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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Mar 5, 2010 |
City Club Missoula Presents: “Not As Advertised” - Are You Media Literate?, 3/8, Missoula http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Montana SBA
Idaho National Laboratory
- Montana SBA - Attention Small Business Owners: Are you interested in learning how to negotiate contracts?, 4/1, Helena
A vital skill needed in procurement is the ability to negotiate effectively.
- Extension of SBA Recovery Lending Programs Will Support $1.8 Billion in Small Business Lending
Agency plans to restart Recovery loan approvals on March 10
The Burton K. Wheeler Center
- Idaho National Laboratory sponsors energy training that pays off for recent graduates
"ESTEC is an initiative that has exceeded our wildest expectations," said Richard Holman, deputy director of ESTEC and INL manager of Energy Workforce Initiatives.
Bill Payne
- Wheeler conference set for April 5, 6 to address state of Montana economy
Craig Barrett from the Intel Corporation will give the opening keynote address. Paul Kedrosky from the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City will speak on "The Education/Entrepreneur Connection," in his evening keynote address. Gordon Brittan, Regents Professor of Philosophy and former director of the Wheeler Center, will speak on "Taking the Long View of Montana's Economy."
Highway 12 Ventures
- Australian Angels Meet in Adelaide
Focus on exits from the start.
- New Zealand Angels invest nearly $50 million in 2009
Cumulatively, $127 million has now been invested into young companies by angels since Young Company Finance began collating data in 2006.
Modwest
- Disruptive Technology is $#!%
Here is one of my favorite tests for disruptive technology or businesses.
- Five Reasons To Support Startup Visa
We simply need more people who fit the risk profile of an entrepreneur to jump start the employment engine that is small business.
Come Home Montana
- How to deal with spammers forging your email address, plus Modwest News and Info
Don't miss our blog on keeping your site secure, or our Tips section (see sidebar) on how to deal with spammers forging your email address.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Business Development Officer - Great Falls Development Authority
Dynamic leader sought for new regional economic development position. Develop business expansion and start-up opportunities, strengthen relations with lending and community partners, and market financing and business assistance services.
- Montana Career Opportunity - PTAC Sub Center Manager – Bozeman, MT
This person will be responsible for management of the PTAC program and assisting local and regional businesses with marketing their products/services to federal, state and local governments.
Leadership Montana
- What Makes a City Entrepreneurial?
Places with more educated workforces generally have more startup growth, especially in industries that depend upon college-educated workers. Such industries, moreover, are more likely to locate in higher-amenity regions, particularly those with favorable climates.
Montana Business
- Montana State University students building leadership institute
The Buffalo Nations International Indigenous Leadership Institute was created last year on the premise that Indian country is in desperate need, and according to the group’s founder and president, Shane Doyle, students at MSU have the opportunity to make a difference.
Montana Economic Development
- Governor Schweitzer Presents Montana Exporter of the Year Award to West Paw Design of Bozeman
“West Paw Design is the kind of innovative company that puts Montana on the map in a new and exciting way,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “Manufacturing is big business in Montana and West Paw does it responsibly and with great results. Marketing Montana-made products for our furry friends is something everyone can get behind – especially Jag.”
- Bitterroot winery, Hidden Legend Winery, receives state boost: Funds to help business produce carbonated mead
"It's been a big help and our figures all show that this third and final little injection is going to put us over the black line," he said. "And then we'll move toward giving back to the state in the form of revenue and jobs and all that good stuff."
- Western Montana InBusiness - March 2010 - The Events Economy
Curiously enough, city leaders and organizations don’t track and don’t know the economic impact of Missoula events.
- Danger: Montana workplace ahead - WorkSafeMT wants to increase safety awareness, keep people at work, out of hospitals, off workers’ comp
Lay out the facts – that Montana has one of the worst job-related injury rates in America (49th out of 50, as it turns out), and is a whopping 50 percent higher than the national average – and you’ll get their attention.
- Mountain FM (KMSO) has called Missoula home for the past 25 years
“Even in a recession, people managing or owning businesses here are really nice, hard working and get up every morning to make it happen for their companies, their families, their employees and their customers,” she says. “If you could pick a population you could spend the most time with, it’s these folks.”
- Missoula bakery owner says red tape slowed start of new business venture. Indulge Bakery - "Because Missoula Cannot Live On Bread Alone"
"To be able and start a business has been such hell," she explains, "and I would just love to facilitate something to make it easier for people to open small businesses here."
- Red Ants Pants: By Working Women, For Working Women
There are few moments one can look back on and identify as being truly pivotal, but Sarah Calhoun has no problem identifying such an instance in her own life.
Regional Economic Development
- Bear Paw Development Corp. touts $19.2 million brought to five-county region in Montana in 2009
For each dollar of that local investment, Bear Paw leveraged $214, Paul Tuss, the economic development agency's executive director, told Havre City Council members Monday evening.
