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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Sep 16, 2008 |
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." -- Thomas A Edison
The MATR events calendar http://matr.net/events.phtml is full of great opportunities for you to network and learn with others who are striving for success. If do any manufacturing, hope you've made your reservations for this valuable conference: "Compete Smart 2008, 10/2-3, Missoula" http://matr.net/events ... =2415
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
Idaho National Laboratory
- Law360 Spotlights Dorsey Whitney’s Cutting-Edge E-Discovery Service
Electronic discovery has become increasingly prevalent in litigation since several revisions to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure went into effect at the end of 2006.
Missoula Children's Theatre
- Idaho National Laboratory and Idaho Farm Bureau Federation sign energy crop collaboration agreement
The MOU includes collaboration efforts on testing of varied grasses that are intended to be dedicated energy crops, while at the same time focusing on the harvesting, collection and preparation of cellulosic and other feedstocks for biofuels processing.
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- "The Little Red Truck" Opening this weekend in New York, Tallahassee and Bend, Oregon - Spread the word
Please help get the word out to your contacts about the "The Little Red Truck" film opening in the following locations:
Come Home Montana
- Upcoming Wheeler Conference - room reservation completed?
The forum is designed for all those with a tie to the transportation sector (both public and private), government planners at all levels, transportation economists, contractors, legislators, business owners, ranchers and farmers, tourism-dependent businesses, anyone who relies on moving goods through the state, and those with an interest in learning more about and helping solve Montana's transportation problems.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montana Career Opportunity - Engineer Analyst - Northwestern Energy
Engineer/Analyst NorthWestern Energy has an immediate opening for an Engineer/ Analyst in our System Operations Control Center (SOCC) in Butte, Montana.
2008 Montana Legislature
- Housing cost lower in the Midwest - Sioux City dreamin’
Eight out of the top 10 most expensive housing markets in the U.S. are in California, while eight Midwestern cities are among the 10 most affordable markets
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- State legislators urge passage of 6-mill levy for Montana university system
The 6-mill levy provides more than $13 million a year from property taxes to Montana’s colleges and universities. It is renewed by voters by referendum every 10 years.
Montana Business
- The University of Montana, the School of Business Administration, and the Montana Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs will hold their fourth annual Lewis & Clark Pioneer in Industry Awards on October 3, 2008
Celebrating entrepreneurship by recognizing success and inspiring the future.
Montana Economic Development
- ATM business at Wellington Technologies of Billings, Montana grows by making a good machine better
Eighty percent of Wellington Industries' sales are done over the Internet, and the ATMs are mostly placed out of state.
- Goomzee.com of Missoula, Montana Revamps Website and Brands Realty Connect
As the industry shifts away from the term 'agent' and towards sales 'representative', we felt the Realty Connect name would serve as a 'future-proof' brand within the industry."
- Big Sky Biofuels offers on-farm seed crushing, biodiesel conversion
If Paul R. Miller has his way, farmers will soon begin powering their tractors and combines with fuel that they grow themselves.
- Montana not feeling full force of nation's economic troubles
"We are repeatedly seeing signs that Montana's current economic climate is far better than most of the nation's."
Regional Economic Development
- New report highlights cooperative efforts between Montana, tribes
According to the report released Thursday, there were nearly 500 cooperative agreements and programs in effect this fiscal year in Montana, covering economic development, human services, the environment, education and justice issues.
- Missoula County posts Plum Creek easement info on its Web site
Earlier this year, county officials expressed alarm about a tentative easement amendment that they say could lead to increased development of Plum Creek lands in remote areas and perhaps drive up the cost of providing public services, such as fire protection.
- $100K federal grant goes to Yellowstone Airport
"Sixty-six communities applied for this Small Community Air Service Development Grant and we're one of only sixteen who received it," said airport manager Tony Bean
- Advancing American Indian Economies - National conference aims to increase Indian contract opportunities
At last week’s national Native American Procurement Conference in Kalispell participants took part in an event akin to speed dating. They were searching for the perfect mate, someone with all the right assets: similar goals, healthy financials and opportunity for lasting commitment.
