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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Sep 3, 2010 |
"Out in this setting where there's fires it's the perfect solution. You could stack wood against the house and burn it and it wouldn't go up in flames. I own a log home and after working with EverLog™ Systems, I wouldn't build with wood for myself, again. For the people who are considering a log home, I think it's the best way to go, it's forever," Hoyt Homes Owner, Wade Hoyt --" http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Montana solutions for Montana jobs - Guest column by Senator Max Baucus http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Rancher's code fends off deficit - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Chinese Course Open To Montana High School Students Statewide http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Discussion Of Missoula Mayor John Engen's "Best Place Development Plan.", 9/8, Missoula http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Everlog™ Systems
Montana Department of Commerce
- Missoula company, EverLogTM Systems makes log homes out of concrete instead of wood
If you're building a log home you have to consider fire dangers, beetle infestation, and upkeep. EverLogTM Systems has found a new way to make log homes that solves all of those problems.
Come Home Montana
- Gov. Schweitzer Thinks Montana Infrastructure Important National Economic Key
He talks about running Montana like a ranch or small business..."Save in the good years, so you can draw from it in the bad."
- Governor Schweitzer Says ‘Montana in the Black’ - Expect Balanced Budget with No Tax Increases
“We are doing more with less,” Schweitzer said.
- Rancher's code fends off deficit - Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer
When people from out-of-state ask me why Montana is doing so well, I say it's because we're running government like a ranch.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montana Career Opportunity - RFI: Microsoft Small Business Server Consultant
We are looking for someone to do the upgrade or clean reinstall of Windows 2008 Server, get everything set up and secured, and then provide regular maintenance.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Grant writer, Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
Mission - Lead Great Falls economic development efforts to promote growth, diversification and the creation of high wage jobs!
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Livability in rural and small town America
Do urban areas have the monopoly on livability? Transportation 4 America says no, and presents 12 case studies to prove it.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- September MEDA Online News
The MEDA Fall Conference will now begin at 2:00pm on September 14th to allow more time for the Summit wrap-up.
Glacier National Park Centennial
- University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman: Student entrepreneurs need support for their 'crazy ideas'
"The challenge for higher education today is to support our students in this vital area of economic development. While that certainly means creating new courses and programs, there also may be times when we simply need to step out of the way," University of Michigan President, Mary Sue Coleman
- U.S. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council Quietly Holds First Meeting in DC, Starting with Steve Case-Hosted Dinner
The council, made up of 26 national leaders in business, technology, and academia, is charged with helping the Obama administration “develop a broader strategy to spur innovation and enable entrepreneurs to develop breakthrough technologies and dynamic companies, and to create jobs all across America.”
Montana Business
- Crown Of The Continent Summer E-note Now Available
The University of Montana launched the Crown of the Continent Initiative to provide an educational catalyst for collaboration between UM and Glacier National Park.
Montana Economic Development
- Blue Marble CEO to Speak At Senator Max Baucus’ Montana Economic Development Summit
Blue Marble CEO and co-founder, Kelly Ogilvie, will be a panel speaker at Senator Max Baucus’ Montana Economic Development Summit.
- Seeking Self-Sufficiency, Montana Locals Build ‘Aquaponics’ Facility
“Where this is catching on it’s going crazy; it’s going viral,” Ogle said. “Ours is a prototype system, but we want to talk to local businesses and see it happen on a commercial scale in the valley.”
- Several Montana banks facing disciplinary action - Sterling Bank embarks on comeback strategy
A decline in the economy and the real estate market has hit several Montana banks, from Billings to Bozeman to Helena, and banking regulators are taking action to ensure Montana's money is safe.
Regional Economic Development
- Senator Max Baucus Releases Public Service Announcement Inviting All Montanans to Participate in 2010 Montana Economic Development Summit
Hope to see everyone interested in Montana's future at this game changing event.
- Montana solutions for Montana jobs - Guest column by Senator Max Baucus
Come and help us show the world all Montana has to offer. Together, we'll make our economy second to none by finding Montana solutions for Montana jobs.
- Hospital projects could drive Mineral County's economic future
Mineral Community Hospital this month announced a set of related projects that could achieve many of the area's long-held economic development goals.
