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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Nov 23, 2010 |
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"In the long term, most regions need to improve their education systems. A focus on quality and freedom of thought and of expression would go a long way toward preparing children for the high-tech world." A Better Formula for Economic Growth: Connecting Smart Risk Takers and Improving the Education System are Crucial http://matr.net/articl ... .html
"NorthWestern Energy Seeking Non-Profit Partners for 2011 Employee Volunteer Program" http://matr.net/articl ... .html --- "Everyone should pay attention to K-12 funding in Montana" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
Northwestern Energy
- Montana Means Energy, November 2010
I am passionate about ensuring our energy future by developing clean energy, and producing bio-energy is an important component of my energy policy.
Blackfoot Telecommunications Group
- NorthWestern Energy Seeking Non-Profit Partners for 2011 Employee Volunteer Program
NorthWestern Energy's Charitable Giving Program http://www.northwesternenergy.com/display.aspx?Page=Charitable_Giving&Item=89 is seeking proposals from non-profit organizations to partner with the utility's employee volunteer effort for the upcoming coming year.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Statement from the Blackfoot Telephone Board of Trustees on the Retirement Announcement of District 6 Trustee, Bill Teague
"The entire Blackfoot organization is grateful to Bill for his many contributions to this company. Bill's vast industry and company knowledge, business acumen and vision for the future and humor will be greatly missed."
Leadership Montana
- The Development of University-Based Entrepreneurship Ecosystems
This book provides critical insight based on cutting-edge analyses of how to frame, design, launch, and sustain efforts in the area of entrepreneurship.
Montana Business
- Six Things Every Great Leader Does
#1. Read
Montana Economic Development
- Boeing Announces Agreement to Acquire Summit Aeronautics Group in Montana
"Bringing this successful partner and its talented employees into Boeing provides additional flexibility to support increased production rates," said Ross Bogue, vice president and general manager of Boeing Fabrication. "It grows our capacity to manufacture titanium and other hard metals structures in support of current and future airplane production requirements."
Regional Economic Development
- Prospera Business Network November 2010 Newsletter
New Leaders to Join Board in 2011
- Renovation of Historic Sears Building in Butte, Montana Wins National Award for its use of New Markets Tax Program
"Folks across Montana are proud of Butte's colorful history. This project is an exciting one because it's a great example of an investment that is creating jobs and opening up economic opportunities for the community. And it'll strengthen Butte's heritage for future generations." Senator Jon Tester.
Bill Payne
- A Better Formula for Economic Growth: Connecting Smart Risk Takers and Improving the Education System are Crucial
There are important lessons here for countries such as China, Japan, Malaysia, and Russia, and for regions in the United States and Europe that have been trying for decades to replicate Silicon Valley.
- Romancing the Smokestack: How Cities and States Pursue Prosperity
It's a collection of more than 60 columns I've published in Governing magazine over the past 15 years - a Cook's Tour, if you will, of economic development trends around the country since the mid-1990s.
Business Plan Forums
- Who Are These Angel Investors
OK, so angel investors provide funding and advice for startup companies at the time these ventures begin interactions with customers...but who are these angels?
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Governor's Biz Plan Contest now open for 2011 entries
The Business Plan Contest has attracted about 1,800 entries in its first seven years, with roughly 160 finalists sharing in $1 million in cash and other in-kind prizes. The contest begins with a 250-word abstract that is filed online no later than 5 p.m. Jan. 31, 2011.
Funding and Building your Business
- State seeks $50 million in seed money for startups
While early stage companies in their first year create as many as 3 million jobs nationally, they begin to shed jobs at a rapid rate after the first year, in large part due to a lack of funding for future growth.
Incubators and R&D
- Commerce, SBA Launch New Online Tool To Help Small Businesses Begin Exporting
Small businesses interested in exporting now have a new online tool to help them tap into the global marketplace to grow their business.
- 13 big-time entrepreneurs' best advice
Do Yourself a Favor and Find a Mentor
- The Tech-Savvy Put Business Intelligence To Work
While business intelligence is hot, it isn't always easy to extract profitable insights from mountains of data.
Montana Education Excellence
- University of Wyoming researchers eager to benefit from supercomputer's power
The $70 million supercomputer, a project of UW, the National Center for Atmospheric Research and many other partners, will enable UW faculty and students to make leaps and bounds in research.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- State education leaders praise Montana Governor Schweitzer for support in budget
"Higher education is the best job creator in Montana." Gov. Brian Schweitzer
Regional Business
- Math education in Montana gets private sector boost - "MATHCOUNTS"
In Montana there are seven regional chapter competitions held in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Glendive, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula.
- Montana State University celebrates Gallatin Valley's ties to history of the laser
"Bozeman has more optics and laser companies per capita than anywhere in the world that we've identified."
- Kumon, the world's largest after-school math and reading enrichment program, opens first franchise in Montana
"Parents want to help their children develop self-reliance, independent problem-solving skills and the motivation to excel both in and outside the classroom."
Idaho Business
- Farmland the next real estate bubble?
"Prices are rising above what the productive capacity of that land can support."
- John Wesley Powell's Watershed States Map
"Gentlemen, you are piling up a heritage of conflict and litigation over water rights, for there is not sufficient water to supply the land."
2011 Montana Legislature
- Idaho Export Excellence Program recognizes Idaho businesses
"There was a high level of interest and participation this year."
Education
- Everyone should pay attention to K-12 funding in Montana
The point for education advocates - that's most of us - is to pay attention. Ask your local superintendent what will help the schools that your children, grandchildren and neighbor kids attend. Visit with your locally elected school trustees. And don't be shy about telling your legislators what you think.
Government
- Teachers' Views on Technology in the Classroom
Videos on how the use of technology has changed the way they teach.
- Small-schools funding - At 82 students, school district credits size for academic success
A recent report calls rural education "what works in Washington."
- Ten steps for better media literacy skills
New action plan calls for educators, community leaders to promote media literacy education
Community
- Governor proposes merit-based bonuses for state workers
A state worker who "meets expectations" would get a $500 bonus, McVay said, while an employee who "needs improvement" would get no extra money under the proposal.
Connectivity & Communications
- Missoula 8-year-old recovers from lifesaving hip surgery
Last week, people from western Montana and around the world donated more than $27,000 to Mikaslyn's cause after her story was told in the Missoulian.
Energy and Climate Change
- "20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web"
For things you've always wanted to know about the web but were afraid to ask, read on.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- 'Sky is falling' warnings backfire
Dire or emotionally charged warnings about the consequences of global warming can backfire if presented too negatively, making people less amenable to reducing their carbon footprint.
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's charger may allow electric cars to automatically charge when power is cheaper
The Obama administration has set a goal of having 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015. Kintner-Meyer said that could cause problems for the electrical grid.
- Liquid Battery Could Harness and Store Solar Energy
It has the potential to make this renewable energy indefinitely storable and transportable.
- Toyota, Panasonic move into green-housing sector
Both firms believe there are huge opportunities ahead for energy-saving technologies, with the introduction of the so-called smart grid - a next-generation power network that will optimize supply to residential and other properties - likely to accelerate demand for such products.
- Ditch the Cord, Let the Road Charge Your Electric Vehicle
Entrepreneurs in New Zealand have developed a "power pad" capable of wirelessly charging an electric vehicle that's parked on top of it. It could even charge cars on the go.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Happy Thanksgiving - How's your parrot?
A young man named John received a parrot as a gift
- Intel kitchen computer sees food, projects recipe
The system is an attempt to design behind-the-scenes computers that bridge "this big disconnect between living in the virtual world and living in the physical world,"
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