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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Dec 5, 2008 |
"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." -Henry David Thoreau
Lots of interesting stories and events this week. Joining the MATR Facebook Group http://www.facebook.co ... 85113 will give you the opportunity to see who else is interested in talking about our future and they'll find out about what you're doing as well.
MATR Facebook Group
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- MATR Facebook Group Launched - Independent Workers in Billings Looking to Share Office Space
I'm interested in doing is finding a group of people similar to myself in Billings who would be interested in sharing some office space.
Idaho National Laboratory
- Ringing Up The New .tel Top-Level Domain Name: One of Many TLDs to Come
You may have heard the buzz about a new sponsored top-level domain name (sTLD), .tel. It may sound exciting and useful: a way to make it quick and easy for your customers or clients to find your company’s contact information, even making it possible for them to dial your company directly from their mobile phones.
Montana World Trade Center
- Idaho National Laboratory’s J. Phillip Sharpe wins national fusion engineering honor
In his selection for the honor, the FPA Board noted his many technical accomplishments, including “key research on plasma-materials interactions, tritium behavior in materials and inertial fusion blanket design; and your leadership in the important area of fusion reactor safety.”
2009 Montana Legislature
- Montana World Trade Center Nov. 26 Newsletter
Nominations are being sought for the 2008 State of Montana Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award.
Modwest
- Montana Legislative Leaders Set 2009 Session Calendar
"We won't be wasting a lot of time," added Rep. Bob Bergren (D-Havre), who will serve as speaker of the House. "Most of us have homes and jobs we want to return to, so we'd like to wrap up the people's business as efficiently as possible."
Montana Meth Project
- Modwest/Grupthink Open House, 12/11, Missoula
As you may have heard, we recently moved into newly renovated space in the historic Wilma building in downtown Missoula.
Alberta Business and Economic Development
- Montana Meth Project announces Dream Getaway Raffle
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 three years.
Come Home Montana
- Alberta Oilsands wrong target for environmentalists: Professor say focus should be on coal-fired electricity instead
"If we're serious, we have to think about cutting it (emissions) where it’s cheapest.
- Alberta best province for investment
“If you look comprehensively across all of those measures, Alberta ranks first among all the provinces,” he said, adding it has been the national leader now for a number of years.
Come Home Wyoming
- Montana Talent - Senior Executive - Business/Market Development Consultant
I moved to Montana from Silicon Valley and changed my career track from direct product revenue generation to R&D, and for the last 7 years worked as a Senior Business Development Manager in Cisco Systems analyzing new markets and new technologies.
- Montana Career Opportunity - City Manager - Kalispell, Montana
The city of Kalispell is now accepting applications for a City Manager.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Sheridan, Wyoming seeks retirees who want to work - Forward Sheridan
We're not saying this is something that we want to create for six months to a year,' Chino said. 'This is something that must be created to last for years and years. It has to be a new way to do business in Sheridan.'
Manitoba Business
- High-Tech Hotspots: a Roadmap
As high-tech industries continue to grow throughout the United States, more locations will have opportunities to join the growing list of hotspots. Those that can meet the needs of companies seeking low costs, educated employees, and highly desirable quality-of-life offerings will see the most success.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Saskatchewan investment fund to expand into Manitoba
Golden Opportunities has raised over 130 million dollars in share capital to date from 17-thousand shareholders.
Montana Business
- American Indian Business Leaders: Entrepreneurial inspiration
“This is an example of what AIBL can do.”
Montana Economic Development
- W.R. Grace to pay up to $140M in Montana asbestos case
Much of the Zonolite manufactured in the U.S. came from a vermiculite mine in Libby, Mont. The Libby mine, which was open for more than 70 years and closed in 1990, has been linked to asbestos exposure that has sickened thousands and killed more than 200 people in the Libby area.
- Lifeline Farm: A Biodynamic Montana Dairy
Each bite of it was to be savored for its rich creamy goodness that only organic cows can create (happy cows are not limited to California -- they also live in Victor, Montana) and the mild taste of garlic.
