Governor Gianforte Appoints Director of Commerce

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity – Operations Manager – Spectrum Window Cleaning

      Our company is looking to hire a seasoned Operations Manager to obsess over daily operations. The role involves making operations smooth and run them to meet customer requirements.     You will work as part of the management team and implement processes in our company. You will work on all levels to implement and generate strategies, delegate resources, mentor team members, improve performance, and comply with the best practices for operating the company at an optimum level. Spectrum Window Cleaning

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Governor Gianforte Appoints Director of Commerce

  A veteran of the U.S. Navy, Green brings extensive leadership experience from the private and public sectors. Green has a strong background in economic development, serving as executive director of Two Rivers Economic Development Authority and as a leader with the Montana Economic Developers Association.

• How Insurance Companies Contribute to the Nation’s Mental Health Crisis

  From “ghost networks” to denial of doctor-prescribed care, insurance companies put too many obstacles in the way of people who need help. State policymakers need to take action, and voters will support them.

• Join Philanthropy Northwest for our annual trip to Washington, D.C., for Foundations on the Hill – 2/25-28 

  Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is convened by United Philanthropy Forum and is the largest annual public policy and advocacy event dedicated solely to the philanthropic sector.

• The SBA’s $5.8 Million Growth Accelerator Fund is Looking to Recharge Research and Development for Small Businesses

  The two-phase competition is taking applications from institutions and other organizations that create programmes which can boost small businesses in sectors such as manufacturing and biotechnology

• Biden administration to unveil contractor rule that could upend gig economy

  The U.S. Department of Labor rule, which was first proposed in 2022 and is likely to face legal challenges, will require that workers be considered employees entitled to more benefits and legal protections than contractors when they are “economically dependent” on a company.

• What would it take for generosity to go viral?

  “Be brave. Give what you can, and then be absolutely amazed at what happens next,”

• Montana communities selected to participate in MSU Extension’s Reimagining Rural Program

  The Reimagining Rural virtual gathering includes three statewide sessions on Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26. Those sessions are broadcast via Zoom to groups gathered in person in participating towns. Following each session’s speakers, local groups hold facilitated conversations about how new ideas might work in their communities.

• Montana business leaders express concerns over proposed federal rule

  The National Labor Relations Board is preparing to implement a new “joint employer rule.” It says companies that can exert control over the terms and conditions of someone’s employment – like wages, schedule, hiring and working conditions – has to be involved in collective bargaining for that employee, even if the control is indirect and even if it isn’t actually exerted.

• Baby boomers back in business: Retirees returning to workforce

  “Good attitudes. Treat customers good. Don’t mind going out of their way,” is how company 62-year-old owner Helen Hatten describes what she looks for in an employee. “A lot of Baby Boomers have those traits.”

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• Bozeman joins national transportation planning organization

  The National Association of City Transportation Officials, or NACTO, consists of over 100 cities and transit agencies in the country and includes experts in planning, design and other transportation matters. Candace Mastel, the city’s transportation demand management coordinator, said the move to join NACTO is exciting for Bozeman.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• Register for Ignite 2024! – 1/12 – Great Falls, Montana

  Learn about the growth happening in our 13-county region from owners, developers and investors who are making it happen!

  We will have three-minute announcements about new businesses, startups, business expansions, real estate developments, and capital projects that are breaking ground, starting or opening in 2024.

• GFDA Top Ten for 1-9-24

  Ignite 2024 registration presented by Touro College and MarshMcLennan Agency is nearly full! If you want to attend in person or view the event online please make sure to register. This in-person and online event format is simple and quick – three-minute presentations on business startups, business expansions, real estate developments and capital projects that will either start or open in 2024. This event is a go-to for market information in the Great Falls region.

• GFDA Upcoming Trainings: Cybersecurity, Starting a Business Simplified and Government Contracting!

  Strengthening America’s Supply Chain Together  January 11  11 Am-Noon

Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success

• City of Missoula seeks volunteers for downtown improvement working group
  Volunteers will participate in up to 12 meetings per year over a three-year period to learn about and provide feedback on SAM projects, including updating Higgins Avenue from Brooks to Broadway, converting Front and Main streets from one-way back to two-way traffic, improving the riverfront trails between Ryman and Kiwanis Park, and optimizing downtown traffic signals between Orange and Van Buren streets.

