|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Tue Apr 17, 2007 |
"I want to see All Day Kindergarten, too. We already have it at the Montana Legislature!" Anon
"If the number of high school dropouts in this age cohort was cut in half, the government would reap $45 billion via extra tax revenues and reduced costs of public health, of crime and justice, and in welfare payments. This lifetime saving of $45 billion for the current cohort would also accrue for subsequent cohorts of 20-year olds." --- "An Excellent Education for All of America’s Children" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Boomtown Institute
Come Home Montana
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - "The New Economy - Developing Stategies, Part 2"
To succeed in the New Economy, states will need to overhaul their familiar approaches to economic development.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montanans could make more money elsewhere, but don't think it would be worth it
It has been called the Wilderness or Mountain Tax, the price paid for living in a wild and beautiful place such as Montana when moving elsewhere could mean higher pay or a more glamorous or high-powered job.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Governmental Accounting Software Specialist- Black Mountain Software
Education and/or experience relating to common business processes such as billings, accounting, payroll, budgeting, inventory or assets are ideal.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director of Strategy and Business Development - St. James Healthcare
Position is an excellent career opportunity with competitive salary and incentive plan, plus full benefits and relocation package.
- Making Waves - Couple buys raft business as whitewater recreation grows in Missoula area. "10,000 Waves"
The Slates are from Boise, Idaho, and moved to western Montana in search of a smaller community in which to raise their two young children. Both grew up in small towns in Washington and were intent on returning to the friendly, relaxed atmospheres they remembered from their childhoods. Their new neighbors, they noted, have been very welcoming.
- Fostering community in Helena, Montana. One person can make a difference
“A lot of what drives me,” he said of his community involvement, “is we live in a community of heroes. Helena is full of remarkable giving people.” “If I see something that will make Helena better, often I get involved in it.”
- Is Great Falls, Montana a cheap place to live?
"And within Montana, we are certainly the most reasonable larger city," she added. "We are less expensive than Helena, Missoula, Bozeman, Kalispell, Billings — anywhere."
- Montana Career Opportunity - Area Economic Development Coordinator Position
The position is based in the Northern Rocky Mountain Resources Conservation and Development (RC&D) area, serving Gallatin, Park and Meagher counties.
Montana Education Excellence
- The Hormel Family Foundation Sponsors Business Plan Competition for McCook, Nebraska Entrepreneurs
The competition is open to anyone interested in operating a business in or near McCook. The foundation welcomes submissions from start-ups as well as local business owners looking to expand or improve their businesses.
Education
- Casting Call for Montana High School Actors and Actresses
Media Arts in the Public Schools (MAPS) from Corvallis is looking for a diverse, high school aged (15 - 18) group to act in a television commercial for a national non-profit organization. Although some acting experience is preferred, it is not necessary.
- Montana State University College of Business Slide Show
- Research Roundup at Montana State University (#269), Owl pellet picker, Erratic butterflies, Carcass tales, 16th century printing
Keri Lackey picked through 1,448.5 owl pellets this year and she's still not tired of Mexican spotted owls -- or research in general.
Montana Business
- Montana gets low grade for school tech use
“Software is not going to teach a child anything anymore than a textbook is going to teach a child anything,” Barr said. “It's parents, teachers and children working together that produces achievement.”
- An Excellent Education for All of America’s Children
If the number of high school dropouts in this age cohort was cut in half, the government would reap $45 billion via extra tax revenues and reduced costs of public health, of crime and justice, and in welfare payments. This lifetime saving of $45 billion for the current cohort would also accrue for subsequent cohorts of 20-year olds.
Montana Economic Development
- Livingston, Montana based PrintingForLess.com CEO, Andrew Field Reveals Top 7 Ways to Build a Successful Business
“Our unique hiring, training and customer service processes helped PFL grow 27% in 2006,” says Field. “As we continue providing the best products and customer service possible, we wanted to share our tips for success with other small business owners via a user-friendly, annual list.”
GIS Technology
- Communities Selected for Montana Main Street Affiliate Program
The communities of Columbus, Sheridan, West Yellowstone and White Sulphur Springs will be the initial participants in the pilot program specifically designed to assist small, rural communities exploring downtown revitalization.
- Finding A Gold Mine In Butte - April 30 - May 1
The Summit is free and open to the public, and if Montana businesses are interested in connecting with national companies they should call Baucus’ office at (406) 329-3123, or visit http://www.boostmontana.org to set up an appointment.
- Money found for UM-COT branch campus. Legislature set to decide whether to start Bitterroot campus
“Two million dollars gets them a start,” Laible said. “My feeling about the whole college of technology is that we as a state are missing the boat. This is just not about Ravalli County. We need to expand the resources that we use to get our young people the skills so they can get higher paying jobs so they will stay here.”
- Main Street Montana Spring 2007 Newsletter
Montana Biotech
- GIS system a treasure trove of Helena and Lewis and Clark County area maps
The system isn't under lock and key - the GIS Center sells printed maps and photos to the public, and provides as much of its information as possible through Web sites, where residents may download maps and photos
Funding and Building your Business
- The biosafety level 4 facility under construction at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana represents the third phase in the history of RML, Dr. Karl Johnson said Friday.
With the new lab, Johnson said, “the National Institutes of Health finally has a full quiver of facilities; if new things come up, they can make intelligent decisions” about how and where to address them.