- 3 Montana counties want federal money for biomass projects
f funded, the projects would include seasonal use of a wood chip and pellet arm at Carroll College, a stand-alone boiler at a public works facility and a test unit for a pyrolysis system at a location yet to be determined.
- MWED March Newsletter
Montana West staff is coordinating with local chambers of commerce and local units of government to collaborate on a five year marketing and promotion plan targeted at certain business growth sectors.
Careers
- Changing Capital Markets and Their Implications for Community Development Finance
The fundamental conclusion of this research is that economic restructuring, the emergence of telecommunications and information technology, and other national and global trends have dramatically changed the environments in which community development takes place.
- What States and Cities Are Doing to Help Small Businesses
While Washington debates how to help the country’s struggling small businesses, states and municipalities have stepped up with an array of initiatives to stanch closings and save jobs.
- What Idaho has, Washington wants
"I wish we had it," said Cary Bozeman, chief executive officer of the Port of Bremerton. "Border states have it."
- "The Power of Place 2.0: The Power of Innovation—10 Steps for Creating Jobs, Improving Technology Commercialization, and Building Communities of Innovation"
“In 'The Power of Innovation,' we offer ten steps, from policy changes to selected investments, that Congress and the President can take quickly to leverage existing federal assets to create jobs, technology companies and communities of innovation, without creating new bureaucracies,” said Brian Darmody, AURP President.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- CIOs report they're finding it hard to recruit IT talent with the skills to work on EMRs and physician order entry systems.
"Talent of yesterday is useless unless they keep up."
Funding and Building your Business
- NASVF Conference, 10/13-15, Baltimore, MD
Join your colleagues in Baltimore and exchange the best strategies and tools for building and managing strategic investment programs and institutions.
- Investing In Jobs - State's Venture Capital Firm Credited With Boosting Business In Tough Times
Investments by the state's quasi-public venture capital firm have boosted the state's economy, even in two downturns, according to a state report.
Incubators and R&D
- How To Finance A Business With Angel Investors
Understanding the idiosyncrasies of the investors is important in finding the right fit. Remember: It's not just about the money.
- Why University Business Schools Set Up Entrepreneurs To Fail
I know I am entering highly contentious territory.
- Knolwedge@Wharton - Basics of Entrepreneurship: Dealing with Venture Capitalists
How does venture capital -- or a VC -- compare with other sources?
- Education for Executives
Companies say that working with business schools is important to ensure a new generation of workers sees corporate responsibility as a bottom-line booster, not just something to feel good about.
- The 2-Minute Opportunity Checklist for Entrepreneurs
Opportunities don't grow on trees.
- Breaking up is hard to do
Experts say it's best to have a legal partnership arrangement from the beginning, no matter how cash-strapped or optimistic you may be.
- HOW TO: Create a Successful Company Blog
I’m often asked by entrepreneurs and business owners whether it is worth blogging, and if so, what they should blog about. On the first question, the answer is obvious to me — you must blog as an entrepreneur.
Montana Education Excellence
- Emerging Science, Tech Advances Highlight New NIH Common Fund Programs
"These strategic investments will yield critical new resources, scientific knowledge, and strategic partnerships across a broad landscape of basic biology, behavioral science, global health, and clinical medicine," said Dr. Collins.
- Sirti Spotlight Winter 2010
With nearly sixty active Sirti clients, the milestones are many and the results are stellar.
- Arizona foundation lures post-doctoral scientists, engineers to state universities
"These are the kinds of students who have not looked at Arizona in the past," said Science Foundation Arizona Chief Operating Officer Margaret Mullen, who said the students will be recruited with advertisements in Science magazine and other publications.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Montana Teachers sought as NASA MESSENGER fellows
The 30 teachers chosen will receive special training and materials for helping other teachers and their students understand MESSENGER's mission to Mercury. Both formal and informal educators are encouraged to apply.
- Montana State University pitched as a hard-working bargain
The document portrays MSU as a hard-working bargain -- where it costs only 76 cents to teach students for every dollar it costs at similar research universities, and where academic departments teach 23 percent more classes than their national peers.
- Montana Board of Regents' meetings rack up state-wide travel, hotel, food bills for 75 people - 4 times a year
In the age of digital technology, and at time when shrinking state tax revenue is dominating the day's agenda, is it possible to reduce travel expenses by using technology?
- Missoula, Montana chosen to host "Cooks For Kids" cooking video premiere
The city was chosen because or its efforts to provide healthier meals for students.
- TGIF News - The University of Montana
Pharmacy School Retains Top-10 Ranking
- Montana Regents prepare for budget ‘cliff’ in 2012
“This is the most exciting fiscal budget period I’ve ever seen,” Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education Mick Robinson said.
University Business Plan Competitions
- Rocky Mountain Labs in Hamilton, Montana named a top spot for post-doc fellows
“It’s the facilities, infrastructure, the people, it’s the access to all of those that makes it spectacular,” she added. “And then to have it here in the Bitterroot, it’s like a cherry on top.”
