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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Apr 4, 2006 |
“To read the papers and to listen to the news... one would think the country is in terrible trouble. You do not get that impression when you travel the back roads and the small towns do care about their country and wish it well.” Charles Kuralt
Outstanding opportunity for small communities looking to increase their economic viability: "Boomtown Institute Launched - Goal is to help small communities succeed economically" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Montana Ambassadors
Education
- Former Microsoft CFO, John Connors is a 'Montana guy'. He expresses his concerns about the state's economy in address to Montana Ambassadors
People are willing to chose where they live based on the quality of schools. For the dollar spent, Montana has terrific public schools. The state should strive to have the best public schools in the United States. That's important. Because people are so connected with communications, people can live just about anywhere they want."
Montana Business
- Indian conference focuses on leadership, education in Montana
"Leadership in Indian Country is right where you sit today,"
- Students need better tax breaks
The most you can deduct for tuition expenses is $4,000, if you even qualify. If you are a whaling captain "recognized by the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission," though, you can deduct as much as $10,000 a year, according to Publication 553 of the Internal Revenue Service. Nice work if you can get it.
Montana Economic Development
- Sen. Baucus' Office Seeking Montana Companies that Import Goods from Other Countries to Sell or Use in Manufacturing for New Customs Authorization Bill
If any of you know of Montana companies who import goods to sell or (especially) use in their manufacturing processes AND who might be willing to discuss customs issues (import duties, paperwork, etc. etc.), please send me their contact information.
- UM scientist, Chuck Leonard prepares for trip aboard ‘Weightless Wonder' to test the Myotonometer. Neurogenic Technologies®, Inc.
“If you want to measure muscle health, we're the best mousetrap out there,” Leonard says.
- MSE gives $15,000 to hospital foundation for better healthcare in Butte, Montana
“With this investment, we can insure a strong future for our patients, families and visitors.” Don Peoples, president and chief executive officer of MSE, believes St. James is an integral part of Butte.
- Invizeon (Missoula, MT) Announces the Release of CHAIN™ 5.0, the latest version of its emergency communication and critical management system
CHAIN 5.0 is the latest major release of the successful CHAIN communications product, designed to provide government agencies and non-government organizations with reliable, redundant and cost-effective solution for emergency communications and critical event management.
- Marketing Firm O’Berry Cavanaugh of Bozeman, Montana Uses Non-Traditional Approach to Achieve 3X Growth in 2005
Results-Oriented Agency Says it’s not Always About Advertising or Winning Awards, but About Helping Clients Meet Their Business Goals
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Developer tight-lipped about plans for 8,000 acre Pony, Montana ranch
“That have plans for it because you cannot buy land for that much money and make money ranching it,” he said. “You cannot stop it, we should not try to stop it and the best thing we can do is cooperate.”
- Medicine Hat, Alberta mayor calls for trade corridor with Havre, MT
Vallely said the route would be “a two-way street of monumental proportions.” He said Montana should capitalize on the trade opportunities.
Funding and Building your Business
- Wisconsin Commerce Secretary Mary Burke would like to double Act 255 angel tax credits
Burke noted that all the angel tax credits available in the current budget were used in the first year, a sign that the credits are an effective strategy to boost investment in early-stage companies.
Legislative Newsletters
- The Name Game from Guy Kawasaki
I strongly suggest you check these two blogs out if you're interested in the topic of naming.
- Angels Invest More Money in More Startups than VCs in 2005
Angel investors invested $23.1B in 49,500 companies in 2005, according to the annual report from The Center for Venture Research at the University of New Hampshire.
- How to Remain Sane. This is the flip side to The Art of Driving Your Competition Crazy.
When F. W. Woolworth opened his first store, a competitor that had served the community for years hung out a sign that said: “This same spot for fifty years.” Nice shot, huh? Except Woolworth then put up a sign that said, “A week old. No old stock.” The lesson is to try to find a crucial negative that you can hang onto your competition. Maybe they will leave you alone next time.
- Pioneers of Venture Capital
I recommend that if you’re looking at getting funding, that you start the beginning. Open your mind. Let it challenge your assumptions. Take notes. Then look at your business afterwards and ask yourself how far off track you’ve gotten.
- Twenty years reaps many entrepreneurial lessons
What are the most important lessons I've learned about running a business during the last 20 years? What did I wish I knew when I was starting out?
- The Art of the Executive Summary
Most guides to writing an executive summary miss the key point: The job of the executive summary is to sell, not to describe.
- How's Your Workforce IQ?
Business implications of trends in the pool of current and future employees.
Regional Economic DevelopmentUtah Economic Development
- SBA Newsline Eight April 2006
- Boomtown Institute Launched - Goal is to help small communities succeed economically
We conducted our first Boot Camp in Tuscola, IL. Hear what they had to say. "Made the issues clear and helped us find solutions." "It became apparent that this had to happen." "Builds unity and provides encouragement." "Helps to channel energies from various units of community in a common goal." Intensive but well worth what you reap." "Finally, I feel good we're moving in the right direction."
