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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Jun 21, 2013 |
"Failure is an opportunity to start again, this time more intelligently." Henry Ford
Governor Bullock releases plan for a healthier Montana http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- The Main Street Montana Project - All Are Invited, 6/25, Bozeman, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =4619 ---
Montana Economic Development Summit - 9-16/17, Butte, Montana
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
- Senator Baucus Unveils Latest Heavy Hitter in Job Summit Lineup: Fred Smith - Founder of FedEx
FedEx is routinely ranked on FORTUNE Magazine industry lists, including "World's Most Admired Companies."
Northwestern Energy
- 10 Surprising Facts About Patents
Patent fights are usually pretty boring. But recently disputes have been anything but dull.
Inteneo Systems
- NorthWestern Energy Renews Major Sponsorship of Montana Folk Festival
NorthWestern Energy, a regional utility with general offices in Butte, has renewed its major sponsorship of the Montana Folk Festival returning to Butte this coming July 12-14.
Come Home Montana
- Seven Questions to Ask Your Data Geeks
hose who ask the following questions will be better prepared to both exploit the valuable insights and avoid the disasters that can arise from big -- but bad -- data.
- Sizing Up Big Data, Broadening Beyond the Internet
The story is the same in one field after another, in science, politics, crime prevention, public health, sports and industries as varied as energy and advertising. All are being transformed by data-driven discovery and decision-making.
- The Smart City of the future will bring big data to a new level
Songdo will become a completely connected city, where almost any device, building or road will be equipped with wireless sensors or microchips.
- How Big Data Can Make or Break Your Odds of Getting a Loan
One lender uses sophisticated algorithms--and any online dirt it can find about your company--to determine credit risk.
- Data You Can Believe In
The Obama Campaign's Digital Masterminds Cash In
Montana Business
- Montana's Economy of Ecology - New report attaches entrepreneurial development value to Montana's vast open spaces
"I am not saying that we should control development because I like to hug trees. I am saying it because it is good for business. My income is a direct derivative of the community and the beauty that surrounds me."
- Montana Career Opportunity - Assistant Provost, Public Relations Manager - The University of Montana Western
The University of Montana Western, located in Dillon, Mont., is an innovative institution nestled in a scenic valley in the Rocky Mountains of southwestern Montana.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Senior Web Developer, Application Administrator, HRIS Analyst, Recruiter and more - Plum Creek
At Plum Creek, our people are the core of our business. Their jobs may be identifying the highest and best use for each acre, but in the end, the most important contribution comes from how our people perform their jobs and enrich our culture.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Accounts Payable Specialist, Workstation Administrator, Network Manager - Murdoch's
Here at Murdoch's, we welcome energetic and enthusiastic individuals with a passion for exceptional service to become part of our team.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Director of International Marketing & Business Development, Director of Advanced Polymeric Materials R&D and Product Development, Sales Engineer and more... - Resodyn Corporation
If you're an individual who strives to excel professionally while still enjoying life, Resodyn Corporation may be the place for you.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Bozeman - Hosted Services Consultant Level 2 - Xcentric
Xcentric is a successful and widely recognized private company that provides technology hosting and consulting services to the SMB market
Montana Economic Development
- Missoula's Top 20 business professionals under 40
What makes western Montana a great place to work?
- Former Montanans Launch Indiegogo Campaign - Bumbleroot Foods Looks to Raise $30,000 for African Superfruit Drink Mix
Bumbleroot was founded by entrepreneurs Sara Andrews and Currie Corbin, both raised in Miles City, Montana.
- Collaboration from Concept to Completion - CTA, Inc. celebrates 75 year legacy of buildings of distinction
Because of CTA's diverse team, the firm is involved in the building process from concept to completion.
- Blackburn Bamboo Fly Rods in Bozeman, Montana
Bill Blackburn of W.W. Blackburn Bamboo Fly Rods talks about about rod building and fly fishing in Bozeman, Montana.
- University of Montana School of Business Administration Grad Brings a Taste of Brazil to Missoula - 'Five on Black'
He harnessed his creativity and put his education to work. "I'm making money while enjoying myself," said Snyder.
Careers
- Main Street Montana Roundtable Comes to Great Falls
"Montana's economy is dynamic and this plan will have to be something that can be adjusted and changed."
- Montana CDC and U.S. Bank help Mission Valley Aquatics of Polson, MT secure $6million in New Markets Tax Credit financing
"Supporting more than 40 jobs in Polson while building healthy community infrastructure is a win-win," said Senator Max Baucus, who helped make New Markets Tax Credits available to rural areas as Chairman of the Senate's tax-writing committee.
Government
- 9 Qualities Of Truly Confident People
First things first: Confidence is not bravado, or swagger, or an overt pretense of bravery. Confidence is not some bold or brash air of self-belief directed at others.