Housing

• Soaring rent prices aren’t just hurting wallets. They’re shortening lifespans.

  People who spent a vast portion of their income on rent were more likely to experience poor health and had a greater risk of premature death, the study found.

• CBS 60 Minutes – Lack of new construction and corporate landlords contributing to skyrocketing rent

  Democrats introduce bills to ban hedge funds from single-family housing market

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

• New R1 requirements puts UM at risk of losing status

  In an article released by the Chronicle of Higher Education, UM was listed as a university losing R1 status in 2025, as the article listed UM as only having 50 doctoral researchers. However, according to Whittenburg, this data does not reflect current researcher numbers as the latest survey from 2022.

• More than half of Americans no longer believe college is worth the cost. Paid internships could help

  Stephen Moret and Jeff Selingo argue that while most graduates do reap economic benefits from their college experience, the lack of confidence among the general public should be taken seriously.

2024 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Who’s running for office in Montana in 2024? Here’s a running list.

  Montana’s 2024 ballot will host a suite of consequential elections — among them a race that could decide the balance of the U.S. Senate, two open seats on the Montana Supreme Court, two U.S. House races, the governorship, and a bevy of other statewide offices. And, for good measure, there may be some major ballot measures thrown in too. With less than a year to election day, campaign announcements are coming fast and furious from seasoned politicians and grassroots activists alike.

Government News & Events

• Paris Is Great — But the Green Mobility Revolution Is Happening All Over Europe

  The green mobility revolution is happening in Paris — and Milan, and Seville, and Brussels.

• Helena mayor leans into public safety during annual State of the City address

  Not one for bold predictions or sweeping proclamations, Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins’ seventh State of the City Address given Monday evening highlighted various department accomplishments and goals for the future.

Government Technology

• Cities Turn to Data to Improve Urban Traffic and Transit

  Gov tech companies offering tools to help local governments learn more about how people get from point A to point B are focusing on how data and analytics can inform better transportation policy.

Careers

• AI robot buddy aims to teach gamers social skills

  This charmingly Japanese robot acts as a gaming buddy, taking the other controller and playing against you while chatting about what’s happening on screen. It’s designed to stave off loneliness, and teach increasingly isolated gamers to be social.

Transportation

• Biden administration announces $623 million in EV charging grants for state and local agencies

  The grants, which come as part of the 2021 infrastructure law, are intended to ensure chargers are built in underserved or remote communities.

• Colorado proves e-bike rebate programs are huge and everyone should follow suit

  Almost half of Americans would buy an e-bake with a rebate like Colorado’s, making such policies low-hanging fruit for promoting exercise and battling climate change.

• First 100% American Made Electric Fire Truck Enters Service In Mesa, Arizona

  With the most powerful, longest lasting battery performance on the market, this truck drives and pumps on electric power only — able to conduct 100% of ground duties with 100% electric. Customizable to meet your needs, Vector answers the call with cleaner, quieter operation.”

• Waymo’s Robotaxis Are Hitting The Highway, A First For Self-Driving Cars

  These robo-taxis will be careening down the highway, bringing us one step closer to a world where we won’t have to sully ourselves with the task of driving.

• Montana looks to build up EV infrastructure

  Electric vehicles have been in national headlines, but where does Montana stand when it comes to EVs and infrastructure for them? According to data from the US Department of Energy, there are about 60,500 public access EV charging stations across the country and about 120 of them are located in Montana. Currently the state and local governments are working to bolster EV infrastructure.

Energy and Climate Change

• Could new tech rejuvenate ageing solar panels?

  An automated process restores solar panels affected by weather and poor maintenance

VR/AR, Blockchain, Bitcoin, Artificial Intelligence and The Internet of Things

• More details emerge on FCC’s cyber program for schools, libraries

  Applicants for the $200 million pilot could be required to detail recent attacks and their current cybersecurity posture. The agency is also seeking guidance on how to measure success.

Social Media, Connectivity & Communications

• The Most Useful Book of 2023: ‘Outrage Machine’

  Rohit Bhargava explains why this practical book stood out from the rest of the titles on the 2023 Inc. Non-Obvious Book Awards list.

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