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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jan 8, 2008 |
"You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do." -- Henry Ford
Congratulations to Vision Net for their work with the Boys and Girls Club in Great Falls. How can your company work with your local organizations? "Vision Net Technicians lend expertise to Boys and Girls Clubs" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html---- Promising development announced this week. It will be interesting to follow the success of this company in brining high paying jobs to Montana: "Montana native, Jaimy Clark opens rural outsourcing company in Billings. "About Business Intelligence" http://matr.net/articl ... .html -- and if you haven't heard Dr. Steve Running speak, you owe it to yourself to try and attend this City Club Missoula luncheon: "CCM- Global Climate Change: The Science Is In – Now What? Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Steve Running, 1/18, Missoula" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
2008 Montana Legislature
Boomtown Institute
- Classes in Great Falls, Missoula, Bozeman and Billings offer tips on how to get into public service in Montana
The Campaign Academy is based on national curriculum and covers a variety of topics, from campaign finance rules to demographics.
Come Home Montana
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - Top Ten Trends in 2008
For the past four years I've been invited to tour over 300 towns in 44 states, a privilege that I've treasured in seeing this great country of ours. Here are the trends that I've seen from my journeys that will grow in importance in 2008 and beyond.
Funding and Building your Business
- Grant program helps Montana businesses grow beyond state lines and help former residents "Come Home"
"We've got an extremely loyal, well-eduated work force," he said. "Our community has several young couples who are college graduates who are returning to the area to work on their families' farms and ranches."
- Montana Career Opportunity - Chief Financial Officer - The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)
The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) is a private non-profit organization that is mission driven to help people use sustainable technologies to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities and protect natural resources.
- Montana Career Opportunity - CEO - Montana Municipal Insurance
Montana Municipal Insurance Authority, an interlocal government agency, seeking progressive and experienced CEO for its Helena office.
- Montana Career Opportunity - C.E.O. - Quality Life Concepts, Inc.
Quality Life Concepts, Inc., a private non-profit organization providing services for persons with developmental disabilities, is seeking a Chief Executive Officer at its corporate office in Great Falls, MT.
- Candy billionaire fights energy industry push in Montana
Through his previously undisclosed ownership of the 82,000-acre Diamond Cross ranch, Mars is bringing his fortune to bear on the side of ranchers and conservationists trying to curb the companies' ambitions.
- Montana native, Jaimy Clark opens rural outsourcing company in Billings. "About Business Intelligence"
Eight people are employed right now in Billings but Clark promises to bring 300 to 500 jobs to new jobs within five years.
Education
- What Does a Manager Do? Investors Want to Know
These are the kinds of things that investors regularly look for as they perform their due diligence on the company’s management.
- Sorensen Capital raises larger fund to give Utah and Mountain West firms a boost
The first Sorenson Capital fund had $250 million and invested in 16 companies, with equity of $2.5 million to $20 million going to such well-known firms as Omniture, Mity Enterprises, Provo Craft and Kiddie Kandids.
- Workplace Coach: Leading a team effectively takes special skills
While the benefits of high-performing workplace teams are well known, leading them effectively remains a tremendous challenge for many managers.
- What's so incentivizing about the incentive stock option?
So, given this strict list of requirements, why bother with the ISO? Since the Internal Revenue Code created this animal, you probably won't be surprised that the answer is taxes!
Montana Meth Project
- Colleges turn to Web tools in hunt for '08 freshmen
Think of it as College Admissions 2.0.
University Business Plan Competitions
- Idaho Meth Project Launches Statewide Meth Prevention Campaign
Governor Otter Announces Groundbreaking Anti-Meth Program and Asks Legislature to Appropriate $1 Million in Millennium Fund Support
Connectivity & Communications
- BYU Student Entrepreneurs of the Year Recognized
"The examples provided in this competition create a can-do attitude for aspiring student entrepreneurs."
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Yahoo makes a move to compete for mobile phone Web users
Yahoo believes its Go software gave the company an early advantage in a battle to deliver more advertising and Internet services to the 3 billion mobile phone subscribers.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Ex-Harvard President Meets a Former Student, and Intellectual Sparks Fly. Big Think - “a YouTube for ideas”
Big Think mixes interviews with public intellectuals from a variety of fields, from politics, to law to business, and allows users to engage in debates on issues like global warming and the two-party system.
Montana Business
- TechRanch and Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association Present 2008 Venture Capital and Networking Reception, 01/10, Bozeman
James Wagar, Principal from Buerk Dale Victor, LLC, will present a one hour workshop for entrepreneurs seeking Angel and/or Venture Capital. He will provide an overview of what Venture Capital and Private Equity investors expect from entrepreneurs seeking capital.
Montana Economic Development
- Concerns throw Montana coal plans into limbo. Emissions-free coal plant's cost worries feds
Three years into Gov. Brian Schweitzer’s first term, Montana has heard plenty about coal development — but a profound political shift is throwing serious coal plans here into limbo.
Regional Economic Development
- Montana State University Agricultural Research Centers seeking matching funds for projects
The EARC is currently working on forming a capital campaign committee to be in charge of the entire process for the area.
