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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Aug 22, 2008 |
"How does one keep from "growing old inside"? Surely only in community. The only way to make friends with time is to stay friends with people…. Taking community seriously not only gives us the companionship we need, it also relieves us of the notion that we are indispensable." Robert McAfee Brown
Rural communities that are trying to foster better economic opportunities by developing technology may find this story interesting. Technology can be implemented inexpensively: "$8,500 Mesh Network Creates Low-Cost Muni Wi-Fi for Kentucky Town" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Idaho National Laboratory
MAPS™ : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Next generation nuclear plant inches ahead due to new technology developed at the Idaho National Laboratory
The reason current licensing regulations need to be adapted is that the NGNP, being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory, would be a high temperature gas-cooled reactor capable of operating at temperatures of about 1,700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Montana Meth Project
- Media Arts In The Public Schools (MAPS) Says Thanks With Free Concert, 8/22, Hamilton, Montana
When many folks retire they are content to putter around, travel and generally take it easy. Not Peter Rosten.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montana meth ads winning drug battle
If you live in Montana, the chances are that you have almost certainly seen or heard the ads on television or radio, ending with the slogan: "Meth - not even once."
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Microsoft To Build $500 Million Iowa Data Center
"In making its decision, Microsoft recognized what we in Iowa have known all along—our workforce and quality of life makes Iowa the best place for business," said Culver.
Montana Business
- Business boot camps are teaching disabled veterans the skills to start small companies.
In more ways than one, the veterans may have an advantage in entrepreneurship courses.
Montana Economic Development
- NorthWestern Energy donates $500,000 to help low income customers in Montana struggling with rising energy costs.
NorthWestern is donating $200,000 to home weatherization for low-income residents through Gov. Brian Schweitzer's Warm Homes Warm Hearts program. Schweitzer has recently released $1 million in emergency funds for low-income weatherization. NorthWestern also donated $200,000 to Energy Share of Montana and $100,000 to the Montana Food Bank Network.
Regional Economic Development
- Butte wind turbine plant put on hold
Barrett said, despite the high demand for turbines, a regional market for the Butte plant needs to be developed. "So we're contacting all the wind energy companies and saying, ‘Have you thought about buying turbines for the Butte plant?' because the longer there's a cue of purchasers, the longer the more viable a plant is. As I say, they have a $2 billion backlog of turbine demand, so we have to develop the demand within 1,000 miles surrounding Butte," he said.
- Montana groups critical of draft climate-change recommendations
"While we support almost any meaningful approach to reducing greenhouse gases in Montana ... we are profoundly disappointed by the limited number and scope of solutions proposed by the EQC."
Careers
- The Flood of 'Amenity Migrants' Alter Life In Resort Towns
Scenic resort towns are increasingly attracting older residents, creating a population boom that far surpasses growth rates in many cities and urban areas.
Economic Gardening
- New Jobs, Old-School Methods - Alumni associations can help your employment search
Even if you've been out of school for many years, alumni associations have a lot to offer throughout your working life.
- How to Tell If Your Boss Is Crazy
Here are the main personality disorders as they relate to your boss.
Funding and Building your Business
- Economic Gardening at the Lowe Foundation
This approach focuses on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship within a local economy by focusing carefully on the needs and strategic options of entrepreneurs and growth-oriented companies.
Incubators and R&D
- 10 Must-Do Steps Before Termination
Terminations cause hard feelings, create economic need, and destroy feelings of loyalty, says today’s expert. What can HR do?
- What are the pros and cons of investment from a strategic entity?
Let us first look to the positives. Usually the biggest perk is the ability for a strategic investor to be able to accelerate and help your business in ways that a venture capitalist can't.
- MSU-Billings business plan program helps both students and business owners
Senior business students at Montana State University-Billings are looking for new businesses that want help in devising business plans.
- Jason Calacanis On How To Get PR For Your Startup
My philosophy of PR is summed up in six words: be amazing, be everywhere, be real.
- Inside Entrepreneurship: Hiring home-based workers comes with employer obligations
Are there any human resource issues that I should be aware of that could get me in trouble?
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana State University biofilms research helps set standards for everyday products
Montana State University scientist Darla Goeres knows that there is more than one way to grow a biofilm, a fact that she uses to make sure that when a product claims it kills "99 percent" of bacteria, it really does the job.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Distance Learning Opportunities Available in the Montana University System
“Distance education is a great way for Montanans to save on the cost of education,” said Governor Brain Schweitzer.
