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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jun 19, 2007 |
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"Men are generally idle, and ready to satisfy themselves, and intimidate the industry of others, by calling that impossible which is only difficult." -- Samuel Johnson
Three good articles on keys to rural economic development - "The Role of Small and Large Business in Economic Development. Home Grown is Best " http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Want A Strong Economy? Provide Good Child-Care" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---- "Arts, Culture and Design in Rural North Carolina" http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Boomtown Institute
Come Home Montana
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute. Troublemakers or Entrepreneurs?
American youths are so successful at entrepreneurship in part because so many older and wealthier people are willing to help them.
PrintingForLess
- For hot-rod builder, Choteau, Montana the last stop in lifelong road trip
He knew he wanted to move somewhere with skiing, few people and cheap real estate. He flew to Denver and drove north, looking at a number of towns along the way. His journey ended in Choteau, where he bought the old Chevrolet garage on Main Avenue.
- Brewer and his family return to craft beers all about Butte
It's hard to understand why anyone would leave that job, but Lyza said the family wanted to come back to Butte. "We wanted a change of pace and the lifestyle here," she said. "It was meant to be."
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Take Your Dog to Work Day – Dogs Increase Morale & Sales! Every day is Dog To Work Day at PrintingForLess.com
Attention Fido, Fluffy, Butch and Bridger! PrintingForLess.com’s 5 Doggy Tips to Ensure that Your Day at Work is a Howling Success
Montana Education Excellence
- The New England Council Releases Studies on New Hampshire's Aging Workforce
"Despite New Hampshire's status as one of the states in the northeast which is still be to generate substantial net inflows of residents into the state from other states in the region and the nation, slow rates of natural increase in the population and still limited foreign immigration in New Hampshire mean a slower growing and aging population for the state," Harrington said. "These trends indicate the likelihood of a continued slowdown in the rate of growth in the size of the state's labor force in the coming years. An overwhelming share of New Hampshire's labor force growth in the future will be among those aged 55 and over."
- The Role of Small and Large Business in Economic Development. Home Grown is Best
A growing number of economic development professionals have stopped chasing big businesses and started chasing the entrepreneurs who create them.
- Stopping the Brain Drain - Getting College Students To Stay And Put Down Roots
Getting college students to come is one thing. Getting them to stay after graduation is something else.
Education
- Rocky Mountain College reels in 5-year grant worth $2M
The grant will pay for new computers throughout the campus, including those in student labs and in faculty and business offices.
- Students with disabilities find going gets tougher after high school. Collectively, students with physical or developmental disabilities. make up the University of Montana's largest single minority group
Langston will join more than 900 UM students with physical or developmental disabilities. Collectively, they make up the university's largest single minority group, with 6.5 percent of the enrollment. Later this week, she'll attend a transition seminar designed to highlight those challenges and how to overcome them.
- Spectorium Of Science Offers Entertainment-Hands-on-Fun, 6/22-23, University Of Montana
Spectorium of Science, a weekend of events showcasing new science exhibits from the San Francisco Exploratorium, will take place at The University of Montana Friday and Saturday, June 22-23.
Montana Business
- In the Classroom, a New Focus on Quieting the Mind
“If we can help children slow down and think,” Dr. Haick said, “they have the answers within themselves.”
- What do you think of merit-based pay for teachers?
Is this the future of education?
Montana Economic Development
- Former Sen. Conrad Burns forms new rural technology company. "Rural Solutions, Inc."
“As a senator representing a rural state, I advocated bringing those technological advantages enjoyed by urban, more densely populated states to my home state of Montana and now I can continue my efforts,” Burns said in the statement.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Governor Brian Schweitzer to Present $400,000 Check to the City of Kalispell & Distinctive Countertops
Through the Commerce funding, Distinctive Countertops is significantly expanding their countertop and cabinetry business, and hiring and training several low to moderate income people for their broadened workforce.
Montana Biotech
- Angel Investment Tax Credit Helps Produce $1.72B in Deals Since 1999
Since 1999, the state has granted tax credits to angels and angle groups totaling $48.5 million. Those investors in turn placed more than $273.9 million in startups. Over ensuing years, the firms receiving the angel-related financing went on to raise $1.45 billion more, Taylor said.
