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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Jul 15, 2014 |
"The evidence is clear: Data-driven decisions tend to be better decisions. Leaders will either embrace that fact or be replaced by others who do." McAfee and Brynjolfsson http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Main Street Montana Project Regional Meetings!, 7/16, Billings http://www.matr.net/ev ... =5118 --- Hellgate Venture Network Meeting - Kali Lindner, OULA Fitness, 7/17, Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =5132
Main Street Montana Project
Montana Department of Commerce
- Montana's Information highway in second gear
"I think any solution Montana comes up with needs to be organized and collaborative between end users and providers. ... We can't improve our Internet without partnerships with providers."
Inteneo Systems
- The Montana Community Development Block Grant - Economic Development (CDBG-ED) Program currently has funds available for planning grants and job creation/retention projects.
Please contact Debra Demarais, Section Manager, at (406) 841-2736 or via email at: [email protected] if you have any questions.
Come Home Montana
- 'Gym rats' may get better grades and stay in college
"The results of this study are important because not only are we retaining more students, but we're retaining those that have higher GPAs, which is good for everyone."
- Billy Beane on the Future of Sports: A Tech-Driven Revolution
I see change that goes far beyond the fan experience and new methods of performance analysis. Technology will transform the social fabric of sport.
- Minn. Website Tracks High School Graduates' College Success
"This new tool will inform our continuous improvement, accountability, research, evaluation and decision making,"
- 'Most Wired' 2014 hospitals big on data
The Most Wired data show that shared health information allows clinicians and patients to have the information they need to promote health and make the most informed decisions about treatments," said Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association, in a press statement.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunities - CIP Security Information Analyst, Project Specialist, The EMS Engineer/Analyst - Northwestern Energy
NorthWestern Energy is committed to providing excellent service for our customers. In order to attract the best employees, we offer an attractive salary based on qualifications, a performance-based incentive program, and competitive benefits. We encourage employees to find opportunities to use their leadership skills to contribute to and strengthen the organization.
- A Place Worth Coming Home To
With these five elements, I think every small place has the potential to increase its gravity and hold onto its community. Maybe the kids will always leave the nest, maybe big city lights and exotic locales will never lose their appeal. But maybe like LeBron they will also never be able to ignore completely the gentle pull to come back. With a powerful enough pull, even Cleveland was able to bring home a King.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Major Gifts Director - Montana Environmental Information Center
Mission Accomplishments Contact Us Staff MEIC Board of Directors Jobs and Internships Privacy Policy and Tax Documents Jobs and Internships Major Gifts Director The Helena-based Montana Environmental Information Center is seeking a Major Gifts Director. MEIC has been described by one of our primary opponents, the Montana Mining Association, as "the most active and most successful environmental organization in the state."
Montana Economic Development
- Montana Senator Walsh leads fight against online sales tax legislation
Senator Demands Reid and McConnell focus on policies that grow economy instead of penalizing Montana businesses
- Bakken Oil Boom Brings Growing Pains to Small Montana Town
An influx of workers leaves housing scarce--and the jail full.
Careers
- Bear Paw revolving loans spur Hi-Line Montana growth
Bear Paw Development is based in Havre and covers Liberty, Hill, Chouteau, Blaine and Phillips counties and Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian reservations.
Government
- B-Schools Finally Acknowledge: Companies Want MBAs Who Can Code
Companies want to hire technically skilled MBAs, and business schools are finally starting to get it.
- Bill Gates's Favorite Business Book
Today, more than two decades after Warren Buffett lent it to me--and more than four decades after it was first published--"Business Adventures" remains the best business book I've ever read. John Brooks is still my favorite business writer. (And Warren, if you're reading this, I still have your copy.)
Other Economies
- Montana releases strategic plan for outdoor recreation
"As Montanans, parks and outdoor recreation are our way of life," said Gov. Steve Bullock in a news release. "Montana is home to magnificent landscapes and abundant opportunities to get outside. I am pleased to present this bold effort to ensure these opportunities continue to exist and expand."
Regional Economic Development
- Colorado Launches New $62M Investment Fund
The Office of Economic Development and International Trade said the fund specifically is looking to invest in businesses with at least $2M in annual sales, with the potential for both profits and impact on the state, in the areas of improving health, conservation, economic development or education.
Education
- Study: Job-Poaching Tax Incentives Do More Harm than Good
How an oft-used economic development tactic may actually be hurting the economy
Montana Education Excellence
- Smaller Share of Freshmen Stick It Out to Sophomore Year, Report Says
While the retention rate (students returning to the same institution) stayed about the same as in recent years, the persistence rate (students remaining enrolled anywhere) declined by 1.2 percentage points from 2010.
Community
- Scientists must take message to politicians, experts say at University of Montana conference
"There are incredible amounts of money being spent to influence decisions in Washington," said Greenwood. "And the joke in Washington is if you're not at the table, you're what's for lunch. Don't pretend you care about saving the world if you can't find your own member of Congress."
- Montana universities sell research as spark for economy and jobs
He spoke at Montana State University at the start of the two-day Research and Economic Development Tour, set up to visit science labs at state campuses and spinoff businesses, starting in Bozeman and then traveling by special train to Missoula and Butte.
