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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Nov 19, 2010 |
"Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel." Socrates - "You Should Care..." Introductory Video - Missoula County Public Schools 21st Century Initiative" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
"Working Here - Innovate Montana" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "MEDA Request For Proposal: Montana Strategic Regional Competitiveness Analysis" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html ---
21st Century Initiative - "You Should Care..."
Montana Department of Commerce
- "You Should Care..." Introductory Video - Missoula County Public Schools 21st Century Initiative
Join the District as it embarks on this highly collaborative process during the 2010-2011 school year. The goal is to identify the 21st Century teaching and learning model that will best serve students and educators, the facilities needed to support that model, and a plan for implementation.
Northwestern Energy
- Montana Department Of Commerce - Economic Development Job Creation Grant Application Workshop, 11/30, Helena And Online
This webinar training workshop is to inform and assist interested parties regarding the preparation of grant applications for the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund (BSTF) Program Category I: Economic Development Job Creation Projects.
- Study: With or without new tax cuts, Montana ranks well for how it treats businesses
Montana's tax code is one of the best in the nation for people doing business, a national tax group has concluded.
- State Of Montana Consolidated Plan Not Just About Housing..., 11/30, 12/16, Webinar
Every five years a comprehensive strategic plan is prepared that reports on housing conditions, community development issues and market conditions; provides an inventory of housing services and programs; and describes broad priorities and objectives for housing and community development.
- Working Here - Innovate Montana
OK, so you've always thought of Montana as a beautiful state to visit and explore but perhaps you hadn't thought of us as a place to build a business -maybe you should look again.
Globalization Partners International
- NorthWestern Energy Named a Recipient of the 2010 ServiceOne Award
"While we are technically in the business of providing electricity and natural gas, we really think of ourselves as being in the customer service business."
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Machine translation can bring blunders, successes in international business
Consumers' optimism about machine translation often cools when they notice glaring errors in machine-translated communications.
Modwest
- Patent Office Extends Pilot Program Fast-tracking Green Technology Innovations
The pilot program provides for expedited processing of patent applications pertaining to environmental quality, energy conservation, development of renewable energy resources, or greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Come Home Montana
- 2010 Modwest Thanksgiving Food Drive
We Care Because...
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Mystery Ranch backpack-manufacturer says Bozeman, Montana is getting easier to work with
Last summer, Brit Fontenot, the assistant to the city manager, was assigned a new focus: economic development. Part of that meant making businesses feel welcome coming to town.
Missoula Public Schools Excellence
- MEDA Request For Proposal: Montana Strategic Regional Competitiveness Analysis
MEDA (Montana Economic Developers Association) http://www.medamembers.org is seeking a contractor to conduct a Strategic Regional Competitiveness Analysis of the State and its Regions.
Montana Business
- Chief Charlo Elementary students mentor younger children in Missoula, Montana
"I want a school that is positive, and students who are responsible and understand what the basic behavioral expectations are."
Montana's "Big Sky Blue" Supercomputer
- Pay what you owe to Montana: Governor makes sensible demand of online travel businesses
We believe Travelocity http://www.travelocity.com/ , Priceline http://www.priceline.com/ , Orbitz http://www.orbitz.com/ and Expedia http://www.expedia.com/ are collecting this tax from Montana visitors, keeping a part of it for themselves and shortchanging us.
- Missoula, Montana-based Tipu's Chai sales heat up
Between the second and third quarter of this year, Tipu's Chai sales doubled and Patel's product recently caught the eye of New York City-based gourmet food purveyor Dean & DeLuca, which is now selling Tipu's Chai at six of its 14 retail stores.
Regional Economic Development
- Butte council denies Rocky Mountain Supercomputing Center $125,000 loan
"It's through our centers of excellence and our ability to help small- to medium-size businesses, that's where the job growth is," he said. "It's been that way in the business plan and it will continue to be that way: We're here to be a support mechanism for business, academia, tribal enterprises and governments."
Bill Payne
- The Impact of Broadband Speed and Price on Small Business
"Today's study shows that a lack of competition in broadband providers is having a negative impact on rural small businesses."
- Oklahoma City held as an example at creativity forum
"Oklahoma City has tapped into the idea that quality of life is the No. 1 ingredient for economic development," said Mayor Mick Cornett. "We see our young people clamoring to live in Oklahoma City now."
Business Plan Forums
- The Funding Gap
For a variety of reasons, the minimum rounds size for most traditional VCs is now about $5 million.
Careers
- 18 finalists compete in the Cleantech Open business competition
ince its founding five years ago, the Cleantech Open has become cleantech's most influential business competition. EcoFactor, a Redwood City startup that makes "smart" thermostats, won the Grand Prize in 2009 and went on to raise $5.9 million in venture capital.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Wanted: more than 2,000, in Google hiring spree
Google Inc plans to hire more than 2,000 people around the globe, bumping up its workforce as it expands into new markets and battles for talent with faster-growing rivals.