- Why Salem, Oregon, is poised to succeed in the emerging 'knowledge economy'.
Salem has been identified as one of the top three cities its size likely to attract the "cultural creatives" over the next decade. State capitals with universities have been labeled the "perfect storm" of development potential by the Urban Land Institute.
Government Technology
- Deutsche Bank commits $100 million to Utah fund
The Utah Fund of Funds was created pursuant to the Utah Venture Capital Enhancement Act to enhance the venture capital culture and infrastructure and increase venture capital investment in the state.
Idaho Business
- GAO finds most states offshore human services tech support
Offshoring occurred in one or more programs in 43 of 50 states and the District of Columbia, most frequently in the food stamp and temporary assistance programs, the GAO said.
Washington State Business
- Microsoft buys Boise's ProClarity
ProClarity Corp. is a Boise company that develops software to help businesses sort large amounts of data.
Government
- When it rains, it pours. 2 financing rounds announced by Northwest Venture Associates
The venture capital firm, with offices in Spokane and Seattle, lead two financing rounds in Pacific Northwest companies.
- Services Group of America to move headquarters out of Washington State to Arizona. Estate Tax Policy is to Blame for the Shift
"With the Legislature and the governor electing to impose the highest state inheritance tax in the nation on family owned companies, it has left us with little choice but to move,"
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)Miscellaneous Ramblings
- Someone is trying to eliminate the SBIR program!!
Here's your chance to help preserve this excellent funding source for R&D projects and entrepreneurial startups
Incubators and R&D
- 10 Best Internet Spoofs
Some are so clever that it's easy to be taken in. Others are so patently ridiculous that you should probably slash your wrists for falling so easily.
- The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee
When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.
- Finally, the complete explanation of how computers really work
Small Diameter Timber Utilization
- New Arizona State University Dean of Engineering, Deirdre Meldrum is eager for 'evolution' in research
"They think we have instructors and we have research, but everyone gains so much more when it's highly coupled," she said. "Faculty doing cutting-edge research bring that into the classroom, and students learn from that and get the exposure of working in a research lab." As important as research is, students also must be exposed to commercializing their technology, Meldrum said.
- Inventing the future. To boost innovation, firm networks scholars. Intellectual Ventures LLC
Intellectual Ventures was created to spur the kind of long-term basic research projects that Myhrvold believes are being neglected in corporate research labs, which have moved toward customer-driven applied research. ''Invention just gets short shrift," he lamented in an interview.
- Companies step up to fund basic research. With government contributing less, corporate sponsors are collaborating with universities to further 'pure science'
At any given time, a majority of professors in the computer science department are collaborating with private companies.
Careers
- Proposed wood-plastic composite extrusion plant in Darby gets boost from USDA
The plant, Gantt said, would use slash, or small-diameter timber, from fuels-reduction projects in the Bitterroot and combine it with recycled plastic to make construction-grade building materials.
Non-Profit News
- Stay in touch with your network
Here's my top 10 list of tips to keep the network strong:
EnergyConnectivity & Communications
- Chances of landing FutureGen plant called slim
One thing against Wyoming is that the FutureGen project would have to be built at an elevation below 5,000 feet, including the smokestack. That disqualifies about half of the state, including parts of the coal-rich Powder River Basin.
Leadership Montana
- Israel's 'kosher' cellphone testing appetite for growth
Talks are underway to introduce a kosher phone to Jewish communities in the United States and other nations possibly later this year.
- Why Municipal Wi-Fi May Be a Bad Investment for Cities
I'd like to take this opportunity to attempt to ratchet down the intensity of the debate a bit, perhaps to a more sober and practical discussion about whether having municipalities offer Wi-Fi makes sense.
- New Technology Policy Think Tank Launched - The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
"ITIF will work to educate decision makers and advance policies that raise standards of living and boost American competitiveness."
- The Network is the Computer- users -- including developers, scientists, and researchers -- will have access to Sun Grid, a compute utility available at $1/CPU-hr in the U.S.
"Sun is the first and only vendor to make a credible utility grid offering available via the Internet,"
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Creating Better Business Leaders. By Honing Interpersonal Skills
We see leadership and management as tasks or activities rather than traits of an individual.
- Let There Be Light - Turn your whole bedroom into a glowing alarm clock.
Weather Patterns, is a light display of floral designs whose patterns and movement are animated by changes in barometric pressure, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed.
- Study Finds Mental Gains in a Neck Artery Treatment
If the results are confirmed by other trials, wider use of the procedure may allow many elderly people to continue to live independently, said Dr. Rodney Raabe, the radiologist who led the research team at the Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Wash.
- Sensors will let `Things' alert people. Welcome to the Internet of Things.
When the toilet is flushed and the water faucets aren't used, Mom and Dad will get an e-mail, or perhaps a text-message alert on their cell phones.
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