MATR Newsletter – January 8, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

Public Speaking Is No Longer a ‘Soft Skill.’ It’s Your Key to Success in Any Field

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” Toni Morrison, accepting the first Nobel Prize in literature awarded to an African American woman.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Come Home Montana

Montana Career Opportunities – High School Principal-2 Positions – Bozeman
The ideal candidates must possess: collaborative, visionary leadership skills, a passion for nurturing student success, a commitment to continual growth

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

What Motivates Workers in the Gig Economy?
The gig economy offers tremendous flexibility for workers and companies, but it also comes with a host of unknown factors for both parties.
10 of the Highest Paying Gig Economy Jobs of 2018
There are more than 57 million freelancers in the U.S., contributing nearly $1.4 trillion to the economy every year.
You can live in NYC and be face-to-face half a country away
Hanging out all day IS THE KEY for me, not just logging into a fixed-position video conference call. I am present all day, every day, just as any employee. Sometimes I am just there in the flesh, or more often in my robot body on my Beam.
Why the Remote Meetings of the Future Will Be Face-to-Face
50% or more of future entrepreneurs and employees will be working remotely within the next few years.

2019 Montana Legislature and Politics

On The First Day Of The 2019 Montana Legislative Session, House Republicans Make Temporary Peace Over Rules
The temporary rules also tweak the number of votes needed to push bills out of committee and onto the House floor for debate.
Rules Debate Outcome Could Shift Montana Legislature’s Balance Of Power
Those mostly moderate members of the GOP want to make it easier for lawmakers to pull legislation out of committees and onto the House floor for votes by the whole House. That would strip party leaders of power to send bills they don’t like to so-called “kill committees.”

Montana Economic Development

Missoula City Council declares tourism a Front Street goal
“Retail has changed in America,” said Councilwoman Gwen Jones. “That’s the reality.”
Join the Prospera Family!
Prospera members are our support system and referral network, and we want you in our family!
Hemp legalization could mean big business for Montana
One of Thomas’ goals is to attract pharmaceutical companies to Montana.

Montana Business

Life is “like a box of chocolates” for Hamilton, Montana’s “Forrest Gump” – Steve Weber
Today, whether it’s business seminars, conferences — or even in daily posts on his blog and Facebook page — Steve Weber welds together Forrest’s simple, but profound outlook to inspire, and help people cope with change.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

1 Million Cups Bozeman Meets the 1st Wednesday of the Month
Creating conversation around Bozeman startups, business development, and economic growth in the most entrepreneurial state in the nation (plus, coffee).

Arrow Solutions Group

Here’s How to Ask for a Raise in 2019 (and Get It)
Your boss probably wants you—nay, needs—to keep you around, and might just fatten your paycheck for your troubles.

Great Falls Development Authority

GFDA Top 5 Predictions & Top 5 Resolutions for 2019
Here is our special Top 10 to kick off the new year, 5 predictions of what is going to happen in 2019 and 5 resolutions for our economic development work.

TechLink

TechLink – Navy engineer gets New Year’s Day patent for dual mode slotted antenna
Under the business-friendly umbrella of technology transfer, patent license agreements allow federal laboratories to assign their intellectual property rights to a business or entrepreneur and facilitate access to inventors and technical data.

Idaho News & Events

Gov. Little outlines Idaho’s ‘incredible trajectory,’ education plans in State of the State
When it comes to the state budget, newly sworn-in Gov. Brad Little has a No. 1 priority for the 2019 legislative session: education.
Get a DUI in in Idaho in 2019 and you’ll be paying $1K or more to put a breathalyzer in your car
The law requires the ignition interlocks be equipped with cameras to make sure it is the driver’s breath being tested, rather than a passenger or other party.
Read more here: https://www.idahostatesman.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article223826810.html#storylink=cpy
A word with Chuck Staben, University of Idaho president
In spring 2018, the Moscow-based school formed a partnership with the Fenway Group, an organization that connects IT-minded students with top-tier corporations like Southwest Airlines and CenturyLink.

Wyoming Business

In first speech as Wyoming Governor, Mark Gordon outlines optimistic vision in ‘complicated times’
In his first public address as governor Monday morning, Gordon used his time on stage to outline several key priorities for the first months of his administration, including his push for a smaller, more responsive government; increased fiscal responsibility; and a renewed commitment to education — one of the most pressing concerns he will face in his first term in office.
Governor-elect Mark Gordon: Private industry and Wyoming communities key to Endow’s success
The Endow initiative started an important conversation for our state. Governor Mead is to be recognized for his bold vision in bringing forth the countless individuals, business owners and community leaders who have engaged in this process.
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead: Endow’s success provides opportunity for new administration
It was with that eye to the future and a humble prayer for Wyoming’s vibrant communities that I wholeheartedly backed the development of the Endow initiative.
What are you hoping to see come out of the upcoming Wyoming general legislative session?
Each Sunday we ask you a question about an issue important to Wyoming, then print what you think the following Sunday.