Funding and Building your Business
- Innovative Tech Coast Angels from California could have appeal to Northwest angels, entrepreneurs
As described in an "investor memo," the fund is aimed at providing first and second-round financing to entrepreneur companies where "early exits" are emphasized.
- Other states offer models for Wisconsin's next steps in attracting capital
While Wisconsin has done well of late in nurturing angel capital investments, it still lags in another vital component of its innovation economy - building and attracting venture capital.
- A Boot Camp for Women Angel Investors - Pipeline Fund Fellowship
To increase funding options for companies led by women, a new fellowship aims to train more women to become investors in startups
Incubators and R&D
- When the Tech Guy Is 13 (or Even 10)
It's really not surprising that some businesses are getting a technology assist from, well, children.
- 8 Criteria Startups Should Follow To Find The Right Investor
Trophy angel investors are always looking for trophy entrepreneurs.
- Tech-savvy put business intelligence to work
"The potential exists for 21st-century business analytics to solve problems big and small and make the world a better place."
- Find Customers and Fund Your Startup -- Before You Even Have a Product
What is interesting about Abraham's approach to outreach is that it is all online and through social platforms. In addition, it adheres to several PR best practices, but in quite a unique way.
- The Patriot Express Loan Initiative aims to help veterans finance small business dreams
"The Patriot Express Program made the financing a lot easier," Williams said. "I was able to start the business a lot sooner than expected, thanks to this program."
- Behind the Surge in Mobile Advertising
Globally, mobile advertising is already a $3.5 billion business.
- Angel Investors Are Going Where VCs Fear to Tread
With cash for tech startups in shorter supply, angel investors are going where VCs fear to tread.
- The Top 10 Lies Entrepreneurs Tell VCs
#7. All we need is 2% of the market.
Montana Education Excellence
- Montana Tech given pitch on Yellowstone research center
"We want to build the premier research center for the greater Yellowstone ecosystem," Korsmoe told the group. "In a way, Montana Tech can have a branch campus in West Yellowstone without having a branch campus in West Yellowstone."
Regional Business
- The Big Sky Science Partnership aims to strengthen science education on and near Indian reservations in Montana
"Research shows that students are more engaged and have improved test scores when they learn material using these methods (that the program emphasizes)."
- Montana regents to discuss in-state tuition rates for graduate students - Record number of Chinese students flock to US colleges - California court backs in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
Prospective graduate students pondering where they want to spend their late nights doing research or grading papers as they earn their next degree could see a new incentive to choose Montana next year.
- Montana university system says new high reached in enrollment
Large increases were seen in older students returning to school, the number of students attending two-year programs and transferring from them to four-year programs.
- Montana universities will benefit from new leaders' vision
"We will all grow."
- Staying in school: Hamilton, Montana student gives input on improving graduation rates - Graduation Matters Montana
Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said Graduation Matters is about seeking ways to increase the rate of students graduating from high school "college and career ready."
- Kitchen Confidential - Missoula's best-kept dining secret doubles as a training ground for aspiring gourmets
I am privy to Missoula's best-kept dining secret.
- Record Attendance at Fall Montana State University College of Business Entrepreneur Day
The event hosted high school and college students in the Strand Union Building for a day of interactive business education with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Idaho Business
- 2010 Ranking of 'New Economy States' Highlights Leaders and Laggers in Innovation, According to Kauffman/ITIF Study
United States must address fundamental economic competitiveness challenges to thrive in the new economy
- Film Tax Subsidies Cost More Than They Give Back, New Report Says
The center examined subsidies in 43 states, including Connecticut, and found that a large portion of the jobs they create -- in particular the higher paying jobs -- are filled by non-residents.
- Many Outmigration Counties Are Prosperous
Rural counties that are losing people are often relatively prosperous. They have low levels of poverty and unemployment -- but are still leaking people.
- The Other Chambers of Commerce
Local chambers of commerce often are assumed to be part of the U.S. Chamber, or otherwise under its direction. They aren't. They are independent.
Oregon Economic Development
- Ketchum, Idaho explores fostering economic development
"The town is in a death spiral"
- Meridian, Idaho-based Silverdraft premieres movie studio-on-wheel
The portable studio, called Mobileviz, includes a battery of editing and visual effects equipment and a computer system hooked into 80 of Micron Technology Inc.'s blisteringly fast solid-state drive memory devices.
- Alternative energy attracts business interest
"Exploring alternative sources of fuel and energy is popular," Hall said. "Its development is important to a myriad of other industries and services that would benefit, from engineers to manufacturing."
- Investment strategist: Locale, exports could help Idaho rebound
Idaho's economic recovery will draw strength from the state's work force and quality of life.
Utah Business
- The Portland Development Commission unveils effort to nurture athletics and outdoor business cluster in Oregon
The Portland Development Commission announced Tuesday a new "action plan" to nurture the sector and help it continue to grow economically.
2011 Montana Legislature
- Public to decide which ski ads will tout Utah
"This is a pretty unique proposal, letting go with control," said Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty, adding that state and industry officials feel confident in doing so because "we're turning [the decision] over to a knowledgeable group of people."
