|
|
|
| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jan 18, 2013 |
“The evidence is overwhelming: The earlier we invest in our children, the healthier, more productive lives they will have. Taxpayers win, too, since every dollar we invest in early childhood education saves $7 in the future. Today I propose to make the largest single investment in early childhood education in Vermont’s history." Governor Peter Shumlin (D), Vermont. Governors Put Early Education, Literacy on Agenda http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Startup Missoula Weekend begins today at 6. Hope to see you there! --- Less than a year after the first Pittsburgh Startup Weekend, firms make strides http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Department of Commerce
2013 Montana Legislature
- Nominations Requested for Montana's Tourism Awards -- Deadline is February 8, 2013 --
The Tourism Awards are an opportunity to highlight and distinguish the people, partnerships, communities and events that contribute to Montana's vibrant tourism industry.
PrintingForLess
- New lawmaker, Rep. Amanda Curtis launches video about Montana State Legislature - First day trial by fire
Curtis said she has been recording daily videos about life at the Legislature. As of Monday, she's made five clips that she runs on her Facebook and YouTube accounts.
- Montana legislature should freeze tuition, invest in higher ed
The 2013 legislative session is an important time for Montanans who care about the price of enrolling their family members or themselves in college.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- Printing for Less - Live & Let Die (Cut)
Now you can afford Rock-n-Roll Business Cards
Arrow Solutions Group
- 10 Reasons You Should Visit Montana This Winter
With its endless miles of ski-able terrain, its serene snow-covered national parks, and its bizarre winter festivals, winter is one of the best times to visit Big Sky Country.
- Montana Winter Celebrations
Really, there are more wintry gatherings and galas than we could possibly list in one email--so pick a weekend, pack your parka and find yourself some fun. Served chilled, of course.
- 2013 Montana Governor's Conference On Tourism And Recreation, 3/24-26, Helena, Montana
Montana's tourism and recreation partners will gather at the Helena Colonial Hotel - Red Lion for 2 days of education, training, discussion, networking, and having fun. We hope you'll be there.
Great Falls Development Authority
- Many new career opportunities from Arrow Solutions Group
Arrow Solutions Group (ASG) is Montana's only specialized IT & engineering staffing and recruiting agency, connecting IT professionals and engineers with companies in Montana, Wyoming, North & South Dakota.
Inteneo Systems
- Great Falls, Montana approves AgriTech Park
"We've always wanted to build a first-class park for a first-class city," said Brett Doney, president of the Great Falls Development Authority http://www.gfdevelopment.org/, of the AgriTech plans.
Come Home Montana
- Good Data, Bad Data, No Data: A Critical Challenge Facing Arizona's Public Schools
"The gathering and reporting of education data in Arizona has historically been driven by disparate needs, conducted in an ad hoc manner, and performed by separate operating units using a variety of hardware and software. There had been no standard data definition or organization. For these reasons, it has not been possible to track the effect various factors have upon education, over time."
- Feds look to big data to position 'Government as a Platform'
"The government is sitting on a treasure trove of that sort [of information]. If you think about the role government plays and could play in cloud and big data, I just think we're at the tip of the iceberg on this stuff." --U.S. CIO Steven VanRoekel
- Big Data Means Big Opportunities For Email Marketers
Big Data opens huge opportunities for email marketers to better target consumers. Do consumers mind? In some businesses at least, customers may even be enthusiastic if the personalized information collected gives them some value in return.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Montana Career Opportunity - Experienced PHP/Linux Programmer - Cedar Mountain Software
We are looking for an experienced PHP/Linux programmer who actually wants a job and will show up to work on a regular schedule.
- Trailer manufacturer now hiring for jobs at Bonner, Montana plant
"Speed is really the thing," Job Service director Wolf Ametsbichler said. "They want to ramp up as quickly as possible," and could make the first hires by Friday.
- Montana Talent Available - Senior Executive
Successful executive with 15 years of proven success in developing, financing and operating businesses in multiple industries.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Natural Resources/Food and Agricultural Planner - Headwaters RC & D
Headwaters RC & D is a dynamic not for profit organization serving the counties of SW Montana seeking a team member to innovate and grow businesses that produce and commercialize food, agricultural and renewable energy products in the Headwaters region.