Funding and Building your Business

Truth or Consequences Brewery Shows How to do a Promotional Video While Also Promoting Local Musicians… or are the musicians promoting the brew pub?
Moody Little Sister’s 2018 summer single “I Got Soul”. Filmed by FilmShark Media, at the Truth or Consequences Brewery in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Dolce Software – Integrating POS through Payroll, to drive profits, and streamline workflow.
Modernizing Labor Management Operations
This pretax benefits startup is giving hourly workers a raise
By helping baristas and retail and restaurant staffers spend money before paying taxes, Alice is helping them keep more of what they earn.
5 Fundraising Tips For Female Entrepreneurs
It’s a hard truth. Investors ask males markedly different types of questions as compared to females.
Company led by Google veterans uses AI to ‘nudge’ workers toward happiness
A company started by three former Google employees is pitching AI as the answer to a more common problem: being happier at work.

Incubators and R&D

Mark Zuckerberg’s $5 Billion Project to End Disease Within a Generation
The Chan-Zuckerberg Biohub foundation has made huge progress in the biomedical fields.
Scientists Discover A New State of Matter That Competes with Superconductivity
A recent news suggtes that a team of American experimentalists at the University of Alabama Birmingham has discovered an all new state of matter, with the power to actually compete with superconductivity.

The Creative and Cultural Economy

Web series will take Missoula promoter – Logan Foret, musicians on the road
For his “American Vanarchy” web series, he wants to take musicians and artists on the road around the state to smaller towns, with some outdoors or backcountry adventures on the way.
Flagship Romance from Truth or Consequences, NM is coming to Missoula and looking for a Venue
We’re Shawn Fisher & Jordyn Jackson. We’re in love with each other, the music we make, the people we meet, and the ability to make a difference in this crazy world with our gifts.

Regional Business News

This Map Shows the Average Income in Every State—and What It’s Really Worth
Geography can transform a paycheck. That is: How much your wages are actually worth depends largely on where you live.
Senior cohousing an ‘antidote to the loneliness’ that hits people as they age
“I suspect that as we have more housing shortages in highly developed urban areas, this concept will get more cachet. It’s an interesting housing model at a time when our country is so divided. These projects force people to relate.”

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

9 Alexa skills to help kids and teens with math, literacy and chores
Once you’ve mastered how to talk to Alexa, it can help entertain and teach kids and teens with interactive games and educational exercises.

STARS Montana Early Education Program

Montana gets $4.2M federal preschool grant, but money won’t pay for new slots
It will go toward research, outreach and training to better understand and improve Montana’s existing preschool system.

Montana Education Excellence

Montana’s Simms High is state winner in Samsung science contest, bags $20,000 for classroom tech
Simms math and science teacher Jordan Hollern said the next step is making a three-minute video about the project. The project will be weighed against other state winners for bigger national prizes, up to $100,000 in prizes.

Government News & Events

Doctors Don’t Have to Tell Patients They’re on Probation, Except in One State
California is the first state to require physicians to inform patients about their history of sexual misconduct, overprescribing medications, criminal convictions or substance abuse. Will others follow?
5 Ways The Government Keeps Native Americans In Poverty
Native American reservations are among the poorest communities in the United States. Here’s how the government keeps Native Americans in poverty.

Non-Profit News

Bozeman widow continues operating husband’s Bozeman, Montana American Computer & Robotics Museum
“This was his love, his passion. He gave it everything. I could not imagine this not continuing.”

City Club Missoula

City Club Missoula Presents: Zero To Five Missoula: The Case for Early Childhood Development – 1/28
The foundation for a strong start in life begins at birth.
City Club Missoula Discount Membership 2019 – Reaching New Heights in 2019
City Club Missoula would like to thank all of our members for their contributions and attendance during a very successful 2018. We look forward to offering forums in 2019 that continue to engage all Missoulians. We aim to host a wide range of important topics that highlight our city and encourage civil conversation from both sides of any issue.

Careers

Why do you need the perfect elevator pitch for 2019?
You will meet people that could literally change your career path and preparing ahead of time takes away the pressure of scrambling for words.
Public Speaking Is No Longer a ‘Soft Skill.’ It’s Your Key to Success in Any Field
In a new LinkedIn analysis, “persuasion” was one of the top skills “most worth learning” in 2019. “Strengthening a soft skill is one of the best investments you can make in your career, as they never go out of style,” according to the study.
Exchange old resume beliefs with a new twist
More than likely your resume will be read first by software and a human second.
If you want to tackle big problems, try thinking like a bee
“Where do I start? And even if I do something, will it really matter?”
Talk of the week Lýdia Machová: The secrets of learning a new language
You don’t need some special talent or a “language gene.”

