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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Feb 18, 2011 |
Historically, the traditional classroom has been focused on teacher and content; the 21st century will focus on the learner and his/her needs. —Missoula Middle School Principal
City Club Missoula: Civil Conversation Key to Successful Community http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Bozeman economic development summit: Dan Ripke says 'Grow your own' http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- MCT's Next Step Prep accepts $100,000 gift from Washington Foundation http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Everlog(TM) Systems
Northwestern Energy
- EverLog™ Systems Newsletter - A Cabin for All Seasons and Conditions
An absolutely worry free log cabin.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- NorthWestern planning $234 million in upgrades to electrical lines - Meetings Planned Across Montana
"We're trying to take a very proactive approach to our future," said Curt Pohl, vice president of retail operations.
Highway 12 Ventures
- Missoula County Public Schools Forward Thinking, High Achieving: 21st Century Initiative Phase 1: Review of Current Practices, Perceptions, and Perspectives
The outcome of this two-part process will be a 21st century teaching and learning Master Plan that will guide MCPS as it further provides an exceptional education to all MCPS students.
- College and Business Will Never Be the Same: Philadelphia University Integrates Design, Engineering and Commerce
One of the problems in business today is that college graduates trained in a single professional discipline (i.e. design, engineering or business) end up graduating as domain experts but with little experience working across multiple disciplines.
- Role for Teachers Is Seen in Solving Schools' Crises
Republicans in several states have proposed legislation in recent weeks that would bar teachers' unions from all policy discussions, except when the time comes to negotiate compensation. In Tennessee and Wisconsin, Republicans have proposed stripping teachers' unions of collective bargaining rights altogether.
- Skipping Rote Memorization in Indian Schools
Nagla and 1,500 other schools in this Indian state, Uttarakhand, are part of a five-year-old project to improve Indian primary education
- WA business leaders call for early learning investment to narrow job skills gap
The solution is to invest more in the early years, when children develop the foundation for these soft skills that are increasingly in demand, and will be even more highly valued in the future.
City Club Missoula
- Lendio - Our Latest Investment Highway 12 Ventures
Salt Lake City-based Lendio is matching business owners with debt providers.
Visit Montana
- City Club Missoula: Civil Conversation Key to Successful Community
While some City Clubs in cities such as Cleveland, Denver, and Portland have been around since the early 1900s, Missoula's club begun in 2004 and is the only one in Montana. Badenoch hopes that some day there will be a network of City Clubs throughout the state.
Come Home Montana
- Montana Stories - Conrad Anker - Montana Alpinist
Conrad has traveled the world over. From pole to pole, top to bottom. Coordinating events, athletes, and sustainability initiatives for The North Face, he thrives in an environment without four walls or artificial lighting. In Montana he's found a natural home. A place where he can still get lost. Explore Conrad's favorite places
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Libby, Montana Crafts a New Identity - Hundreds of jobs arrive as town grapples with soaring unemployment
"We sit on an edge right now, where we can turn a corner and Libby can start growing again or we can just sit out here and stay at the status quo."
- Montana Career Opportunity - Media Planner & Buyer - Partners Creative
We're looking for a Jack or Jane of all trades.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Top 10 places to live in the West
Entrepreneur? Artist? Raising a family? Behold: the West's best spots to suit your lifestyle
Montana Biotech
- Entrepreneurs + mentors = jobs - Startup America: A Campaign To Celebrate, Inspire And Accelerate Entrepreneurship.
This endeavor will tap into the expertise of the country's most innovative entrepreneurs, corporations, universities, foundations, and other leaders and institutions, working in concert with a wide range of Federal agencies to dramatically increase the prevalence and success of America's entrepreneurs.
- It Takes Grassroots Effort to Support Entrepreneurs
First and foremost, our entrepreneurs need capital.
Montana Business
- Mapping 8 Million Jobs | U.S. Bioscience Industry Drives the Innovation Economy
America's bioscience industry is helping to diversify and grow the U.S. economy. American bioscience innovations in health, energy and agriculture are creating high-skill, high-wage jobs, driving economic growth and output and helping to improve the quality of life for Americans from coast to coast.
Montana Economic Development
- Stimson Lumber Co. cuts price of Bonner, Montana mill site from $16M to $11M
"As of today we have not closed on any portion of the plant for sale,"
- SBA Launches Program for Refinancing Commercial Real Estate
We are announcing today, a program that will allow small businesses facing maturity of commercial mortgages or balloon payments before Dec. 31, 2012, to use SBA's 504 loan program to refinance their mortgage debt.