- A heavenly tax cut: Act 255 stimulates economic growth
The increase in angel investing comes from the passage of Wisconsin Act 255, which created a tax incentive for people looking to invest in start up businesses in Wisconsin. According to Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, angel investment totaled $102.9 million in 2006, up from only $66.6 million the year before.
Funding and Building your Business
- Rocky Mountain Laboratories research leads to a potential STD vaccine
Research by scientists at RML has recently been honored and recognized by an international biotechnology industry.
Regional Business
- Senatator Baucus Introduces Bill that Rattles Private-Equity Nerves. Would Double Tax Bill for Going Public
In March, Blackstone Group became one of the first major private-equity firms to file for an IPO, taking advantage of a 20-year-old tax provision that would allow it to pay the 15 percent tax rate on capital gains as a limited partnership rather than the 35 percent corporate rate.
- Heed signs that it's time to fold business
So how does an enthusiastic founder know when it is time to call it quits?
- Due Diligence Is No Mystery. An investor's perspective on what to expect when seeking venture capital
While each investment group may have its own variations, this offers tremendous insight from an investor's perspective.
Regional Economic Development
- Buyouts reshape region's business
Since the start of 2006, 1 of every 8 Northwest public companies has been swept up in a wave of deals fed by an ocean of cash.
- Wanted: A few good electricians — and plumbers - Retirements of the baby-boom generation are expected to hit manual-labor jobs hard. 1.6 million new workers needed by 2015
"What is happening, this is a crisis. And it's going to hit. There's just no way around it. It's getting worse as we go,"
Utah Business
- Want A Strong Economy? Provide Good Child-Care
The most obvious reason is that economies need workers, and workers need people to watch their children.
- Baltimore Passes Inclusionary Housing Bill
By forcing developers to include a percentage of low-cost apartments or houses in certain projects, the inclusionary housing bill attempts not only to create more affordable places but to make sure they aren't clustered in certain parts of the city.
- Affordable housing vital to economic growth. 'Affordable housing' probably isn't
By occupation, three of top 10 fastest growing fields in 2006-2010 won't be able to afford a median home, he said, and will likely have a difficult time finding a place to rent.
- Rapid start for regional plan essential for success. Rapid and frequent wins are key.
Quick wins provide two important side benefits. They build trust, and they isolate the "nay sayers".
- High School Graduation Rate Map Tool a Key Tool in Economic Development Decisions
How high is the graduation rate in your community?
- Guide to Business Incubator Marketing
The guide emphasizes a cost-effective approach. Separate chapters examine market research, market planning and specific marketing techniques.
Utah Economic Development
- SLC law firm establishes tech and science practice. - Ray Quinney & Nebeker
Overall, they have served as legal advisor on nearly 100 venture capital transactions, 80 bridge financings and 46 mergers and acquisitions.
Idaho Business
- State is trying to lure PVC pipe firm to Utah
The company has said its new jobs will pay an average of $42,172, about 225 percent of the Iron County median wage, according to board documents.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Boise mayor proposes building whitewater park on river
Boise Mayor Dave Bieter says the city should have a whitewater park on the Boise River, and has proposed a budget that includes $750,000 to help build one along a quarter-mile section.
- Car d'Lane 'awesome' for business. River Rod Run in Missoula 6/29-30
Car d'Lane got the economic engine running for downtown businesses, even before it started.
- Busy Idaho ammo plant might look to students
Internships for students from nearby schools, Zacha said, could attract new workers who might remain at ATK after they graduate. He also said the company is looking to partner with technical programs to train new workers.
Incubators and R&D
- Texas Bill Mandates Computer Manufacturers Provide Free Recycling Programs
Must include provisions for: * The manufacturer's collection from a consumer of any computer equipment that has reached the end of its useful life and is labeled with the manufacturer's brand.
- Money better spent on experiences than possessions
A positive memory obliterates in importance the bad ones and keeps them coming back for another round.
- Virtual World Litigation Arrives In The Real World
More and more people are participating in virtual worlds on the Internet, and where people go, litigation follows.
University TechTransfer
- Boise State receives grant to start biomedical research center
"Collaborative research is a better, healthier, stronger approach _ one that will allow us to get closer to a treatment or a cure or a diagnosis or prevention," Oxford told the Idaho Statesman. "An increase in research activity translates to increased opportunities to our students. We'll be developing new courses, new programs, new curricula for degree programs."