- Billings Chamber ramps up for tourists
"We can aggressively go after state convention and sports tournaments (that) we haven't been able to recruit in the past."
- 2007 was a good year for economic development funding in Montana..
For more information on these programs or for application forms and application checklists, please visit our website above. Thank you very much and we look forward to assist you making economic development happen for you.
- Montana University regents to share wish list with governor
Talking to the governor early in the year, rather than waiting until the end of the year when the governor's budget is ready to go to the 2009 Legislature, is one strategy suggested to the Board of Regents by its task force on the problem of hiring and keeping good employees.
- Montana should see steady investment in telecommunications over the next five years
Global Insight predicts that will slow somewhat in the next five years, but still be strong. Montana should see another 6.5 percent growth in tech jobs between 2007 and 2012. That ranks it 19th in the nation and ahead of the 5.8 percent national average for that period.
- Cell phones not just a luxury across rural Montana
The ability of your small town to attract, say, a new doctor or small business while the no-cell-service town down the road goes begging is seen as a necessity.
Utah Business
- Technology Firms Flourish in Clusters
A look at the microclusters within Silicon Valley demonstrates the business relationships, the social connections, and the seamless communication that animate the region's economy.
Idaho Business
- Tiny tech company, eXpresso Corp. wins big at CES. Plans to move company to Utah
The California-based company won the award for a software product called eXpresso that enables multiple users to work on the same Microsoft Excel spreadsheet at the same time, while tracking all changes.
Washington State Business
- Utah entrepreneur opens helicopter school in E. Idaho
"I love teaching people that have a passion for this," said Brian Peterson, who on Monday opened a branch of his Helicopter Flight Academy in Idaho Falls. "Everyone should be living the dream."
Other Economies
- Seattle area a new hub for "clean" technology. Colorado could be clean-energy hub
The Pacific Northwest still ranks below the Bay Area and the Northeast in terms of clean-tech investment, but Weaver is among many local techies who see fertile opportunities to address the world's insatiable thirst for energy and the accompanying geopolitical and environmental concerns.
- Tacoma's prize firm looks at other cities
Global financial adviser Russell Investments, downtown Tacoma's largest private employer, will decide this year where to put a new headquarters for 1,100 current employees and more future ones.
- Sirti and Gonzaga University School of Law Announce Sirti IP/BizNet
The first service of its kind in the Northwest, Sirti IP/BizNet is a unique partnership that blends the specialized knowledge of a respected national law school, internationally renowned local law firms and a technology focused state business accelerator to address the business-critical legal requirements of technology-based start-up companies.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- The Next Economy: Martin Murphy, General Manager of Hewlett Packard in Ireland
A genuine knowledge-based economy is achieved by being successful on two fronts: competing for investment in knowledge-based industries and competing for skilled labour/knowledge workers.
- Gov. Doyle proposes new economic development programs for Wisconsin
The proposals, all of which need legislative approval, include bolstering grant and loan programs, increasing tax breaks and speeding up investment in startup businesses.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Innovate or Else: 6 Thinkers' Ideas
"Innovation is the ultimate driver in the improvement of our standard of living by helping us create more value from the resources available to us."
Careers
- Vision Net Technicians lend expertise to Boys and Girls Clubs
"The computer impacts the entire learning process, from how homework is assigned to what kids are expected to learn and know," said Sonya Smith, executive director of the club. "We are so thankful Vision Net is sharing their expertise with us."
Non-Profit News
- On the Job: Know how headhunters work before using one
Employers are still looking to fill key positions, and using headhunters to get the job done.
Energy
- Can Foundations Take the Long View Again?
Foundation directors, trustees and advisers from corporate America have taken a stance that the return on charitable dollars should be tangible and measurable, and should drive capital flow in much the same way that earnings figures do in commerce.
Transportation
- Solar systems arrive in stores
"This brings solar front and center."
- New energy in nuclear power supply battle. Firms jostle to be 1st in line for scarce reactor components
American utilities are moving forward on the next generation of nuclear reactors -- even before they receive government approval to build them.
Montana Education Excellence
- Electric dreams: Plug-in cars are picking up speed and credibility
"Auto companies are doing something similar to pharmaceutical companies: they are looking all over the world to see who has the best technology," says Graeme Purdy, Ilika's chief executive officer. "The core technology is being outsourced - that is a major move."
- Portland's 'Bike Boxes' Seek To Reduce Accidents
Painted intersections aim to prevent a "right hook" -- cars turning in front of cyclists
City Club Missoula
- Program urges Montana girls to flex math muscle. The MIT Women's Initiative and The Montana Governor and First Lady's Science and Math Initiative
The girls' interests and attitude are exactly what Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and his wife, Nancy Schweitzer, hope will come from their Montana Governor and First Lady's Science and Math Initiative.
- CCM- Global Climate Change: The Science Is In – Now What? Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Steve Running, 1/18, Missoula
City Club Missoula forums are open to everyone. You do not need to be a member to attend; however, reservations are required.
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