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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Feb 24, 2009 |
"Do not be too moral. You may cheat yourself out of much life. Aim above morality. Be not simply good; be good for something." -- Henry David Thoreau
"The Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) - Several key Montana economic development programs are facing either total elimination or funding cuts in this legislative session. Your support is encouraged." http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "T. Boone Pickens Coming to Montana This Week - Montana Ambassadors Annual Conference: “Energy Jobs for Montana”" http://matr.net/articl ... .html --- "Bioscience benefits Montana State University - Thirty firms have been spun off from Montana State University in Bozeman" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Montana University System Research - Montana Science Serving Montana Citizens" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---
TechRanch
Idaho National Laboratory
- TechRanch and Montana State University’s Extended University Expand Entrepreneurship Online Resource Library
“This program brings high-quality information to a much larger cross-section of Montana entrepreneurs--to those individuals that are catalysts for innovation and job growth in our state," said Gary Bloomer, director of client development at TechRanch.
Three Cups of Tea - The Central Asia Institute
- The Center for Advanced Energy Studies dedicated by Idaho Gov. C.L. “Butch" Otter, the entire Idaho congressional delegation, INL and three Universities
“For six decades now, INL has been putting Idaho at the cutting edge of energy technology,” Gov. Otter said. “Now, CAES is helping to ensure that Idaho is leading the drive to address our nation’s energy challenges today and into the future. The state of Idaho is proud to be a partner in this collaborative enterprise that will be such an important part of advancing the cause of energy independence.”
2009 Montana Legislature
- Climber promotes peace via 'brain power' - Greg Mortenson of Bozeman and the Central Asia Institute
Climber Greg Mortenson walked down from K2, the world's second-highest mountain, defeated and tired in 1993 and stumbled into a Nobel Peace Prize-worthy career building schools in remote villages of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Boomtown Institute
- Mr. Jennings goes to Helena
“The hearing was a great chance to say, ‘Hey, look, we need to do more to be proactive with disabled hunters,’” he said. “It’s going to affect change.”
- The Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) - Several key Montana economic development programs are facing either total elimination or funding cuts in this legislative session. Your support is encouraged.
Please contact your legislators and especially members of the House Appropriations Committee regarding the importance of these programs.
- Montanans Contacting Legislators in Greater Numbers
"For our system of government to work, citizens have to get involved," said Rep. Bob Bergren, speaker of the House. "If people aren't engaged, then we can't be responsive to their needs, and the system doesn't work."
MAPS™ : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- Boomtown Institute - USDA’s 2007 Census of Agriculture – Part II
We have always kept an eye on the average age of farmers. Unfortunately, the average age increased again from 2002 to 2007, from 55.3 years to 57.1.
Montana Community Finance Corporation
- The MAPS Media Institute Receives $10,000 Grant and Honored with "Community Asset Award" - Makes "Change Happen" in February
Says Mike Troxel, VP of Administration: “The Change Happens Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to present the MMI program this grant to train students in professional media production.”
MSU Leadership Institute
- Montana Community Finance Corporation would appreciate your input on their website
Montana Community Finance Corporation, working in conjunuction with a group of students of the Business Department of MSU is in the process of evaluating the effectiveness of our website, which is now close to three years old.
Come Home Montana
- Actor Kal Penn To Speak At MSU, 4/8, Bozeman, Montana
“With an actor's grace and an activist's unbridled passion, Penn will tell the story of how visionaries are working to broaden the racial and cultural experience in movies and on television,” says Carmen McSpadden, Director of the MSU Leadership Institute and a sponsor of the lecture.
Montana Biotech
- Montana Career Opportunity - Customer Service Representative - Payne Financial
Join our Missoula team as a Commercial Lines Account Representative in our growing Select Business Division.
- Catching the wind: Wind Turbine Tools of Lincoln, Montana leads way in cutting-edge industry
The transition from Temecula, Calif., to Lincoln wasn't all that difficult. It moved to Lincoln in 2005 because of Linda Daugherty's love for her home state and the need to be closer to her family in Missoula and Conrad.
- Kalispell, Montana Native Returns Home to Make First Film - Nicolas Hudak plans to shoot documentary on Blackfeet Nation
At its core, the film would address what it means to be Native American in the 21st century by focusing on five different tribal members of varying generations.
- Lambert, Montana begins search for new superintendent
“We’re just starting to do the interviewing process,” Rauschendorfer said. He added how long the process takes depends on how many applicants that trustees decide to interview.
- New dentists find Libby, Montana to be good fit
“We drove through here about a year before and saw the mountains and everything – it was just beautiful,” said Worthington, who is originally from Eugene, Ore. “Coming here was a natural decision.”