- Researchers study how to replace petroleum with plant-derived sugar
The idea is to use plant materials not only to create alternative fuels, but also to make a wide range of chemicals that are now produced using petroleum.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Ultrasound-toothbrush maker, Ultreo, lands $11.3 million. Technology was created at the University of Washington
The technology was created in 2003 at the University of Washington by Pierre Mourad, a research associate professor in the UW Department of Neurological Surgery. The university, which has licensed the technology to Ultreo, has a small stake in the company.
- Universities: Get Entrepreneurial!!
On-campus innovations aren't being maximized commercially. In today's global economy, more research needs to result in viable startups. A recent report by the Kauffman Foundation echoed Siegel's opinion and highlighted university technology transfer offices as the bottleneck in the commercialization process. It called these organizations "monopoly gatekeepers" that focus on maximizing revenue rather than maximizing the actual numbers of commercialized innovations.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Town Pump Pumps $100,000 into Montana Tech Upgrade
Tech athletics director Joe McClafferty, who is spearheading the school's $600,000 project, said a Town Pump logo will be placed on the new basketball court.
Careers
- Your opinions are requested by the Montana Arts Council
You are cordially invited to give us your feedback on the draft of the Montana Arts Council’s Operational Blueprint for 2008-2013 online or, we'd love to see you at one of our town meetings.
- Arts, Culture and Design in Rural North Carolina
In addition to “making things better,” companies and the agencies that assist them will have to work at “making better things.” Success will depend as much on the design and aesthetic appeal of their products as productivity.
Non-Profit News
- Why Some Professionals Favor Low-Paying Careers
Choosing less stress -- and less pay
Energy
- New IRS form targets charities' salaries
The federal tax agency is introducing a new reporting form that would make it much harder for nonprofit organizations to conceal excessive salaries, lavish spending, and conflicts of interest.
- The web is your friend Or How we set up a non-profit by the seat of our pants
How did we do it? What tools did we use? We started out with using only a handful of apps and moved on to others as our needs changed, it has grown into quite the list.
- Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop, 7/16-18, University Of Montana, Missoula
Interested development professionals, researchers, faculty, and graduate students should register as soon as possible, as demand means that seats will fill up quickly.
- Finance & Risk Management Essentials For Nonprofit Leaders, 6/27, Missoula
If you are responsible for finance or risk management or have volunteered as your nonprofit’s treasurer or risk management champion, don’t wait to reserve a place at this upcoming seminar.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Coal-to-Liquid Boondoggle. A risky solution to America's energy woes
Unanswered questions and environmental concerns raise the prospect that the price for this brand of energy independence may be too high.
Connectivity & Communications
- Farmers sowing seed money
The grass seed is in high demand because of the trend to restore damaged land - gas-well pads, burned forests, highway strips and overgrazed property.
Leadership Montana
- Citywide digital campaign is urged. Chicago told to look beyond connectivity
Called the "City That Networks," the report said that rather than merely seeking to close the digital divide that separates cyberspace haves from have-nots, the city should pursue digital excellence, which Stasch defined as "universal, active and meaningful participation" in the digital world.
- AT&T Quietly Offers $10 DSL Plan
Without any sort of fanfare, AT&T Inc. has started offering a broadband Internet service for $10 a month, cheaper than any advertised plan.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Leadership Montana Introduces Class of 2008…
Leadership Montana, a statewide collaboration of higher education, civic and business leaders, has selected the Class of 2008. This is the fourth class of Leadership Montana.
- GuardID device protects personal information online
If you're worried about your personal information getting stolen while doing online banking or signing onto your favorite Web sites, this product aims to help. It's a tiny piece of hardware you plug into the USB port in your computer.
- Supermarkets Offering Personal Scanners
Today, personal scanners are more common in Europe, but their use is growing in the United States as grocers introduce high-tech tools that promise to make shopping more convenient and seem less like a chore.
- Laser Precision, No Heat. Petaluma startup zeroes in on a technology that it hopes will spawn a new industry
In a quiet industrial park in Petaluma, a startup called Raydiance Inc. http://www.raydiance-inc.com/ is miniaturizing a type of laser that generates an ultrashort burst of photons so intense that it can vaporize matter without creating heat.
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