- Billings Academy of Dental Assisting recognized need in community 5 years ago
In addition to the increasing demand, more job openings for dental assistants will surface as older assistants leave the occupation. For some, this entry level occupation serves as a stepping stone to more highly skilled and higher paying jobs.
- The Number One Job Skill in 2020
Data by itself, though, is just a tool.
Idaho Business
- Oregon Government Workers Could Be on Treadmills Soon
Employees would not be forced to walk on a treadmill all day like a hamster, Williams said, but allowing employees the option of having a desk where they can alternate between walking and sitting -- or putting a few treadmill desks in common areas -- could lead to a healthier, happier workforce.
- Governor Bullock releases plan for a healthier Montana
"We all know that healthy children are better students, healthy adults make a more productive work force, healthy seniors enjoy more satisfying retirement years, and a healthy population is essential to a healthy economy," Bullock said. "This plan focuses on prevention, saving health care dollars and creating a common agenda for health improvement."
Incubators and R&D
- Want to earn more? Move out of Idaho
Idaho's median wage -- where half the workers make more and half make less -- is 87.3 percent of the national median. In some fields, the pay disparity is even greater.
- Boise State's first startup is on the go - 3D GameLab
Conceived on campus, a game-based teaching platform branches out as a private business
Other Economies
- Reimagining the National Laboratories
"The national labs are a tremendous source of cutting-edge research and scientific talent, but their operations are still based on a decades-old management model that no longer meets the needs of our modern innovation ecosystem,"
Regional Business
- Wisconsin lawmakers approve venture capital bill
The bill is intended to go after industries that can return investments and create jobs quickly and has nothing to do with social issues.
- Angel investor tax credits help raise $164 million for start-ups in 2012
Report comes as Legislature considers lifting cap on tax credits
Regional Economic Development
- Strong evidence that hospital CEOs' bonuses are standing in the way of healthcare
Across the nation, boards at nonprofit hospitals such as Valley are often paying bosses much more for boosting volume rather than delivering value, according to interviews with compensation consultants and an examination of CEOs' employment contracts and bonus packages.
- Where Corn Is King, a New Regard for Grass-Fed Beef
"It's amazing to be part of something that has the potential to be so huge in terms of the planet and sustainability. I say it's revolutionary."
South Dakota Economic Development
- Healthy sprinkling of greed can reap economic growth
In the world of economic development, the grass always seems greener someplace else.
- How Regions Can Access Their Full Energy Potential
So, what are some strategies that help a region access its full advanced energy potential?
- STEM-Based Economic Development Strategy
Of the $4.3 billion spent annually by the federal government on STEM education and training, only one-fifth goes towards supporting sub-bachelor's level training, while twice as much supports bachelor's or higher level-STEM careers.
- How to measure the outcome of tech-oriented economic development
So how do we judge how well the state's tech economy is doing, and how to we evaluate ongoing economic development efforts?
Utah Economic Development
- Google, South Dakota company team up on balloon project for Internet Connectivity
The project teams can control the path of the balloons by moving them so they can sail on wind traveling in the right speed and direction. Google developed software to help turn the balloons into a platform for providing Internet access.
Washington State Business
- Utah Technology Council touts STEM education for Utah's economic future
The long-term future of the state's economy will hinge on Utah's ability to develop and educate the next generation of skilled information technology professionals that will fill the growing number of high-tech jobs being produced in the Beehive State.
Wyoming Business
- Mike Flynn & Associates
We create opportunities to build relationships among businesses and provide counsel and guidance for entrepreneurs and growing companies, as well as those who need to make business or investor connections with them.
- Montana feeds Seattle - A healthy portion of Emerald City eateries serve up the Big Sky
Montana's curious tendency to crop up throughout Seattle's culinary scene.
21st Century Education Initiative - "You Should Care..."
- More money available for Wyoming economic planning
Additional funding is now available to Wyoming's cities, town and counties for economic development planning.
Education
- Ed Tech Accessibility
About 2.1 million American students have some kind of disability, including about 63,000 with visual impairments
- The Fight to Fix Public Education Has Finally Reached a Boiling Point
"A new approach is needed to improve our nation's economic trajectory, strengthen our democracy, and avoid an even more stratified and segregated society," it states. "To rebuild America, we need a vision for 21st-century education..."
- Report: Teacher preparation programs an 'industry of mediocrity'
First-of-its-kind rankings system says new teachers horribly unprepared
- L.A. school board OKs $30 million for Apple iPads
The tablet computer by Apple "received the highest scoring by the students and the teachers," who took part in testing different devices, said Deputy Supt. Jaime Aquino.
- Missoula educators, business leaders discuss streamlining path to workforce
The meeting signified Missoula College's new strategy of fortifying curriculums with advice from the labor force.
