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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Oct 21, 2011 |
“Truly reforming our public education system will require that we provide high-quality early learning for every child, and where it is lacking, full-day kindergarten – just as we do for first, second and third grades – and that we ensure later grades are designed to build upon skills gained in the pre-k years. Without this our education system will struggle to realize its full potential, no matter what other reforms we pursue.” http://www.pewcenteron ... n.pdf
So you want to live in Montana ... (You gotta watch this...) http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- Missoula: A Perfect Mix of Town and Country http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- What can your community learn from Ord, Nebraska, and the 1% Miracle http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Twelve Montana Tourism Facility Improvement Projects Awarded $530,000 in Montana Department of Commerce Grants
"This year's TIIP grant investment leverages $2.6 million from other state, private and national funding sources to finance these projects. This investment creates and supports local construction jobs, the state's building supply and service industry, and strengthens Montana's visitor appeal," said Schwinden.
- Public Hearing - State Of Montana Consolidated Plan, 10/27, Helena, Montana
The document is used by HUD to make funding decisions for affordable housing, homelessness, infrastructure, public facilities, economic development, and other community development needs in Montana.
Visit Montana
- STEM-Focused Schools on Rise Across Nation
As the story explains, while, historically, STEM schools have tended to target the top math and science students in a given state or district, the new wave appears to have a broader reach.
- Oklahoma school district launches its own mobile app
Customized school apps are becoming increasingly popular in higher education, a trend that began a few years ago when Stanford University launched a campus app for students. But it's a development that is fairly new at the K-12 level.
- Fitting In Exercise, Between Math and English
Principals and other education officials say the combination of budget cuts and testing pressures have relegated physical education to the dispensable category, despite city and federal efforts to combat obesity and improve health by promoting nutritious foods and frequent exercise.
Come Home Montana
- New app shows off historic downtown Billings, Montana
A free app http://walkhistoricbillings.com/ of a tour of historic downtown buildings has been created through a partnership between The Yellowstone Historic Preservation Board and the Western Heritage Center.
Warren Miller Freedom Foundation
- Montana Career Opportunity - Grant Writer/Administrator - Montana Business Assistance Connection, Inc.
This position has responsibility for finding and acquiring financial resources and providing professional assistance to effect new and existing business, economic and community development.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Chief Financial Officer - Montana Community Development Corporation (Montana CDC)
The CFO is responsible for the overall planning, directing, and coordinating of all financial activities at Montana CDC and its subsidiary corporations.
- Missoula: A Perfect Mix of Town and Country
I moved here nearly three years ago from a desolate, wooded valley up on the Canadian border for the town's highly regarded high schools, and have not been disappointed.
- Montana Career Oppotunity - .NET WEB DEVELOPER, GEOSPATIAL WEB DEVELOPER, PROGRAMMER, GCS Research
At GCS we are always looking for new and qualified candidates.
- Montana Career Opportunity - C++ Developer - Montana Mapping & GPS, LLC
Missoula, MT. 35K - 80K DOE.
- Montana Career Opportunities - QA Manager & Senior QA Technician - SSP
Extensive QA experience in mfg environment, competent Microsoft based software skills, & desire to learn medical device regulatory requirements required.
- So you want to live in Montana ... (You gotta watch this...)
This Xtranormal video about Big Sky Country is making the rounds today, and deservedly so. It's funny.
"Montana's Race To The Top - The State with the Best Education Wins!"
- When I Grow Up, I Want to Be...an Entrepreneur
A recent released Gallup poll shows that 77% of schoolchildren want to be their own boss. Forty-five percent plan to start their own business and 42% said they will invent something that changes the world.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- States rewrite education rules, with or without Race to the Top
"Losing out on the federal grant "was more of an opportunity to lay out our plan for reform."
Montana Business
- Why some cities are magnets for entrepreneurs
"Communities looking to support an entrepreneurial ecosystem need to first and foremost have the will to do that, to have community buy-in broadly," said Thom Ruhe, director of entrepreneurship for the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. That means endorsement from local government, investors, larger corporations and universities.
