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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Sep 2, 2005 |
"The superior man, when resting in safety, does not forget that danger may come. When in a state of security he does not forget the possibility of ruin. When all is orderly, he does not forget that disorder may come. Thus his person is not endangered, and his States and all their clans are preserved." -- Confucius
"It's not the cost but the opportunity - Montana's economic growth will depend on factors other than low-cost ranking." http://www.matr.net/article-15834.html
Come Home Montana
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Sidney High School class of 1998 grad says there's no place like home
"There's a lot of people in this community that want to make a difference. That attracts other people to get involved to make a difference,"
- Featured "Come Home Montana" Community~EUREKA
One of the greatest opportunities for the Tobacco Valley is to tap into the tourism market.
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Career- Sr. Consultant, Market Research & Strategic Planning
Ripple Marketing integrates the following elements into a model, we call the Ripple Effect: Market Research, a Customer-Centric Marketing Plan, Fully Integrated Program Execution, Evaluation and Adaptation.
- Montana-Jobs.net Featured Talent - Desired Field: Network Admin
Education
- Bozeman youth motivates himself for success
"Mostly adults did this stuff, but I tried anyway,"
- The Entrepreneurship Engine
Now, thanks to the explosion of the Internet, the barriers to entrepreneurship have fallen still further.
- The Entrepreneur Library
Here's a selection of books for entrepreneurs faced with making tough decisions without a lot of help and with no one to blame but themselves if things go wrong.
- Montana State University Study Abroad Opportunities for Business Majors:
Did you know there are multiple opportunities to study abroad specifically geared towards business majors?
Montana Business
- Advanced Technical Education Grants for Community Colleges
- $160,000 grant from the Turner Foundation Inc. to benefit 12 schools from throughout the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
Teachers will receive assistance in developing curricula with a focus on community-based investigations, aligning their new curricula with state standards, and connecting with educational resources.
- Administrators: At least $65 million more needed for Montana schools
“I don’t see this as a legislative problem near as much as I see it as a statewide challenge,” he said. “This challenge belongs to all of us.”
- Going to college gets the hard sell
"Every time we ran an ad, we saw requests for information spike,"
- Taking a Light Saber to Tired Old Teaching - "May the force of education be with you."
"We grew up or worked in an area where change is encouraged, where innovation is encouraged, where entrepreneurship is nurtured," said James Daly, the editor in chief of Edutopia, the Lucas foundation's magazine. "And that's not the way it's been in education. If you feel like you're a hamster on the wheel all day, it's easy to stay that way. But when you get to the change agents, the rock does begin to roll uphill."
Montana Economic Development
- Bozeman company, Mystery Ranch Backpacks to design backpacks for military
Mystery Ranch Backpacks http://www.mysteryranch.com/ is expanding production with a partnership that pairs the Bozeman business with a major recreation industry player, CamelBak, to create gear for the U.S. military.
- Kalispell electronics company, Cable Technology Inc. plans Great Falls plant
"We are expanding the business. We feel there is a good, motivated workforce in Great Falls."
- It's not the cost but the opportunity - Montana's economic growth will depend on factors other than low-cost ranking.
Montana's low average wages aren't that great an asset when it comes to recruiting businesses. Being a low-wage state in a high-wage country isn't that great an advantage - not when companies looking to slash their labor costs have their pick of developing-world countries in which to offshore their operations.
- Goomzee.com (Missoula) announces "New Look" for Goomzee Stores
Many successful online business are, in fact, "making the switch." Hunter Bay Coffee Roasters http://www.hunterbay.com and Big Sky Brewing Company http://www.bigskybrew.com are two of many existing local online businesses who chose Goomzee as their e-commerce provider.
- Blackfoot and 3 Rivers sell wireless telephone service to new venture - MTPCS
"We've combined those assets into a new company," said Ernie Peterson, general manager and vice president of MTPCS. "We (3 Rivers and Blackfoot) have been cooperating on different things over the years, so it's a nice addition to have it all in one company."
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- TechRanch awards Sen. Conrad Burns Silver Buckle - hailed as hero by MSU
"We wanted to thank him publicly for supporting technology in Montana," "Conrad has done so much for this state and this university," MSU President Geoff Gamble
- The Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana-Missoula is seeking input regarding tourism and recreation research
Please send us your ideas about research needs by September 23rd.
