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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jan 15, 2008 |
"So we went to Atari and said, 'Hey, we've got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or we'll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we'll come work for you.' And they said, 'No.' So then we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, 'Hey, we don't need you. You haven't got through college yet.' " -- Steve Jobs
"Republican Lawmakers in Montana Skeptical About Global Warming Report" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---- I hope any Montana legislators interested in discussing global warming with an expert will attend this City Club Missoula discussion - "CCM- Global Climate Change: The Science Is In – Now What? Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Dr. Steve Running, 1/18, Missoula http://matr.net/articl ... .html
2008 Montana Legislature
Come Home Montana
- Now's a good time to think about running for office in Montana
Considering Montana's term limitations and a growing cynicism about politics among the general populace, encouraging people to run is a high calling indeed.
- Republican Lawmakers in Montana Skeptical About Global Warming Report
Sen. Robert Story, R-Park City, said Montana is too small to make much impact nationally, let alone internationally. "We are not affecting much of anything," Story said. "If we were to shut down the whole state and not produce another ounce, it would not affect much of the world."
Come Home Wyoming
- Montana Career Opportunities - Web Designer, Custom Application Developers and JDE EnterpriseOne Financials Developer - Washington Corporations
Our employees are our most valuable asset. Are you passionate about technology?
- Montana Career Opportunity - Systems Engineer - Corporate Technology Group
Corporate Technology Group is looking for an experienced and certified systems engineer to work out of our Helena location.
- Oscar winner uses Wilsall, Montana as a place to get away from Hollywood
He found the area when he was on a road trip and came across a book of Russell Chatham reproductions. He read that Chatham lived in Livingston and thought it would be a good stop. “I got hooked,” Judkins said Friday. “It was like one of Russell’s paintings.”
Idaho National Laboratory
- Wyoming Career Opportunity - Lovell, Inc., seeks Economic Developer
We are looking for some one with experience economic development, not community development. We need a director with a back ground in business, finance, and/or economic development. Must have dynamic people skills.
PrintingForLess
- Idaho National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest Economic Region Development Group to Announce Partnership
“The Idaho National Laboratory, with its critically important mission and leadership in the area of energy research and development, is an incredible resource not only to the state of Idaho, but to the region,” said Gov. Otter. “I’m excited about the establishment of this partnership between PNWER and INL and this new opportunity to enhance Idaho’s interests and influence within the region.”
Funding and Building your Business
- PrintingForLess.com Helps Big Brothers Big Sisters Raise Over $33,000
“The funds raised for BBBS will help children ages 6 through 18 reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one mentor relationships,” says Andrew Field, PrintingForLess.com Founder and CEO. “By supporting this fine organization, we hope to help build a positive future for children in our local community.”
Business Plan Forums
- Yes, The Tech Skills Shortage Is Real. No, The Tech Skills Shortage Doesn't Exist
Is there an IT talent shortage? Yes. Skilled IT professionals are scarce already, and the short supply is stressing organizational growth plans. Add to this the impending baby boomer retirement bubble, and the situation worsens. As 70 million baby boomers exit the workforce in the next 15 years, only 40 million people will enter the workforce. McKinsey & Co. predicts that over the next three decades the demand for experienced IT professionals between the ages of 35 and 45 will increase by 25%, while the supply will decrease by 15%.
- A smart boss won't muzzle chitchat: It might actually improve morale
"I want people to enjoy coming to the office and working. I want them to get things done, and I don't think the two are mutually exclusive,"
Education
- 24th Annual Investors Choice® Venture Capital Conference -February 7, 2008, Midway, UT Presenting Companies Selected!
This event provides opportunities for high-growth companies to participate in the angel/venture capital process as investors meet with companies seeking capital.
Connectivity & Communications
- Future depends on education - Former governor speaks on needs for greater knowledge
"We can do this job, but it's going to take people outside of the education system to get it done."
- Undergrads Organize University Venture Summit, a Unique Educational Conference on Venture Capital
Students from 20 colleges and universities, including Purdue, UCLA and University of Michigan, will meet Thursday through Saturday for the University Venture Summit, a unique view into the world of entrepreneurship and venture capital that is nearly impossible for them to get elsewhere.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- ViaSat Inc. Satellite promises more and faster internet options for rural Americans
A satellite due to launch in three years promises to expand high-speed Internet services to rural Americans who cannot get access through cable or phone companies.
Incubators and R&D
- Scientists grow working rat heart
"While it still sounds like science fiction, we've hopefully opened a new door in the notion that we can build these tissues and one day provide options for patients with end-stage disease," said Dr. Doris Taylor, director of the Center for Cardiovascular Repair at the University of Minnesota.
Montana Business
- Research Roundup at Montana State University (#273), Fat in Antarctica, Relevant science, Hairy tales, Creeping bias?
Ever wonder how blue the sky is in Big Sky Country or how clean the buttons are on a university elevator?
