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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jul 22, 2008 |
“Wisdom is the art of knowing what to overlook.” William James
Two great examples of excellence in Montana education: "Medical School Scholarships Available for Montana Students" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html and "University of Montana Ranks In Top 10 For Preparing Elementary Teachers In Math" http://matr.net/articl ... .html
2009 Montana Legislature
Vision Net
- Montana Public Asked to Comment on Climate Change Study, Draft Bills
The full report, "Climate Change: An Analysis of Climate Change Policy Issues in Montana," is available online at: http://www.leg.mt.gov/eqc.
Boomtown Institute
- As Travel Costs Rise, More Meetings Go Virtual
“These technology tools are going to change the way corporations think about travel and work in the long run.”
City Club Missoula
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - Good News for U.S. Small Businesses
These are sure signs that this economy is doing much better than the national media would have you believe.
Come Home Montana
- City Club Missoula - University of Montana scientist, Scott Debnam, shares stories of Rumsfeld phone calls, possible reasons for bee colony collapse
He stopped the crowd in its tracks when he revealed the Rumsfeld-initiated roadblock to find and remove landmines.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- A Sweet Spot in Montana - Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is quite simply a find. The fact that it's about 30 miles from the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a bonus.
Montana Business
- The Sorted Nation: A Discussion with Authors Bill Bishop and Richard Florida – Part Three
Planetizen talks with authors Bill Bishop and Richard Florida about how American cities and communities are increasingly attracting people with similar personality types, professional interests and voting preferences -- trends they've each documented in new books.
Montana Economic Development
- A Guide to Glacier’s Rivers for More Than 30 Years - Glacier Raft Company
A multitude of guides descends on West Glacier every May, and no business has been employing a good chunk of them for as long as the Glacier Raft Company.
- My day with the ranchers of Montana
I encourage anyone who lives in the West to spend a day walking and chatting with a rancher on his land. You will walk away more enriched, more knowledgeable about land management, and understand how crucial this threatened way of life is on our Western landscape.
- Montana's Goomzee.com touted 'Most professional; exceptional service; wholly recommended' at Texas Technology Fair
I am very pleased with the product and see how we can use it to maximize our real estate businesses. I wholly recommend the product and their company.
- Ravalli Machine Shop, Bitterroot Tool & Machine (BTM) LLC, Awarded USDA Grant
BTM produces aircraft parts for a company that sells to impressive multi-national customers.
- REC Silicon secures $1 billion in sales contracts
REC Silicon manufactures silicon materials at two facilities: one in Moses Lake Washington and the other in Silver Bow County, Montana.
Regional Economic Development
- Opportunity Link 2nd Quarter 2008 Newsletter
Opportunity Link Announces Partnership with Rural Dynamics for Economic Development Initiatives
- Developers’ packets: smart tool for economic growth in Anaconda, Montana
It sounds like they’re doing everything right, and we wish them success. Appropriate economic development anywhere in southwest Montana benefits us all.
- Montana is among top 10 states for business climate excellence. 2008 Business Facilities Rankings Report
Our annual look at the top-ranked localities reflects the fierce competition driving economic development across all regions.
- Big Sky EDA picks new director from Colorado. Welcome to Steve Arveschoug
"His extensive public-private sector project experience, including downtown capital improvement development, water resource management and community visioning projects - with the added bonus of having Montana ties - made Steve our first choice," said Ted White, chairman of the Big Sky EDA board.
Careers
- 'Megapolitans' in the West may be facing mega troubles
"We celebrate the Western 'can do' spirit, but these places can't do it alone."
- Study projects up to $85 billion in lost economic opportunity annually if new electricity transmission not built in Pacific Northwest
If the top five planned transmission projects in the Pacific Northwest are not built, the region will lose out on $55-85 billion in economic activity and up to 60,000 jobs annually over the next 25 years
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- LinkedIn mastermind, Reid Hoffman molds Web's social fate
Companies in which he made early investments have sold for a collective $1.4 billion, and he has many more in the pipeline.
Funding and Building your Business
- Wanted: Angels in the country
Proposal may bolster angel investment in rural areas. "Without angel networks, it's very hard to start companies"
Incubators and R&D
- Broadsided by the Internet
A new book by two researchers explains how companies' reputations can be tarnished by the cacophony of Internet commentary, and how they can fight back
- Businesses Fail To Harness Full Potential Of Online Communities
The Deloitte survey found that businesses use online communities to generate ideas, discover products, and discuss brands, but many fail to draw a critical mass.
- 15 Tips for Leaders on How to Communicate During a Crisis
"Remain Calm, All is Well!" Animal House
- Start-Ups Need a Jump-Start
A young start-up in a field relevant to the government grant world has a conundrum when it considers taking VC money - it no longer will be eligible to receive non-dilutive government grants.