- Audit disputes spending for job retraining in Montana
The federal audit criticized the MJTP for its consultant procurement policies and subcontracting and some lack of financial controls.
- Montana Rep. Rehberg announces group intended to help state exports - EnterpriseMontana
"We're working from a successful model, it's been proven,” said Rehberg. “Our goal here is straightforward - to fuel the development of Montana companies, helping products from our state to achieve a strong presence in the global market."
- Advertising blitz to highlight meth's horrors - Montana has obtained a high-powered ally - Thomas Siebel
The goal of the Montana Meth Project is decreasing the prevalence and frequency of methamphetamine use in the state, with the advertising campaign focusing on meth abuse prevention. "We are going to communicate the facts of this product so people will make better consumption decisions," Siebel said.
- Gov Schweitzer wants to retool worker training in Montana
''You try to put all the money you can into the hands of the people that provide the services and training to the eligible participants,'' he said. ''Help people get trained, get back to work, support their families.''
- Smart Growth: Education, Skilled Workers, & the Future of Cold-Weather Cities
What distinguishes places like Boston that have stemmed their population decline? In a word: education.
- The Bureau of Business and Economic Research at The University of Montana Advisory Board Appoints Three New Members
Board members assist BBER personnel in fulfilling the bureau’s mission to provide information, research and analysis that helps Montanans understand the economic conditions in which they live and work.
Funding and Building your Business
- Wisconsin's investment in early-stage businesses is changing perceptions
There's a change of attitude among those investors. They're taking Wisconsin a bit more seriously. "A large part of that is perception versus reality. Act 255 has been a major change from that perception,"
Regional Business
- The Entrepreneur’s Rosetta Stone: How to Read a Business Plan and When to Burn It
When I read a business plan, I look to find the answers to three questions. Is there really an opportunity here? Can these people pull it off? Will the cash flow?
- Corporate Entrepreneurship and the Ethic of Continuous Value Creation
This is not about living in fantasy-land. It's an ethic of deep purpose.
- Inside Entrepreneurship: A specific plan works best when courting VCs
Everyone always says raising money takes time. But it also takes common sense.
Regional Economic Development
- Seniors still sidelined as skill drought approaches
"Few employers in these states have implemented approaches to attract and retain older workers, and even fewer believe that the aging of the workforce is important to their companies," states the study, the fifth in a series initiated in 1985.
Utah Business
- Oregon Increases Protections For Small Business
“I’m pleased that our collaboration with the SBA and others has delivered this model legislation for Oregon. These changes will help us continue to strengthen Oregon’s business climate while maintaining our high standards and quality of life.”
Utah Economic Development
- Raser Technologies (Provo, UT) to join Advanced Hybrid Vehicle Development Consortium research-development group
Raser develops and licenses electric motor, electric motor drive and related technologies.
- Lots of Utah jobs flow from beer. Industry brews $255M in wages alone
"We're not just a truck in a dark alley delivering beer."
Idaho Business
- Utah Tourism office seeking public input on how to promote the state - has scheduled a series of public meetings
"Utah aspires to develop a branding platform that captures the Utah experience and essence, including the sound, feel and color of the state. Who knows this better than our own tourism partners?"
Government
- Idaho supports plutonium production plan
The administration of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne said it will endorse the government's plan to consolidate U.S. production of plutonium-238 "space batteries" at the 890-square-mile complex outside of Idaho Falls.
- Newcomer tackles Idaho tourism - moved from one of the most famous resort cities in the world to take on tourism marketing for one of the fastest-growing in the country.
In October he made his first visit to Coeur d'Alene and decided this was where he wanted to live. That week, he bought a home here for himself, his wife, and two kids. "I wanted to get back to a mountain community," Robitaille said. "I saw what was happening here and secured a house."
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- States Expanding Push for Internet Taxes
"Taxes that it was difficult to collect before will now be collected. And consumers will pay that,"
University TechTransfer
- SBIR rules changes - implications for biotech firms and venture capital - arguments from both sides.
SBIR grants fund translational, early stage, research and are used extensively by entrepreneurs seeking to fund initial research in preparation for starting a company and attracting larger, typically equity-seeking, investors.
- North Carolina Creates SBIR/STTR Incentive, Matching Program
The programs should significantly increase the growth and competitiveness of North Carolina companies under the SBIR/STTR program.
