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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Apr 13, 2012 |
“Like ripples from a pebble over the quiet surface of a pond, an unprepared kindergartner will find herself to be an unprepared eighth-grader, and eventually an unprepared adult. And it should be no secret or surprise to anyone that the cost of remediation becomes greater the farther along in the system that needy student travels…. We want to see every child succeed, and we know that entering the school system prepared is a step toward that goal. We also know that the preparation begins long before school, and that we neglect our contribution to that preparation to society’s peril.” The (New Bedford) Standard-Times, editorial, April 5, 2012 http://www.southcoastt ... ION01
9-year-old boy builds an elaborate cardboard arcade in his dad's used auto parts store in East L.A and raises over $125K for his education. http://matr.net/articl ... .html
Ignite Missoula
2012 Montana Politics and Legislature
- Ignite Missoula Presented by Missoula BarCamp Friday April 13, 2012 6:30PM - 8:30PM
The format is half the fun with Ignite speakers allowed 5 minutes for 20 slides that auto-forward every 15 seconds, whether they're ready or not.
Come Home Montana
- Governor Schweitzer Announces Fix to Montana's Pension Liability
The legislative proposal would make Montana the first state in the nation to address its unfunded pension liability, currently estimated at over 3 billion over the next 30 years.
Montana Business
- Crown Of The Continent Winter E-Magazine Now Available
Articles in this issue include "Memories of 'The Bob,'" "The Rocky Mountain Front: A Profile" and "Frank F. Liebig: Ranger." Tony Bynum also provides a stunning montage of landscape and wildlife photography.
- SD2 in Billings, Montana attracts close to 20 superintendent applicants
The relatively large number of applicants is a good sign for SD2.
MSU Leadership Institute & UM Global Leadership Initiative
- A new name, a new chapter. Missoula, Montana based Submishmash is now Submittable
The platform has been used by over 500,000 people. We have customers in 23 countries. On average 1 million manuscripts, queries, films, songs, portfolios, applications, business plans, and resumes are sent and curated via the platform every month.
- Search for an "on-airport" hangar facility in Montana
Seeking a 60,000 - 120,000 SF hangar for aviation-related service, repair, and painting.
- Kalispell, Montana businesses detail successes, challenges
Amid high unemployment and a prolonged economic downturn, a cluster of advanced manufacturing companies has been one of the Flathead Valley's bright spots.
- Five for the Flathead - Growth and Expansion are the on the horizon for the Flathead Valley, Montana
Great news from the Flathead
The Missoula Economic Partnership
- Montana State University's Michael Townshend honored for leadership by national service organization
"Michael is passionate about fostering change in the arena of nonjudgmental communication - and recognizing that a key leadership skill in building community is supporting community communication that appreciates differences."
- University of Montana students seek clarity on pilot program - Global Leadership Inititiative
"You don't have to have a history of being a leader to be involved."
Warren Miller Freedom Foundation
- You have 15 minutes to earn $500,000. Go. - Missoula Economic Partnership
The next pitch session is slated for summer 2012. So, dust off your presentation skills, winnow down that PowerPoint and get ready to sell the promise of your ideas, your company and yourself. You've got 15 minutes to land a million dollars. GO.
- MonTEC open for Missoula entrepreneurs
Economic strategists want Missoula to keep its entrepreneurs, so they found both physical and virtual spaces for networking.
Careers
- 9-year-old boy builds an elaborate cardboard arcade in his dad's used auto parts store in East L.A and raises over $125K for his education
Watch the video to see Caine's reaction to the mass of people lined up outside his cardboard arcade, but have a box of tissues nearby.
Come Home Oregon
- What Recruiters Look At During The 6 Seconds They Spend On Your Resume
Recruiters spend an average of "six seconds before they make the initial 'fit or no fit' decision" on candidates.
- Montana State University launches new online master's degree designed for technical professionals
Montana State University has launched a new master's degree program for engineers and scientists who want to enhance both their technical skills and their skills at managing people, projects and budgets.