Workforce Development

Technology companies turn to apprenticeships in tight labor market
Seventeen companies, including IBM, Ford, Canon, Sprint, Postmates and Bosch, have committed to expand apprenticeships to thousands of workers across 20 states to help fill a shortage of trained tech talent.
Understanding challenges of rural workplace development
Local involvement in the workplace development field is vital in a rural area compared to a larger city because there are simply fewer resources devoted to helping job seekers.

Come Home Oregon

Oregon’s urban-rural divide has deepened
With the state’s population becoming more concentrated around Portland, and Eastern Oregon and Multnomah County becoming so politically disparate, the political voices of East Oregonians have become increasingly silenced.

South Dakota News & Events

How South Dakota won over Tru Shrimp in spite of Minnesota plans – Growing Shrimp in South Dakota?
One thing the governor didn’t mention: This community of more than 7,000 South Dakotans wasn’t Tru Shrimp’s first choice.
Gov. Kristi Noem, in historic inauguration, looks to improve South Dakota’s future
“One hundred years and one day after this great state extended women the right to vote, they elected the first woman as governor.”

Transportation

Toward More Comprehensive Multi-Modal Transport Planning
Transportation planning is undergoing a paradigm shift.
“Solutions for the City of the Future.” – The Future of Urban Mobility Unveiled at CES 2019
Robocabs will take over urban logistics
Tesla Model 3 Slides Out of Control on An Iced Road But Regains Control
The dashcam footage hints that the new-age Tesla models are better than we imagined!

Cool Stuff That’s Coming

We tried cooking the new Impossible Burger
“Unlike the cow, which will never get better and better, we wanted to leverage all the technology we have so that chefs and consumers everywhere would have a product that is as delicious or maybe even a better choice than picking a burger from a cow.”
A new fleet of autonomous robots is now making one of the world’s oldest foods
With the BreadBot, human intelligence has been replaced by more than 70 data-gathering sensors that monitor the bread 100 times a second and adjust the baking process in real time
CBS Sunday Morning – Running Blind
He’s no hero, he says, nor does he consider himself an inspiration. He’s a test pilot of sorts for those who are blind or visually-impaired who, like him, hope technology one day may brighten their world.
StoryWorth – This ex-Googler created a company to bring families closer together and create a record of their memories
“You’re not faced with thinking about your whole life or even what story you want to tell,” she said. “It’s like you’re having a conversation.”

Energy and Climate Change

406 Recycling – Company launches electronics recycling program after state budget cuts shut down Helena Industries
Owner Matt Elsaesser hopes that as his company grows, he can incorporate some of Helena Industries’ mission of employing people with developmental disabilities.
60 Minutes – The unlikely, eccentric inventor turning inedible plant life into fuel
He outsmarted MIT and now he’s lured some pretty powerful men to his board of directors, including former Shell Oil executive Sir John Jennings, and three former cabinet secretaries – Steve Chu of the Department of Energy, George Shultz, former secretary of state and former defense secretary, William Perry.
Hawaiian Electric Announces ‘Mind-Blowing’ Solar-Plus-Storage Contracts
“It’s hard to overstate the scale of this announcement.”
Flathead community invests in solar energy
“There’s an estimate that up to 80 percent of households out there are not really suitable for solar panels, so if we do a community solar project it’s just like having them on your home,” Holter told NBC Montana. “You get the credit that’s generated from the panel you buy, but you don’t have to mess with it and have it on your home.”

Community

‘Tell Us Something’ – “It’s Complicated”
In this week’s podcast you’ll learn about a man’s exploration of his family’s ancestry, you’ll hear a young woman’s struggle to keeping her young daughters safe while writing and promoting her first book and memoir while surviving domestic abuse at home, you’ll descend into addiction and come out on the other side, before finally making friends with a person with whom you once vehemently disagreed.

Other Economies

Maine investor tax credit likely maxed out on first day
The Maine Seed Capital Tax Credit program likely hit its $5 million annual cap on the first day of applications, with 107 investors in 21 different companies submitting requests for the tax credit Wednesday.

Rural Communities

Storm Lake, Iowa: A Study in Rural Resilience, Diversity and Hope
Its public-school students speak 23 languages. It still has two newspapers, one of which won a Pulitzer Prize. Art Cullen shows the complexity of today’s rural America in the book Storm Lake.