The State with the Best Education Wins!
	MATR Newsletter - Fri Feb 25, 2011

This MATR newsletter sponsored by: Add an event... Upcoming Events Online Organizing - Salsa Workshop, 2/25, Missoula, Montana An Evening With Tom Brokaw, 2/28, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana Energy For Irrigation And Other Agriculture Uses, 02/28, Whitehall Ikuw Solutions - 6419A: Configuring, Managing And Maintaining Windows Server 2008, 02/28-3/4, Helena,. Montana Wind Supply Chain: Manufacturing Basics - Billings, 03/01, Billings Wind Supply Chain: Fast Track Manufacturing Basics, 3/1 Billings, 3/3 Bozeman Legendary Mountaineer, Conrad Anker, "Leadership Lessons From The Top Of The World.", 3/2, Bozeman, Montana Wind Supply Chain: Manufacturing Basics - Bozeman, 03/03, Bozeman Global Trade Day At The Capitol, 3/4, Helena, Montana MATR supporter: New Events Online Organizing - Salsa Workshop, 2/25, Missoula, Montana Wind Supply Chain: Manufacturing Basics - Billings, 03/01, Billings Wind Supply Chain: Manufacturing Basics - Bozeman, 03/03, Bozeman AS9100 Internal Quality Auditor Training & Live Audit Practicum, 03/08, Missoula Gracious Space, 03/10, Kalispell GIS Vending Machine Webinar, 3/11 ExporTech Montana, 03/14, Bozeman ExporTech Montana, 03/15, Missoula Small Log Conference, 3/23-25, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho The Annual Governor's Utah Economic Summit, 3/28, Salt Lake City, Utah U. S. Department Of Energy National Science Bowl, 4/28-5/2, Washington, D.C. "Sharpening Minds With Gifted Education" 4/28-30, Kalispell, Montana New West To Host "The Rise Of The Rockies" Festival On 5/5 In Missoula, Montana W2: The Women To Women Conference, 5/19, Bozeman, Montana MATR supporter: MATR Web services provided by: To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page

"We have something we can market and it's called ‘Montana. When we're adding value to our raw products and selling them with the ‘Montana' sticker on them. I think it makes it easier to market that product." Senator Jon Tester http://matr.net/articl ... .html

Ignite Missoula- Are You Ready For 5 Minutes In The Spotlight? We're accepting entries, Date TBD, Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Legendary Mountaineer, Conrad Anker, "Leadership Lessons From The Top Of The World.", 3/2, Bozeman, Montana http://matr.net/events ... =3535 --- Clean-tech leadership contest on - Nominations sought throughout Northwest http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html

PrintingForLess

• PrintingForLess.com Boosts Buzz with Customer Video Testimonials
  "In addition to using traditional marketing like print ads, brochure printing and direct mail, we discovered a way for small business owners to leverage social media cost-effectively," says Jared Tanner, PFL Vice President of Marketing. "By obtaining customer testimonials on video, it's possible to increase sales, enhance customer relationships and get third-party credibility without spending a fortune."

21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."

• Businesspeople help students polish job skills
  If teens want jobs, they have to be prepared to fight for them.


• Maine laptop program offers lessons in ed-tech implementation
  "The leaders in your system, from the highest levels of government and departments of education all the way down into schools, are the drivers of change. If a principal doesn't see the necessity for the change or doesn't provide the pressure for the change, the change won't occur. Just because you've introduced the technology doesn't mean anyone will do anything significant with it, if the leaders aren't applying the pressure to do that," he said.

Highway 12 Ventures

• Highway 12 Ventures - Carefx Acquired by Harris Corporation
  This acknowledgement allowed industry participants to invest in the future and pick the best partner in that journey...Carefx. We'd like to tip our hat to the team that made this all happen, and wish them the best as they continue on their mission of making healthcare systems more informed, efficient and collaborative.


• TechStars Boulder Early Application Deadline - Feb. 24th
  TechStars is a wonderful program in Boulder that Highway 12 is excited to support. Entreprenuers receive funding, mentorship and network when they are selected for a summer at TechStars. If you think your company is ready, please apply.

MSU Leadership Institute

• The Montana State University Leadership Fellows Certificate Program
  Equipped with critical and ethical thinking skills, and open to MSU undergraduates, we strive for students to become agents of positive change in society.

Visit Montana

• 'Montana Wild' facility poised to open for visitors this summer
  "We'll have perching pens outdoors so people can see our ambassador birds, and cameras on the bears next door, so there's some overlap with the wildlife center. We'll also have an archery range, a fishing dock and will be teaching outdoor skills. We really want this facility to be a place for the community to do a lot of programs."


• Montana Web Cameras
  Montana has quite a few web cams, or webcams, depending on how you want to spell it. Some provide outstanding views of the state, while other cameras focus in more on a specific place or, in the case of the Montana Transportation Department (DOT), a road.