- Study says Montana getting older
Since 1940, Montana's population of residents over 65 has doubled. MSU professors say it will double again by 2030.
- Building industry woes in Montana
Since last year, new home starts have dropped 37 percent in Ravalli County, 33 percent in Missoula County and 35 percent in Flathead County.
- Pet Living Wills Launched in Montana
What would happen if your pet were sick or injured and you couldn't be reached?
- Group Told Montana Readying for Downturn
Patrick Barkey, with the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research, reported to a meeting of businesses and policy makers that Montana is caught in the widening economic downturn.
- "Economic Slowdown: A Missoula Perspective." with Dr. Larry Swanson, 12/18, Missoula
Dr. Larry Swanson of the O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West http://www.crmw.org/ will be sharing the latest available statistics and his perspective of what is going on in Western Montana and the local economy.
Regional Economic Development
- Great Plains Oil and Exploration-The Camelina Co. of Bigfork, Montana to use $50,000 to explore camelina development
The Montana Agriculture Development Council has awarded a $50,000 grant to a camelina company to explore the feasibility of building an oilseed crushing plant either in Havre or elsewhere in Montana's Golden Triangle.
- Supercomputer Money OK'd for Butte, Montana Installation
The state-owned supercomputer is scheduled to arrive in Butte Dec. 27, installed in the Thornton Building and be online by mid-January. The Montana Economic Revitalization and Development Institute, or MERDI, has signed a contract with the state to play host to the supercomputer.
- Montana tourism grants still available
The state tourism department has $80,000 available in special event grants to promote tourism attracting events for non-profit organizations and tribal governments.
Careers
- Senator Olympia Snowe on Change at the SBA
Senator Snowe: First, I hope that one of the incoming Administration’s initial actions is to elevate the SBA Administrator to Cabinet-level status.
Funding and Building your Business
- Mentoring Women - Cisco's Women's Action Network
What is the Women's Action Network, and when was it started at Cisco?
- Middle Managers: Stop Fighting the Alligators
While technical expertise is what got middle managers to their current position, it could be a hindrance if they want to get to the next level.
- Want to Know More About Company's Culture? Ask the Right Questions
Just how much did I know about this company before I took this job?
Incubators and R&D
- How to Use Twitter as a Twool
There are only two kinds of Twitter users: those that want more followers and those that lie.
- Hire better people with The Collaborative Hiring Process
free ebook, The Collaborative Hiring Process
- Venture capitalists see opportunity in recession
Ignore the gloomy forecasts, says Tim Draper, founder of the Draper Fisher Jurvetson venture firm in Silicon Valley.
- Give a Gift: 4 Tips for More Effective Mentoring
Create a "gift culture."
- Inside Entrepreneurship: Small investors for startup not ideal
If I talk with 500 to 1,000 people, I could raise about $10,000 to start my business. What do you think?
Montana Education Excellence
- SIRTI Spotlight - Fall 2008
I invite you to read about the success our clients are achieving on multiple fronts. They deserve a shout-out for their entrepreneurial spirits and their significant contributions to our regional economic recovery.
Regional Business
- Montana State University's nursing program is helping men change the profession
"I found something I really cared about." Adam Geiser
- Regents Vote Against Bitterroot Valley Community College
The Board of Regents agreed unanimously Thursday that the Montana Legislature should reject the idea.
University TechTransfer
- Children's programs reduced in Washington, Idaho
Wiley said DSHS leaders are hopeful that despite the cuts, the department will still meet improved response standards. But, he said, “We’re not sure what the impacts are going to be. Everyone has to pick up the slack.”
Idaho Business
- The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer's (FLC) 2009 calendar is hot off the presses!
The calendar highlights the outstanding research and development efforts of the federal laboratory system through the use of imagery, web links, and laboratory information.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Boise State University program helps Idaho firms do business in Europe - The Heidelberg Project
The Heidelberg Project offers selected firms a marketing study, analysis and plan to assess the potential of their products and services in the European market.
