MATR Newsletter – January 1, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

Thank you to all who have generously supported MATR and its effort to promote the best of Montana and all that it means to us. We look forward to a truly Montana 2021 for you and yours.

Russ

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Corona Virus Information

Pandemic Disrupts Ski Town Life in More Ways Than One
“Real estate has reached record highs in many places with ski resorts like Truckee, California; Bend, Oregon; and Missoula, Montana.
Cars and Covid
Pultizer-winning science journalist and global health expert Laurie Garrett, an Angeleno, points to the Golden State’s auto culture during an interview on MSNBC as one reason why the state is now the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S.
FYR Diagnostics Partners with The State of Montana to Expand COVID-19 Testing – Missoula Startup will Increase In-State Testing Capacity
“Even with the roll-out of vaccines, the need for fast, accurate, high-volume COVID-19 testing will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Dr. Sarj Patel, President of FYR. “We are committed to helping our community.”
State releases new COVID-19 vaccine plan; most Montanans must wait until summer
Phase 1c is expected to launch in mid-March and continue through July and includes another 171,000 Montanans. Critical groups in Phase 1c are those aged 65 years and older, persons aged 16-64 at high risk due to underlying medical conditions, and essential workers.
Unprecedented Montana Legislature opens Monday, during a pandemic
The majority Republicans won’t be requiring lawmakers or, apparently, the public, to wear face masks while attending the session at the Capitol. It’s also unclear how social-distancing may be enforced in the usually crowded hallways of a legislative session.
Butte’s small businesses plan meeting to talk about local COVID mandates – Monday – 1/4 – 10AM – La Casa Toscana
“I’m just tired of it you know when they come in and oh you guys gotta do- put your signs up and you gotta do this and you gotta do that well I’ve gone above and beyond their request and you know they all pop in and they’re doing what they need to do and I certainly understand that these are people like I said that don’t even have credentials to tell us what to do,” Zachow said.

Come Home Montana

Flathead and Kalispell, Montana Police Reports – You can’t make this stuff up.
The occupants of a truck with a dead deer’s head in the windshield — one who was wearing a ski mask and the other with a radio clipped to his shirt — got very defensive when confronted.
Missoula, Montana based Neptune Aviation lands $2M state grant for hangar acquisition, plans to create 120 jobs through the state loan program.
The aerial firefighting company plans to create 120 jobs through the state loan program.

Montana Department of Commerce

Commerce Announces $5.2 Million in Community Development Block Grant Awards to 12 Montana Communities
Funding will be used to Construct and Rehabilitate Public Facilities and Infrastructure
Montana Department of Commerce Announces 15 Montana Communities to Receive CDBG Planning Grants
“These grants will support Montana counties, cities and towns as they plan for community infrastructure projects, develop and preserve affordable homes and create and retain jobs.”

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

The Fight Between Cornices and Spreadsheets in Rural America. Which One is Winning in Your Community?
Running the world for the interests of people who only value money will have us fighting with each other over who inherits a planet none of us can live on.
Smart Growth C’est Bon! Compact infill development can create affordable, inclusive and attractive cities, like Montreal, “plus belle ville au monde.”
This video, titled Push, i argues that housing problems are caused by “fiscalization,” and should be solved by declaring housing a human right.
Gianforte makes DNRC, DEQ and Labor dept. appointments
Cabinet appointments must be confirmed by the GOP-majority state Senate. Earlier this week Gianforte said half of his cabinet had been hired, but that some positions would still be unfilled by the time he’s sworn in Jan. 4.
Community First! Village Celebrates Its Fifth Anniversary – Supportive community for individuals coming out of chronic homelessness.
Inside the history, lessons, and triumphs of the revolutionary village, which provides housing and a supportive community for individuals coming out of chronic homelessness.
Bear Paw’s Quarterly Newsletter
As we close out another year at Bear Paw Development, we particularly want to thank the many partners we have that make our work possible. From local and tribal governments to state and federal funding agencies to the businesses we have been fortunate to work with during the past year, we are grateful to the people and institutions that allow us to fulfill our mission of economic and community development for northern Montana. A Note from Paul Tuss, Executive Director

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

1,596 Jobs from 88 Companies Funded by Madrona Venture Group – Raises $345M for 8th fund, its largest ever, and $161M for 2nd later-stage fund
Since 1995, Madrona Venture Group has helped technology entrepreneurs launch and grow world-class companies. The heart and soul of what we do is act as strategic board members and advisors on everything from helping to define business strategy, hiring the best team, to connecting you with the right customers and partners, to advising on key…

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

Gianforte lists staff, salaries ahead of inauguration
Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte late Thursday issued a release naming his incoming staff and their salaries.
Gianforte announces DOT, Military Affairs appointments
Republican Gov.-elect Greg Gianforte on Thursday announced his appointments atop the Montana Department of Transportation and Department of Military Affairs, marking eight of the 12 cabinet appointments made before the turn of the new year.

Montana Economic Development

Montana Chamber of Commerce Prosperity Plan2021 Legislative Agenda
The Montana Chamber of Commerce is the state’s leading business advocate and the driving force in promoting a favorable business climate. The Montana Chamber will focus its legislative efforts on the four core objectives of Envision 2026.

Regional Business News

Fossil Fuel Industry Water Pollution is Killing the Horses in North Dakota
“The purpose of the [Safe Drinking Water Act] is to protect our drinking water, and the industry that is pumping toxic chemicals, carcinogenic chemicals, underground doesn’t even have to tell us what those are,” says Melissa Troutman, research and policy analyst for Earthworks.

Wyoming Business

Statewide food security organization looks to make Wyoming more sustainable
Though that first winter’s conference of the Wyoming Food Coalition was lightly attended due to an impending winter storm, the dozens who were in attendance resolved to begin building a framework to solve these issues throughout the next year.

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

Tennessee Launches LinkedTN Learning for State Employees New online learning platform to support continuous learning, professional development.
LinkedIn Learning boasts world-class content, data-driven personalization, and convenience for employees to take advantage of hard and soft skills for professional development.

2021 Montana Legislature and Politics

Montana legislative staff to work remotely over virus concerns
The researchers, attorneys and fiscal analysts who work for the state Legislature will do their jobs remotely for the first two weeks of the 2021 session, according to an email sent to lawmakers late Wednesday. Susan Fox, executive director of the Legislative Services Division, said in the email that the session, which Monday amid the COVID-19…

International Wildlife Film Festival

We can’t wait to bring the International Wildlife Film Festival community together – virtually or 6 feet apart this Spring! Save the dates for IWFF: April 17- May 15, 2020.
There is much in store for our Spring festival whether you are a new friend looking to enjoy our 2021 virtual catalog or a local Missoulian who will join us in the Wildwalk parade down Higgins Avenue this April.

Careers

TED Talk – Stacey Abrams: 3 questions to ask yourself about everything you do
“Be aggressive about your ambition”

Transportation

Report Lays Out Framework for a Cascadia High-Speed Rail Authority
“Rather than relying on congested highways or increasing air traffic, UHSGT [ultra-high-speed ground transportation] offers sustainable alternative to traveling greater distances quickly and reliably,” the executive summary states.

Energy and Climate Change

The Gospel of Hydrogen Power
Mike Strizki powers his house and cars with hydrogen he home-brews. He is using his retirement to evangelize for the planet-saving advantages of hydrogen batteries.