Funding and Building your Business
- As New Brewery Succeeds, Optimism Spreads in Downtown Kalispell
"Being downtown was probably the top thing for us because we felt like downtowns are the lifeblood of any community," Doherty said. "Architecturally, I think Kalispell has one of the prettiest downtowns, at least in northwestern Montana. And we knew there was a great community here and that this downtown was ready for something like this."
Energy and Climate Change
- New business world boast: We're the Tesla of...
There's no better gauge of branding success than seeing a company's name become a buzzword, used in contexts that have virtually nothing to do with the company itself.
- A Guy Raised More Than $3 Million On Kickstarter By Reinventing The Cooler
Launched just four days ago, Ryan Grepper's "Coolest Cooler" has raised $3.2 million of his $50,000 goal, and he still has 48 days left.
- How Great Entrepreneurs Really Listen To Customers
If you are looking for a way to get a competitive edge, now is the time to start building a relationship with your customers, which includes active listening.
- Reid Hoffman - "The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age"
The solution? Stop thinking of employees as either family or as free agents. Think of them instead as allies.
- Upside Partnership Closes $30M Fund, Offers Seed Capital, Stake in Portfolio
"By making economic bonds between founders, it makes the emotional bonds even stronger."
- $26M Longevity Fund ready to provide growth capital to companies focused on senior citizens
"Not only do we believe the investment thesis of the fund and the demand for new solutions in the longevity economy are compelling, we also believe that providing our investors with a platform to evaluate new products and services, while collaborating with other respected peers from around the country is incredibly valuable."
- 10 Entrepreneur Alternatives To Investor Funding
My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn't have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. Leave the world of new computer chips and new drugs to the big companies, and people with deep pockets. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death:
- 10 Entrepreneur Alternatives To Investor Funding
My first advice for new entrepreneurs is to pick a domain that doesn't have the sky-high up-front development costs, like online web sites and smart phone apps. Leave the world of new computer chips and new drugs to the big companies, and people with deep pockets. For the rest of us, the following suggestions will help you survive the valley of death:
- Meet Elizabeth Holmes, Silicon Valley's latest phenom
Holmes is cast from the same mold as Jobs et al. She launched the company, she told me, after "thinking about what is the greatest change I could make in the world."
Connectivity & Communications
- Why were this company's computers attacked millions of times this year? Algae.
It's not usually the stuff of trade secrets, but Algenol, a company with about 125 employees, is developing technology that converts algae biomass into transportation fuels, including biodiesel and gasoline -- all while consuming the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide rather than producing it.
- China says electric cars must make up 30% of state purchases
The government has identified the vehicles as a strategic industry to help it gain global leadership, reduce energy dependence and cut smog that often reaches hazardous levels.
Government Technology
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana gets top speed
While infrastructure plays a part, commonly available Internet service such as from the cable company, phone company or other local Internet service providers likely never was a deal breaker because the big corporation could afford major-league big pipes from AT&T.
- The Man Who'll Stop at Nothing to Bring Free Internet to the World
Oluvus, his latest startup, is a new kind of telecom that hopes to make money by giving away--yes, for free--internet access in the US and use any profits to support connectivity projects in the developing world.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Florida: Using Big Data to Help Little People
The state's Department of Children and Families has identified what the highest-risk children look like on paper, and is using their profiles to best determine how to ensure their health and safety.
- 3 Ways Cities Can Grow Open Data Projects
"When you're able to use data in the public realm it's much more valuable internally."
- Why Are Governments Stuck in the Stone Age?
The solution to Lerner's email problems is simple and straightforward: build effective policies around today's technology -- not yesterday's.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Protect Montana's Smith River from Arsenic
Tintina Resources wants to mine for copper at the headwaters of the Smith River.
Transportation
- London firm creates thought-controlled software for Google Glass
"What we've done is just scratch the surface, and we hope that we've inspired people to build on what we've started."
- Microchip to ID Type 1 diabetics developed by Stanford team
The palm-size chip can analyze a few blood drops and diagnose the disease in new diabetics, as well as identify people who are at risk of developing the disease, the scientists say.
- Eye test may be able to detect Alzheimer's decades before onset
"What makes it unique is that the retina is actually an extension of the brain and so we think that a lot of the pathology that is occurring in the brain may also be occurring in the retina."
- Superhuman Vision Coming to Mere Mortals
Imagine having an ultra high-resolution display built directly into a pair of contact lenses.
- Earpiece gives anyone super-human hearing abilities
Soundhawk is a device designed for anyone to improve their hearing in loud environments by helping them to tune into the sounds they want to hear.
- The self-driving reset of just about everything in our cities
Self-driving cars are going to be a huge transformational disruption, and they're probably going to happen faster than most people expect.
- Oregon may have a better way to fund highway projects
If Congress doesn't act soon, a key source of state highway funds could soon begin to dwindle.
- Palo Alto Exploring 'Net Zero' Vehicle Trip Restriction for Commercial Developments
"In downtown, the existing cap on non-residential development would be replaced with a 'zero net' restriction on vehicle trips, which means that new development could not result in additional traffic.
- Flying Cars Predicted In Two Years: What Then?
In trying to imagine the world of flying cars, the technology is the easiest part to predict. The hardest is how people will react.
- Portland Shows How to Create More Downtown Parking (Without Building Any)
Dynamic pricing is not the only route to increasing parking availability. Better management of disabled placards at metered spaces may be an easier and more effective strategy. Implemented on July 1, Portland's policy is showing dramatic results.
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