MATR Newsletter – December 2, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

Corona Virus Information

• 1 In Every 800 North Dakota Residents Now Dead From Covid

  Just two weeks after joining the growing list of states where at least one in every 1,000 residents has died from coronavirus-linked causes, North Dakota’s grim statistic has escalated: as of Tuesday, one in every 800 North Dakotans has been claimed by Covid-19.

Come Home Montana

• Bozeman rolls out webpage on affordable housing work

  Beyond just affordable housing initiatives, the dashboard links to information from the Gallatin Association of Realtors on median sales prices for homes and a map showing where residential building permits are in the works.

• Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) has a new website to help businesses recruit employees

  From housing to childcare options, LiveInGreatFalls.com is a one-stop shop for probably just about everything you’d want to know about the city.

Eventgroove

• Eventgroove – Take your fundraising and events online!

  Let us show you how the Eventgroove platform can work for your organization

Big Sky Economic Development

• Small Potatoes – Big Sky Economic Development – Upcoming Trainings

  Interested in learning more about growth & success, inevitable changes, the year ahead and exiting your business?

Great Falls Development Authority

• Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 11-30-20

  Here is our Top 9 for last week celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy — Montana’s Golden Triangle. And, sharing business resources and skill-building opportunities to empower your success.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• It’s official: Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority forms, eyes southern route

  It’s the first such rail authority ever established in Montana.

• Montana – Israel Virtual Trade Forum – 12/9 – 9AM MST – Online

  This event will highlight opportunities to grow trade between Montana and Israel, with special focus on the agricultural/ag-tech industry.

• Montana Economic Developers Association [MEDA] December News – and a special alert

  A special alert:  Thanks to the MT CARES Act and coordination with several partners, a special MEDA Scholarship Round will be announced in the next few days.   Be on your email lookout for details.

Montana Business

• Cat Show Cat Cafe opens in Bozeman, Montana

  “We just wanted to help find homes for cats,” said Josh Marks, a co-owner of Cat Show Cat Cafe alongside Josh Pecukonis.

• Missoula County to ask departments to skip Amazon, buy local when possible

  The one-click convenience of shopping on Amazon has county officials concerned that Missoula businesses are being overlooked for simple county purchases that could be made locally.

Funding and Building your Business

• No matter how long you’ve been at this, your small business is now a startup

  In a recession, no matter how long you’ve been in business, you are actually starting fresh, anew.

• How to Be an Inclusive Leader

  “The Prejudices People Feel About Each Other Disappear When They Get To Know Each Other.”  Captain James T. Kirk

Wyoming Business

• Wyoming lawmakers advance autonomous vehicle legislation

  Lawmakers advanced a bill Tuesday that, if adopted by the Legislature next year, would establish a regulatory framework for producers of self-driving cars and other autonomous vehicles to begin testing on Wyoming roadways.

• Divided prospects: The fight over an immigration detention center comes to Evanston, Wyoming

  When a private prison company came to Evanston, Wyoming, local officials believed an economic revival was at hand. Instead, it unleashed a bitter debate.

• Wyoming’s crypto-blockchain giveaway

  In recent years, Wyoming created some of the most attractive laws in the country for establishing blockchain and cryptocurrency companies in our state. But by allowing the laws to be shaped and written by those who benefit from them, our legislative hard work accomplished everything the blockchain industry wanted but nothing the state needs. Namely, jobs and revenue.

• Lawmakers are doing the old dodge-and-cut revenue dance

  “Our communities are not going to thrive,” she said. “We have already seen … what the cuts from three to four years ago look like. We’re not going to be the same state that we are today.”

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

• Khan Academy is an essential homeschooling resource, especially for math

  Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and relies on donations. There is absolutely no charge for parents, teachers and students to set up a profile and gain full, unlimited access to the site.

• State Education Policy Tracking – State Legislation: by State

  Education Commission of the States tracks state education policy on a wide variety of education topics. There are three options available:

2020 Montana Politics

• Mansfield Dialogues – Montana Legislative Session Preview Wednesday, December 2 – 7PM

  Newly-elected legislators will share how election results will shape the coming session, discussing issues both prominent and contentious.

Government News & Events

• Learn how the Missoula region will make transportation investments over the next 30 years in your neighborhood – 12/8-17 6PM – Zoom

  Missoula Connect is our region’s long-range transportation plan. It will include projects and programs to help us meet our equity, climate, and safety goals over the next 30 years.

Government Technology

• How The Biden Administration Might Change Cybersecurity
  The incoming administration could mean significant changes for technology, especially where federal cybersecurity is concerned. The increased attention will no doubt mean big changes for state and local governments as well.

Tell Us Something

• Tell Us Something December 2020 newsletter – What 80 Innovation Leaders Say About The Power Of Storytelling

  A big part of the pandemic has been the feeling of isolation that many of us feel as we are staying home to stay safe. Sharing our stories can help with feelings of depression and anxiety. And it can help connect us with each other and ourselves. Sharing stories is essential to human nature.

Connectivity & Communications

• Bill Gates: Why do we believe lies?

  I hope you’ve had a chance to check out the first two episodes of my podcast, Bill Gates and Rashida Jones Ask Big Questions. I’m learning a lot from our guests, and Rashida is a great co-host.

Miscellaneous Ramblings

• Guidelines for cutting your own Christmas tree in a national forest

  In past years, the price of permits has varied, but this year they are free.

Transportation

• Self-Driving Cars Take A Significant Step Towards Reality

  This could speed up the deployment of self-driving cars significantly.

• The end of the internal combustion engine?

  It revolutionized the world, from transport to means of production, but after 160 years, a new electrical future awaits.

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