Business Plan Forums
- Oregon Career Opportunity - Marketing and Communications Director - Rural Development Initiatives
Our new Marketing and Communications Director will plan, develop and implement all marketing, communications and public relations activities for the organization.
Regional Economic Development
- Utah student entrepreneurs win $40K for their inventions
More than 2,000 students from 14 college campuses across the state competed in the annual Utah Entrepreneur Challenge, but three BYU students came away with the $40,000 grand prize for their invention that turns off power to appliances in the event of a fire alarm.
University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer
- Western Rural Development Center - RuralConnections Monthly
The Western Rural Development Center (WRDC) collaborates with its public and private sector partners to promote excellence in research, education, and extension for the prosperity of western rural communities.
- Tech Hub Envy, or why you should stop trying to be Silicon Valley
Trying to replicate Silicon Valley is like dressing up as a drag queen to fit in on a girl's night out; it takes a lot of effort and you will remain an imitation of the real thing. Instead, as Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself; everyone else is taken."
- The Most Economically Innovative Small Communities In America
According to Fourth Economy, an economic development consultancy, the key ingredients are "investment, talent, sustainability, place, and diversity."
- Few states study impact of costly tax breaks
As states spend billions each year on tax incentives, the lack of scrutiny over each program's impact is a serious problem, according to a report released Thursday by the Pew Center on the States.
Utah Economic Development
- National Renewable Energy Lab Quickens its Tech Transfer Efforts
NREL is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. Backed by 35 years of achievement, NREL leads the way in helping meet the growing demand for clean energy.
Wyoming Business
- Summit celebrates corporate growth in Utah
"We've never been on anyone's radar screen as an economic powerhouse before," Gov. Gary Herbert told The Salt Lake Tribune after a keynote address to the sold-out gathering of about 1,300 people. "It feels good to be out front."
- USTAR e-Connections: April 11, 2012
In the spirit of coordination and collaboration, efficiency and effectiveness, the Governor's Office of Economic Development has co-located to new offices with World Trade Center Utah, USTAR and the Office of Energy Development.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- Microsoft plans to build $112M data center in Cheyenne
Monday’s announcement is the most prominent result to date of a concerted effort by state and local officials to lure data centers to Wyoming.
Education
- A Rural School That Works - 'Target them early'
Waconda's approach is rooted in the basics, with a community that champions education, coupled with faculty dedication and a relentless focus on early intervention and prevention.
- Montana Schools Try to Keep Indian Students Engaged by Teaching Indian Culture to All
The on-time graduation rate for Indian students was just 59.3 percent.
Grupthink
- Innovations in Higher Education? Hah!
College leaders need to move beyond talking about transformation before it's too late.
- Students find Western Governors University
While tuition rates at the state's public universities has jumped 50 percent or more during the past five years and now near $20,000 annually, WGU Washington costs about $6,000 a year.
Montana Education Excellence
- Leveraging the Wisdom of Crowds through Participatory Platforms
To design and plan for smart cities we must have platforms that support the leveraging of intelligence and wisdom from a diverse set of stakeholders, sometimes referred to as "the crowd."
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Raising Montana: News from The University of Montana Foundation
This edition has something for everyone, so I encourage you to take a few moments to view the featured articles and read the complete version online. In this issue, we highlight two of UM's Presidential Initiatives, the Global Leadership Initiative and the Athletic Facility Improvement Initiative, and Greek Life at UM.
- Graduation Matters campaign launches with free luncheon at Hamilton High School
The district was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from the Montana Office of Public Instruction, via the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation, to reach a 100-percent graduation rate.
Bill Payne
- Greg and Susan Gianforte of Bozeman pledge $4.6M to send Montana kids to private schools
"Having run a business here in the state, we saw how important a good education is," Gianforte said in an interview. "Montana is one of only a couple states in the country with no school choice legislation. There's no charter schools, there's no vouchers, there's no tax-credit scholarships."