Montana Economic Development
- Be aware of where you're hunting with GPS system from HuntingGPSMaps.com
To date the Missoula-based HuntingGPSMaps.com has been successful in expanding its business model.
- Sen. Baucus' Montana Jobs Economic Engine Initiative Highlights Glendive Manufacturing Company SRS Crisafulli
"I'm proud to recognize the hard work and innovation that has allowed SRS Crisafulli to provide Montana jobs and keep chugging forward despite our tough economy. This company was built upon great ideas and I believe the more they can boost trade opportunities, the more jobs they will be able to provide folks back home," said Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee with sole jurisdiction over international trade.
- A Conversation with Paul Gladen and Todd Taylor, Missoula, Montana's Muzeview Research
We track and index what we term "thought leadership", the content and activities that major firms are producing to demonstrate their insights and expertise.
- Montana tourism industry hopes to raise its profile
Despite its status as the state's No. 2 or 3 industry, tourism gets scant respect from legislators who regularly propose bills to chip away at the revenue stream that allows Montana and its six tourism regions to promote the state to the traveling public.
Regional Economic Development
- SBA Honors Emerging 200 Initiative Graduates - Small Businesses Impacting Montana's Native Americans, 10/28, Helena
"We were very pleased, along with our co-sponsors, to bring Emerging 200 and its MBA-style environment and program, to small businesses in Montana," Joe McClure, District Director of the SBA's Montana District Office, said. "We had a fantastic Class of 2011 and we appreciate their dedication to the program. We feel that each one of them will have a brighter future as a result of their participation, and that the local and state economy will benefit as well.
University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer
- SBA's Growth Capital Program Sets New Records $2.59 Billion in Financing for Small Businesses in FY11
The U.S. Small Business Administration's Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program provided a record $2.59 billion in fiscal year 2011 to small businesses, a 63 percent increase over last year's $1.59 billion.
Bill Payne
- At Rutgers, a $1 Million "Disruptive Innovation Fund" to Commercialize Tech
One of the problems with technology research at N.J. universities, many believe, is that not enough attention is paid to transferring the tech developed here to the private sector.
- Some ideas on how to get PhDs to act like innovative entrepreneurs
"We need to incentivize scientists. How do we get them to understand the value of equity?" Scherl said. "Teaching entrepreneurship to scientists is critical."
Careers
- Flynn's Harp: Crowd funding for startups concerns angels
"It's very simple from where I sit: I am not in favor of any investment vehicle that allows unaccredited investors to fund startup companies. It is very high risk and the invested dollars are totally illiquid." Bill Payne
Funding and Building your Business
- What Does Your Profile Picture Say to the World?
LinkedIn research shows that a page with a profile picture is seven times as likely to be viewed as a page without one.
Incubators and R&D
- Three Questions to Answer Before You Write a Business Plan
What does success look like?
- Flood of data represents promise and peril for Web companies
The subject of "Big Data" has been dominating conversations among insiders throughout Silicon Valley the past year. And reflecting that, it was the main theme of the eighth annual Web 2.0 Summit that convened this week in San Francisco, dubbed the "The Data Frame."
- How businesses can benefit from hiring workers with disabilities
Small businesses that hire people with disabilities can qualify for $7,400 in tax credits and $15,000 deduction for making their building more accessible. Other benefits include less-tangible but still-important ones such as higher retention and productivity, gaining access to new markets, and improved customer loyalty and brand trust."
- How to protect company data when employees work with their own equipment
As millions line up to buy the new iPhone 4S, there is no denying that BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is an unstoppable force.
- Recruit a rock-star advisory board
Find your Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Are You Managing Your Unemployment Insurance?
The state may write the check, but the money comes from employers.
- Silicon Valley's New Hiring Strategy
"Software is thought of as a science. But what if it's not a science? What if it's more like a craft? Or even an art? If you wanted to hire somebody who could be a great craftsperson, you wouldn't look for somebody with a PhD in that craft."
- Flex Time Can Make Your Entire Staff More Productive (Even Hourly Workers)
Why are companies making the change?