- Readers pan “The West’s Learning Center” as brand for Helena, Montana
"Learning can occur everywhere for everyone. Let’s not spend any more money on outside consultants."
Careers
- Boise tech start ups impress at Venture Capital in the Rockies Fall Conference
A total of 13 companies presented at the event, with only Balihoo and M2E hailing from Idaho. The other presenters came from Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Utah, and included a provider of construction integration software, a firm that makes small nuclear reactors and a regional Web-based news service.
Funding and Building your Business
- Nuclear plants looking for new hires
The country is on the verge of a building boom for nuclear plants, but after almost three decades of inactivity, it's just starting to train the workers it will need.
- Be proactive to protect your online reputation
Checking once a week for online information about you is important.
- Are You Limiting Yourself?
“Try to discover what it is you most dislike in others, what you most often criticize and condemn them for. A little elementary self-analysis may reveal that those qualities are hidden in the depths of your own mind and that in criticizing others in this way you are, in fact, unconsciously criticizing yourself.”
Incubators and R&D
- Information Security Training, 10/21-24, Helena, Montana
Regardless of organization size, IT security is a serious issue and is a specialized skill that requires continual training.
- Event Notification Compete Smart 2008 Oct. 2-3 in Missoula
Carey Hester, Director of the Montana US Export Assistance Center (US Commercial Service), will teach a session on exporting. The conference has other great content that you don't want to miss, including breakout sessions that offer tools to grow both the bottom line and top line sides of your business
- Can your business survive in the dark? "Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses"
It is imperative for small business owners to develop contingency plans that can help mitigate losses in the face of a variety of unexpected disasters.
- Fall Venture Capital Conference Bids Adieu to Sun Valley
In his closing comments to attendees, conference chairman Mark Solon announced that next year's fall event would be held in Park City, a mountain resort town some 30 miles east of Salt Lake City, Utah. Park City annually hosts the Sundance Film Festival. It was also the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Workplace Coach: Your top talent is likely on hunt for new job
Consider what it would mean to your business to lose key contributors, who would exit with their critical company knowledge or account relationships.
- Wall Street Journal revises site to boost free content, add comments
By embracing social-networking tools popular elsewhere, the Journal hopes to draw even more people to its site more often for longer stays. Alan Murray, a deputy managing editor who oversees the site's editorial operations, said the Journal can offer an unmatched community of well-heeled business executives.
- Peer-to-Patent program taps wisdom of masses
"There are too many lawyers and not enough inventors involved with the patent system."
Manitoba Business
- 3 Idaho universities receive five-year, $15 million research grant to study the effects of climate change on water resources.
The grant money will be used by the University of Idaho, Boise State University and Idaho State University to study the Snake River and Salmon River watersheds.
- Research Roundup at Montana State University (#28), Smoky bears, Brucellosis challenges, Schizophrenic link, Susceptible area?
What is there about Eastern Montana that lends itself to West Nile virus and bluetongue?
- NASA awards $485M Mars project to University of Colorado
The mission will focus on the Martian atmosphere, how it evolved and lost its water to make of Mars the desolate place it is today.
Montana Education Excellence
- Manitoba Boosts 'Inland Port' Plan
The government of Manitoba hopes to take advantage of Winnipeg's location near the geographic centre of North America to build an "inland port" to funnel imports through the continent on improved highways and rail links.
Idaho Business
- Preparation, curiosity led Tech grad to open new avenues for learning
"The point is, I would advise high school students to take as many advanced prep classes as they can prior to college."
- High schoolers in Great Falls, Montana put to work for 'The Company'
The students are employees who report to the student manager in each class. They must "clock in" at the beginning of the class period, and Kelly Parsons, business education teacher at CMR, said when students doesn't show up for work, they are called to come in, just like they would be in the workplace.
- Campaign helps spread kindness in Montana schools - Rachel's Challenge
The goal of Rachel's Challenge is to change school climates so that everyone feels welcome and accepted.
South Dakota Economic Development
- University of Idaho rebounds from 5-year slump
The school reported the biggest percentage of enrollment growth among the state's three largest public universities this fall.