- Hill County Electric Cooperative Internship Available
"This is a perfect opportunity to partner with a proven program that fits our strategic plan to address workforce development while providing hands on learning experience for the student intern."
Community
- 2011 Halo Report :: US Angel Group Activity
Only 21% of angel deals were done in California, which captures about 40-50% of venture capital.
Funding and Building your Business
- Getting Closer: On the Need for New Urban Manners
There are growing pains related to how we share space in the city.
Making the Most of the American Prairie
- Drilling Down: What Small Businesses Should Know About Crowdfunding
Can any business raise money through crowdfunding?
- 21% of respondents to a recent survey with a Pinterest account have purchased a product after seeing a picture on the site.
When Pinterest account holders were asked how many Pinboards they have created, 29% said between two and five; 26%, between six and 10.
- On the Hunt for Tech Hires
Companies want to show potential tech hires that they are a place where opportunities for innovation and creative thinking are ripe.
- Today Startups Can Win Customers From Big Business
If you are a new entrepreneur, you business life depends on using the following four decisive moments in their buying process:
- An alternative to incubators: the co-working space
Co-working may actually be a better environment for startups because it gives them what they really need.
- How To Scale A $1 Billion Startup: A Guide From Instagram Co-Founder Mike Krieger
The talk, as the name of the event would suggest, is mainly about engineering and back-end work. It goes through some of the obstacles and solutions that Krieger and team faced as Instagram instantly picked up millions of users. Some notable points:
- JOBS Act Update
Here is a brief summary of the key provisions of the JOBS Act, as amended by the Senate.
- Service Companies Should Go Global - Some Urge U.S. to Focus on Selling Its Skills Overseas
With an educated work force, a culture of innovation and strong capital markets, the United States has a larger comparative advantage in high-skilled services like engineering, law and finance than in lower-skilled manufacturing jobs that rely on cheap labor.
- How to Attract Crowdfunding Investors Without Breaking the Law
Though the prospect of being able to raise money from a bigger pool of investors is giving many entrepreneurs reason to salivate these days, the law stands to add a new level of complexity in the way companies market themselves to investors using crowdfunding.
- Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act Frequently Asked Questions
In these Frequently Asked Questions, the Division of Corporation Finance is providing guidance on the implementation and application of the JOBS Act, based on our current understanding of the JOBS Act and in light of our existing rules, regulations and procedures.
- Court: Managers can't make workers take lunch break
"The employer is not obligated to police meal breaks and ensure no work thereafter is performed."
- How to Help Your Startup Qualify for a Bank Loan
Here are some tips and rules of thumb to improve your odds and help you understand when a bank loan or line of credit is possible, and how to get it:
Connectivity & Communications
- Preservation continues in the "Serengeti of the West"
The Upper Green River Basin has been called the "Serengeti of the West."
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- National Emergency Alert System Goes Live
After much anticipation, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) went live last weekend, a first-of-its-kind national alert system in the U.S. that allows the public to receive major emergency alert notifications on their mobile phones without having to sign up or pay for them.
- App Wins Federal Challenge, Aims to Prevent Date Rape
If you're out on a date and feeling threatened, a new mobile application now makes it possible to discreetly message friends for help on your smartphone.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- New DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I Funding Opportunity Announcement
DOE will support high-quality research or R&D on advanced concepts concerning important mission-related scientific or engineering problems and opportunities that are likely to lead to significant public benefit from promising research.
- $9 Million Available for Small Green Businesses
DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is offering the funding through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which allow federal agencies with large research and development budgets to set aside a fraction of their funding for competitions among small businesses.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Cooperation Is a Key To Intelligence
"It is conceivable that, with the rise of global networking, the demands of keeping track of an ever-growing number of social interactions may select for greater social intellect, but we'll have to wait and see!"
- Artificial Intelligence Could Be on Brink of Passing Turing Test
There is reason to believe that code kernels for the first Turing-intelligent machine have already been written.
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