- Burnout beckons for those starting businesses
It's an obstacle not to let the business run you.
- Firing with dignity sets good example, lays groundwork for goodwill
While parting company is a tough thing to do, there are definitely good and bad ways to go about it.
Montana Education Excellence
- Research Roundup at Montana State University (#279), Ancient cave, Dinosaur babies, Jittery eyes, Gateway monuments
Do the signs that welcome visitors to town make them feel so welcome that they spend money in the community?
- Montana State University researcher uses grant to study little-known but largely useful microbes
"Microbes have global impacts," Fields said. "They can grow fast and in large numbers, and there is always power in numbers."
- University of Wyoming conference addresses hydrogen energy - highlights U.S.-Israeli energy relations
"The idea that we can control our own energy systems using hydrogen is an alluring concept. Engineers, economists, economic development people, environmentalists and even the more traditional energy players are all embracing what hydrogen might be able to do."
- Paleontologists to gather at Montana State University in 2009
The symposium will be hosted by Horner and MSU paleontologists David Varricchio and Frankie Jackson, with Darla Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary.
- If You Have a Problem, Ask Everyone Through InnoCentive
InnoCentive, a company that links organizations (seekers) with problems (challenges) to people all over the world (solvers) who win cash prizes for resolving them.
University TechTransfer
- Medical School Scholarships Available for Montana Students
We are offering 20 pre med graduates the opportunity to enter our school as Chick Sanders Scholarship recipients for the upcoming September semester.
- A new way to teach nursing at Montana Tech in Butte, Montana
"Most nursing students are being prepared well in the technical aspects of the job, but many go from an academic setting into the work world lacking some of the 'soft skills' needed to survive and succeed."
- Centralized Support for Distance Learning in Montana
We recognize that collaboration on e-learning initiatives at a somewhat high level does not apply to everyone, nor should it. However, in a state as large as Montana—with a central system of eight campuses plus three community colleges—we need to look at what we can do better together to develop and deliver high-quality online education to our students and citizens.
Idaho Business
- Wisconsin's smaller universities stake research, tech transfer claims
“All the leading colleges train students in research and development,” John noted. “It improves their career activities and generates productive ideas.”
Oregon Business
- Effort to build Palo Alto, CA fiber optic network may come from Boise, Idaho
The team of 35 in the Treasure Valley coordinates and oversees other large-scale fiber optic, fiber-hybrid and wireless connection projects around the country, including two in Washington, three in California and two in Utah.
Utah Economic Development
- More venture capital flows to Oregon
While not as strong as a banner VC haul during the first half of 2007, the $130 million that Oregon companies raised in the first part of the year is very healthy by the state's historical standards.
Wyoming Business
- Utah offers incentives to lure jobs
Ogden could land more than 650 jobs over 15 years and a Salt Lake company could add 200 jobs paying twice the county median wage if companies awarded state incentives Friday take the offers.
- Grow Utah Ventures Launches Concept to Company Contest
This is just the beginning of the Concept to Company awards program, as Grow Utah Ventures plans to launch a series of entrepreneur contests across the state in the next year or so. Each contest will focus on that particular region’s industry strength, he said. “We want to send the signal that we’re committed to help Utah businesses grow.”
Education
- Residents envision Pinedale, Wyoming outdoor school
"The emphasis will be placed on studying the natural environment in a pristine venue ... and to develop educational training programs related to tourism."
Connectivity & Communications
- If you need a good laugh, try reading through these children's science exam answers
Q: How can you delay milk turning sour? A: Keep it in the cow.
Energy
- Twitter took off from simple to 'tweet' success
"What are you doing?"
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Canadian community's dealings with wind farms may give idea of what's coming
"How many is too many?"
- Texas Approves a $4.93 Billion Wind-Power Project
“This project will almost put Texas ahead of Germany in installed wind.”
- Energy crisis has University of Utah building up nuclear power program
"Nuclear is the cleanest way to generate electrical power and the United States does have the technology and the uranium ore. There's no reason not to be generating more of our power with nuclear plants," said dean Rich Brown.
Non-Profit News
- iPhone Dev Team Releases Jailbreak Software
The hacker group's PwnageTool 2.0 software allows iPhone users to load non-Apple-approved applications on their handsets.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Gap in foundation assets widens between have and have-not states
Montana held $442.8 million in foundation assets in 2005 to rank 49th among the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the report said.
Transportation
- Bollywood calling in New Mexico
Since 2003, more than 100 films and television projects have been shot in New Mexico, bringing about $1.8 billion to the economy.
- The Car of Tomorrow Has an Extension Cord
Forget hydrogen. The car of the future has an extension cord and a great big laptop battery.
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