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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Oct 5, 2007 |
After last week's positive response to Sir Winston's words of wisdom, here's another... "If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail." -- Winston Churchill
Two items that could have a significant positive effect on the regional economy (Do they have the technology that will be the core of your next new company?): "Technologies Available for Licensing from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL)" http://matr.net/articl ... .html and (All the best in your new endeavors Bill) "Director of WSU Center to Bridge the Digital Divide, Bill Gillis To Focus on Rural Economic Development" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Come Home Montana
MAPS™ : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Montana Career Opportunity - Logistics Manager - Sun Mountain Sports
This is a critical strategic planning position.
Funding and Building your Business
- Hollywood may soon see an influx of film scripts from young, talented and bright writers from Corvallis High School thanks to MAPS
“It's just really a cool thing to be able to give these kids the opportunity to express themselves in an honest, forthright way,” Rosten said. “We simply couldn't have done this without the support and help from the administration.”
Education
- “Fast Forward: Designing for Constant Change” Study
The company wrote the report for marketers who are trying to design more effective online ads and websites in the face of rapid technological change
- Dot-com: The new wave. Lessons from the '90s bust inform young entrepreneurs
If you'd like to have the chance to be mentored by one of the most successful entrepreneurs of the 90's:
- How small business can slow global warming
No entrepreneurial firm can tackle huge environmental issues singlehandedly, but there is strength in numbers, says a green-business advocate.
- Salesforce fund offers boost to developers
Salesforce, with VC partners Bay Partners and Bessemer Venture Partners, has announced it will offer about 50 software start-up companies $500,000 each to develop on-demand applications on Salesforce's platform, Force.com.
- The Future of Web Startups
Another thing I see starting to get standardized is acquisitions. As the volume of startups increases, big companies will start to develop standardized procedures for acquisitions, so they're little more work than hiring someone.
Montana Meth Project
- Video Sites Help Scientists Show Instead of Tell
"Highlighting little tricks in a video that might not be apparent in a paper can save an enormous amount of time."
- In the Classroom, Blazing a Path From Fidgeting to Focus
It occurred to her that she might have stumbled upon a way to help children tell others something interesting about their distractibility, rather than simply trying to hide or suppress it.
- UC-Berkeley now posting course lectures on YouTube
"To a teacher who has a passion for teaching, this is enormously exciting," said physics professor Richard A. Muller, whose "Physics for Future Presidents" is among courses available online. "My students are everywhere and I don't have to give them exams."
- Missing: Next Generation of Vets and Ag Scientists
Somes states have programs to help large animal vets pay off their school debts, but rural states — especially places like South Dakota, where cows outnumber people five to one — are chronically short of large animal docs. Meanwhile, The Boston Globe reports, men are avoiding the profession.
- States turn to seniors for help in classrooms
As baby boomers reach retirement age and begin to leave the public schools’ teaching ranks in droves, states are launching programs like Baltimore’s to fill mounting classroom vacancies.
Connectivity & Communications
- Meth Project Progress Report
As of September 2005, when we began, Montana was overwhelmed by methamphetamine abuse
- Graphic anti-meth ads catching on nationwide
When Comedy Central fans in Arizona switch on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” they may be greeted instead by images of a teenager being savagely beaten in an empty parking lot at night, his assailants kicking him until one of them raises a cinder block above his head and brings it down upon the helpless victim.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- California State Internet services shut down over hacker intrusion
Federal regulators take action after county website was changed to redirect visitors to pornography.
- Blind shoppers win OK to sue Target because website isn't accessible.
Target has failed to use "technologically simple and not economically prohibitive" code embedded in websites allowing the blind to use software that vocalizes the content, according to court filings by the National Federation of the Blind.
- Tech's latest growth industry: fake CEO blogs
The Fake Larry Ellison blog, for the CEO of Oracle, is one of the better ones. The mysterious fake Larry seems to have a good sense of the industry and of Ellison, or maybe he's just a very smart cookie. Here is how he describes himself in the "about me" section: "The more I win, the more I want to win. And I will win, okay? Trust me."
- Internet addresses not in English to be tested
The 11 suffixes now under review will read "test" in Arabic, Persian, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, Russian, Hindi, Greek, Korean, Yiddish, Japanese and Tamil.