GIS Technology
- Sokets, Inc. of Bozeman, MT Introducing PlugHound, Lower Your Energy Bill, 1/26, Bozeman, MT
With PlugHound, you can see how your energy is used, how much has been saved. Plus, you can finally see how much better (or worse) you are at using it than others, share and learn from other PlugHounds, track CO2 reductions, and even donate what you’ve saved to help those you choose.
- CNBC's Mike Hegedus travels to Missoula, Montana to take a look at a custom log home business where no trees are necessary. Cultured Log Systems
And in a strange way, it's also more "green" than a real log home. Supplee is thrilled, explaining, "One of the ingredients for "green" construction is building something that will last a long time. A concrete log home will last a lot longer than a real wood log home. And it won't have to be stained every 18 months or treated. It also won't settle and twist."
- Judy Carter Plans to Paint the Town Funny While Speaking at the Missoula Businesswomen's Network Annual Symposium
“The first thing I do when I get in town is find a place to eat,” Carter smiles. “By the time the waitress comes back with my drink order, I’ve already written her new opening and closing lines. Then I sit back and watch her perform the ‘act’ with new customers. She gets bigger tips and I get to see the application of the art.”
- Vision Net Completes Three-State Project for NorthWestern Energy
High-Tech Provider Brings High-Speed Service to 75 Remote Locations
Montana Economic Development
- California Attacks Staff Shortage by Creating Database of Retirees Willing to Work
A new database, known as Boomerang, allows retirees to list their expertise and interests, while simultaneously letting California state agencies search for promising talent.
Idaho Business
- Hub City Pioneers Newsletter - Mission: to build an economic hub in Glendive, Montana
WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? Hub City Pioneers, Inc., a committee of the DCEDC, was incorporated this fall. The mission: to build an economic hub in Glendive, Montana, as explored in the November 2006 Feasibility Report by Jon A. Rudbach, Vice President for Research, University of Montana.
- Montana Business Assistance Connection names new executive director - Terry Myhre
“I’ve always felt Helena was too divided, and working together can be a powerful economic product, if you will,” he said. “That’s always been one of my challenges and goals, and this gives me an opportunity to work with everybody and sell the community and not just a segment of it.”
Washington State Business
- Idaho must be ready if Micron leaves. Commerce director says the state should prepare two budgets - just in case
"(Micron's) either going to stay and everything's great or they're going to leave and everything's bad," Idaho Commerce Director Jim Ellick told the Idaho Statesman.
- Idaho lags behind in film incentives
A legislator is drafting a bill proponents say could earn millions for the state, but a similar bill failed last year.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Washington Technology Center Awards $528,978 in Research Funding
"Washington's economy is driven by creativity and innovation," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire in support of this year's award winners. "And these companies are at the forefront of our effort to build the next Washington. Congratulations to each of you."
Non-Profit News
- Grant from Ron and Kathy Clausen of Rock Creek, Montana to The International Wildlife Media Center to help Montana teens learn wildlife filmmaking
It may involve a fishing trip, but it won't be a walk in the park. Rowell said students who apply to the program should have some previous experience working with wildlife filmmaking - either through the International Wildlife Media Center's programs or some other educational exposure.
Energy
- Yellowstone Foundation gives $3 million to park
The park used the money to landscape Artist Point, the famous promontory overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, to improve hiking trails, restore genetically pure fish, fund education and research programs, and other projects.
- Montana's Student Assistance Foundation (SAF) Awards $115,000 in Circle of Succe$$ Grants
This marks the third year SAF employees contributed money through payroll deductions to help Montana students continue their postsecondary education through the grant program, formerly known as the Acce$$ Circle grant program.
- A quest for knowledge. Montana Mountain man Mortenson brings inspiring tales of charity to Boulder, Colorado. Central Asia Institute
The Central Asia Institute works to help educate all children, but Mortenson is especially concerned with helping girls. That wasn't easy while Afghanistan was ruled by the Taliban, which restricted freedoms of women and girls. Being an American who wanted to educate girls was a quick way to make enemies. It was essential for Mortenson, though.
Transportation
- Study: Digital tools help homeowners save on energy
Would Americans power down, unplug and flip the switch if they knew exactly how much electricity they were consuming and exactly how much they could save by consuming less?
Montana Education Excellence
- Cost of flight from Lewistown to Billings makes ‘Time’ magazine
“Periodically, there are articles printed on this but it’s important to note that these services are essential to our state. The costs are high because of fuel and other costs, but it would be damaging to the state to be without it.
- Montana's education funding dilemma
Politically, the governor is on firm ground. There is a growing perception among Montanans — and not just fiscal conservatives — that school funding is becoming a black hole into which money disappears no matter how much is appropriated. Of course the situation is far more complicated than that, but these days the onus is on school officials to explain their financial plight in ways that both political leaders and the average Montanan can understand.
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