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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jan 31, 2006 |
"Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each." -- Plato
With all of the discussions about education funding in Montana, it's wonderfully refreshing to hear about individuals who are actively contributing their resources to grow the potential of our most precious resource, our children. Congratulations to Rob and Terry Ryan for their impressive STARS program to assist the Hamilton Schools. "Rob and Terry Ryan’s STARS initiative ( Science and Technology At ouR Schools) Gifts Computers to Math Lab at Hamilton High School." http://www.matr.net/article-17912.html ------What can you do for your local schools?
2006 Montana Elections
MEDA Entrepreneur Working Group
- Horse sense: Web offers political information
Each election cycle, the Internet plays an even more critical role for statewide candidates and political parties.
Education
- Routes of Change, an e-newsletter published by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. How rural communities are embracing entrepreneurship as a tool to help transform and revitalize their communities.
"We offer the newsletter to keep you informed about the exciting projects and program the Foundation supports in the areas of agriculture, food systems, environment and rural development."
Montana Business
- Public-School Students Score Well in Math in Large-Scale Government Study
The 2003 test was given to 10 times more students than any previous test, giving researchers a trove of new data.
- Pinedale, Wyoming schools try to give money away
This school year the district will collect $67 million more in property taxes than the $7 million it is guaranteed for school operations under the state's K-12 funding formula.
- Integrated learning big hit on University of Great Falls campus. Students are calling it one of their most exciting classroom experiences at the college.
Students enrolled in the class don't read books and take tests to regurgitate what they read.
- Rob and Terry Ryan’s STARS initiative ( Science and Technology At ouR Schools) Gifts Computers to Math Lab at Hamilton High School.
Every day we don't provide them the very best is an opportunity lost.
- Apple's iTunes expands service to universities
"Our students are digital natives. We seek to meet our students where they are, and iTunes is the interface that most of our students are already familiar with,"
- Survey: Teens Predict Gasoline-Powered Cars Obsolete by 2015
"Perhaps more than any preceding generation, today's young people are completely comfortable with rapid technological change," Lemelson-MIT Program Director Merton Flemings said. "The rate of innovation, as reflected in U.S. patent applications, has more than doubled during their lifetime."
- Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future, highlights the need for more investment in long-term basic research and in K-12 science and math education.
Although many people assume that United States will always be a world leader in science and technology, this may not continue to be the case inasmuch as great minds and ideas exist throughout the world. We fear the abruptness with which a lead in science and technology can be lost—and the difficulty of recovering a lead once lost, if indeed it can be regained at all.
- New law will educate Montanans on misunderstood minority. American Indians
Soon Montana students will begin to learn more about our misunderstood minority, as Indian education for all becomes a reality.
Montana Economic Development
- 3 Rivers Telephone Cooperative Takes Equity Stake in IPTV Provider Auroras Entertainment, LLC in Kalispell, Montana
Darren Moser, General Manager of 3 Rivers explained, “We believe that Auroras has a great IPTV solution for rural telcos.
- Tiny phone company, Essen Communications Inc. finds niche in Montana
“We have our niche, and our niche works well,” he said.
- Montana state park system to develop branding and marketing plan
Officials expect to award a one-year contract for about $25,000 in late February.
- RightNow Technologies of Bozeman, Montana shows profit growth in 2005
CEO and Founder Greg Gianforte attributed the company's success to its products, including new offerings in 2005 that helped clients communicate with customers via e-mail.
- Avmax has landed in Great Falls, Montana.
Meanwhile Great Falls economic developers, Montana Job Service officials and Avmax itself have been inundated with job inquiries and applications. The flood started shortly after Avmax announced its Great Falls expansion plans a few days before Christmas.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Economists ‘bullish' about state economy
UM business school professors Jack Morton and Michael Harrington suggested the state should make it easier for businesses to fire employees without cause at any time. In addition, they said Montana loses business because nearby states have “right to work” laws and Montana doesn't.
- Montana's Agenda - Some Synfuel Thoughts from Governor Brian Schweitzer
America needs to come to terms with a basic fact: We don’t need oil to make the fuels we depend on.
- Made in Montana program set to resume after year's absence. Now called Made in Montana Marketplace - with a new logo and new graphics.
"It's a one-stop shop for companies to come in and purchase made-in-Montana products for their stores," said Mark Bisom, trade and international relations chief for the state Department of Commerce, which is co-sponsoring the show with the city of Great Falls.
- Why Are Colorado Ski Resorts Importing Foreign Labor?
American students are cashing in on an improved job market and choosing professional positions over running chairlifts and beer taps.
- Paddling before patience: Whitewater enthusiasts in downtown Missoula don't wait long to hit first completed rapid at Brennan's Wave
Keep track of progress at Brennan's Wave by checking out www.missoulawhitewater.org. The site has details on the project design as well as comments by whitewater enthusiasts about kayaking conditions and activities.
Funding and Building your Business
- The Angel Capital Education Foundation (ACEF) announces a major expansion of its educational offerings under its popular Power of Angel Investing (PAI) branded seminar series.
The new offerings are designed to complement ACEF’s existing introduction to angel investing with two to four hour detailed workshops that target more experienced angel investors. The expanded offering points to the rapid growth of the angel investor community
Global Telework
- Top 10 tips on courting investors
If you pay attention to these lists and learn what to do and what NOT to do during your presentation, you'll increase your chances of hearing good things from angel investors.
- Taking Your Business to the 'NxLeveL'
The NxLeveL program is designed for small businesses and focuses on the application of each of the operational areas within a business. While basic theory will be explored, this 12-week program delves into the application and execution of a strategic business plan.
- The Art of Execution by Guy Kawasaki
#1. Create something worth executing.