Montana Education Excellence
- Researchers at Rocky Mountain Labs in Hamilton, Montana make progress on Hendra, trachoma vaccines
The Hendra virus is classified as a Biohazard Level 4, the highest risk level, meaning there is no known cure and it is fatal to humans. It is genetically similar to the Nipah virus, which was featured in the new Hollywood movie "Contagion."
Idaho Business
- Roy, Montana -Winifred, Montana schools learn to share teams, superintendent
"It is a challenge," said Dustin Sturm, superintendent of both school districts, as well as a part-time bus driver, cook, athletic director, driver's education teacher, lawn attendant and more. "(But) right now, yes it is ideal."
- Conferences focuses on bettering Montana education
"Education is the central tenet of a functioning democracy." U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy
Washington State Business
- Survey: Idahoans say state needs better, faster Internet service - now slowest in the nation
The survey follows a nationwide study by Pando Networks that ranked Idaho slowest in the country in Internet speed.
Wyoming Business
- West Corp. to hire 250 for Spokane call center
Driving the growth has been continued expansion by three major clients, Pleiss said. Those are a wireless carrier, a major grocery company and a financial services company. West Corp. hired about 190 workers in September 2010.
- Tech giant EMC thinks even bigger about Seattle
Seattle's going to be EMC's fastest-growing research and development center, outpacing the growth of centers in North Carolina and Silicon Valley and its headquarters in Hopkinton, Mass., near Boston.
Other Economies
- Study: Wyoming spends millions on community college dropouts
Wyoming spends $4.3 million annually on first-year community college students who drop out, according to a report released today.
Community
- AG asked whether $10 million state fund can be used to entice firms into Nevada
The state Economic Development Commission has formally asked the state Attorney General's Office for an opinion on whether the use of a catalyst fund to entice companies to relocate or expand in Nevada is constitutional.
- Ord, Nebraska, and the 1% Miracle
A county (pop. 2100) in rural Nebraska quit waiting for state and federal help and passed a local sales tax to help itself, shoring up old businesses, starting new ones, and improving local institutions. From hot rods to high tech to housing, Valley County is on a roll.
Connectivity & Communications
- FIVE new grant announcements
- Missoula - One of the Best Communities for Young People - America's Promise
Missoula honored again as a top place for kids
- ELEVEN new grant announcements
Energy and Climate Change
- The New Capitals of High Speed Internet
"There's a hotbed of ideas flowing back and forth across this community. I think everyone sees it as an enabler."
- County Residents Invited To Give Input On Broadband Network, 10/27, Billings, Montana
The state of Montana and the Beartooth Resource Conservation and Development District plan a workshop on expanding Internet access and capabilities to assist the state in identifying Montana's specific needs in the development of a statewide broadband plan.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- TED Video: Justin Hall-Tipping: Freeing energy from the grid - "The power plant of tomorrow is no power plant"
What would happen if we could generate power from our windowpanes?
- Facebook's New App Allows Users to Track Their Household Energy Consumption
"Think if a Facebook app could bring the social power of Farmville to home energy management."
- Dean Kamen's Inflatable Wind Turbine Doubles As Digital Billboard
This turbine has a vertical axis and rotors made of plastic fabric meant to be easily moved by the wind.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Is Google+ Dying?
"The Google+ platform is a pathetic afterthought." Steve Yegge, Google engineer
Non-Profit News
- Your Hand, Wall or Notepad as Touchscreen
Chris Harrison, a PhD student at the Human-Computer Interaction Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, and a fellow at Microsoft Research, came up with a wearable device that projects an image onto a surface, which then doubles as a touch screen.
- How 'Hybrid' Nonprofits Can Stay on Mission
"In the not-for-profit sector, a number of organizations are trying to be less dependent on donations and grants."
- Grant Program Seeks Proposals From Missoula Area Nonprofits
The University of Montana School of Business Administration, in partnership with the Learning by Giving Foundation, is now accepting grant proposals from Missoula County nonprofit organizations.
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