• Montana Scenic Drives & Backcountry Byways
  To help visitors see some of these remote and beautiful places in Montana, I've put together this section on Big Sky Fishing.Com. The scenic and rural drive section has one purpose - to highlight, through words and more than 1000 photographs and custom-made maps - the beautiful scenic and rural drives found throughout Montana.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity: Franchise Sales Specialist, Great Harvest Bread in Dillon, MT
  The Franchise Sales Specialist will be responsible for managing and executing the franchise sales and award process. Salary is $40K - $50K.

Cleantech

• Clean-tech leadership contest on - Nominations sought throughout Northwest
  The Pivotal Leaders list is intended to bring attention to those who are current or future leaders in technologies such as sustainable energy, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient building construction.


• Silver Lake launches new cleantech fund with George Soros's firm
  The new strategy will invest in companies that leverage technology and business model innovation to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste and emissions, harness renewable energy, and more efficiently use natural resources, among other applications.

Montana Business

• LGBTProsper.com Launched in Rural Montana: Business & Advocacy Working Together
  LGBT Prosper offers their clients the ability to set up storefronts and list their services that is targeted directly towards the Gay community. In addition, 3% of the proceeds are directed towards an LGBT non-profit which is voted on by the site's visitors. In increments of $10,000, the first installment will be sent to the HRC Workplace Project.


• Mountain Mudd founders, Brenda and Dennis Burkhartsmeier told again to pay up by District Judge
  In 2006, two Chicago women won a $508,359 judgment against Mountain Mudd for failing to deliver a "ready to go" coffee kiosk business. The Montana Supreme Court upheld that decision. In the five years since then, however, the women haven't received a dime.


• Senator Tester Hosts Small Business Workshop in Missoula. - Microsoft exec: Great time to be an entrepreneur in Montana - Next Workshop in Bozeman on 3/26
  Figures showed that in 2009, Google's online tools helped generate $48 million in economic activity in Montana. Being online "isn't really something we have an option about anymore,"


• Stevensville, Pantry Partners Food Bank Facility Bid Open
  Ravalli County, through its sub-recipient Ravalli County Economic Development Authority (RCEDA), is issuing a request for separate sealed bids for the construction of the Pantry Partners Food Bank Facility (PPFB) to be located in Stevensville, Montana.


• Bozeman, Montana economy ranks seventh in 'micropolitan' study
  Bozeman City Commissioner Chris Mehl, who is policy director at the local research firm Headwaters Economics, said there is no doubt Bozeman has had rough times during the economic downturn, but the study shows that the city has shown more stability than others.


• Senator Max Baucus and Senator Tester Highlight Montana Opportunities In Boeing-Air Force Contract
  Senators Committed to Montana Manufacturing Jobs


• Water Desalination Patents Granted to Drake Water Technologies, a Montana Company
  The "Drake Process" is mobile and modular, allowing deployment in remote locations and easily accommodates changing water throughput. The process may be powered by mobile generators or low power renewable sources.


• As Hub, Yellowstone County Reaps Benefits of Oil, Mining
  For Yellowstone County, 2010 was a rebound year, and that growth is projected to continue at about the same rate into 2011. The county's economy, as measured by non-farm labor income, grew by 1.5 percent, and it is expected to grow 1.8 percent in 2011.

Montana Economic Development

• Dick King to step down from MAEDC - Organization in final discussions with interim director.
  "It has been my great honor to have worked with Missoula area businesses and the community for 11 years, but now it's time to make way for a re-energized economic development effort," said King.


• Ravalli County, Montana microloan program helps businesses get off the ground
  "It is working," said Julie Foster, director of the Ravalli County Economic Development Authority http://www.rceda.org/ .


• U.S. Treasury Announced Today a $56 million tax credit award to MCDC for Montana Revitalization Projects
  We are so thrilled for Montana communities!!


• Montana Senator Baucus Touts Win for Montana Jobs, Community Investment
  Today's news means Montanans will have access to additional financing for community development projects that stimulate economic activity and create jobs. MCDC will use the credits to provide innovative business, real estate and clean energy financing to low-income areas throughout the state.


• Montana Senator Baucus, Montana Farmers, Business Owners Promote Montana Jobs In Meetings With Top Colombian Trade, AG Officials
  Senator Pushes Colombia Trade Agreement to Create, Protect Montana Jobs


• Montana Senator Jon Tester says Pell Grants, biomass are key to Montana's growth
  Maintaining affordable education is crucial for the state's economy, Tester said.

Regional Economic Development

• Proposal would benefit immigrant entrepreneurs - Plan would reward startup efforts with green cards
  With more foreign-born students now returning to booming economies in countries such as China and India, the local tech community has hopes for a proposed bill that pitches a let's-make-a-deal plan for immigrant entrepreneurs: Want a green card? Start a company.

