MATR Newsletter – January 15, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

“Integrity means doing the right thing even when it’s not convenient.  We need to try to do the right thing every time, to perform at our best, because we never know which moment in our lives we’ll be judged on.”
― Chesley B. Sullenberger, Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters

On the anniversary of his water landing in the Hudson river.  1/15/2009

Economic development is not a spectator sport.

Corona Virus Information

• Montana Governor Gianforte lifts statewide COVID-19 capacity and hour restrictions for businesses

  Gianforte’s updated executive order will take effect Friday at 5 a.m. It removes the requirement that bars, restaurants, breweries and casinos operate at 50% capacity and close by 10 p.m.

Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

• Montana – The Ultimate Location Video – The Montana Film Office – The Film Industry is hiring in Montana

  “I’m in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love. And it’s difficult to analyze love when you’re in it.”

  ― John Steinbeck

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• Bozeman city commissioners map out yearly priorities

  Commissioner Michael Wallner suggested the city prioritize seeking out grants or other funds in preparation that the 2020 census results will bump Bozeman’s population above 50,000, changing the city’s status for federal funding.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• 3 Megatrends You Can’t Ignore In the New Digital Economy

  Research found that eCommerce penetration in the United States had experienced ten years of growth in the first quarter of 2020 alone.

• Today’s TED Talk – How your brain responds to stories — and why they’re crucial for leaders

  How do the world’s best leaders and visionaries earn trust? They don’t just present data — they also tell great stories. Leadership consultant Karen Eber demystifies what makes for effective storytelling and explains how anyone can harness it to create empathy and inspire action.

• Grow Your Workforce Through Apprenticeships – Webinar Next Week! Jan 20 – 2:30-3:30

  Join Kelly Cresswell, Reach Higher Montana Executive Director, and Jason Butcher, Reach Higher Montana Outreach Director, to learn more about leveraging youth apprenticeship as part of your workforce development strategy.

• Montana Women’s Business Center Announces 3rd Annual Impact Grant Competition

  Prospera raised $15,000 at the 2020 Prosperity Party fundraiser last September that will fund three grants to women owned businesses in Montana.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

• Who directly benefits from Gianforte tax cuts in Montana?

  An advocate for lower- and moderate-income households in Montana said while the governor’s tax-cut plan may have some benefits for those earning less, the bulk of it goes to wealthier individuals and businesses.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

• Two MSU alumni complete fellowship program aimed at increasing their startups’ social impact

  “More and more, burgeoning student entrepreneurs are demonstrating that they care more about having a social impact than turning large profits,”

Funding and Building your Business

• 7 ways the circular economy will grow in 2021

  From more reusable packaging to more companies taking back used products to more empowered designers, 2021 will be a key year in the development of new, less wasteful systems.

2021 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Truth, Lies And Social Media

  Journalists Sally Mauk and Gwen Florio, along with special guest New York Times columnist Charlie Warzel discuss this and more in this episode of Parsing the Press.

Government News & Events

• Better Ways to Ensure Free and Fair Elections

  If you want to make sure voting remains honest, participate in local election-commission activities like voting-machine tests and cast your ballot for every office, not just president.

Government Technology

• 10 Dos and Don’ts for Government Cybersecurity Leaders

  The new decade offers more challenges for cybersecurity leaders than ever, from tracking evolving threats to navigating budget constraints. Keep these best practices in mind for effective security management.

Transportation

• Paris is turning its iconic street into pedestrian gardens

  The Champs-Élysées is getting a major renovation—one that will remove most of the cars.

• American Automobile Manufacturers Talking Seriously About Flying Cars

  Fiat Chrysler plans to mass produce flying cars by 2023

• Proposed bill aims to establish intercity passenger rail service in Indiana and beyond

  Let us know whether you would use passenger rail service in the poll at the bottom of this story

Cool Stuff That’s Coming

• 15+ Futuristic Technologies Showcased at CES 2021

  Some of the technologies presented at this year’s CES felt like something out of science-fiction.

Community

• Hopes are high in East Missoula after locals stop storage unit zoning

  After they brought hundreds of people together to defeat plans for new storage units in the heart of their town, several East Missoula locals have formed a group with dreams of driving community identity.

TED and TEDX Talks

• TEDX Big Sky Ideas Festival Lineup –January 27 @ 4:00 pm – January 30 @ 8:00 pm

  TEDxBig Sky has a powerful lineup this year. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are unable to host a ticketed event, but this not-for-profit platform is typically supported by ticket sales. Please consider contributing so we can continue to make this event possible.

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