How Tesla’s Full Robotics Push Could Change Your Company Too

Like I’ve been hoping for many years, this will change our lives well beyond just transportation. It is the beginning of the end of carcatecture. Owning a car will become very expensive compared to this service. We will see many fewer vehicles, an end to parking lots and structures, garages converted to homes or stores, alleys becoming attractive gathering places, and so much more…. I hope I’ve purchased the last car I’ll ever need for transportation. Stay tuned. Life is going to become so much better.  Is your community preparing for the new future?

“Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”  Fred Rogers

Come Home Montana

• Career Opportunities in Great Falls, Montana – Lending Solutions Specialist, Communications and Marketing Specialist – Great Falls Development Alliance

            Lending Solutions Specialist Do you enjoy reading company financials to figure out the story of a business? Do you like working with a team to solve challenging problems? We need someone who understands profit and loss, balance sheets, and tax returns to help underwrite tough loan decisions.

• Quality of life in Montana down, according to survey Montana Public Radio

  In the most recent poll, more than 60% of voters reported a decline in their quality of life over the last five years.

• Is This Great Montana Town The Most Remote In America?

  TikTok user True Story Docs believes the most remote town in the continental United States is a place in Northeast Montana.

• Explore Missoula’s Rich History With Unseen Missoula’s Guided Walking Tours Running Weekly Through September

  Unseen Missoula presents four tours, each unveiling a distinct facet of the city’s colorful past: Basements & Back Alleys, Hotels & Hooligans, Carnal Enterprises, and Lower Rattlesnake & Greenough Park.

• SAVE THE DATE: Wilderness Act 60th Anniversary Celebration this September 13-15! – Lochsa River

  The three-day educational event is open to the public, and will feature inspirational speakers, group discussions, live music, food, and more. A special thank you to the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation for their generous support of this grassroots Wilderness gathering!

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• ‘Design for a Radically Changing World’

  14,000 workers in nine countries were asked about the workplace experiences they like best. Having an office modeled after a coffee shop was among the top three choices in every nation and came out first in several, including the U.S.

• Tourists Spent Nearly $5.5 Billion in Montana Last Year

  Report shows nonresident spending had a higher direct impact to the local economy than in previous years despite dip in dollars

• Commerce Awards More Than $4 Million of Grant Funding to Construct and Rehabilitate Affordable Homes in Montana

  “The health and well-being of Montanans and our communities rely on access to affordable, attainable housing. Projects like these will help meet the housing needs of Montana’s seniors and those living with disabilities, all while supporting our economy with good-paying jobs,” said Paul Green, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.

• City of Missoula considers Missoula Economic Partnership contract boost to support economic goals

  “I’d like to start the next three fiscal years with (MEP) having more resources,” said MRA board member Melanie Brock. “We already know they’re doing extra work for less money. The private sector is stepping up with more money. I think it’s time for the public sector to step up.”

• Where are people from Montana moving to?

  States people from Montana are moving to the most using data from the Census Bureau.

Northwestern Energy

• Re-MOO-able energy: Brookings facility using natural gas from cattle manure is first of several planned by Northwestern Energy

  “We’re planning to add about five more of these projects by 2025, allowing us to serve about two-thirds of our South Dakota customers,” said NorthWestern Energy CEO Brian Bird.

Montana Business

• 17-year-old opens bakery in heart of Harlowton, Montana

  Klo’s Kitchen offers a variety of sweet treats and has daily breakfast and lunch options. The 17-year-old also takes special orders.

• Airlines are ordered to give full refunds instead of vouchers and to stop hiding fees

  “Passengers deserve to know upfront what costs they are facing and should get their money back when an airline owes them – without having to ask,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a statement announcing the new rules.

Housing

• Can’t Afford a House? Buy a Piece of One Instead

  In a chaotic housing market that has shut many buyers out, fractional home ownership and investing trends are taking off.

• Buying and selling a home will change soon. Here’s what you need to know.

  Although these will likely affect home buyers more than sellers, both sides will have to make some adjustments, including how they work with agents.

Funding and Building your Business

• When the CEO Is on the Board: Good TV, Bad Business

  Directors need to have frank discussions about their chief executive, which can’t be done when the subject is in the room.

Incubators and R&D

• Celebrating Montana State University Research and Innovation 5/3 – Bozeman

  Recognition of Everyday Heroes. These Heroes (including students, staff, faculty, or administrators) support successful MSU research, creativity and innovation, and may not always get recognized.

• Smartwatch AI predicts atrial fibrillation 30 minutes before it arrives

  With plans for it to be incorporated into a smartphone so it can analyze data from a smartwatch, the model would act as an early warning system.

Idaho News & Events

• More public colleges admit high schoolers (9th Graders!) even before they’ve applied
  Direct admissions programs are likely to grow in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing race-based admissions.

Come Home Wyoming

• Silver hair, silver dollars: Wyoming’s aging population means big spending for the state

  “As we are getting a larger and larger proportion of our population in the older categories, then obviously they’re gonna need more healthcare. And it’s really critical that we get them all insured,” said Virginia Vicenti, PhD, professor emeritus at the University of Wyoming.

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

• Competitive Video Gaming Coming to Montana High Schools

  MHSA approved esports as an “emerging activity” beginning next school year

• Grizzly Promise waives tuition for in-state students from low-income households at the University of Montana

  Grizzly Promise is a new initiative at the University of Montana.
  Since fall of 2022, Grizzly Promise has waived tuition costs for in-state Montana students, who come from households making $50,000 a year or less.

• Students get real experience at Jobs for Montana’s Graduates IGNITE MT Conference

  The Jobs for Montana’s Graduates model, or JMG, is used in over 50 middle and high schools and colleges with the goal of helping students achieve their career goals and exposing them to higher education options.

University Business Plan Competitions

• Finalists selected for upcoming $100K Montana State University Venture Competition

  The competition was open to students, faculty, staff and recent alumni of the Montana University System. Finalists will pitch their business ventures to a panel of judges who will provide feedback and distribute $100,000 among the winners.

Non-Profit News

• Montana Nonprofit News for April, 2024

  We hope you are enjoying the spring weather in whichever corner of our fair state you call home.

City Club Missoula

• City Club Missoula Presents: 2024 Ballot Issues: Fire Levy and Local Government Review Date : May 13 2024

  The panel includes Missoula Fire Chief Gordy Hughes, Missoula City Council Member Stacie Anderson, and Geoff Badenoch of the League of Women Voters.

Transportation

• States explore new incentives to lower the cost of EVs

  Washington state became the latest state to roll out rebates for buying or leasing EVs this week, but other states are offering incentives to knock thousands of dollars off the cost of the vehicles, too.

• How Tesla’s Full Robotics Push Could Change Your Company Too

  A customer sets a destination, presses a “summon” button and then waits while watching the car’s progress on a 3D map. Once aboard, the app shows the rider the route to the destination, and offers climate controls and the ability to choose music or entertainment. So far, pretty much an Uber ride–but without the chatty driver, on a trip powered by self-driving tech like that of other robotaxi systems like Waymo.

TED and TEDX Talks

• How AI will step off the screen and into the real world

  The convergence of AI and robotics will unlock a wonderful new world of possibilities in everyday life, says robotics and AI pioneer Daniela Rus.

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