- The Art of Recruiting by Guy Kawasaki
#1. # Hire better than yourself. #2. Hire infected people.
- Looking for Funding? Ten Tips for Raising Venture Capital
#1 - Understand that Size Matters: Investors look for big, bold market opportunities...
Regional Economic Development
- Outsourcing is well worth the cost for many small businesses
When small companies outsource parts of their operations, owners and top executives find they can focus more on what really matters - building the business and serving clients and customers better.
Utah Economic Development
- Can Rural America Support a Knowledge Economy?
In rural America, as elsewhere, a variety of factors make knowledgebased growth possible: high-skilled labor, colleges and universities, vibrant business networks, and infrastructure. Some rural communities are already leveraging these assets to transform their economy. Many other rural places, however, have yet to tap this rich economic potential.
- New technology may help builders. Sewage system may spur rural development
A new sewage disposal process called "membrane bio-reactor" technology approved for industry use by the Department of Environmental Quality makes it possible now for developers to build their own sewage systems to fit their specific projects.
- Business women. Women-owned business accounted for 28 percent of private companies
"Attitudes about women in the workplace, period, have changed, let alone women running their own businesses," said Erin Fuller, executive director of the National Association of Women Business Owners. "It just hasn't quickly enough or as much as we would hope for."
- Op-ed: Foreign Students Who Study Engineering Deserve Citizenship
The fact that China is producing far more engineers and scientists than the United States is often cited as a major threat to America's continued prosperity. The problem is real, but in many ways, it is misunderstood--and by no means is it impossible to solve.
Idaho Business
- Utah Science and Technology Research bill takes a step - $200 million toward new university research facilities and an annual $15 million toward recruitment of researchers.
"Our high-tech jobs we are dropping. We're really losing ground," Mansell said. "If we're to get back in the game of high-tech jobs, we need to do some things that are fairly aggressive."
Washington State Business
- Boise Valley tech firm, Treetop Technology hires former HP official to take over as CEO
"While I don't want to minimize the impact of getting a pink slip, there are ramifications that can actually strengthen our local economy. As seasoned executives such as Kriss leave the larger companies, they tend to stay in the Treasure Valley and enter a growing pool of entrepreneurial activity. People like Jason have played a significant role in fostering this environment."
- Direct Connections has big ambitions: Rockland, Idaho-based company thriving
“The old model of having to go into the office to do work is gone,” Griffin says.
Wyoming Business
- Washington State House OKs $9 million and 4 plants to spur biodiesel in the state.
Supporters say the crushers will help Washington leap ahead in production of both oilseeds and biodiesel, which burns cleaner than conventional diesel.
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)
- Hawkins & Powers (aerial firefighting firm) workers seek new owner
It's apparent by the way they work that the remaining H&P employees appreciate their jobs. They have been working for months without direct management, essentially supervising themselves.
Miscellaneous RamblingsThe Creative and Cultural Economy
- Scientists Find Gene That Controls Type of Earwax in People
Earwax may not play a prominent part in human history but at least a small role for it has now been found by a team of Japanese researchers.
Energy
- Flathead artist, Merle Big Bow earns biz leader fellowship
“That’s a lot of artists’ downfall,” said Big Bow, a Chippewa Cree cultural artist who lives on the Flathead Reservation. “They don’t have the selling experience.”
Connectivity & Communications
- Fuels for Schools Construction Grant RFP. Is your school ready to benefit?
The intent of the Fuels For Schools (FFS) Construction grant program is to stimulate interest and increase knowledge in the use of renewable biomass heating energy sources and systems, and to promote the beneficial use of wood waste that is not currently being utilized. This is accomplished in part by assisting public schools and other public institutions with the conversion of their heating systems.
Community
- RFP Under Development For High-Speed Wireless Data Network to Cover Silicon Valley
The Smart Valley initiative envisions a broadband canopy covering a 1,500 square-mile area stretching from Fremont in the East Bay, south to Gilroy, over the hill to Santa Cruz, and up the Peninsula to San Mateo.
- AOL to offer broadband service through Qwest
The move is seen as an effort by Time Warner's America Online unit to compete in an increasingly broadband world and offset subscriber losses in its traditional dial-up Internet business.
- VoIP ideal vehicle for hackers, scientists warn
The Communications Research Network (CRN) of both renowned universities said no attacks had yet been recognized, but "it is only a matter of time before the technique becomes mainstream."
- StopBadware.org Website Launched. Will empower consumers to fight back against badware.
A new website, http://www.StopBadware.org, will spotlight the companies that make millions of dollars by tricking Internet users to download malicious spyware, adware and malware programs they don't want.
- News Papers take a leap forward, opening up to new ideas. Time Inc. to Cut 100 More Jobs as It Focuses on Web Business
But stop the presses. Media's sleeping giant is waking up.
- Small, cheap alternative to cell towers: balloons from Extend America in Bismark, ND
"I know it sounds crazy," said Schafer, who heads Extend America, a wireless telecommunications company. "But it works in the lab."
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- The DaVinci Code of the West
In the same vein as Western writer Zane Grey, who apparently first chronicled the Code of the West during the westward expansion of the United States, our code emphasizes self reliance. Example: 5.11 The trailing of livestock herds on roadways is an economic necessity and tradition. Slow down immediately whenever you encounter a cattle drive.
VIRUS ALERTS
- Up Front: The Next Internet Breakthrough(s). Think the Web has already changed everything? Just you wait.
The promise of putting unprecedented processing cycles, information, and storage at our fingertips, wherever and whenever we need them.
- E-mail worm bent only on destruction
The Kama Sutra worm — also referred to as Nyxem.E and Grew.A — is unnerving because, unlike other e-mail worms, it appears to be detached from any profit motive.
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