Regional Economic Development
- Senator Max Baucus Plan To Boost Unmanned Aircraft Development Moves Forward In Aviation Jobs Bill
Senator Argues Montana Perfect for Test Site to Create Jobs, Boost High-Tech Investment
- Future energy: Montana Governor Schweitzer envisions Montana Tech center
"I've got plans for Tech," Schweitzer said Thursday to the editorial board of The Montana Standard. "I want Montana to be known as the place for scientists and engineers."
- Montanans joining Senator Baucus on trip to Brazil, Columbia
The goal of the trip is explore new opportunities for supporting Montana jobs by increasing demand for Montana products.
- Help restore Hiawatha rail service to Montana
If you value the Empire Builder and would like to see the return of the North Coast Hiawatha, now is your opportunity to act.
Bill Payne
- Immigration and High-Impact, High-Tech Entrepreneurship
We incline toward the view that immigrants and natives complement one another.
- States Turn Toward Regional Strategies - Is your state implementing a regional economic development strategy?
States usually don't even recognize their regions, seeing instead a fractured map of hyper-local jurisdictions, commissions, and boards. And they certainly don't tell them, "You show us the way, because you know best."
Economic Gardening
- Startup Valuations: The Dave Berkus Method
This is a very useful method and should be in an investor's valuation toolbox.
Funding and Building your Business
- Economic Gardening - Florida's best recession-fighting strategy may be nurturing the growth of second-stage, job-creating companies.
As part of the GrowFL program, the Legislature authorized an $8.5-million Economic Gardening Loan Program for second-stage companies that demonstrate high potential for growth and expansion. The loan program's scorecard:
- Bozeman economic development summit: Dan Ripke says 'Grow your own'
At Thursday's summit, Dan Ripke spoke about "economic gardening," a strategy that focuses on growing local businesses before spending resources to recruit large companies to the area.
Montana Education Excellence
- Difficult Is Good
There are some people who have an easier time getting along with difficult people. If you can find them and get them into key positions in startups, you will be better off.
- How to Work With Your Spouse
Don't start a business in the first place unless the relationship is strong.
- Cashing Out Start-Ups Gets More Complicated Long After Deal Is Struck: Delayed Payments, Reduced Prices
For acquisitions of private companies backed by venture capital, it's becoming increasingly complicated to collect cash after the deal has been signed.
- What You Probably Don't Know About Non Disclosure Agreements
NDAs don't stop leaks.
- Facebook Upgrade: 3 Tweaks You Should Make to Your Business Page Now
If you are the proud owner of a Facebook Business Page, either you have already been given the option to upgrade to Facebook's new page features, or you're going to be dragged into using them come March 10, whether you like it or not.
- Employees and social media: Empower and reward them, or fear them.
If a company has a healthy work culture, there's a good chance they are under-utilizing employee contributions on social networks. If it doesn't have a good working culture, they already have problems on social networks -- whether they know it or not.
- Startup Culture Memes: Do You Have A Duck Of Awesomeness?
Pay close attention to the language used within your company. Any behavioural change within your company will have an associated change in language.
- Can companies obtain free professional services through crowdsourcing?
The wisdom and energy of global crowds has been harnessed to create many great resources that you may currently use.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- The University of Montana Skaggs School of Pharmacy school ranks 12th
"If you look at the list of schools in the top 15, it's amazing Montana is in that list," said Richard Bridges, Chair of the Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Regional Business
- Senator Baucus Given Top Honor From Nation's Community Colleges
Since Baucus championed the 2009 overhaul of the TAA program, hundreds more Montanans who have lost their jobs have become eligible for training programs, health care and wage assistance.
University TechTransfer
- The Home Depot to Hire More Than 60,000 Seasonal Associates Ahead of Spring Black Friday Rush
Retailer Home Depot announced today it will hire 60,000 employees nationally this month and next as it gears up for its busy spring and summer seasons.
Idaho Business
- The trouble with technology transfer
What I discovered in those 5 years is that universities, investors and corporations don't give a damn about economic development. That all of them are interested in just one thing making money.
- University entrepreneurs need help to succeed
The many obstacles in the way of campus start-ups range from mundane rivalry over laboratory space, to a lack of a top-level commitment to promoting technology transfer and entrepreneurialism.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- 21st INL Scholastic Tournament challenges Idaho high school students
Over the next 45 days, approximately 700 Idaho high school students representing 67 high schools will compete for a trip to the U.S. Department of Energy's National Science Bowl, which begins April 28 in Washington, D.C.