- Montana SBIR News, Winners and Events
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Former UM vice president of R&D Lloyd Chesnut under investigation in Texas
Because of the Texas developments, John Mercer, chairman of the Montana Board Regents, now believes Chesnut's work in Missoula should be scrutinized.
Experience Tourism Cluster
- National Endowment for the Arts Web Site Features The Montana Museum of Art and Culture at The University of Montana
The exposure is allowing the museum to gain national attention for its impressive collection of works and for its efforts to bring exhibitions to viewers throughout the nation.
- Famous folks visit Rudyard, Montana -
Star Wars director George Lucas, Olympic figure skating gold medalist Dorothy Hamill, Iditarod winner Susan Butcher and "Jurassic Park III" director Joe Johnston were among special guests paleontologist Jack Horner took to a special location - a Museum of the Rockies dinosaur dig north of Rudyard. The visitors were in town Aug. 13-17.
- An Extraordinary Life in Montana- John Craighead studied many forms of wildlife, including human beings.
“It all started in the 1930s with two teenage boys and a hawk named Comet.
Energy
- Congress Approves Funding for Preserve America Grants
The grants are designed to support a variety of activities related to heritage tourism and innovative approaches to the use of historic properties as educational and economic assets. They would go beyond the bricks and mortar grants available under Save America’s Treasures.
Hydrogen News
- Capturing greenhouse gas pays big for Devon Energy in Casper, Wyoming
"We're trying to promote this in the industry not just as a way to reduce emissions, but to put (methane) in the pipeline so we can sell it and make money. It's a win-win for everybody," said Ronald D. Truelove, environmental health and safety manager for Devon Energy's Western Division.
- Hamster-powered phone charger
"Every two minutes Elvis spends on his wheel gives me about thirty minutes talk time on my phone."
Connectivity & Communications
- New Catalyst Produces Hydrogen from Water
"We have discovered a catalyst that can produce ready quantities of hydrogen without the need for extreme cold temperatures or high pressures, which are often required in other production and storage methods," remarks Mahdi Abu-Omar of Purdue University.
Transportation
- Political Candidates May Not Use Internet in Japan
The reason, says the article, is that the Liberal Democratic party fears that online campaigning will "disadvantage parties with elderly supporters," and "the system could be abused to slander candidates."
- Free Wi-Fi on Iowa Highways
“Our economic model is to create traffic using the service to view advertisements and other travel information,” says Wheeler. “We offer free Wi-Fi and then a travel information service, where we can be promoting hotels, restaurants and other businesses of traveler value.”
- Blogger Faces Lawsuit Over Comments Posted by Readers
Legal analysts said the case falls into somewhat murky legal territory, but that Mr. Wall may have some protection from liability under federal law.
- How to Make Phone Calls Without a Telephone
One advantage of such services is the ability to make calls through an Internet-connected laptop when cellular service is unreliable.
- Finally: Wi-Fi Cameras
Nikon says that by the end of this month it will make available two new digital cameras with integrated Wi-Fi
- Craigslist Versus Katrina - New Orleans to enjoy free Wi-Fi access
Sites like craigslist allow people to meet up with victims for face-to-face aid. Craigslist users have flooded the New Orleans site with offers of shelter and comfort.
Community
- 'Sharrows' aim to help cars and bikes share roads
Special lane markings alert drivers to slow down and guide cyclists to a safer spot.
2005 Montana Legislature
- The Climax of Humanity
Demographically and economically, our era is unique in human history. Depending on how we manage the next few decades, we could usher in environmental sustainability--or collapse
- The 'Smart Sprawl' Strategy - How do we retrofit America's sprawl to prepare for a post-oil world?
a strategy of "smart sprawl" -- retrofitting suburbs of any density so that residents can shop, obtain services and work all within a mile or two of their home.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Hangin' with the Not-So-Technical Crowd - "Can your legislative representative Google?"
The first thing tech folks might want to remember about Washington is that congressmen don't really make their own phone calls. The other little fact: Many of them don't type.
- Gartner Highlights Emerging Technologies
Last week Gartner released its 2005 Hype Cycle for Emerging Technologies, assessing the maturity, impact and adoption speed of 44 technologies and trends over the coming decade- from Corporate Blogging to Carbon Nanotubes and Speech Recognition to Service-Oriented Architecture.
- The Dream Factory - From design to delivery, custom manufacturing is coming soon to a desktop near you.
If you could make anything you wanted, what would it be?
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