Study: Automobile Dependency Reduces Life Satisfaction

Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.

Missoula City Council debates parking, densities in new land use plan

Some have lobbied for a complete elimination in parking mandates while others see an opportunity to keep parking requirements, but at a lower level.

Wayve’s AI Self-Driving System Is Here to Drive Like a Human and Take On Waymo and Tesla

Unlike Waymo’s hybrid system of AI training with hand-coded instructions, Wayve’s AI handles the entire self-driving process, learning unsupervised to cope with the unpredictable and drive more like we do.

Plus tard, il sera trop tard. Notre vie, c’est maintenant

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

  How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

• Glassblowing company bringing jobs, craftsmanship, community investment to Livingston, Montana

  After bringing its operations to Livingston in 2022, Glassbaby hopes to invest further in the community.

• Key factors needed for successful workforce development

  Business engagement professionals should be provided with the tools needed to easily identify the businesses in their market that would benefit the most from engagement. Building a new partnership with a local business is one of the utmost important aspects of a successful program.

• Montana Afterschool Alliance (MTAA) End of Year Greetings

  As the 2025 Montana legislative session begins, MTAA will be in Helena, amplifying your voices and advocating for the out-of-school time providers serving school-aged youth and families.

• From Building Backyard Cottages to Banning Airbnbs: A Housing Q&A

  On this episode of the Strong Towns Podcast, Chuck Marohn answers housing questions submitted by Ohio State University students. The questions cover the history of the housing market, as well as backyard cottages, alternative housing arrangements, and housing finance.

Missoula Chamber of Commerce

• Missoula City Council debates parking, densities in new land use plan

  Some have lobbied for a complete elimination in parking mandates while others see an opportunity to keep parking requirements, but at a lower level.

• Missoula lands in top ten for ‘arts-vibrant communities’

  Missoula ranks 7th among the “most arts-vibrant, medium-sized community” in the United States, according to SMU DataArts.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 12-15-24

  Do you have a business dream you’re ready to pursue? Contact Rich Gannon at [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078 to get started!

Montana Business

• University of Montana research and Inimmune – Taking the ‘high’ out of fentanyl: How an upcoming vaccine will affect the drug epidemic

  Opioid overdoses could become less likely thanks in part to new research being done at the University of Montana. In early 2024, a fentanyl vaccine, designed by University researchers in collaboration with Inimmune, a Missoula-based biotech company, will undergo phase one of human clinical trials.

• Montana’s public lands at risk: A threat to hunters and heritage

  The new administration’s disregard for public lands starkly contrasts Montana’s proud tradition of community-led conservation.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Northern Cheyenne Council plans to install broadband across reservation with $52.8M grant

  The project’s purpose is to provide broadband to over 1,700 Northern Cheyenne households.

Housing

• Escaping the Housing Trap- Recording of Zoom discussion with Chuck Marohn of “Strong Towns”.

  Housing is an investment. Investment prices must go up. Housing is shelter. When the price of shelter goes up, people experience distress. This is the housing trap. It’s time to escape.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

• Efforts to build ‘Innovation Campus’ in Missoula still alive

  Back in 2018, the University of Montana met with city and county leaders to discuss a technology corridor within Missoula. At the time, UM described the vision as a “hub of research in two areas of strength at UM – biotech and ecology – with space devoted to businesses working in those fields.”

• Montana State University Celebrates Aurora Innovation Campus Opening
  The Aurora facility will primarily focus on the research and development of LiDAR technology—a sophisticated system employing laser radar to determine the distance and velocity of objects surrounding a vehicle. This advancement stands to significantly advance autonomous vehicle tech, with potential applications stretching far beyond just automotive purposes.

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

• Decline in Glendive Public Schools enrollment reflects statewide trend

  “This is a trend across the state in Montana, especially in your elementary schools,” Schreibeis said.

• Program allows state tax payments to be directed to the public school system

  “This is a program that’s statewide. All the money that’s available, every school district in the state can access it, and it’s a first come, first serve basis. As soon as we enter the data, it’s amazing, in about the first 10 minutes, most of the money has been claimed by the state”.

• People who read for fun have different brains. Here’s what to know

  In other words, that cozy moment with a book in your armchair isn’t just personal—it’s a service to humanity.

2025 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Women came to dominate tech policy. Soon many will lose power.

  The Republican sweep in this year’s elections, coupled with at least one key retirement, is poised to usher many out of power — with men set to step in.

Transportation

• From 9-to-5 to Anytime: How Telecommuting Changes the Traffic Game

  Even robust Working From Home numbers can’t solve all of the West’s traffic woes.

• Study: Automobile Dependency Reduces Life Satisfaction

  Automobile dependency has negative implications for wellbeing. This academic study finds that relying on a car for more than 50 percent of out-of-home travel is associated with significant reductions in life satisfaction.

• California announces billion dollar electric vehicle charger initiative

  The state oversees one of the nation’s largest charging networks.

• Electric transportation partnership launches across West

  The nonprofit Treasure Valley Clean Cities Coalition, based in Boise, Idaho, is partnering in a new multi-state collaboration that is working to identify and connect sites for electric vehicle charging stations in the West.

• Wayve’s AI Self-Driving System Is Here to Drive Like a Human and Take On Waymo and Tesla
  Unlike Waymo’s hybrid system of AI training with hand-coded instructions, Wayve’s AI handles the entire self-driving process, learning unsupervised to cope with the unpredictable and drive more like we do.

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