New book details how ‘barons’ took over American agriculture

Bear Paw Development

• Extended Deadline: Accepting Applications: Big Sky Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program

  A total of $8 million will be awarded to evaluated applicants who meet program guidelines.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Missoula Economic Partnership holds meeting to discuss upcoming mill closures

  Federal, state and local government agencies — as well as community organizations — attended the meeting to lay out the information about the upcoming closures and what resources would be available.

• U.S. Department of Energy Releases First Ever Federal Blueprint to Decarbonize America’s Buildings Sector

  First Comprehensive Federal Strategy Outlines Pathways to Reduce Emissions 90% in Buildings Sector by 2050, Reinforcing President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Lower Energy Costs, Improve Resilience, and Tackle the Climate Crisis

• Missoula, state leaders hold discussion on future of wood production industry

  On Friday, experts from a variety of fields, politicians and more gathered at Missoula College to brainstorm solutions for Roseburg Forest Products and Pyramid Mountain Lumber.

• New book details how ‘barons’ took over American agriculture

  “Barons,” published Tuesday by Austin Frerick, a native Iowan and Yale University food policy fellow, argues that a runaway process of monopoly has gutted rural America while bleeding the taste from American food.

• Kalispell Council to Host Work Session on Homelessness

  The city council recently revisited homeless population issues and councilors requested a work session and public hearing in May to brainstorm solutions, including potentially revoking the Flathead Warming Center’s conditional use permit

• Bozeman task force creates early plan to address child care accessibility

  After “community input sessions and the 440-plus survey results,” the task force’s findings culminated in a new strategic plan, said Tori Sproles, who helps lead the group as the director of Child Care Connections. The plan’s details are listed in an online document.

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• City of Bozeman kicks off a series of surveys to address community needs

  “I want our community members to know that this is their chance to be heard and feel heard,” said Munfrada.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 4-7-24

  What should companies look for when evaluating communities? That was the focus of Jolene’s remarks at the SelectUSA Alberta Summit hosted by the US Commercial Services in Calgary.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

• Tourism the Focus of Wide-Ranging Discussion at Whitefish City Hall

  The idea that the community may view tourism more negatively than in the recent past is supported by the results of a survey issued last fall

Montana Business

• CO2-capturing rock dust boosts crop yields by up to 16%

  “We have shown with hard-won data, the carbon removal potential of enhanced weathering practices in the real world,” said the lead scientist, U Sheffield’s Prof. David Beerling. “It’s a big step forward in understanding the enormous potential of this technology to mitigate climate change while simultaneously improving yields and soil health.”

• Court clears path for reopening antitrust probe of Realtors group

  A federal appeals panel reversed a lower-court decision that the Justice Department was barred from restarting its investigation into the National Association of Realtors

• Do I need a four-year degree?

  The U.S. labor market continues its hot streak, adding 303,000 jobs last month — more than expected. Many of these jobs will require a four-year degree despite a push among some employers to eliminate these requirements. On today’s show, we look at the state of the job market for people without a four-year college degree.

• Montana Central Insurance Acquired by Stockman’s Bank – Great Video – Great Story

  Their new office is on the second floor of the Stockman’s Bank building on Broadway in Missoula.  Stop by and say congrats to Bryan and Brad and hear more of the story and how they can now better serve your insurance needs.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Montana to apply for almost $7M as federal government approves “Digital Opportunity Plan”

  While the state works on their digital opportunity planning, they’re also hoping to receive approval soon to begin taking grant applications for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, (BEAD)— the program that will provide the almost $629 million for further broadband infrastructure.

Visit Montana

• Yellowstone National Park to allow year-round fishing on stretches of Madison, Gardner rivers

  Starting in November, anglers will be able to fish year-round in stretches of two rivers close to the Yellowstone National Park gates in both West Yellowstone and Gardiner, the park announced Thursday.

Biotech

• How a Small City Shifted Its Economy

  It lost the headquarters of two Fortune 500 companies. It created a promising future by retooling itself for biotech.

Funding and Building your Business

• Older Entrepreneurs Have 3 Key Advantages Over Young Innovators. Here’s How to Cultivate Them

  Yes, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates all launched their companies at a young age. But older entrepreneurs actually have a natural edge.

• How to Know When You Truly Have a Breakthrough Product

  Melissa Bernstein, co-founder of Melissa and Doug, spoke about creativity, invention, and her new venture on Inc.’s new podcast, For Starters.

The Creative and Cultural Economy

• Hush of the Land – Video of An Evening of Campfire Storytelling with Smoke Elser

  This inspirational memoir chronicles the six-decade quest of packer and outfitter Arnold “Smoke” Elser to protect wild lands by bringing thousands of people deep into the mountains of Montana on horseback.

• A Brief History of the Future on the PBS website now

  A Brief History of the Future is a unique six-part documentary series about our futures and how we can reimagine them. Hosted by renowned futurist Ari Wallach, the show invites viewers on a journey around the world that is filled with discovery, hope, and possibility about where we find ourselves today and what could come next.

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

• University of Montana deciding future of programs

  The University of Montana is currently evaluating 67 of its academic programs. They’re determining which programs are thriving, which need modifications, and which may need to be let go.

Hellgate Venture Network

• Hellgate Venture Network April Meet-up: 4/18 – Missoula

  April Speaker Bio – Colin Hickey is a seasoned event professional with nearly two decades of experience in live events, community building, and the Creator Economy.

Careers

• ‘Burn Book’ by Kara Swisher – What does she really think about tech founders..?

  From award-winning journalist Kara Swisher comes a witty, scathing, but fair accounting of the tech industry and its founders who wanted to change the world but broke it instead.

Washington State Business

• Washington State Passes Cutting-Edge Policies To Reduce Climate Pollution

  Washington passed the first law in the United States that outlines a pathway for a combined gas and electricity utility to transition away from gas for all of its customers.

Transportation

• Tesla to unveil robotaxi self-driving car in August, Elon Musk says

  The technological feat has been a longtime goal for Musk, who has said autonomous taxis could revolutionize modern transportation by becoming more popular than human-driven cars and that automakers would be “worth basically zero.”

• 2022 was the ‘worst year ever for bicyclist deaths,’ new data shows

  The increase in cyclist deaths coincides with a similar rise in the number of pedestrians who have died, noted Jessica Cicchino, the vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

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