Flynn's Harp
- "Fiscal Cliff" Act Supports Startup Investment
"This exemption is an important consideration for our members as we consider an investment," said Keith Brown, Chairman of Montana's Frontier Angel Fund, LLC. "It helps offset some of the risk that individual investors take in supporting these young businesses that are actively creating new jobs and helping the economy grow."
Leadership Montana
- Flynn's Harp: Aspiri pleased by jobs he's created
While Aspiri has largely avoiding the limelight in his business involvements, though those seeking his backing and the business partners he accumulated knew where to find him, he agreed to an interview following the recent sale of one of the companies he built and guided.
- The Washington Business Alliance advocates the idea of strategic planning for the State of Washington
It's a process that often eludes government because decisions at the local, state and national levels are usually driven by the most high-visibility needs and allocation of resources by the most influential special-interest groups.
Montana Business
- The 5 Enemies of Unity
Efforts to achieve teamwork can be undone by these types of behaviors. Karl Jones, Principal, Organizational Insight
Startup Missoula
- MercuryCSC Adds Mike Geraci as VP of Converged Media
- Peace & Beer - Helena native and his partner raising funds to start brewery in Missoula to promote social change
Fernanda Menna Barreto Krum and Robert Rivers, a Helena native, are in the process of raising funds to open a new brewery in Missoula to be called Big Medicine Brewing Co. The brewery will be inspired by beer from around the world and their message will be that of peace.
- Fathers outraged by military body armor
NBC's Lisa Myers talks with Moe Rimes, Warren Sprinkle and John Grant, fathers of sons serving overseas who feel the Army has not made it possible for their sons to wear the best possible body armor.
- Kickstarter Campaign - Learn to Packraft!
Bozeman-based Backpacking Light, Montana Packrafting Guide Ryan Jordan, and a Montana State University cinematography crew team up to bring packrafting to the masses by creating the world's first video instructional series and a documentary celebrating packraft-based wilderness travel on remote rivers.
Careers
- Less than a year after the first Pittsburgh Startup Weekend, firms make strides
"I went into Startup Weekend for two things: to meet a bunch of great people and to have fun and build something I thought was cool. In the first three hours I met 10 people I could say drastically changed my life and are passionate about this product," he said. "I never expected that would be what happened, but I couldn't wish for a better outcome."
Government
- "Ten Years Later: Six People Who Faced Adversity and Transformed Their Lives,"
The book tells the story of individuals who overcame their biggest fears, from serious illness to the loss of family members, to live happy and full lives.
- Top 25 Oddball Interview Questions For 2013
One in five employees plan to look for a new job in the next three months assuming the economy stays the same or improves.
- Women take future of coding in own hands - "Girl Develop It"
In approaching a predominantly male profession, many women prefer to learn without the typical "bravado," as she termed the hyper-competitive nature of coding groups or hackathons.
Idaho Business
- Missoula County commissioners name new grants department
Programs include County Human Service and Special Fund Grant Programs; City CDBG and HOME Entitlement and Title I Grant Programs; City and County Public Service, Housing; Public Facilities, and Economic Development Grants Programs; and Historic Preservation.
- Health care open enrollement information now online
Consumers now have the opportunity to sign up for emails and text messages, which will provide them with more information to help them make well-informed decisions when the time to enroll for coverage begins.
- Montana Tax News You Can Use
Helpful hints for making estimated tax and current tax year payments
Incubators and R&D
- Treasure Valley man tries to slay the robocall monster
Davis, 27, is competing against hundreds of other inventors in a Federal Trade Commission contest aimed at blocking illegal robocalls on both cellphones and land lines.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Fighting Ebola: Hamilton, Montana scientists make breakthrough in search for vaccine for deadly virus
Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease's Rocky Mountain Labs in Hamilton, working in conjunction with a team in Oregon, have made an important discovery in regards to a potential Ebola vaccine
Oregon Business
- An Oil Town Where Men Are Many, and Women Are Hounded
Over the past six years, North Dakota has shot from the middle of the pack to become the state with the third-highest ratio of single young men to single young women in the country.
- Higher Ed Remains Vital To North Dakota's Growth
Now is the time, while the economy is good, to focus on creating the finest future workforce, making sure we participate in the world economy and that we are on the cutting edge of new technologies and the yet-to-be-thought-of industries.
Other Economies
- Old Money, New Decisions in Oregon
Oregon is the first state to emerge from a tobacco bond arrangement.