Education
- Learn To Monitor 2011 Montana Legislative Session, 11/22, 12/17, Helena
The Montana Legislative Services Division is offering the public four opportunities to learn how to use a free online service to monitor the activities of the 2011 Legislature.
Community
- Conrad Wolfram Video: Teaching kids real math with computers
Conrad Wolfram says the part of math we teach -- calculation by hand -- isn't just tedious, it's mostly irrelevant to real mathematics and the real world. He presents his radical idea: teaching kids math through computer programming.
- Schools get smarter about ed-tech energy use
K-12 districts' ed-tech departments are working to reduce their energy use--and their bottom line
- Teachers take charge to save ailing public schools
Today, the school is run by a teacher-controlled committee where the principal carries the same weight as a teacher and the district has minimal say in operations.
- Students, ed-tech company form extraordinary partnership
Wilhelm is part of a new initiative at the Ohio high school not only to spur community support for education, but also to help kids learn critical life skills that will serve them well beyond graduation.
- All Together Now? Educating high and low achievers in the same classroom
If the school community placed its highest value on pushing all kids to achieve their full potential, including its high-achieving students, it would probably organize its classrooms differently.
- Tomorrow's Education - The New Normal: Doing More with Less -- Secretary Arne Duncan
It's time to stop treating the problem of educational productivity as a grinding, eat-your-broccoli exercise. It's time to start treating it as an opportunity for innovation and accelerating progress.
- Using Wireless Devices to Keep Students Engaged
Schools and municipalities across the country are implementing wireless devices that keep students and participants engaged and facilitate feedback.
Connectivity & Communications
- Why People Love Their Communities
Appreciation of diversity, social offerings, and aesthetics trump jobs, economy, and safety according to a new survey by Gallup/Knight.
- The 20-Minute Neighborhood
Portland wants to create a series of "20-minute neighborhoods" -- places where people can walk, within 20 minutes, to most of the places they need to go and the services they need. Some neighborhoods are already there, but others have a ways to go.
- What Makes A City Great? An American Perspective
One way to envision urban greatness is to comprise it in a simple formulation of the "4Cs", with each "C" respectively standing for currency, cosmopolitanism, concentration and charisma. It is the cumulative impact of the "4Cs" that differentiates a great city from other cities.
Energy and Climate Change
- U.S. panel says China briefly 'hijacked' 15% of world's Internet traffic
State-owned China Telecom briefly "hijacked" massive volumes of Internet traffic worldwide in April -- including U.S. government and military traffic -- and diverted it through servers in China, according to a U.S. commission.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- University of Montana's proposed biomass boiler will save $1M a year
We believe this project is the right thing to do for a number of reasons: it keeps the university at the forefront of environmental leadership, it will provide local jobs, it will help keep our forests healthy, and lastly, it will provide an educational opportunity for our students.
- Our Warming World: Picking up the 'Glacial Pace'
For climate scientists, however, among people actually doing work in the field, a lot of the argument and the thinking about the pace of change is going in the opposite direction -- global climate is changing faster, bigger, and sooner rather than later.
- Solar-panel industry meltdown looming in 2011?
"It could be Armageddon."
- Global warming could bring on colder winters.
Our changing climate isn't all about temperatures.
- Next-generation power grid research funded by Stanford
Energy is the lifeblood of modern societies.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Too Good to Check - India on $200 Million a Day
On Nov. 4, Anderson Cooper did the country a favor. He expertly deconstructed on his CNN show the bogus rumor that President Obama's trip to Asia would cost $200 million a day. This was an important "story." It underscored just how far ahead of his time Mark Twain was when he said a century before the Internet, "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." But it also showed that there is an antidote to malicious journalism -- and that's good journalism.
GIS Technology
- 'Bridge in a Backpack' Could Help Crumbling U.S. Infrastructure
The new technology is designed to ward off corrosion, double a bridge's structural lifespan and significantly reduce construction time and repair costs.
Government Technology
- Expanded Missoula County GIS system earns recognition from ESRI
"The award was given in part because there was some really good work done in Missoula County to modernize the Internet-based mapping system," explained Bryant Ralston of Missoula, an accounting executive for the high-tech company Esri.
Non-Profit News
- IPad Bringing Business Value to Government
Government CIOs say that the iPad is making them more productive and efficient, and also has potential to change how technology is delivered to government employees and the citizens they serve.
- Virginia government agencies again hit by computer outage
It was perhaps the widest disruption since the massive outage that crippled services across state agencies for eight days starting at the end of August.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Brita Climate Ride - 300-mile, five-day ride from New York City to Washington D.C. to fight climate change - Returns To The East Coast, 5/13-17
Would you like to join hundreds of cyclists nationwide on a 300-mile, five-day ride from New York City to Washington D.C. to fight climate change and raise awareness of renewable energy?
- Unstoppable Stuxnet worm not the work of lone hacker
"one of the most complex threats we have analyzed to date."
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