Montana Business
- Montana Molecular seeks tools to aid in finding cures
"We focus on making a product that can be used by pharmaceutical companies in drug discovery," she said. "For a lot of diseases, we can't find a cure because we don't have the right tools. Our focus is on finding those tools."
Montana Economic Development
- Goomzee (Missoula, Montana) and Rapattoni Introduce Security Standards First for Mobile Solutions
Mike Sparr, CEO of Goomzee said, "Goomzee takes great pride in developing enterprise-grade technology solutions that are easy to use and result in increased efficiency and opportunity for real estate professionals. Our integration with Rapattoni is a perfect example of how simple we make it for sales professionals to add the mobile channel into their traditional marketing and sales activities."
- Air Tel hangs up on Montana
"We regret to inform you that Air Tel has ceased business in Montana. There are many other good cellular providers in the state that will fit your needs. We regret any inconvenience. You may leave a message after the tone."
- Blackfeet business project receives grants - Pikuni Industries
The company is looking to expand its work with the Blackfeet Nation and other organizations in Montana, along with opening an office in Browning.
- Montana Tourism industry targets neighbors
"Montana has more spectacular, unspoiled destinations than anywhere else in the lower 48 states," "Montana has charming small towns that serve as gateways," and "Montana, breathtaking experience by day and relaxing hospitality by night."
Regional Economic Development
- Montana's Gov. Schweitzer welcomes stimulus bill's focus on energy
"If a school district or office is spending 30 percent less on energy every single day because they weatherized their building, that's 30 percent more they can spend on other" priorities, Schweitzer said.
Careers
- Little-known program offers loans to rural home buyers - USDA Rural Development
The program gives borrowers a two-year moratorium on payments if breadwinners lose their jobs.
- “Start-ups, not bailouts: nurture the next Google, don’t nurse the old G.M.’s.”
As we invest taxpayer money, let’s do it with an eye to starting a new generation of biotech, info-tech, nanotech and clean-tech companies, with real innovators, real 21st-century jobs and potentially real profits for taxpayers.
- Governors Discuss Strategies for Strengthening America's Infrastructure
The report looks at how different infrastructure assets affect states' ability to compete globally; examines the infrastructure challenges facing states and our country as a whole; and explores new ways, both public and private, to finance our infrastructure needs.
- Launch of New Health Workforce Information Center
As shortages of physicians, nurses and allied health personnel grow worse, information available through the center will help policy makers, hospitals and schools develop strategies to meet future workforce demands.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- What Employers Want to See on Your Resume
Having reviewed thousands of resumes, I now have a better idea of what the folks in Kafka’s Castle like to see:
- Some Microsoft tech courses, exams to be free - Elevate America
Washington state is one of the first three states where Microsoft, in an effort to help ease the economic crisis, will offer some of its technology courses and certification exams for free.
Funding and Building your Business
- Starting Angel Organizations, 04/08, Great Falls, MT
Investing in entrepreneurship is more important than ever. The Angel Capital Education Foundation will be presenting a one day seminar on Starting Angel Organizations in Great Falls, MT.
- Starting Angel Organizations, 04/09, Helena, MT
Investing in entrepreneurship is more important than ever in today's economy.
- Start-ups finding ignition trouble
With the recession making traditional venture capital scarce, new firms often look to angel investors. But funds from these investors are also getting hard to attract.
Incubators and R&D
- So, You Want to Be an Entrepreneur - First, answer these questions to see if you have what it takes
Thinking about starting a business? Make sure you're cut out for it first.
- SBA offering small loans to keep troubled firms afloat
Under the law, the Small Business Administration temporarily will guarantee 100 percent of loans of up to $35,000 issued by banks to small businesses struggling to make payments on existing debt. The SBA will pay the interest on the loan, and small businesses will have a year before they must start repaying it.
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana State University Billings biologists Kurt Toenjes and David Butler await patent OK for antifungal drug
The fungus can cause sometimes deadly infections in children, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Bioscience benefits Montana State University - Thirty firms have been spun off from Montana State University in Bozeman.
Rebecca Mahurin, director of MSU's Technology Transfer's Office, said she was particularly pleased that the report found that MSU consistently ranks in the top ten for licensing activity on a weighted basis for research funding.
- Montana educations lead to bioscience jobs - Montana State University Center for Biofilm Engineering
The center is the oldest, largest and best-known facility researching biofilm, a slime of bacteria that sticks to surfaces, causing everything from dental plaque to infection in human tissue.
- Montana Superintendent Juneau reports on "State Of Education"
Superintendent Denise Juneau told the body her top priority is to increase the academic achievement of every student in Montana.