- MCEE distributes new economic education modules to Montana teachers
The council worked with several MSU economics professors to design 16 Economic Learning Modules to help K-12 teachers incorporate economic lessons with ease and relevance, Fretwell said. The modules were specifically designed for teachers with little or no formal economic training.
- University of Montana law school dean, Ed Eck announces plans to retire
UM Provost Royce Engstrom says the announcement sets in motion a national search for Eck's replacement.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- TV Show To Spotlight Montana Businesses 9/21 at 7PM on PBS
Eleven Big Sky country businesses will be featured in episodes of the student production “Business: Made in Montana” Thursday, Aug. 21 on Montana PBS.
Idaho Business
- 2008 Idaho Regional SBIR/STTR Conference, 10/28-39, Boise, Idaho
Get the help you need after the conference to be successful.
Oregon Economic Development
- Boise firm, M2E Power, develops shake-and-charge battery
The new technology could give your favorite handheld gadgets a new lease on life. All it would take is walking around with them in your pocket.
- California vitamin manufacturer, Palmer Natural Products, sets up shop in 'business-friendly' Star, Idaho
"We chose Idaho because it's a business-friendly climate," said Larry Leach, president and CEO of Palmer Natural Products. "Star was very anxious to have us here."
Washington State Business
- Tax Incentive Program Funds Six Oregon State Research Projects
"Some amazingly innovative work is coming out of Oregon State, and this venture funding, provided by the citizens of Oregon, will help translate new knowledge into viable business ventures," said John Cassady, OSU vice president for research. "This is just the beginning. As more people give to the venture fund, additional awards can be made, spurring more innovations like these."
- Finding Why Some Rural Places Remain Poor - Part of the cause, or just the result of poverty?
What does it take for a rural place to be economically vibrant?
Education
- Seattle firm, MagicWheels Inc., reinventing the wheel - Complex gear helps wheelchair users navigate difficult terrain
"People who have them absolutely love them."
Community
- “Addressing the Educational Achievement Gap of Native American Students in Washington State”
“Indian education dates back to a time when all children were considered gifted and talented,” said Pavel, who leads the research team. “That is our vision for Indian education today.”
- The College of Idaho highly ranked in Forbes.com college survey
"The College of Idaho is known locally and regionally as a high quality liberal arts college and we are pleased to receive national recognition," Hoover said. "These rankings indicate that we are comparable to better-known and more expensive liberal arts colleges in our region and certainly much higher ranked than the big regional institutions."
Connectivity & CommunicationsEnergy
- FCC Chairman Martin wants free broadband available across USA, especially rural areas
High-speed Internet access is so important to the welfare of U.S. consumers that America can't afford not to offer it — free of charge — to anybody who wants it, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin says.
- $8,500 Mesh Network Creates Low-Cost Muni Wi-Fi for Kentucky Town
Prestonsburg developed its system using equipment from Meraki, a Mountain View, Calif., startup that offers a do-it-yourself approach to building Wi-Fi networks.
- 'Can you see me now?' Sign language over cell phones comes to United States courtesy of the University of Washington
This is the first time two-way real-time video communication has been demonstrated over cell phones in the United States.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Free expertise available - USDA/RD Renewable Energy Grants and more....
Dr. Warren Stallings is interested in assisting (free of charge) applicants putting together their applications for the USDA Rural Development's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Grant and Guarantee program. He also has an affiliation with Chevron Renewable Energy Solutions.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Just right for the garden: a mini-cow
First chickens... now cows in backyards...
Global Telework
- Australian Startup, Austhink Software Aims To Make The Workplace, And The World, Smarter
While it sounds esoteric, Austhink describes bCisive as an everyday productivity tool that can be used to create and communicate business cases, share ideas, build consensus, collaborate, and document the reasoning behind business decisions.
- Intel lights bulb with wireless power
Imagine juicing up your laptop computer or cellphone without plugging it into an electrical socket. That's a luxury that could be provided...
Non-Profit News
- Get tough on telecommuting: 6 questions to ask before you say yes
Proceed cautiously -- telework can change office dynamics in ways you hadn't anticipated
- Mortenson builds hope for Pakistan - Pakistan to honor Greg Mortenson of Bozeman, Montana (Central Asia Institute) for his efforts to educate the children of Pakistan and Afghanistan
“The credit and this (diplomacy) award should go to the incredible, amazing and dedicated communities of Pakistan and Afghanistan, who have the courage to seek out education and literacy, sometimes while even risking their lives.”
- The Art Of Leadership-"Marketing Tune-Up: Grow Your Audience And Your Bottom Line", 10/3-4, Missoula
Registration is open to teams from all Montana-based 501(c)(3) arts organizations.
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