- Select few companies spur growth in Boise, Idaho
Boise is the perfect example of the impact a few leading companies can have to spur growth and innovation in an area.
- Idaho Refuses to Join Internet Tax Effort
Proponents of taxing Internet sales say it will generate more revenue for public education and level the playing field for traditional Main Street businesses. Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/02/15/1528824/lawmaker-push-to-save-internet.html#ixzz1E8omMDaB
- U-Haul report says Boise, Idaho was a top city for migration in 2010
U-Haul International, Inc., named Boise the second-highest "growth city" in the country in its annual national report on migration.
Utah Economic Development
- Great River Energy's Spiritwood Station will generate steam and electricity from corn and wheat residue.
Most coal-based plants are 30 to 35% efficient, this station will be 40 to 66%.
Wyoming Business
- Utah Gov. Herbert vows to align education, work force needs
"In order for us to be able to prosper in the future, we need to prepare the Utah work force," Herbert said. "It is about jobs and economic opportunity."
- USTAR Funds 11 Projects in Latest Round of Technology Commercialization Grants
The USTAR Governing Authority has awarded $358,427 to innovative commercialization projects at six regional higher education institutions across the state.
2011 Montana Legislature
- Wind Tower Manufacturing Facility coming to Wyoming Gestamp Worthington joint venture to bring 150 jobs to Cheyenne
The company anticipates hiring 150 local employees and investing nearly $40 million on construction of the facility, land improvements and equipment.
Education
- Montana Legislator, State Rep. Joe Read (R-MT), Introduces Bill To Declare Global Warming 'Natural' And 'Beneficial'
(2) The legislature finds: (a) global warming is beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana;
- Governor Schweitzer Gives Session Update - Montana has over $355 Million in Bank
"For the last year the data has shown Montana's economy is growing and is on track," said Governor Schweitzer. "My administration has continued to say, there is money for Montana's priorities and to continue to maintain a large savings account."
- A prudent plan to create Montana jobs, train future workers
Like major projects proposed for the University of Montana College of Technology in Missoula and the Montana Heritage Center in Helena, the MSUB renovation/expansion would rely partly on funding from a state bond issue and partly on private fundraising.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas faculty warned higher ed system may be forced to declare bankruptcy
"I never thought this day would come," said Michael Bowers, the provost. He paused, on the verge of breaking down. "But we have to plan in case it does."
Missoula Children's Theatre
- American Prairie Foundation eNewsletter Jan-Feb 2011
2011 is already on the way to becoming an even more remarkable year, as we gear up to host the National Geographic Student Expeditions program on American Prairie Reserve this summer and move ahead with projects including the construction of our first hiking trail and the addition of interpretive signs to the Reserve. I hope to see you on the prairie this spring.
Government
- MCT's Next Step Prep accepts $100,000 gift from Washington Foundation
Next Step Prep is a summer theater arts academy that gives talented high-school singers, actors, dancers and musicians intensive training with top names on and off Broadway. This summer's academy will be its fourth.
Community
- Montanans in the White House
"It was a great honor for Montana to have someone up on the stage," Iverson said Thursday. "It could have been any one of us with the Crown of the Continent work, but we were glad to go. It was a lot of fun."
Connectivity & CommunicationsEnergy and Climate Change
- A World Wide Web that Talks
IBM builds a search engine aimed at the estimated fifth of the world's population that cannot read.
- Stanford researchers develop wireless technology (send and receive simultaneously) for faster, more efficient communication networks
Their research could help build faster, more efficient communication networks, at least doubling the speed of existing networks.
Grupthink
- Heavy Rains Linked to Humans
They found that that the increase made sense only when the computers factored in the effects of greenhouse gases released by human activities like the burning of fossil fuels.
- Passive houses aggressively reduce energy
Heat your home by throwing a dinner party?
Legislative Newsletters
- Crowdsourcing on Tap for Oakland County, Mich.'s Budget Decisions
"Since we are using social media in so many different ways here, we thought ... what is the next wave of how we engage our citizens in the process?"
Non-Profit News
- Montana Senator Jon Tester named Chairman of powerful Banking subcommittee
Senator will use position to strengthen role of community banks, create jobs, cut spending
- Venture group allows nonprofits to compete for funding
"We like to look and fund and work with early stage ideas from the nonprofit sector," said John Denny, founder and chair of PSVP.
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