- TechBoise Event The Holiday Giving Edition: Wed Dec 17th, Boise, Idaho
Every single day I have multiple people ask me if I know of any jobs. I hear about some here and there, but they’re getting fewer and further between. And it’s only going to get worse. Let me ask you a few questions to help you find a job.
- Idaho BioScience sets up shop in Ketchum, Idaho
"One advantage is that we can work closely with this division, as we spend three to four months out here every year," said Stephenson, who added that he'll try to get in around 100 days of skiing this season. Stephenson said another advantage of running his business in the Wood River Valley is the highly educated workforce.
- Making the grade Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - Charter Academy ranked in nation's top 100
Charter Academy is the only Idaho school to make it into the top 100 and achieve the honor of being named a "Gold Medal" school.
- Startups Beget Startups
Starting and building a high growth company over several years is exhausting. It’s mentally, physically, emotionally and financially exhausting. It’s the entrepreneurial equivalent of trying to sprint a marathon.
Oregon Economic Development
- North Dakota Unified Judicial Branch Signs Justice Software Contract with Tyler Technology
The Odyssey Case Manager will expedite court administration for the state's seven judicial districts, which serve all 53 counties, by easing the management of and access to case information.
Utah Business
- Governor Proposes $20.5M in Lottery Funds for Continuing Oregon Innovation Efforts
The governor's plan aims to expand and diversify the state's economic base by attracting new industries and companies, building on the $28.2 million innovation plan signed into law last year.
Washington State Business
- New Utah company, CentralPointe to market new software platform
"It's easier to use and it's much less money," Proper said Wednesday of the company's operating system.
Education
- DO-IT Scholars now accepting applications from high school sophomores and juniors with disabilities
The University of Washington's DO-IT Scholars program is now accepting applications from Washington state high school sophomores and juniors with disabilities who are interested in preparing for college and challenging careers.
Government
- College May Become Unaffordable for Most in U.S. - How does your state rank?
The rising cost of college — even before the recession — threatens to put higher education out of reach for most Americans, according to the annual report from the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.
- Educators urged to adapt to students' tech lifestyles
"Our end users (students) feel that the actual system in which they are forced to live is so disconnected from the world that they live in."
Other Economies
- Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer selected chair of Democratic Governors Association (DGA)
"The DGA has never been in a stronger position, and Brian Schweitzer is a dynamic leader who will take the organization to the next level," Manchin said. "Brian has made in-roads in traditionally conservative-leaning areas because he's honest, practical, and knows how to get results."
- Missoula County officials agree to $490,000 settlement with abused and mistreated inmate - Disability Rights Montana
The report, published by Disability Rights Montana, describes a “cascade of events which violated Adele's rights under Montana's Constitution, statutes, and multiple jail policies and procedures.”
Community
- Hawaii Endorses Plan for Electric Cars
The plan, the brainchild of the former Silicon Valley software executive Shai Agassi, is an effort to overcome the major hurdles to electric cars — slow battery recharging and limited availability.
- Green manufacturing and the opportunities in Minnesota
Minneapolis and St. Paul are looking at green manufacturing as an opportunity for growth. This report gives you some good background.
Energy
- Starksboro, Vermont Turns to Middlebury College in Bid to Guide Change Thanks to the Orton Family Foundation and the Vermont Land Trust
“The key is to project beyond immediate controversies over applications for subdivisions and to say, ‘Let’s envision the future that we would love to have,’ ” said Prof. John Elder of Middlebury, “at which point there is considerable agreement.”
- Seventeen NEW Community-Friendly Grants
"Cultivating Healthy Rural Communities and Reducing Poverty"
Government Technology
- Efficient Thin-Film Solar Cells
The first prototype cell to use photonic crystals looks promising.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- GovTwit Directory
Looking for government agencies using Twitter or other social media? We want the GovTwit directory to include all facets of government on Twitter: state and local, federal, contractors, reporters, academics and more.
- Author chronicles life with Alex Lowe - "Forget Me Not: A Memoir"
"We stretched our pennies to adventure as much as we could," Lowe-Anker said recently during a presentation in Dillon of her memoir "Forget Me Not." "We were vagabonds."
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