Many of those applications involved partnerships with additional organizations and researchers.
University Business Plan CompetitionsIncubators and R&D
- Business of teaching comes full circle. Students put ideas for helping others to work -- and they in turn are tested
As part of an annual worldwide competition, 150 college students gathered in Seattle on Thursday to tell panels of judges what they've done this school year to create economic opportunity for others.
University TechTransfer
- $60 million is expected to be available under a new Advanced Technology Program (ATP) competition to support high-risk industrial R&D projects
The program encourages path-breaking research on emerging or enabling technologies that lead to revolutionary new products and industrial processes and services that address national priorities and generate large societal benefits.
- USC innovation institute reinventing itself. Officials expand effort begun in 2004 to nurture ideas that will benefit all sectors of society, rather than just focusing on engineering.
Traditionally, schools tend to focus on inventions and ideas connected to science and technology and ignore others, but officials said all disciplines must be included for maximum benefit to the public's quality of life. Innovative ideas could also include nonprofit organizations that aid a community.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Research at Montana State University yields new safflower varieties for the birdseed and specialty oil markets which are available for licensing
Both varieties provide improved seed yields and improved disease resistance against the fungus, Alternaria leaf spot disease.
- Recent Licensing agreement fulfills University of Montana’s goals, obligations. UM President George Dennison responds to Missoulian editorial
If other equally meritorious licensing opportunities surface that do not infringe upon university offerings or plans, the university will evaluate them closely and decide whether to recommend them to the regents.
Careers
- IWFF To Present World Premier Of Her Planet Earth Film With Producer Vanessa Berlowitz, 5/18, Missoula, Montana
The Producer of this acclaimed television series, Ms. Berlowitz is completing a Planet Earth Film Special on snow leopard conservation that will have its World Premier at Missoula on Saturday, May 19th, the last night of the 30th IWFF. The screening begins at 7:30pm at the Wilma Theatre.
Energy
- How to Leave a Mentor Without Burning Bridges
Breaking up is always tough, and mentor-protégé relationships are no exception. So how should a protégé go about breaking up with a mentor?
City Club Missoula
- Is Earth near its 'tipping points' from global warming? The "big climate signal and impacts" will be in the West says UM's Steve Running
Concerning the USA, the report will reference numerous scientific studies on the effects of spring arriving weeks earlier, says University of Montana ecologist Steve Running, an author of the chapter on North America. The "big climate signal and impacts" will be in the West, he says. Earlier melting of mountain snow, on which much of the region depends for water, would mean more severe dry spells and droughts that would trigger worse wildfire seasons. Lower stream flows also would threaten fish and wildlife.
- Climate change threatens new dust bowl in Southwest
"These are scary results, but scary in part because they are results of well thought-out scientific work by a large number of strong scientists,"
- L.A. to turn sludge from treated wastewater into energy
Methane gas from biosolids pumped into deep wells in San Pedro will run fuel cells.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- City Club Missoula - Sen. Max Baucus stresses Collaboration, CHIP, trade, energy and the power of Montana's voters
“You are 50 times more powerful than a person from California,” Baucus said, as far as access to U.S. senators goes. Montana senators answer to fewer people than California senators do - and Baucus said he likes his bosses.
- City Club Missoula To Discuss Performing Arts Center, 4/20, Missoula
Does Missoula need a performing arts center? If so, where should it be? How much will it cost? Who will it benefit? What are the long term impacts to the city and to Western Montana?
- Plastic Made by Bacteria Commercialized
A plastic from recombinant E. coli gets FDA approval for use in safer, ultrastrong sutures.
- Google: You draw the online maps
"Even if we cut loose all our developers, we could never create maps with the same depth and quality as our users can."
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