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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Mar 13, 2009 |
"You can either hold yourself up to the unrealistic standards of others, or ignore them and concentrate on being happy with yourself as you are." -- Jeph Jacques
Congratulations to iConnect Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html and SRS Crisafulli Inc. http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- See you Tuesday at the Roundtable http://matr.net/articl ... .html and Thursday at CCM http://matr.net/articl ... .html.
Idaho National Laboratory
Montana World Trade Center
- Lawmakers, utility experts, INL leaders to discuss Idaho energy policy
The Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES) and Idaho Office of Energy Resources are sponsoring the first Energy Policy Institute (EPI) Summit March 12-13 at Boise State University to discuss how to meet the state’s energy needs.
2009 Montana Legislature
- 2008 Montana Governor’s Excellence in Exporting Award Winner is SRS Crisafulli Inc.
“Montana’s exports reached a record high of $1.74 billion in 2007 and while the numbers aren’t yet complete for 2008, Montana is on track to surpass 2007,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “This success reflects the hard work and dedication of Montana’s exporting businesses like SRS Crisafulli. The world is a global marketplace and Montana’s exporters are helping to keep Montana competitive.”
City Club Missoula
- Schweitzer Administration Introduces Stimulus Plan
Lawmakers got their first look Wednesday at the governor's plan for Montana's federal stimulus money and were told they will have discretion with more than a third of it.
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- Extra City Club Missoula forum to look at stimulus
Evan Barrett from the Governor's office, Matt Jones from the office of Sen. Max Baucus and Jessica Flint from the office of Cong. Denny Rehberg are scheduled to speak.
Highway 12 VenturesLeadership Montana
- Highway 12 Ventures Hosts A One Day Entrepreneur Bootcamp With Bill Joos, 4/13, Boise, Idaho
Highway 12 Ventures is hosting a one day seminar in Boise, Idaho for entrepreneurs, business owners, start-up company managers and people thinking about starting their own business.
Montana Biotech
- 2009 Montana Excellence in Leadership Awards - Call for Nominations
The Interagency Committee for Change by Women (ICCW) honors persons who have created positive change for all state employees by promoting the full participation of women in state government.
Montana Business
- OVP Venture Partners Announces Affiliation with Irving L. Weissman
OVP’s Technical Advisory Group consists of senior executives and technology leaders around the country who provide input and insight on strategic market and technology directions relevant to OVP’s investment spaces and portfolio companies.
Montana Economic Development
- Judge orders Portlock Software to pay landlord $65,000
District Judge Brad Newman ruled Tuesday that John Hanley, owner of Portlock Software, owes Uptown Ventures $65,650 for breaching the lease, back property taxes and other expenses.
- Intercontinental Truck Body of Conrad, Montana keeps Air Force planes moving
Intercontinental Truck Body modifies trucks to tow Air Force planes, and it is now looking to renew the contract that would keep dozens of jobs in Pondera County.
- iConnect of Montana and Technologent Announce the Introduction of a New Colocation Service in Montana
"This new service was created due to increased demand from customers for more data center space," says Marco Mohajer, Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Professional Services. "Colocation is a cost effective way for customers who don't want the hassle of operating their own data center or do not have the necessary equipment or resources to host their mission critical IT infrastructure."
- Bresnan expands work force to satellite center - Company now employs 470 people in Billings
Demand for Bresnan's newer products, including high-definition cable programming, high-speed Internet service and telephone service, has contributed to the company's fast growth in Billings. Bresnan serves customers in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah.
- Space Propulsion Group, an offshoot of Stanford University test rockets tested at the Butte AeroTec facility
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., the Montana Department of Commerce, MSE, Rhodia, MERDI, Spath Engineering and Space Propulsion Group were important partners in securing the site for Butte, said Kambich. "This is a direct result of what can happen when the public/private sectors work on projects that produce high-end economic activity," he said.
Regional Economic Development
- Through the Recovery Act, Montana will receive up to an additional 43 full time AmeriCorps*VISTA members
Our goal is to place these 43 additional members along with 60 already planned members in non-profit organizations and public agencies by no later than July 2009. This is all very exciting, it will be the first time in Montana’s history that we have attempted to place over 100 VISTA members at one time.
- Supercomputer will change Montana's economy. “Big Sky Blue”
The ultimate hope for this technological wonder is that it will attract a universe of entrepreneurs and researchers to Montana.
- Kalispell, Montana hoping to attract gun manufacturers
The city of Kalispell will also receive $750,000 for a new indoor shooting range for firearms training. The safety center will be for local law enforcement, but the mayor said she hopes to attract gun manufacturing with a new shooting range.
