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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Feb 5, 2008 |
"We would accomplish many more things if we did not think of them as impossible." -- Vince Lombardi
Education in Montana is the key to our future. Striving to make it the best system possible is not an impossible goal. "Montana State Senator Rick Laible, R-Darby pushes Republicans on education" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Butte public schools: Parents launch education foundation" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Welcome to Montana State University Extension’s Community Resources Program - “To support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America.” http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Boomtown Institute
Come Home Washington
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - What We Know About the Millennials - Conclusion
We're going to need those Millennials.
Idaho National Laboratory
- Business Friendly Climate in Colfax, Washington Helps Medical Micro Machining Relocate from California with Ease
The move from Simi Valley, Calif. to Colfax, Wash. was not only easier than anticipated, it came with some unexpected economic benefits.
Funding and Building your Business
- The Electric Power Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory Announce Release of R&D Plan Focused on Near-Term Increase in Nuclear Energy Production
The plan sets forth two strategies that must be employed for nuclear energy to play a substantial role in meeting future U.S. energy needs.
Education
- 92 per cent of VCs expect to axe founders
In a survey of 52 venture capitalist firms, 92 per cent said they expected to replace a company founder with a new chief executive, and 70 per cent predicted that they would get through at least two different company heads before either selling or listing the business.
- Clear signs your business is in distress
Small business owners should plan for failure as much as success, experts say.
- Focus on winning just small percentage of market ill-advised
Tell me if this pitch sounds familiar: "If we could capture just 1 percent of the market for this product, we could do more than $500 million in sales. And that's with just 1 percent of it."
- "The Industry Standard" is BACK!!!
The Industry Standard launched Monday in a new online-only format, with news and analysis on the Internet economy and a social networking twist.
- Angel capital and the HotorNot approach
I have seldom moderated a panel with better-qualified members than this:
Montana Meth Project
- Schools fail to teach innovation. U.S. teens say they aren't being prepared well for technology, engineering careers
The survey's news is not all bad: It reveals enormous optimism among America's youth--provided educators are savvy enough to change the way their schools teach.
- Online Teacher Network Launched. How best to effectively incorporate technology into the classroom.
Promotes the exchange of ideas and methods on how best to effectively incorporate technology into the classroom.
- Turning Business Education on its Head
"I've spent 15 years trying to convince companies that they needed to start schools to do this,"
University Business Plan Competitions
- Yellowstone Club And Montana Meth Project Host Benefit Ski Race And Auction, 2/28, Big Sky, Montana
Proceeds will support the Montana Meth Project’s statewide prevention program, which is credited with reducing Meth use among teens by 45% and Meth-related crime by 52% in two years.
Connectivity & Communications
- Santa Clara University to Host Annual Venture Capital Investment Competition
The Venture Capital Investment Competition (VCIC) is the nation's premiere strategy competition for venture-minded and entrepreneurial MBA students.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Cable damage that disrupts Net seen as 'wake-up call'
Although disruptions to larger US firms were not widespread, the outage raised questions about the Internet's vulnerability. One analyst called it a "wake-up call," and another cautioned that no one was immune.
- The Mobile WiMAX train has left the station
Mobile WiMAX will allow users to have on-the-go access to data-intensive applications, such as broadband Internet, online multimedia, live video conferencing, mobile TV and music downloads.
- Overhaul of net addresses begins
The net's current addressing scheme is expected to exhaust the pool of unallocated addresses by 2011.
- FCC, USDA Launch Rural Broadband Web Site
The site provides information on the different technology platforms that can be used to provide broadband service, how to access spectrum necessary for delivery of wireless broadband services, government funding for broadband services, relevant FCC and USDA proceedings and initiatives, and data on broadband deployment.
Incubators and R&D
- The Touchable Food and Wine Tasting Menu
The high class restaurant in NYC offers a touchable electronic menu for customers. The wine menu enables users to choose a type, country, region, and finally a specific wine to order. The electronic menu is gaining popularity; Atari founder Nolan Bushnell plans to introduce restaurants where waiters aren't even necessary later this year.
Regional Business
- MSU alumnus, John Dolan gains inventor accolades for device that helps answer several questions that have plagued head and neck pain researchers for some time
“How do we know when an animal is or is not in pain? How do we know if an analgesic (painkiller) is working or not?” he said. “It had been a lasting problem in craniofacial research.”
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Interview with Mark Solon, Highway 12 Ventures
Our investment thesis as a firm, the reason Highway 12 exists, is we believe there is unprecedented opportunity in the Intermountain West for startup companies. Three of the five fastest growing states in the country are in our target market.