Business Plan Forums
- New Website Pulls Together Data Used To Monitor Health of Northwest Communities
The new Indicators Northwest website http://www.indicatorsnorthwest.org provides the most up-to-date social and economic data for states, counties, Native American reservations, and tribes for Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- where are they now? Past John Ruffatto Business Plan Competition Winners
I found it very interesting to see how past competitors have used their business plan competition experience to succeed in their careers.
Funding and Building your Business
- Foreign investments to help boost Montana's local economy
Montana's EB 5 center would help boost the local economy. The center would help fund the projects that need funding, and then find the investors. The foreign investors then get US green cards for their contribution to Montana.
Incubators and R&D
- 10 Mistakes That Start-Up Entrepreneurs Make
There are about as many mistakes to be made as there are entrepreneurs to make them.
- Has convertible debt won? And if so is that good for start-ups? Good for investors?
First a quick terminology recap (skip this paragraph if you’re already familiar with convertible debt vs. preferred equity).
- At Some Companies, Students Are Teaching
At Dartmouth College's Tuck School of Business and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business, the programs are free; others charge the company anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000.
- HOW TO: Incorporate Your Startup at the Right Time
When should you incorporate?
- The 3 Most Often Overlooked Pieces of the Business Plan
Make your planning real. Make it help your business. Make it help you control your destiny and manage better.
- Michigan pilot program, Commerce Connect, that helps small businesses cut through bureaucratic red tape and get hands-on help on issues, including intellectual property protection, access to capital and exporting will go national
The program, which Locke called a "one-stop shop" for small companies, partners businesses with specialists who act as case workers to advise on a variety of issues.
- 23 Tweetable Startup Insights From Seth Godin
10) Generate joy. Don't just satisfy a need for a commodity.
- How To Build A World-Class Internship Program
How do you actually run one?
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana, Colorado and Idaho universities partner on study of fire and climate change
Faculty at Montana State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Idaho and collaborators at the USDA Forest Service received a $3.85 million grant to study fire and climate change in sensitive forests in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
- Forest Products Laboratory News, August 2010 Recent developments from the Laboratory
2010 International Conference on Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- University of Montana provost Royce Engstrom only finalist for president job
Christian said that there were three finalists for the UM presidency; one of them recently accepted a position at another university, and another other elected to withdraw.
- Montana State University No. 1 in recruiting bright Montana students - Chemistry, history, media arts see spike in enrollment at University of Montana
Of the Montana high school students who earned high scores (30 or better) on the ACT college-entry exam last year, 99 enrolled at Montana State University's Bozeman campus. That was more than all other state campuses combined, and double the 40 who chose the University of Montana in Missoula.
- University of Montana Fly-Fishing Team Takes Third At World Competition
UM’s team consisted of staff member Tony Tomsu and Jesse Filingo, a student. The duo competed against teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England, France, Germany and the United States.
- Chinese Course Open To Montana High School Students Statewide
The course is free of charge to all Montana high school students, including those who attend public, private or home schools. Students can enroll by consulting their school guidance counselor or visiting the Montana Digital Academy website.
- Brain drain? Not in Montana but Montana universities should set bar higher
Montana’s economy depends on increasing the educational attainment level of all its citizens. The MUS is realizing that goal by attracting academically gifted students and preparing Montana’s workforce.
- Montana gets a decent return on investment in higher education
We need more education of the kind we currently offer, with more assistance to the "best and brightest" to retain them in Montana.
- Writing Coaches of Missoula program seeks more volunteers for students
The Writing Coaches of Missoula program really began 15 years ago at Hellgate High School, but is now a critical part of English education across the Missoula County Public Schools district.
- MSU-Great Falls Students Begin Sustainable Energy Technician Program
Montana has the potential to be a leading state in wind energy production, and the new Sustainable Energy Technician Program at MSU-Great Falls is looking to train students to work in that growing industry.
Regional Business
- Five Businesses Win 2010 Montana Family Business Awards
In order to support and honor Montana family businesses, the Montana State University College of Business in Bozeman, supported by generous contributions, is hosting a keynote luncheon prior to the 2010 Family Business Awards ceremony on Friday, September 24, 2010.