- Senator Baucus delivers knock-out blow in 'Last Best Place' fight
Baucus included language in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus appropriation bill that would prohibit the slogan "Last Best Place" from being trademarked.
- Community invited to learn how Main Street program can revitalize Shelby's business districts on March 16
Main Street is a historic-preservation based economic development program that has been used in more than one thousand rural and urban communities since 1980 to spark life into traditional downtown commercial districts.
- Effort to bring in employer, Stinger Welding Inc. progresses in Libby, Montana
Stinger Welding has already hired a Libby man who is training in Arizona, and plans to hire 20-25 more workers in the next two or three months who will be trained to weld and drill at the proposed facility, according to Rumelhart and County Commissioner Tony Berget.
- Montana Ranked 12th Happiest State
Researchers hope the findings will help employers better understand what they can do to create more productive workers. Eventually, the data could even be used to compare health and happiness by ZIP code. The survey is going to be generated for 25 years, according to current plans.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- $150 Million Federal Funding Opportunity Available for EDA's American Recovery Program
EDA is soliciting applications from eligible applicants in all U.S. States to fund projects that will advance economic growth in communities and regions experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income.
- Self-Employment Q & A: Cultivating Social Capital
Why is the development and use of social capital essential to business owners with disabilities?
- Alliance of Angels Invests $6.4 Million in 36 Pacific Northwest Based Companies in 2008
The Alliance of Angels (AoA), the Pacific Northwest’s premier non-profit angel investor organization, announced today that its members invested a total of $6.4 million in Northwest-based companies in high-growth sectors in 2008, an increase of 64% over 2007 and the second-highest yearly total in AoA's 11-year history.
- USDA Announces Opening of Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program
Assistance provided to rural areas under this program may include technical assistance for business development and economic development planning.
Economic Gardening
- Great Falls Development Authority to Host Starting Angel Organizations - Montana Angel Initiative Comes to Great Falls April 8th
“Montana is ripe for this initiative” says Evan Barrett, Chief Development officer for the State. “We have more and more high net worth individuals willing to invest locally and we are seeing an ever increasing growth in entrepreneurial activity in bio science, energy and information technology.”
- Paying Entrepreneurs to Find the Right Business
Mr. Grousbeck says studies by the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Stanford, which he co-directs, show average annual returns by search funds to their original investors of well over 30 percent.
Funding and Building your Business
- 7th National Economic Gardening Conference, 6/17-19, South Dakota
We are in the process of lining up some of the most excellent presenters the economic gardening conference has experienced!
- There are still a few spots available for the Economic Gardening Boot Camp and the National Rural Entrepreneurial Gathering in Fairfield during the first week in April.
We have a stellar line up of presentations covering all seven economic gardening strategies that we have found useful in creating a surplus of jobs in our local economy.
Montana Education Excellence
- Best advice I’ve seen for web startups
It’s by far the most bs free talk about start-ups and web entrepreneurship I’ve seen. Peter Drucker would love this.
- Memo to CFOs: Don't Trust HR
A professor says most human resources professionals are ill-equipped to carry out value-added workforce planning and transformation.
- Virtual University Online Training - Corwin Environmental Consultants, Inc. - OSHA Outreach 10-hr., 30-hr. General and Construction Safety, Hazardous Waste, Environmental, and Human Resource
The courses are interactive, informative, positive, and productive.
- # MBAs blame financial crisis on short-term focus
Like it or not, MBAs influence a lot of what happens in the world. They run major companies. They lead innovative startups. They build the business plans and crunch the numbers that fuel a lot of our economy and culture.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- University of Montana Lands Prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Biology Education Program
Bill Holben and Frank Rosenzweig, faculty members in the Division of Biological Sciences, spearheaded the effort to bring the program to UM.
- Flathead Valley Community College offers free adult education
Flathead Valley Community College offers free adult basic education classes to people laid off from work who need to improve reading, math or writing skills to prepare for more education or training.
- Officials discuss Bitterroot Valley college plan
The meeting was the first public discussion of a two-year school for the Bitterroot Valley since the Montana Legislature voted down a locally driven community college proposal last month.
- 'Capstone Dinner: "The Elegant Side Of Montana"', 5/2, Missoula
Menu prepared by UM College of Technology culinary arts students. Funds go to the Culinary Student Education Fund.
- Big-city students get taste of life under the Big Sky
"It makes you realize what we take for granted in the city."