Regional Economic Development
- Y Combinator a new twist on finding hot companies
'The number one question I'm asked (by investors) is: how can I see the companies before everyone else?'
- Responsibility is in their sites. Web entrepreneurs have an eye on social need -- not personal greed. Dotherightthing.com
Goals: Build an online community that changes the world; make a socially responsible business more profitable; and have fun while doing the right thing.
- Intellections Newsletter: "Doing Business With Foreign Nationals—The Deemed Export Rule"
Under the "deemed export rule," the sharing of technology with a foreign national located in the United States is treated the same as an export of technology overseas.
- From Startup to Success Story
Launching any venture means confronting the possibility of failure. We examine the strategies three businesses employed in the crucial early years
- Secrets to a Successful Business Contract
Learn how correctly using names in a contract can help financially protect you and your company.
- Resources for businesses on disability issues from the Department of Justice
The Dept. of Justice has updated a series of ADA publications for businesses. A link is provided to download each publication.
- Companies Improve Career Sites To Lure Top Quality Candidates
Companies are recognizing that incorporating technologies popular among students on their career sites can attract high-quality candidates. Some are adding interactive features and making the application process more user-friendly.
Utah Business
- Countries can strengthen themselves with business branding, BBC executive tells Montana State University crowd
Jonathan Howlett, worldwide director of advertising for BBC Global Channels, told the more than 200 people gathered for the annual David Orser Executive Speakers Forum that branding a nation can help a country develop into what it wants to be.
- "Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters"
The research component focused on business clusters as the foundation for future economic growth. Clusters are groups of businesses that share common or complementary markets, suppliers, or workforce skills.
- Idaho cities hope to revamp downtowns with inbuilding collaborations between private and public businesses.
Caldwell has plans for its new City Hall to include private shops and restaurants, and perhaps even housing. Officials in Nampa might allow retail shops at that city's new library.
- Gov. Jon Huntsman launches Utah Energy Summit, says climate changes critical challenge for planet
"Coal is our future," Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer said, chiding those who would abandon coal or ignore nuclear power potential. "Are you willing to sit naked in trees and eat nuts?"
- Western Rural Development Center - Rural Connections Spring 2007 Vol. 2 Issue 1
Research on Western communities is finding that amenities, natural resources, vistas, and cultural uniqueness are attracting new residents and visitors to these often remote rural places.
Idaho Business
- Google vs. Utah: State takes flak for its attempts to police Web
"Utah has an unrivaled track record of enacting dumb, regressive, unproductive Internet laws,"
Washington State Business
- Business booms for online wine merchant in Idaho. "Winoworld.com"
"If you wanted one place to come and buy five or six great Northwest wines, that's what we offer."
Wyoming Business
- Efficiency Hotline for Washington State
"Accountability to is one of my top priorities and is something that Washingtonians expect from state government," said Gregoire. "This is just one more way that we are making government accountable to the people we serve."
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Wyoming Economic Development - Forecasters call for diversification
“You’ve got to educate workers and visitors about staying and working in Wyoming,” “We’re looking at insurance, warehousing and transportation,” said Goss. “These aren’t elite companies, but they’re good jobs.”
- The Wyoming Hathaway Scholarship Program Seeks to Keep the Best and the Brightest Close to Home.
The Hathaway Program is expected to generate at least $16 million a year for scholarships -- most of it reserved for merit-based aid for UW and community college students from Wyoming.
University Business Plan Competitions
- Bidets may catch fire, Japanese toilet maker says
"Fortunately, nobody was using the toilets when the fire broke out and there were no injuries," Tanaka said. "The fire would have been just under your buttocks."
University TechTransfer
- Your invitation to the John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition at the University of Montana - 5/10
The competition invites students from across Montana to present their plans to a group of outstanding business and community leaders.
Small Diameter Timber Utilization
- “Commercializing University Innovations: A Better Way”
Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs) were envisioned as gateways to facilitate the flow of innovation but have instead become gatekeepers that in many cases constrain the flow of inventions and frustrate faculty, entrepreneurs, and industry.
Careers
- Cutting edge: Small-wood workshop looks at new technologies
The challenge facing the timber industry is finding cost-effective ways to get all of that stuff out of the woods and to the marketplace.
Non-Profit News
- Internships give students an 'in'. Companies looking for more than just degree
Employers listed internships as the No. 1 place where they scout out potential hires
Energy
- Montana ranks 7th in the nation for volunteers
“More than 9,000 people of all ages and backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities and increase civic engagement through 88 national service projects across Montana,” Gov. Brian Schweitzer said.
Connectivity & Communications
- Durango, Colorado agrees to buy 100% wind power
"This is the right thing to do."
VIRUS ALERTS
- OK, now let's scrap the Internet!
That's the idea researchers are exploring -- really
- The 1-2-3, A-B-Cs of e-mail. "The Hamster Revolution"
"The real stuff that slows people down is internal spam."
- High-speed wireless on the go. Avis to offer routers that plug into car lighters
Road warriors, fasten your seat belts. It's time to turn your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Technology Can Improve Lives
Technology is meant to make life easier for those who take advantage of it, but an advantage for some is a disadvantage for others. No one can deny that the Internet has made life easier, but the findings of a recent global United Nations report found that only 3 percent of Web sites are accessible to persons with disabilities.
- Beware Storm Worm e-mail virus deluge
Thursday likely marked the largest proliferation of e-mail virus attacks in more than a year, according to security company Postini.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page