- Kootenai County, Idaho an economic gem - 2nd on Milken Institute's Best Performing Small Cities
Coeur d'Alene, and the rest of Kootenai County, was recently listed second on the Milken Institute's Best Performing Small Cities list of 2008.
- Efficiency helps lumber mill in Grangeville, Idaho turn a profit
Bennett said the mill is still making a profit even though lumber prices have fallen about 40 percent from their peak in 2004 and 2005. Employment has climbed to 165. Output recently has remained flat despite the slowdown in home construction.
- More than 50 apply for College of Idaho's top job
The school is the state's only private liberal arts college.
Utah Business
- South Dakota Labor Department launches Web site
The Web site can help businesses with employment-related solutions and assist people with job placement and career transition services, the labor department says.
Washington State Business
- BYU alumnus sparks off lucrative, controversial wilderness-therapy industry
Wilderness therapy has evolved considerably from Olsen's early experiments, but its core principle remains: Experiencing rugged nature on its own terms, stripped of modern conveniences and distractions, can have a transformative effect on a young life.
Wyoming Business
- Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle move up on Milken’s ‘best cities’ list
Tacoma ranked No. 8 overall nationally, moving up from last year’s rank at No. 50. Tacoma scored highest in the category of growth of its high-tech sector.
Education
- Buchanan: Boost status of Wyoming higher education
The University of Wyoming should seize on Wyoming's economic boom to increase the importance of education and expand educational opportunities for residents throughout the state, President Tom Buchanan said during Thursday's fall convocation.
Other Economies
- States hire foreign teachers to ease shortages
As far back as five years ago, the National Education Association estimated that up to 10,000 foreigners already were teaching U.S. students in primary and secondary schools, mainly to fill vacancies in math, science, foreign languages and special education.
- An innovation nation once more - To compete globally, the US workforce needs presidential leadership to bolster math, science, and engineering education.
If technology will be one of the drivers of the economic prosperity we want, does the America of subprime mortgages and unaffordable healthcare, high gas prices, and low stock prices, still have what it takes? It feels as if we're slipping ... if only we could wake up.
- Placing work at the heart of education
All the students work somewhere — at more than 100 companies and law firms — one day a week, at jobs paying $20 an hour, the money going directly to the school, covering 70 percent of its costs.
- Don’t Buy That Textbook, Download It Free
SQUINT hard, and textbook publishers can look a lot like drug makers.
Community
- Is Mexico the New China? - Reverse Globalization May Bring Manufacturing Back to Mexico
Outsourcing work to China has gotten costlier due to increasing fuel and labor costs. As a result, some American companies are pondering a return to Mexico to manufacture their goods instead.
Connectivity & Communications
- Twelve NEW Community-Friendly Grants
- $67,000 grant funds Montana mental illness hotline
The Montana Warm Line provides telephone- and Internet-based support for people who are looking for help but are not in crisis.
Energy
- North Dakota telepharmacy project expands across country -"Telemedicine Information Exchange"
Thanks to the virtual pharmacy system that has been tested on the frozen prairie, the days of walking down to the general store for prescription drugs are returning to rural America.
- Web Creator, Tim Berners-Lee’s New Foundation Champions ‘One Web’ for Everyone, Everywhere
As Berners-Lee says “I learned that I should not prioritize for others… I should listen to their concerns and opportunities and then do what I can to help.”
- Kleiner Perkins Starts an iPhone Blog
“The purpose is to share (and hear) perspectives around the iPhone and emerging open mobile ecosystem.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Reinventing the flywheel - Giant electricity storage and generation units might help power grids run more smoothly
"At the end of the day, it's a box of energy."
Hydrogen News
- When the fridge says your lettuce has spoiled: Smart homes more affordable
Smart-home features are still pretty pricey, but costs are expected to come down as the demand for more convenience grows and technology becomes more accessible and affordable.
- Plane crash victim, Christopher John Schafer remembered in Missoula - Hydrogen Refueling Station at the Hellgate Wind Turbine site dedicated in his honor.
Shafer was a UM business graduate with a passionate goal to establish hydrogen fueling stations across the country.
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