MATR Newsletter – December 9, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

Hellgate Venture Network Holiday Party – 12/12 – Missoula

Come share the joy of the season and network with fellow entrepreneurs.

“Ninety percent of the data in existence was created in the past two years. In two years that will still be true.” Art Amador, CEO, EquBot

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Southwest Montana remains a jewel of the state
This land of high mountain valleys with a rich history and a beauty so enduring it has lured men’s hearts to ranching, mining and recreation for more than a hundred years, continues in the true Montana traditions.

Film festival showcases new incentive for filmmakers
The Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act provides a tax credit for 20% of production costs for projects shot in Montana.

A Good Résumé Is Not Enough—Five More Things Job Seekers Need To Land A Job Interview
More companies are not selecting candidates from a stack of résumés, but rather identifying them by other means.

Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 12-8-19
GFDA has a great new career opening. We are on Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage everyone interested to apply! See description below or download all our position opening and help us spread the word!

The High Cost of Sprawl – City’s expanding footprint has high cost
Low density sprawl stretches the tax dollars of every resident. That fact could be used to support plans for more infill density
Montana State University economist examines oil booms’ impacts on rural poverty
According to the award-winning paper, the strength of this measure of poverty is rooted in basic needs.
Water Concerns Follow New Development in Montana
“We’re right on the tip of the iceberg,” he said. “I don’t think anyone can really see what is going to happen to Montana in the next 20 years.”
The Path Less Pedaled
We see how bicycle travel can bring economic development to rural areas – and we connect with community members and rural tourism advocates to develop and grow the concept of bicycle tourism.
‘Montana – The Lay of the Land’ by Ed Kemmick – Great Christmas Gift
Check out this new book from Ed Kemmick, featuring stories from the Last Best News.

A Holiday Gift That Will Become a Family Treasure – Greg Boyd’s House of Fine Instruments
Our business model is built around finding great used and vintage instruments… but also finding high quality NEW instruments that will be the “vintage collectible instruments” of the future.

Here’s a Better Way to Measure Long-term Shareholder Value
Most executives care about creating long-term shareholder value but haven’t had the right tool to track it.

“Sawtooth” – Idaho’s third supercomputer coming to Collaborative Computing Center
Named after a central Idaho mountain range, Sawtooth arrives in December and will be available to users early next year.

Montana’s “Become an Alum” program encourages students who didn’t graduate to go back to school
“Become an Alum is aimed at identifying these students and showing them that there is an opportunity to finalize that degree and gain a credential and skills that employers will be looking for as they seek to fill in-demand jobs.”
Helena College offering bachelor’s degree in elementary education
This will allow Helena College students to get a degree in elementary education through UM without ever having to leave Helena.
University of Montana forms video gaming sports team
The new Grizzly Esports team may train in a basement, but they’re hoping to break video gaming stereotypes and bring their sport to a larger audience on campus.

Disparities in Rural Child Mortality Rates Persist Despite Improvements
The problem is especially pronounced for rural children who are Black or Native American/Alaska Natives.
SNAP Work Requirements Will Hit Rural Areas Harder
SNAP work requirements are “a mismatch for rural communities” because of structural issues like high unemployment, lack of jobs, and poor transportation, says a critic of the plan.

City of Helena launches new website built from the ground up
“It gave us an opportunity to better organize content and demonstrate we’re open and transparent.”

Big (and small) Money Is Building A New Kind Of National Park In The Great Plains
American Prairie’s wild herd of bison will be the largest in North America. There are already more than 800 on the land.

“The Curb’ – Where Bicyclists, Uber and Pedestrians Battle for Turf
“We need people to manage the curbs, where the bike lanes hit the sidewalk.”

Sacramento Wants to Electrify Its Homes, Low-Income Families Included
How does a municipal utility committed to eliminating carbon from buildings ensure its most disadvantaged customers aren’t left behind?

When Will Blockchain Technology Be a Game-Changer?
“despite billions of dollars of investment, and nearly as many headlines, evidence for a practical scalable use for blockchain is thin on the ground.”