MAPS : Media Arts in the Public Schools
- U.S. News Releases 2013 Best High Schools for STEM Rankings
These 250 high schools are the best of the best in math, science, engineering and technology education.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- MAPS program receives $20,000 in grants to continue focusing on educating the next generation of filmmakers.
"MAPS fits both as a youth program that is training kids how to be filmmakers on various levels, and they have had great success and have shown a lot of growth." Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science
Universities and Economic Development
- MSU business students to offer consulting to area businesses and non-profit organizations
During the four-month courses, students will help manage special consulting projects requested by area businesses and non-profit organizations.
Community
- College of Southern Idaho earns praise for attracting businesses - the 'Secret Weapon' for Magic Valley Business Development
"Anytime you can get a college involved in the recruitment and economic development piece, that's amazing what that does."
- Maryland universities seek to turn research into business
State has goal to create more than 300 new businesses over decade
Funding and Building your Business
- What it means to live in the forest
The task force is looking at insurance issues -- whether homeowners in the WUI should have to carry special coverage for wildfires. In this sense, it would be modeled after the National Flood Insurance Program that was created in 1968.
- How Parking Minimums Beget Ugly Urban Environments
In the Pacific Northwest, and elsewhere, excessive parking requirements dictate the form and footprint of buildings, mostly to the detriment of urban environments. In a lavish photo essay, Alyse Nelson explores the damage inflicted by parking laws.
Energy and Climate Change
- Changes to the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund Program (Category I) Funding Award Process:
With your help, we will continue to grow Montana's economy using the Big Sky Trust Fund and other critical financing tools.
- How to build a startup: Stanford's new free course
The university is offering the course "Startup Engineering" on campus, but a version of the course is now available for free through Coursera, a massive open online course platform. Here's a look at the course format:
- A Tale of Two Companies
Same product. Same market. One company raised capital. One self-financed. Which is doing better?
- 6 Key Marketing Do's and Don'ts For Your Startup
I see many entrepreneurs that focus on the basics of marketing too little and too late.
- Helping Business Take the Next Step - MCFC newsletter
Advantages and Purpose of SBA 504
- Companies may be held liable for employees' Twitter posts
Will requiring a disclaimer for your employees' tweets really protect your business?
- Million Dollar Ideas Don't Make Successful Startups
For most people, execution is one of those things that seems obvious after the fact when done correctly, but is hard to specify for those trying to learn to do it better.
Connectivity & Communications
- Rebranding Pandora: Film by Oscar-nominated director shows nuclear is the way
Fool me once. In Pandora's Promise Michael Shellenberger and other environmentalists recall how the green movement duped them into opposing nuclear power. They won't be fooled again.
- TED Talk - Alex Laskey: How behavioral science can lower your energy bill
Alex Laskey helps power companies to help their customers cut down -- using data analysis, marketing and a pinch of psychology.
- New Stanford software helps identify cost-effective ways to invest in clean water
A free, open-source software tool developed by researchers from the Natural Capital Project at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment guides cost-effective investments in nature for clean and reliable water.
Government Technology
- Obama Administration's Wireless, Broadband Agenda Targets Economic Growth
The new initiative, ConnectEd, has a goal of connecting 99 percent of students to the Internet within five years by having the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) modernize and leverage its existing E-Rate program.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- First in the Nation: Montana Requires a Warrant for Location Tracking
Perhaps Montanans, known for their love of freedom and privacy, intuitively understand how sensitive location information can be and how much where you go can reveal about who you are.
- How Louisville, Ky., Is Using a 'Stat' Program to Transform the Culture of Government
Louisville's LouieStat is an initiative that not only has improved the performance of the Kentucky city's government but also has transformed its operational culture.
- Leading 3-D printer firms to merge in $403M deal
Analysts of the 3-D printing market have said the industry has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing, since the printers are able to make everything from chocolate molds and mouth braces to gun parts by laying down layer upon layer of plastic, metal or other materials.
- Researchers use 3D printing to create grain-sized microbatteries
The printed microbatteries could supply electricity to tiny devices in fields from medicine to communications, including many that have lingered on lab benches for lack of a battery small enough to fit the device, yet provide enough stored energy to power them.
- Computing: The quantum company
By the current standards of quantum computing -- which in theory offers huge advances in computing power -- the device's performance was astonishing.
- Digital health sensing clothes are next in wearables
Today dozens of people are testing OMsignal's compression shirt -- including people from high profile companies like Facebook and Google to create a buzz around the new product -- not unlike Google's marketing plan for Google Glass. The company also has a bra version of the wearable.
- Improved material for 'laser welding' of tissue in intestinal surgery
A new "solder" for laser welding of tissue during surgery has the potential to produce stronger seals and expand use of this alternative to conventional sutures and stapling in intestinal surgery.
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