University TechTransfer
- Yellowstone National Park - The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center - A Cathedral to the Shrine of Nature
There is something about Old Faithful that seems to encapsulate all the passions and paradoxes of national parks.
2011 Montana Legislature
- NIH teams with Pay.gov to speed tech-transfer payments
By eliminating the need for bank checks, this bank-to-bank transfer system can shorten the processing time from several months down to a day or less.
EducationCommunity
- Expanding the Mission: Community Colleges and the Functions of Workforce Intermediaries
Rather than simply offering individual programs, community colleges are now more likely to offer an integrated set of services for entry-level and experienced workers.
- America's best teacher and the L.A. Times - Method to Grade Teachers Provokes Battles
I think the newspaper has done a great service by showing conclusively that schools should not be rated by their overall test score averages --- more of a measure of family incomes, not of good teaching.
- Kauffman Foundation Partners With Singularity University as Corporate Founder
Partnership to Address Global "Grand Challenges" with a Focus on New Models of Entrepreneurship, Technological Innovation
- Pleasant surprise for DonorsChoose.org, schools
Web site listing 2,233 wishes from teachers gets a call asking what it needs to pay for them all. The next day, a check is sent.
- High number of home-schooled students leads to state audit
TEA officials wouldn’t reveal details of the audit — other than to say that the state is contacting a random sampling of families to validate that they intended to home-school when they left middle or high school.
- U.S. Asks Educators to Reinvent Student Tests, and How They Are Given
The new tests will be computer-based, Mr. Duncan said, and will measure higher-order skills ignored by the multiple-choice exams used in nearly every state, including students’ ability to read complex texts, synthesize information and do research projects.
- New NGA Center Brief Provides Guidance for States to Prepare All Students for College and Careers
Knowing that a college education and career training have become necessary for success in the global economy, states have led the charge to increase expectations for students; yet, a remaining challenge for states is creating clear and measurable education goals.
Connectivity & Communications
- Communities to get first shot at foreclosed homes
Major mortgage lenders will now give state and local governments the right to buy foreclosed properties before they go on the market, giving them "a leg up" on speculators who have often thwarted local redevelopment efforts, Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Wednesday.
- Missoula Team Launches MakeItMissoula.com - A website for those who live in Missoula, those who have, and those who wish they did.
A comprehensive site that would serve as an independent community resource for residents, as well as individuals and companies considering a move to the Missoula area.
Energy and Climate Change
- AT&T Accelerates Timetable for Launching Service in Montana
AT&T* said today that the timetable for bringing AT&T service to Billings, Great Falls and Montana Rural Service Areas (RSA) 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 has been accelerated and that it expects AT&T service will be available here by the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011.
- No Speed Limit Signs on the Technology Highway in Montana
As an entrepreneur and investor who works with start-up technology companies, it’s clear that our state’s technology infrastructure is key to many of the companies we are nurturing.
Government Technology
- Investing in Wind Power Is Smart — But Not How We’re Doing It
For evidence of how ass-backward things have become, consider the curious phenomenon of negative electricity prices. These are just what they sound like: Because of the peculiarities of the energy market, producers of electricity sometimes pay grid operators to take the power they make. In sparsely populated west Texas, where the wind business is booming, the wholesale price of electricity was negative for about 1,100 hours—more than a month—in 2008 and more than 700 hours in 2009.
- Centers of Invention: Leveraging the Mountain West Innovation Complex for Energy System Transformation
As the nation works out another future—a clean energy future—in order to create a more competitive “next economy,” it should look once again to the Intermountain West.
Transportation
- State Govt. - The Costs and Liabilities of Using Old Computers
States must create better ways of modernizing important computer systems before they become a liability.
- Crash of Va. computer network has implications for tech world, state politics
The data storage unit that failed in a warehouse outside of Richmond last week, wreaking havoc in the computer networks of a number of Virginia agencies for more than a week, is a ubiquitous bit of technology used by virtually every major company and government in the country.
- Montana Secretary of State's Office Receives 2010 Digital Government Achievement Award
Montana is one of only five states to win in the Government-to-Citizen State Government category.
- Travel Site, Getset, find the cheapest way to get there.
A new site that helps consumers decide whether to go by plane, bus or automobile.
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