Incubators and R&D
- New Microsoft software tools let users build health profile
HealthVault, as the company is branding this effort, allows users to create an account online that will store data such as medical history, health-plan information, prescriptions, images, cholesterol and blood-pressure readings. The data can be entered by the patient or by a medical provider authorized by the patient.
Regional Business
- Biological researchers, alumnus team up for first pending patent at Montana State University Billings
Research by Dr. David Butler and Dr. Kurt Toenjes, scientists and faculty members in the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at MSU Billings, has found a possible new use of a synthetic compound that could help stem the spread of fungal diseases.
- Technologies Available for Licensing from the Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
The INL has many technologies available for licensing to meet a variety of industrial needs. INL's technology portfolios are organized by industrial area and are managed by Account Executives with experience in these industries. Technologies listed in each portfolio change as new technologies become available and as licensing occurs.
- Greater Yellowstone inspires six new projects
Six projects that build on Montana State University's reputation as the University of the Yellowstone have received one-year grants from MSU's Thermal Biology Institute and Big Sky Institute.
Montana Business
- State IT Workforce: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? States face IT retirement crunch
According to the survey results, an anticipated 27 percent of state IT workers will be eligible for retirement within the next five years, leaving states uncertain of their ability to replace them.
- the O'Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West, The University of Montana Newsletter - October - November 2007
Labor demand is steadily rising faster than labor supply and this is tightening labor markets throughout the region.
Montana Economic Development
- The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center offers a charter opportunity to attend "Gold Nuggets in Manufacturing Tour & Symposium"
This is an opportunity to mine for new ideas in a stimulating environment far different from your everyday experience.
- Northwest's smaller planes affecting local businesses in Montana
"We are not asking the airline to do anything that doesn't make good business sense," Doney said. "But we would like to sit down with them and see what the seat capacity has been. This is a qualitative issue."
- Netflix opens doors in Butte, Montana
“Folks in Montana deserve the same next-day delivery as San Francisco (or) New York.”
Regional Economic Development
- Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology Awards $3.2 Million for Tech Projects in Butte, Missoula, Billings, Bozeman and Sidney
"Montana's economy benefits greatly from research projects," said Governor Schweitzer. "Many technology-based companies are drawn to centers of research activity. We're seeing this trend in Bozeman, Missoula and Butte, and we support the good paying jobs that are created as a result."
- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer touts state's booming 'restoration economy' and quality of life.
“What's driving this economy,” the governor said, “is quality of life. And that's going to drive it for a long time.”
- Growth explored at Bitterroot Valley business conference
“Quality of life is very important to almost all of us ... and discussions like this are going to take us a lot farther than beating up each other or the commissioners. The business and development community needs to do the right thing and stop hindering each other.”
- Rural independent living conference coming to Missoula
New ideas for independent living in rural areas will highlight the 13th annual gathering of activists fighting for rights for people with disabilities this weekend.
- Old Works Golf Course fails to be economic epicenter for Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana
At groundbreaking time in 1994, the Jack Nicklaus-designed course — built atop centuries of copper smelting contamination — was held up as an icon for redevelopment possibilities and a new economic era for Anaconda. It was expected to rapidly create 120 jobs, spur neighboring development and host 30,000 annual rounds of golf.
- Each Year in Montana, Thousands of Students Drop Out of High School Costing the State Millions
If dropouts from the class of 2006 graduated instead, the state could likely save 30-million dollars in medical expenses for uninsured care over their lifetime.
Government Technology
- Director of WSU Center to Bridge the Digital Divide, Bill Gillis To Focus on Rural Economic Development
“Bill Gillis' heart has always been in working with people, non-governmental agencies and local governments to serve rural communities.”
Idaho Business
- Missouri Education Office Recruits IT Staff from Second Life
"I saw a number of people in SL were tech savvy and the age ranges from the mid-20s to early 30s. That was an age range we were interested in for our IT recruiting efforts.
- Software upgrades bring down state job-hunting Web site
It's part of a new $67 million system called E-recruiting, which allows job hunters to apply online for state government work. The site was launched a year ago and can also be used by state workers to find new jobs within the system.
South Dakota Economic Development
- Idaho Senator Crapo is aggressively working to strengthen and increase missions at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL).
