MATR Newsletter – April 5, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

Missoula becomes first city in Montana to commit to 100% renewable energy

“Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” — J.K. Rowling

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Come Home Montana

HB405: Dilemma: How to Keep Montana’s Young Workforce Home?
If passed, the bill will provide incentive grants to approved applicants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the applicant’s type of work and level of education.
Going with the Grain: Why Great Harvest Chose Montana — Twice
Dillon, Montana is the world breadquarters of Great Harvest Bread Company, which has more than 200 franchise bakery cafés across the country (plus one across the ocean on the Northern Mariana Islands).

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

Exclusive: Google asked 5,600 employees about remote work. This is what they learned
It might be a good idea to eat lunch together over video chat.

2019 Montana Legislature and Politics

Guest view – Gov. Steve Bullock: Preschool is about our kids’ future, not politics
I was disappointed when the House Education Committee tabled House Bill 755, a bipartisan proposal from Republican Rep. Eric Moore to invest in preschool for Montana.

Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success

Downtown Missoula heritage plan in the works – What are your thoughts? Share them on 4/5
The public can weigh in on what should be included in the plan during an open house at the Mews in the Mercantile hotel on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Montana Economic Development

Missoula becomes first city in Montana to commit to 100% renewable energy
The 100% renewable energy commitment means that by the year 2030, the county and city will be operating on 100% hydro, solar, and wind generated power…which makes Missoula a 100% clean and green energy city.
Nontraditional Economic Incentives That Benefit Companies, Communities and the Workforce
This article examines how state and local jurisdictions are using creative, nontraditional economic incentives to attract companies while also helping their community and workforce along the way.
Missoula County, Montana places moratorium on cryptocurrency mining; businesses fear losses
“Nobody disagrees, including myself and my client, that climate change is important. But this is not the way to do it. Doing so this way will only result in one thing, and that’s what I’m fearful of, and that’s a lawsuit.”
WIRED – This Montana County Wants to Crimp Bitcoin to Save the Earth
Officials have drafted a resolution, expected to be approved by county commissioners Thursday, that would require new cryptocurrency mining operations to offset their energy use by funding or building new renewable projects.
University of Montana’s website to be revamped by Minnesota firm Thorburn Group
UM picked Thorburn Group, a branding agency that has worked for colleges across the country, to create a template.
Bozeman’s top priorities include art, gender pay, broadband
Bozeman leaders have picked their top projects for 2019.
“Successful cities are intentional:” Most Missoula council members back revitalization efforts
“Other states have many more tools, but Montana doesn’t. This is it. We have no other tools and I think there’s strong community support for creating these districts, where part of it goes to private leverage while it also gives us the tools and flexibility to do crucial things in our community we couldn’t do otherwise, and we’d live in very different place otherwise.”
Northern Resource Plains Council outlines plan to create jobs through Colstrip cleanup
The proposed plan would cost much more than the Talen Energy’s clean-up proposal.

Montana Business

Solar energy businesses win lawsuit against Montana regulator, NorthWestern Energy
A Montana judge has sided with the solar developers in a lawsuit faulting NorthWestern Energy and the Public Service Commission for thwarting small renewable energy projects.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman Gives This Rousing Speech to Startups Facing Their Darkest Moments
It offers lessons for anyone struggling in the face of a massive challenge.
Why the Small Business Administration Should Make Startups a Priority
Economist Robert Atkinson wants to reinvent the Small Business Administration as the ‘New Business Administration’ with a broad agenda to foster startups.

Come Home Idaho

Regional Economic Development for Eastern Idaho, is on the hunt for a new CEO
REDI, based in Idaho Falls, represents a 14-county region focused on job growth, industry retention and business development.

Idaho News & Events

Boise will seek 100% clean electricity for homes, businesses. What that means for you
The plan means you’ll be encouraged to take part in Idaho Power’s various programs to curb electricity use in your home or business.
Investor: Entrepreneurs seeking funding need ‘unfair advantage’
“Entrepreneurship is like Australia. It looks beautiful, and then you get there and you find out everything is trying to kill you.”
Idaho Power Signs Super-Low Solar PPA to Buoy 100% Clean Energy Plans
The Idaho agreement is unique in coming in a fledgling state market, ranked 22nd in the country in 2018 by the Solar Energy Industries Association.

Wyoming Business

Photos: 45 Wyoming small towns you should visit
Browse through the photos for a look at some of the state’s hidden gems.

Regional Economic Development

How Does Your Community Stack Up With These? – Vote in the Strongest Town Semifinals: Our Top 4 Contestants Square Off
Sixteen contestants from all across North America have showcased their efforts to promote bottom-up incremental development, Strong Citizen participation, and enduring local financial strength and resilience.
Innovation is key to economic development
Innovate. Innovate. Innovate. That’s the common theme in today’s economy. Innovation stimulates entrepreneurship. Successful entrepreneurship creates net new jobs.

Regional Business News

I Tried the Impossible Burger. White Castle, Burger King, and Cheesecake Factory Are Onto Something Really Big.
If this is the future of fast food, then count me in.
All the ways recycling is broken—and how to fix them
Promising technology is starting to come online that could revolutionize the process.
Patagonia Just Made a Truly Stunning Announcement That Will Upset Some Very Important Customers
The company confirmed Tuesday that it will now focus its co-branded corporate “merch” partnerships with “mission-driven companies that prioritize the planet,” a spokesperson told Bloomberg.

Montana Education Excellence

Astronaut Kelly shares lessons from doing the hard stuff with Montana State University Audience
“The sky is definitely not the limit,” Kelly told an audience of 3,000 students, university and Bozeman community members Thursday night at Montana State University’s Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.