Regional Economic Development
- California To Hit Startup Founders with Big Retroactive Tax Bills - Should your company stay in or start in California?
If you are a business founder or early investor and have not yet sold stock: Rethink your business and tax planning strategies. Consider whether it's fiscally prudent to stay in California. If you a contemplating starting or investing in a California business: Think long and hard. Consider out-of-state alternatives.
University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer
- Trends in Technology-Based Economic Development: Local, State and Federal Action in 2012
Initiatives aimed at commercializing new technologies and investing in research were common approaches taken in many states over the past year.
- "Rise of the Rest" - an emergence of entrepreneurial hubs in cities and regions
"If you're able to figure out ways to get people to believe in a particular region and work together in a collaborative way and become a magnet for entrepreneurs who would consider moving there to start their companies, a lot of great things can happen."
- Techlandia - Bringing a Region Together for Mutual Economic Development
Techlandia is as much a state-of-mind as it is a place. It's what happens when technology, creativity and passion mash up.
- Internal Economic Development Marketing
Learn why reinforcing internal marketing should be part of your economic development strategy.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- University Technology Transfer Boosts National ROI
Operating costs are increasing, endowments are shrinking, and the fiscal health of Universities, both public and private, is becoming increasingly strained.
Education
- Governors Put Early Education, Literacy on Agenda
"The evidence is overwhelming: The earlier we invest in our children, the healthier, more productive lives they will have. Taxpayers win, too, since every dollar we invest in early childhood education saves $7 in the future. Today I propose to make the largest single investment in early childhood education in Vermont's history." Governor Peter Shumlin (D), Vermont.
- iPad U. - Drexel U. Library Adds Vending Machine to Dispense Laptops
Beginning in fall 2013, all incoming students will be required to purchase an iPad mini, which will come loaded with the student's summer reading and core curriculum texts, created by Lynn faculty. Priced at $475, the iPad mini will cost half as much as students were paying for print versions of their course readers, and they will get to keep the device.
- Some With Autism Diagnosis Can Overcome Symptoms, Study Finds
The study, posted online on Wednesday by the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, is the largest to date of such extraordinary cases and is likely to alter the way that scientists and parents think and talk about autism, experts said.
Missoula Schools Excellence
- The Minerva Project - Online Startup Plans To Create 'Ivy Caliber' Education For Half The Price
Their goal is to attract the best and brightest young students in the world without a traditional campus, while charging tuition "substantially less than half" of what they do in the Ivy League.
- College Enrollment Expected to Slip
"This is a big difference from what colleges and universities have come to expect."
- U.S. schools fare better in analysis
An apples-to-apples comparison that evens out participation in the tests among economic classes would push the U.S. way up in the international ranking of 34 countries - to fourth place instead of 14th in reading and to 10th place from 25th in math.
- Next Made-in-China Boom: College Graduates
China is making a $250 billion-a-year investment in what economists call human capital.
- Every traditional revenue stream for colleges and universities is facing some sort of pressure
"The U.S. higher education sector had hit a critical juncture in the evolution of its business model."
- Fixing Schools is Focus of Newest Kauffman Video Sketchbook
Harvard lecturer and noted school reformer Kay Merseth advises schools to stay true to the mission of purposeful learning
Montana Education Excellence
- Teachers argue Willard Alternative High School deserves piece of federal funding in Missoula
Willard's status as a program precludes it from receiving Title I funds, regardless of the needs of the students who go there.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Missoula, University of Montana nearing deal with developer for 1,000 new units of student housing
Engen said the housing project would likely be built in the downtown area. Not all 1,000 units would be constructed at one location, but rather they'd involve two or three smaller projects providing several hundred units each.
- Future of Montana Tech discussed in Butte
The community will play a big role in this strategic plan by submitting their input. Montana Tech recognition and visibility is one subject that could use more feedback.
- Montana State University plans ambitious growth in next seven years - Meeting on 1/17
Montana State University is working on an ambitious plan to make the Bozeman campus bigger and better, with more students, more research and more engagement with the larger world.
- A Hilarious Behind-the-Scenes Video Tour of Montana's Natural History Museum
The video is witty and educational and wonderfully produced-and, like most things at their museum, runs on volunteered passion.
- Montana high school graduation rates increase - Grants available to Montana schools
Juneau also announced the availability of $150,000 in grants through the Graduation Matters Challenge Fund to support new and existing Graduation Matters initiatives in communities across the state. The money is donated by the Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation.