Regional Business
- Blackfeet Community Hospital working with Browning High School scientists to produce health care professionals
"Health care has gained about 300,000 jobs last year because employees are needed across the country, and not just doctors. We're talking about nurses, x-ray techs, pharmacists. And we looked for ways IHS and Browning High School could stimulate the kids.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- SBA Small Business Profiles for the States and Territories
Montana's 112,513 small businesses provide economic opportunities to diverse groups of people and bring innovative products and services to the marketplace.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- SBIR (1983-2009?); Program Set to Expire on March 20... Unconscionable!
Inconceivable? Unconscionable? Inexcusable? Which word best conveys what is happening to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program? Perhaps all of them. The SBIR program will expire March 20 unless Congress acts before that date.
Oregon Business
- Labor Shortage in North Dakota | Video
The whole state is suffering from a labor shortage.
Oregon Economic Development
- 2009 Oregon Benchmark Highlights Report
Created by the Legislature in 1989, the board is responsible for keeping Oregonians focused on achieving the quality-of-life goals in the state's 20-year strategic vision, Oregon Shines.
- Intel Science Talent Search crowns 10 promising students. Eric Larson, 17, of Eugene, Ore., takes top honors
Eric Larson, 17, of Eugene, Ore., won the top prize, a $100,000 scholarship for his project classifying mathematical objects called fusion categories.
Utah Economic Development
- DesignMedix wins 2009 Angel Oregon
DesignMedix Inc. snared a $150,000 investment and WeoGeo won $80,000. Both are located in the Portland State Business Accelerator in Southwest Portland.
Wyoming Business
- Hong Kong Offers Incentives to Utah Businesses
"I believe there is huge potential in Utah," said Tong. "Utah companies exported nearly $134 million worth of goods into Hong Kong last year and there is certainly still room to grow.
- Utah will spend stimulus cash on clean-energy push - Solar, wind, geothermal and biomass top the development list
"There's huge potential here."
Education
- Wyomingites rank third in national well-being poll
Utah ranked first in the study, while West Virginia ranked last. The survey examines mental, physical and economic health of residents among other things.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Universities can survive only with radical reform - Schools must break out of their insular mind-set.
To accomplish the wholesale change that is needed for our students, our nation, and our world, universities must break out of the silo structures – of departments and budgets and mind sets – that have calcified over time.
Community
- Grasslands 2010 Newsletter
In short, Grasslands 2010 seeks to merge the twin goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural economic development in the Northern Great Plains region.
Connectivity & Communications
- 7 NEW community-friendly grant opportunities
- Growing a Missoula to Treasure - LiveMissoula!
Perhaps because Missoula grew up with the University, or perhaps because, as a community we embraced the 'live and let live' code of the West, Missoula is as often identified with its tolerance as much as with its diversity.
Energy and Climate Change
- Google Gets Into Behavioral Targeting, Launches “Interest-Based Advertising” Beta
Google today is launching a form of behavioral targeting advertising named Interest-Based Advertising. Interest-Based Advertising allows advertisers to deliver ads based on hundreds of interest categories and previous interactions with those users.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Canada’s carbon sink has sprung a leak
Until recently, its vast forests vacuumed up carbon dioxide. Now that process has been thrown in reverse.
- T. Boone Pickens Statement on AT&T’s Decision to Upgrade 8,000 Fleet Vehicles to Run on Natural Gas
One of America’s largest companies has studied the issue and is making a change. This action should send a strong signal to other companies and to our leaders in Washington that not only is switching to natural gas vehicles the right thing to do, it is the smart thing to do.
- First two months of 2009 driest in U.S. history
Farmers, cattlemen, firefighters and others worry that the dry start may be a harbinger of a bleak summer that could lead to increasing risk of fire and poor crop conditions.
- Scientists warn of 'irreversible' climate shifts - Lord Stern on global warming: It's even worse than I thought
Hundreds of leading scientists warned Thursday that global warming is accelerating beyond the worst predictions and threatening to trigger "irreversible" climate shifts on the planet.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- New Battery from MIT Could Recharge in Seconds
The discovery could lead to cellphone-sized batteries that could be charged in 10 seconds.
Small Diameter Timber Utilization
- A mandolin revival creates ‘The Montana Sound’
A group of Montana musicians has revealed a nugget of state history that until recently was tucked away in a drawer of old photographs. And instead of the cowboy guitar, this history revolves around the mandolin.
- Event to recognize Humanities Montana directors
A federally funded nonprofit group that keeps offices on the University of Montana campus, Humanities Montana is responsible for - among other things - the Montana Festival of the Book, which occurs every autumn in Missoula.
- Good Economic News - Upcoming Wood Products Conference featuring Rolling Stones keyboardist - The 4th Annual Small Log Conference, 3/25-27, Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
One of the speakers, Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, will talk about his day job as a dedicated Georgia tree farmer.
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