Bill Payne

• Capital Sources for Startup Entrepreneurs
  This column describes the spectrum of capital sources available to entrepreneurs starting businesses.

Careers

• How to Network - When You're Shy
  In fact, it seems like most people find it nerve-racking to walk into a room full of strangers and start a conversation. (Or is that just us?)

Funding and Building your Business

• 3 tips every entrepreneur should know
  There's no end to the advice and opinions entrepreneurs will hear in a company's early days, but three basic rules that every company founder should take into consideration:


• "Boring" issues top the list of startup mistakes
  In a recent survey by Bermuda-based insurer Hiscox, one third of 500 U.S. business owners with fewer than 100 employees said higher-than-expected costs was their single biggest start-up mistake, followed by hiring the wrong people, not knowing how to market and sell products, and not securing enough financing.


• Over Half Of VC Firms Have Shut Down, And Many More Are Dying
  The shakeout in the venture industry is on, and it is ugly.


• The Dilution Concern for Founders
  If my students at Cornell University take away one thought from the entire semester of instruction, that thought is embedded in the following exposition


• Market Research Available Through Ravalli County Economic Development Authority
  RCEDA can provide Market Research to assist business planning and sales.


• SBA Announces Grants Available for State Trade, Export Promotion
  $90 Million Jobs Act Initiative Aimed at Increasing Small Business Exporting


• With Venture Capital Scarce, SBA Offers $2 Billion For Early-Stage And 'Underserved' Entrepreneurs
  The two initiatives are focused on getting capital into the hands of high growth entrepreneurs by leveraging the infrastructure of the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program.

Incubators and R&D

• Public Research Universities Get Advice From Industry: Please Your Patrons
  "You need to do what's good for the patron," said Patrick Wilson, director of government affairs for the Semiconductor Industry Association, "and the patron will support you."

Montana Education Excellence

• Chicks in Science is geared up for Saturday 2/26 at Montana State University Billings
  The event is designed to introduce fourth- through eighth-grade girls to science, technology and engineering in an appealing way. Dozens of booths will be set up with interactive displays to engage the girls. Girls will also have the chance to win door prizes.

Utah Economic Development

• Delta's in-flight magazine to focus on Utah in March
  "Utah has a great story to share with the world," said Sky magazine publisher Marialice Harwood before joining with Delta Vice President Greg Kennedy (a part-time Utahn) and Gov. Gary Herbert to unveil an oversized version of the profile's cover page.

2011 Montana Legislature

• Montana to newly elected tea party lawmakers: Don't make our state into a laughingstock
  With each new bill, newly elected lawmakers from the loose-knit, largely conservative anti-tax tea party coalition are offering Montanans a vision of the future.


• University of Montana Legislative roundtable: Lot of time wasted in first half of Montana Legislature
  "There's the saying that the Senate is like a wine and cheese party and the House is like a kegger. We're working and functioning well." Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell

Education

• Schools should teach kids more about how science is done
  "Are they doing science?" he asked the audience. The audience overwhelmingly voted "yes."


• Microsoft signs Portland Public Schools as cloud customer
  Providing cloud services for public agencies is an area of intense competition right now, with announcements about new customers and lawsuits flying back and forth.


• IT czar Steve Hess sees technological revolution coming to higher education
  With new technologies like smart phones and tablet computers changing the way people consume information, it's only a matter of time before they shake up the tradition-bound world of higher education.

MAPS™ : Media Arts in the Public Schools

• "MAPS - Pro-Bono: Giving Back to the Community"
  "This year, MAPS continued to attract businesses to hire us to do their media work. Our public/private partnership enables us to choose projects on a 'no charge' basis."

Ignite Missoula

• Ignite Missoula- Are You Ready For 5 Minutes In The Spotlight? We're accepting entries, Date TBD, Missoula, Montana
  Ignite Missoula http://ignitemissoula.com/ is now taking applications for the 4th Ignite Missoula community event, to be held sometime in late April or early May in a venue conducive to good talk, good cheer and the vibrancy of Missoula.

Community

• FIVE New Grant announcements
  

Connectivity & Communications

• The Future of Rural Broadband
  The Times is backing a proposal from the Federal Communications Commission that would switch the USF from subsidizing phone service to providing incentives for companies to provide broadband to unserved areas, primarily in rural communities.

Grupthink

• The Wisdom of the Crowd in New York City
  Right now, New York City government is rolling out many "crowdsourcing" tools that rest on the proposition that an informed (and sometimes even enraged) public can indeed provide wise counsel. With budget shortfalls looming, tough decisions lie ahead. In an ongoing commitment to transparency, the city is aggressively pursuing both in-person and online opportunities for the full and frank exchange of views.

Government Technology

• Top 25 Doers, Dreamers & Drivers in Public-Sector Innovation
  This year, we honor a stellar group of individuals from state and local government and academia - as well as a few from the private sector - for deploying innovative technologies and IT policies that addressed a wide range of public-sector challenges.

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