MATR Newsletter – April 12, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

You’re Invited To The 2019 Governor’s Conference On Tourism & Recreation – 4/14-16 – Butte, Montana

*******

Video – Summer is coming. Montana’s Flathead Valley is calling you.

Join us as we take you on a visual journey through one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Explore iconic mountains, emerald lakes, and vast forests of deep green and brilliant gold. This is the Flathead

“People across the nation know Montana as ‘Big Sky Country’ or the ‘Last Best Place’ thanks to our stunning landscapes, blue-ribbon trout streams, and welcoming communities. Fewer people recognize that Montana has one of the most competitive business climates to go along with our exceptional quality of life.” Steve Bullock

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

Why Companies Should Let Employees Work Remotely And Travel More
“I look back on that experience and think how incredible that my job not just encouraged, but provided that opportunity to travel and give back to me and every employee? And why is that so still rare?”

Montana Economic Development

Great Falls Economic Development Quarter Index 2019Q1
Mission- Grow and diversify the Great Falls regional economy.
HUD posted the FY19 Choice Neighborhoods Planning Grants
Planning Grants are two-year grants that assist communities with severely distressed public or HUD-assisted housing in developing a successful neighborhood transformation plan and building the support necessary for that plan to be successfully implemented.

Montana Ambassadors

Montana Ambassadors – Interview with Toby O’Rourke – President of Kampgrounds of America
The magic is in Montana people! They are loyal, hardworking, family focused, kind and have strong values. Our quality of life combined with the strength of our people are key ingredients to success for any business in Montana.

Montana Business

City finance official: Missoula collects less tax per person than Kalispell, Bozeman and Helena
The city’s chief administrative officer, Dale Bickell, explained that everyone pays the same.
Bozeman, Montana-based Barnard Construction gets $187 million border wall contract
The wall will be 11 miles long with heights of 18 to 30 feet, according to a news release by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Flathead Electric opts for peak-hour pricing structure
Because Flathead Electric now pays a premium for power used during peak hours, the trustees have approved a demand charge for the busiest times to cover those costs.

Visit Montana

Video – Summer is coming. Montana’s Flathead Valley is calling you.
Join us as we take you on a visual journey through one of the most beautiful regions of the country. Explore iconic mountains, emerald lakes, and vast forests of deep green and brilliant gold. This is the Flathead

Idaho News & Events

A San Francisco investment firm just bought most of this Idaho tech company
“would value Truckstop.com as one of the most valuable technology companies in the state.”

Wyoming Business

Wyoming Broadband Advisory Council keeps focus on expansion
The Broadband Enhancement Plan aims to guarantee all Wyoming communities have access to high-speed broadband internet by 2025.

Funding and Building your Business

I’ve Been Hiring People for 10 Years, and I Still Swear by a Simple Rule: If Someone Doesn’t Send a Thank-You Email, Don’t Hire Them.
The executive managing editor of Insider Inc. has hired hundreds of people over 10 years.

Business Plan Forums

University of Montana students pitch ideas to help Missoula reach zero waste goal
Some ideas follow closely with the city’s adopted plan, addressing access, infrastructure, education and policy. Others viewed zero waste from a different perspective.

The Creative and Cultural Economy

Diverse group of Montanans set to speak at TEDxBozeman, present untapped ideas on 4/13
A saxophonist, socio-cultural psychologist, flight paramedic, and science writer walk into a church.That’s not a joke.

Regional Business News

Amazon workers eavesdrop on your talks with Alexa
A report says the human reviewers aim to hone the service.

21st Century Education Initiative – “You Should Care…”

Why Education Is the Key to the MENA Region’s Future
“With this increase in population and declining oil revenues, we must figure out ways to deliver education to hundreds of millions of youth, not only of today, but of tomorrow.”

Government News & Events

Rather Than Banning Cars, Amsterdam Reduces On-Street Parking
On-street parking spaces will gradually be replaced, starting July 1, with bike lanes, sidewalks, and trees.
Cambridge Becomes First U.S. City to Make Protected Bike Lanes Mandatory
Cambridge, Massachusetts has made a thorough commitment to building robust bike infrastructure with every street repair project.