Idaho Business
- Governor's Business Plan Contest provides snapshot of entrepreneurism in Wisconsin
If you want to know where entrepreneurs smell opportunities, take a look at this year's list of semi-finalists in the Wisconsin Governor's Business Plan Contest.
- UCSD launches student-assisted venture fund
The Rady Venture Fund http://rady.ucsd.edu/invest/venture/ will give the school's Master of Business Administration candidates and other UCSD graduate students hands-on education in funding startups and encouraging entrepreneurship.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Idaho's reduced education budget approved - $128 million less
Under the budget, teachers and classified staff will see Idaho's share of their salaries cut 4 percent. Teachers also won't get automatic raises based on education or experience while and minimum teacher salaries were cut to $29,655, though districts could still pay them more from their other funding sources.
Oregon Business
- Challenges for Rural High School Girls | Video
A report released today shows that junior and senior high school girls living in rural North Dakota don`t have as strong a sense of opportunity as girls in urban areas.
Utah Economic Development
- Pacific Power seeks 20 percent hike in electricity rates
Pacific Power is seeking a 20 percent increase in electricity rates starting next January to cover major investments in transmission and generation as well as forecasted higher power costs next year, according to filings with the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
Education
- Protecting Our Investment in Education is Key to Utah's Future
Utah must continue to have an education-focused investment strategy.
Government
- Best science on TV: Comedy Central's Stewart, Colbert?
"Comedy Central is it, as far as science goes," says Caltech physicist Sean Carroll, who is scheduled for a Colbert Report visit in March to promote his book, From Eternity to Here: The Quest for the Ultimate Theory of Time. "I give tremendous credit to The Daily Show and The Colbert Report for understanding that science is fascinating and fun, not off-putting and work."
- Oregon college students fail to graduate on massive scale
Oregon has joined 16 other states on a quest to dramatically improve the completion rate of college students, more than half of whom drop out before earning degrees.
- A Reason for Higher Rural Unemployment: Education
One reason rural counties have shown consistently higher unemployment rates during this recession is education. Rural America has a lower percentage of BAs and that results in higher unemployment.
- Teachers counter education reform ideas on tests, pay
"For me, student achievement means performing at levels which will prepare (students) for college and for the real world — it doesn't necessarily mean which band on the standardized test they're performing at," says Cate Dossetti, an English teacher at Fresno, Calif., High School.
- Community colleges get creative to find more space
"There are tons of vacant parcels, and there is more property on the market than there are buyers."
- 17 states to fight dismal college completion rates - Complete College America
About one in every two Americans who start college never finish, said Jones, who founded Complete College America http://www.completecollege.org/ , a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, last year.
Other Economies
- Secretary of state Linda McCulloch Inverview with GovTech
Chad Vander Veen interviews Montana secretary of state Linda McCulloch on records management, voter participation, and the special challenges facing Montana.
Community
- Biotech Research No Silver Bullet for Florida
The Millennial Depression has slowed growth and delayed the much-needed spinoffs that the state was counting on for job creation. Now, with the state’s coffers empty, the lack of instant job growth is causing a search for another, new instant success instead.
Connectivity & Communications
- Assistance Available for Smart Growth Planning for Communities
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE: Approximately $70,000 per recipient in contractor support
- NINE New Grant Opportunities
- Four New Grant Opportunities
Energy and Climate Change
- Surf the Web at the Speed of Light
A new laser developed by scientists at MIT could make light-speed computing a reality.
- What's the Capital of Kansas? Google
To lure Google's ultra-high speed broadband trial to Topeka, Kan., Mayor Bill Bunten renames capital city after the search giant for the month of March.
- Bozeman makes bid for Google ultra-high speed broadband
The City of Bozeman is asking people to spread the word about the city's bid.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- 10 Companies Reinventing Our Energy Infrastructure
Here are 10 companies that caught our attention. Any one technology is unlikely to solve the looming climate change and peak oil problems, but working together within the larger system, they could tilt the globe away from catastrophe and towards a sustainable future.
Government Technology
- Tap Your Skin to Dial Your Phone
This is freaky future stuff, where you're the interface.
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- Vermont Adopts Open Source Software Policy
The policy says the Vermont Department of Information and Innovation and other departments should look at open source solutions as part of the procurement process, and are directed to calculate the total cost of ownership for an open source system, including "fixed costs (direct purchases and licensing) and operational costs for support, testing, upgrades, maintenance and training," as part of the procurement process.
- Seattle Announces Open Data Web Site offering city data sets to citizen programmers who want to build citizen-facing applications.
The data sets include information on crime statistics, alternative schools, public toilets, public art and numerous other metrics on Seattle life.
- Masters of Invention - The stories behind five of Missoula's most brilliant and bizarre patent applications
Their stories of success and disappointment, hope and frustration, show just what's at stake when someone has enough gumption to take an idea, however random, and try to make something of it.
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