MATR Newsletter – August 5, 2024
The state with the best education wins!

“The value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Economic Renaissance or Fleeting Recovery? Left-Behind Counties See Boom in Jobs and Businesses Amid Widening Divides
EIG looked at 972 counties that it classified as “left behind” and found that they have experienced a modest comeback over the last several years.
What’s a ” A PowerUp”? Young Americans Returning to Rural for More than Just Holiday Dinners
Despite old narratives about small towns being places to escape, grassroots leaders and policymakers in rural communities nationwide are exploring ways to attract young people to these places and make them feel at home there.
As America’s farming population ages, a new program looks to cultivate its next generation – CBS Evening News
Almost half the nation’s farms are owned by farmers 65 and over, making them the oldest workforce in the U.S. But a program at Rutgers University is working to combat that by recruiting and training promising young farmers. Meg Oliver has details.

Dorsey eUpdate: Patent Office Publishes Subject Matter Eligibility Guidance
In this eUpdate, Dorsey attorneys provide insights about patentability of AI-related inventions and strategies that patent applicants should consider when seeking to protect AI-related technologies.

Montana Community Development Corporation in Missoula receives $300,000 grant to serve low-income microentrepreneurs
MoFi is primarily a small business lender, providing loans to disadvantaged entrepreneurs and business owner. MoFi helps people who lack assets, income, experience, and/or credit history to qualify for bank financing.

GFDA Top Ten for 8-4-24
In just a few days the final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program will open. If you have a project that could move forward with the benefit of low interest rate funding, start talking to GFDA now as these funds are very limited. If you have a business that can benefit from these funds contact Jill at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056.

Legions Of Robots To Build Solar Farms All Over USA
As if fossil energy stakeholders didn’t have enough on their hands these days, along comes the leading energy firm AES with a scheme to send armies of robots named “Maximo” out to build solar farms all over the countryside. Maximo is expected to perform faster and more efficiently than its human counterparts, as robots usually do, leading to lower costs for solar power.
Neptune Aviation adapts to more frequent, intense wildfire seasons
Jennifer Draughon, the president of Neptune Aviation in Missoula, is one of the only female leaders in the aviation industry.
What to Expect: The IRS’s Road Ahead for the Employee Retention Credit
Make sure you look at any ERC claims your company has to protect against a potential audit.

Video – Montana Department of Commerce is closing the waitlist for Section 8 vouchers
Montana Housing executive director Cheryl Cohen says they currently have about 3,000 households on the waitlist to be considered for the rental assistance program. Starting Aug. 15 and until further notice, none of those applicants will receive vouchers and no new households will be added to the list.
Montana to spend up to a million dollars on a rental rates study
The Montana Department of Commerce estimates nearly30,000 Montanans are “severely cost burdened” by housing. Meaning they have to spend between 30-50% of their income on rent.

Experts say Bozeman is well positioned to attract tourists despite inflation
Whether taking a road trip to Bozeman from Missoula or Billings or simply seeking a staycation, there are 19 hotels across the city offering discounted rates for Montanans.

Knee osteoarthritis injection cuts pain by 58%, regenerates cartilage
A single injection of a new, off-the-shelf stem cell therapy for knee osteoarthritis significantly improved pain and function for up to 12 months in 75% of participants involved in a clinical trial. The treatment also has the potential to halt the disease’s progression.

World Language Initiative Montana – Fall Class Information – Bozeman and Online
Since its inception, WLI-MT has served over 3,500 youth and adults with authentic language and culture learning opportunities.

Due To Political Divisions, The Public Remains Unaware Of How EVs Are Gaining Popularity
In Q2 2024, electric vehicle (EV) sales grew 11.3% in the US, according to a report from Kelley Blue Book. A record-high 330,463 units were sold in the quarter. Yet, due to internal US political divisions, the rising success of EVs has been masked by bickering, misinformation, and controversies.

Frustrated Montana Landowners Want To Kill 50,000 Elk, Judge Says No
“The question is, was the landowner group allowing enough public hunting access to get the elk numbers down?”

How to break the cycle of ‘sameness’ and push yourself in midlife
A writer explores how it’s never too late to take on new challenges.

Paving the Way to an Electrified Transportation Future in Washington State
The Washington State Transportation Electrification Strategy (TES), a first-of-its-kind policy effort, is designed to ensure that Washington develops an electrified transportation system which is as efficient, equitable, and effective as possible.

How to successfully navigate Bozeman’s roundabouts
Roundabouts originated in the United Kingdom; besides being inherently British, they are keeping the streets of Montana safe.
Charging EVs with automated charge pads. This novel system could make EV charging quicker and more convenient
Easelink’s Matrix Charging system automatically charges cars parked over a special pad – even during brief stops – to simplify the charging experience for e-car users.