- SBA tries to remain strong ally in tough times
If the economy is headed for a serious downturn, or worse, how will this affect small business?
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Kalispell filmmaker's movie goes Hollywood.- “Dead Noon”
“High Noon” meets “Dawn of the Dead”
Montana Business
- Missoula group promotes investment of IRAs for local socially conscious investing
“Launching this in a place like Missoula, where people are so dedicated and so charitable, it is entirely possible this could stick,” Robinson said. “It takes a social entrepreneur like Wayne to make this work.”
Montana Economic Development
- Cabela's says new Billings, Montana store will now open in May 2009
Cabela's Chief Financial Officer Ralph Kastner says the company now plans to begin construction on a Billings store this fall, with its opening scheduled for May 2009.
- Blackfoot Telecommunications tests value of montana.com name. $310,100 isn't enough to buy it.
“We don't see it as a tech portal that's about our business,” Amazon said. “It really asks to be a site about the state, so that's where our thinking is right now.”
Regional Economic Development
- The Montana Economic Revitalization and Development Institute of Butte gets $7.5M polysilicon recycling project
“We did a nine-month feasibility study before moving on this,” Kambich said. “This is just another example of good, solid economic development, part of our mission at MERDI.”
Government Technology
- Rural Grant Opportunity - Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program
In the Grant Program, the focus is on funding end-user equipment that operates via telecommunications to connect students and teachers or medical providers and patients in separate rural locations.
- The New American Gentry. Wealthy folks are colonizing rural areas, bringing cash, culture -- and controversy
With the Internet allowing people to work from almost anywhere, the distinction between first and second homes has become blurred.
Idaho Business
- Beyond CRM and 311: Strategies for Improving Government Services
Governments worldwide face a growing gap between the level of service citizens expect from government and what they believe they're actually getting.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Idaho loses 500 farms, ranches from from 2006 to 2007
The decline in the number of farms and land in farms reflects a continuing consolidation in farming operations and diversion of agricultural land to nonagricultural uses, the service said.
- Idaho Energy council member touts nuclear energy
"Nuclear energy is a proven energy source," he said. "It has some political and social acceptance that needs to be overcome."
- Infrastructure a barrier to attracting new business to Idaho
The Department of Commerce played a role in attracting 20 new companies to the state last year.
Careers
- Welcome to Montana State University Extension’s Community Resources Program - “To support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America.”
The overall activities of the Community Resources Program are designed to assist in achieving the goals of the MSU Extension Service and the national strategic goal of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES) – “To support increased economic opportunities and improved quality of life in rural America.”
Non-Profit News
- Résumé advice for the over-50 crowd
Those with lengthy work histories must keep résumés brief and adjust to today's digital times, career specialist say.
- Business cards often make first impression
"It's the least expensive form of advertising that one has."
Energy
- Putting Entrepreneurship in the Social Sector
Despite the best of intentions and trillions of dollars worth of assets, nonprofits have been unable to solve many of society's worst ills.
Montana Education Excellence
- Smaller Cities Make Plans for Sustainability
It’s important to distinguish between the hope, the hype, and the reality.
- The Montana Environmental Quality Council Is Surveying Public about Climate Change Plan. What do you think?
"The topic of global warming and its many causes and possible solutions is extremely complex. We wanted to make sure the format of this survey offered the public the opportunity to thoroughly address the subject and provide feedback on potential solutions." Sen. David Wanzenried
Community
- A leader in online education in Montana for a decade, MSU Billings positions itself for the future
“Online education has grown into an important component of our university, both for students and for our faculty,” said Interim Provost George White. “Students appreciate the convenience, but they also understand the academic excellence is at the core of the program because the majority of the classes are taught by our regular faculty.”
- Montana State Senator Rick Laible, R-Darby pushes Republicans on education
“Our students and our education system are not liabilities; they’re our assets.” Sen. Rick Laible
- Butte public schools: Parents launch education foundation
“We really think this is a good way to promote public schools, assist them and recognize the good work they do,” said Mulcaire-Jones.
City Club Missoula
- Small businesses, developers debate resort affordable housing
On one side are developers with ample legal help in fighting proposals to build affordable housing near high-end properties, or to fend off higher taxes to pay for housing. On the other are the small business owners and wage-earners who plead with city and state officials to do something before they and their businesses have to move away. About 30 retail shops in Ketchum have closed in less than two years.
- City Club Missoula - Missoula Reveals Its Newest Riverfront Park, 2/15, Missoula
Bring your ideas and questions about Missoula’s newest 14.5 acre riverfront park and its unique, traditionally built shelters and how you can be involved in a Missoula community project.
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