Crapo told the Idahoans he is working with Senate leadership and appropriators to increase and strengthen the work at the Lab, and he discussed both D.C.-based and Idaho-based strategies to expand the Lab's core missions.
- Idaho Gov. Otter: Solar, wind too expensive, so Idaho should focus on nuclear energy
The nuclear industry could eventually be worth as much as $7 billion annually to the state, Otter said, including the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls, which is helping develop a new generation of nuclear reactors as well as a proposed international nuclear fuel recycling program.
- Innovators show off their stuff in Boise
Snowbikes, gopher killers, semiconductors and others are recognized as top innovators.
Washington State Business
- South Dakota's Brain drain
The brain drain effect, as it's called in higher education circles, plays a crucial role in the state economically because college graduates look elsewhere for better jobs, leaving South Dakota with a deficit in the pool of college-educated individuals to enter the work force.
- South Dakota based Native American Natural Foods Introduces a healthy, natural alternative to energy bars. "Tanka Bar"
The Pine Ridge Indian Reservation company came up with the Tanka Bar as a modern-day spinoff of a traditional Lakota food called "wasna" that sustained Great Plains Indians during long trips centuries ago.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Washington State University Serves as Research Partner in Four Newly Formed “Innovation Zones”
The new zones are meant to bring together businesses and research institutions to develop cutting-edge technologies and boost regional economic growth.
- Venture Capital: Startup eyes power for electric vehicles
V2Green's "smart charging" technology allows utilities to control the time, pace and extent of thousands of vehicle charges -- potentially reducing or increasing the loads on the electrical grid.
Non-Profit News
- Internships Vital to Success at University of Montana
Is your company benefiting from this wealth of talent and innovation?
Energy
- Philanthropist (Central Asia Institute), Author ("Three Cups of Tea"), Mountaineer, Greg Mortenson, to Address Baucus Summit
Senator Baucus has brought together people from all different areas, faiths, and walks of life to share what great things are going on in Montana. And it will be great to come together to share our vision for working together to work for the common good.”
Transportation
- Senator Baucus’s Opportunity to Make Montana a National Rural Energy Leader
Urge Sen. Baucus to support a $1B/year in Farm Bill Energy Title funding.
- Can We Bury Global Warming?
As the reality of global warming sinks in, more and more people are hoping against hope for a miracle cure, a way to avert global catastrophe by reducing or stabilizing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
- The Building's Green, But What About The Commute?
The additional energy use from more employees driving to work may well exceed the energy savings realized by the green building.
Montana Education Excellence
- The Associated Students of The University of Montana Office of Transportation Offers Free, Easy Way to Share Rides
Created by the founders of ZipCar, GoLoco uses the development application feature on Facebook to give users an innovative and easy way to save money and reduce their ecological footprints.
Leadership Montana
- Community Conversation About The Future Of The Montana University System, 10/11-12, Missoula And Hamilton, MT
President George M. Dennison and The University of Montana invite you to join Regent Clayton Christian and Commissioner of Higher Education Sheila Stearns for a Community Conversation about the future of the Montana University System and Higher Education in Montana.
- Montana State University Career Fair is largest in school history
"There will be great opportunities to create a launching pad (including internships) for all students."
- University Education Officials Hold Forums at FVCC
State education officials took questions today about why, while Montana’s universities are enjoying a two-year tuition cap, community colleges are not receiving the same perk.
- The Montana Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) Offers Student Groups Opportunity to Raise Funds
“This is an excellent opportunity for student groups to raise funds while increasing awareness of an important, state-wide program — College Goal Sunday,” said Kris MacIntyre, development officer for SAF. “Last year, student groups raised about $4,000 for their efforts.”
- New Montana State University television commercial by Chisel Industries to debut Oct. 6. "Moments of Discovery"
The TV commercials, created by alumni-owned and Bozeman-based Chisel Industries, focus on integrating hands-on, active learning and the discovery of knowledge.
- Upcoming Events - MSU Leadership Institute
Created in 1997 to support leadership development for students, the Montana State University (MSU) Leadership Institute’s objective is to work on a system-wide basis providing, coordinating, planning and organizing leadership opportunities. The Institute provides a variety of student-focused leadership opportunities designed to enhance and provide essential career and life skills.
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