- Senator Baucus and Senator Tester Congratulate New Bonneville Power Authority Administrator and University of Montana Graduate Bill Drummond
"Montana jobs and an affordable energy supply are linked to the Bonneville Power Administration's work in the region."
- University of Montana scientists give mock interviews to practice explaining research to public
"I'm awed by the courage of these scientists to put themselves out there and test their ability to communicate," Lowisch said. "It's quite inspiring - a testimony to how important it is to them to connect with the public."
- Ambitious Montana State University plan raises concerns about workload, funding
A key goal calls for expanding MSU by 15 percent to 16,000 students by 2019. The plan sets other ambitious goals, calling for more research and more "engagement" so that all faculty and students are involved in the local, state, national or global communities.
Community
- University of Montana Marketing Management Class (BMKT 480) Offering Marketing Plan Development to Montana Businesses and Nonprofit Organizations
If you know of a business or organization that needs to have a marketing plan developed this semester, please have them contact me as soon as possible.
Funding and Building your Business
- Civilization survives if women have equal rights
The collapse of civilization can be avoided by reducing consumption and expanding women's role in society, biologists report.
- An Astounding Explanation for Why Big Cities Are More Dangerous Than Small Ones
For decades, researchers have hunted for an explanation for why big cities have been more prone to violent crime than small ones. A new hypothesis may offer a surprising answer, and prove that big cities aren't inherently much more dangerous.
Energy and Climate Change
- Get A Domain Name Without Bankrupting Your Startup
The simple answer is that if you want to be found on the Web, the perfect domain name can be well worth a few thousand dollars, but don't pay a fortune for one.
- Top Entrepreneurs Have Follow-up, Not Ideas Alone
I can think of several related aspects of starting and running a business where follow-up, or lack of it, can make or break your startup. Here are a few:
- The Future Of Coworking And Why It Will Give Your Business A Huge Edge
Here are the numbers that support the case for coworking--and why it's not just for startups or freelancers anymore.
- The Best Approach To A Pre-Meeting Package of Information for the Board of Directors
When we showed up to the board meeting, everyone had the issues in their mind. We'd already cut out an hour of setup, and probably another hour of discussion. So we got right down to the higher level issues that the board material, and comments, and the responses generated.
- 5 Startup Marketing Actions to Impress Investors
What are some credible marketing and promotion steps you should consider for your startup? There are many more, but these should get you started:
- 5 Tips for Managing Localization in your Organization
To feel and be successful, you need a proactive, strategic approach to win the minds and hearts of those with the power to help you succeed.
- USDA offering seed money for grow-local farm startups
The low-interest "microloans" of up to $35,000 are designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and help minority growers and military veterans who want to farm.
- Hunting and harvesting in a digital world: the 2013 CIO Agenda
Technology needs a new story, because executives need a new reason to invest in IT.
- A Different Approach to Refreshing Stock Option Grants
I've never really understood why the majority of stock option refresh grants are stacked grants mid-way through the granting process.
GIS Technology
- Reduce greenhouse gas by exporting coal? Yes, says Stanford economist
Western U.S. coal companies looking to expand sales to China will likely succeed, according to Stanford University economist Frank Wolak. But, due to energy market dynamics in the United States, those coal exports are likely to reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.
Government Technology
- The Montana State Library Geographic Information's New Web Site
The new website includes the complete MSDI collection of pages, aerial photo download pages, and our new searchable GIS data list.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Philadelphia Appoints its First Director of Civic Technology
"We want to apply the same technology and methods used at hackathons on the inside -- to help city departments reach their goals of improving efficiency and responsiveness."
- SBA Presidential Innovation Fellows Launch Innovative Online Contracting System - RFP-EZ
A Limited Number of Low-Dollar Contracts Now Available Through New Online Marketplace
- Device notifies fliers of their luggage location
According to the company, lost luggage can be left for days before being recovered and the TrakDot aims to ensure that users can always immediately see where their suitcase is for easy retrieval. How else can the stress be taken out of travel?
- Filabot Turns Your Plastic Junk Into Material for 3-D Printers
Filabot http://filabot.com/ promises to help turn your plastic crap into 3-D printed fanciness, alleviating one of the biggest sustainability problems for 3-D printing.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page