- Green-built greenhouse - Kalispell, Montana Montessori school creates self-sustaining home for plants and fish
If the system works, Pernell said, it could prove revolutionary for raising crops in northern climates.
- Montana University System Research - Montana Science Serving Montana Citizens
Faculty, staff, and students in the Montana University System (MUS) are engaged in science and technology research and graduate education that help build Montana’s economic future.
- Engineered for success - Carroll College of Helena, Montana
With growth and self-promotion in mind, Carroll College will run with the big dogs this spring when it hosts a regional engineering conference in Helena, drawing 300 students from major universities across the Pacific Northwest.
University TechTransfer
- MSU-Northern Launches a New Career Center Website
“We are very excited about the launch of this new website as it exemplifies the focus of our office on supporting the needs of campus students and employers”, said Rolf Groseth, Interim Chancellor.
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana Gives University of Montana $125,000 for Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Sciences
“As Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana focuses on our mission to help people lead healthier lives, it made perfect sense to support a program that we believe will help continue the cutting-edge research that is resulting in better health for all Montanans,” said Sherry Cladouhos, BCBSMT president and CEO.
Oregon Business
- IRS to Scrutinize Academic Institutions’ Finances, Including Tech-Transfer Activity
As an example of how the questionnaire touches the technology-transfer sector, a section in it entitled “activities” seeks to gather information on the nature and amount of unrelated business income in categories such as “other royalties,” “commercial research,” “patents,” and “copyrights and trade names or trade secrets.”
- University of Washington TechTransfer Announces Mentors
Education
- Oregon's green expertise turns to gold in China
There's so much opportunity in China, even the little guy can win big jobs.
Other Economies
- Stand-up desks provide a firm footing for fidgety students Teachers report improved focus, behavior
“As a teacher, I never sit down,” said Seekel, who works in the School District of Somerset, near the Minnesota border. “I started to think: Why should I make the kids sit down?”
- Microsoft jumps into school-games study
The goal of the research is to see whether video games – and not just software specifically designed to be educational – can draw students into math, science and technology-based programs.
- uan Enriquez: Beyond the crisis, mindboggling science and the arrival of Homo evolutis
Even as mega-banks topple, Juan Enriquez says the big reboot is yet to come. But don't look for it on your ballot -- or in the stock exchange. It'll come from science labs, and it promises keener bodies and minds. Our kids are going to be ... different.
Community
- Death of the California Dream
California has returned from the dead before, most recently in the mid-1990s. But the odds that the Golden State can reinvent itself again seem long.
Connectivity & Communications
- It's Time for Cities to Favor People, Not Cars - "Expanding the Vision of Sustainable Mobility"
We're on the cusp of an inevitable "mode shift" away from individual car ownership toward a greater reliance on mass transit and sustainable transport.
- The Small City: Reconsidered, And Ready to Be Sustainable
Sustainability advocates could be missing the large, strategic, regional and economic advantages smaller cities can offer a national policy over the long term.
Energy
- I.B.M. Delivers Rural Broadband Over Power Lines
This technology has been cost-effective in areas that have 5 to 15 customers near each mile of line. The government grants might even encourage power companies to install it in even more sparsely populated areas.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Spire Initiates “Come to America” Program to assist foreign manufacturers of PV modules to establish manufacturing operations in the United States
To take full advantage of the newly signed economic stimulus bill, foreign manufacturers would need to produce their modules in the U.S.
- America’s future wind web?
Wind power could feed 20 percent of the US energy diet. But first, the country needs a new energy network.
- Global warming danger threat increased
The Earth won't have to warm up as much as had been thought to cause serious consequences of global warming, including more extreme weather and increasing threats to plants and animals, says an international team of climate experts.
- Are You Listening? Just One Word: Batteries
Why batteries? Well, the reasons are several. We need to store energy.
Non-Profit News
- Schools, Airlines, Government, Utilities - They don't have customers. They have hostages.
Who is the customer in education? Is it the student? The faculty? Employers? Society? (Or is it even broader? One professor once told me, "My customer is truth.")
- Berkeley Pit as inspiration
"The model I have in mind for this already exists in the Irish-American town of Butte, Montana," he continues. "No, it's not a bad bank. But it's a big hole in the ground, full of toxic material. Which is essentially the same thing." The pit's been compared to a lot of things over the years — a moonscape, a wasteland, an environmental Armageddon — but this may be its first placement alongside a toxic money pit.
- Nonprofit RAMP gives a lift to those in need
RAMP is a nonprofit based in Missoula that puts volunteer tradesmen on the job to install access ramps and lifts for low-income people.
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