MATR Newsletter – July 16, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

2023 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Bozeman commissioners OK affordable housing levy ballot question

  Bozeman voters will be asked in November whether to increasing property taxes to support housing projects and work on a handful of city facilities.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity – Membership Director – Helena Area Chamber of Commerce

  Looking for a dynamic & articulate individual with strong sales skills & a high level of organizational skills to join our great staff.  Come be a part of our fun…

Montana Department of Commerce

• ARPA Economic Transformation, Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission Meeting – 7/21 – 9AM State Capital and Zoom

  During the July 21 meeting, the Commission will review proposals for the economic transformation and stabilization and workforce development programs. The Economic Transformation, Stabilization and Workforce Development Advisory Commission is responsible for reviewing proposals for funding using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Commission recommendations for funding are then submitted to the governor for consideration.

Missoula Valley Internet Co-Op

• The Pacific Northwest Rural Broadband Alliance, a Missoula-based nonprofit co-op is bringing high-speed internet service to Lake County

  They have developed a successful network of this type in the Grant Creek area north of Missoula, proving the system can offer at least 100 mbps for both upload and download speeds affordably. They will soon expand that system as far as Hamilton, Frenchtown and Bonner.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• ‘Somebody needs to say something:’ Billings business says 75% of recent applicants have either declined interviews or no-showed

  The Montana Department of Labor and Industry said this is a really important issue they are looking at as a department. They said they hear this concern from employers all the time and in all parts of Montana.

• Google Just Unlocked The Mysteries Of Travel Demand—And The Tourism Industry Can’t Wait To Have At It

  The technology company is launching Travel Insights with Google, a brand new suite of free tools that leverage Google Search data to deliver insights into real-time travel demand.

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

• Ex-Google HR chief: Why returning to the office could be a ‘recipe for disaster’

  Returning to a hybrid office could be even more damaging than the move to fully remote work, writes the former HR chief at Google. Here’s how to get it right.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• NACo Broadband Task Force: High-Speed Internet Is Essential For All Counties

  The NACo Broadband Task Force, as appointed by President Gary Moore of Kentucky, was chartered with the premise that “if you can’t connect… you can’t compete.” It is the equity issue of our hour.

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

• Montana Governor Gianforte puts entire state under fire emergency status

  Citing nearly 1,400 wildfires that have burned more than 141,000 acres in the state, Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday issued an executive order declaring a wildland fire emergency across the entire state.

Housing

• The Myth of Montana’s Housing Market Frenzy

  A Wall Street Journal series paints a scenario where the pandemic has changed the migration patterns of young affluent workers away from crowded urban centers and toward less populated areas. Could this contribute to rising demand for housing here in Montana?

• 5-year wait for Section 8 Housing assistance in Helena

  If a resident were to call today to sign up for help, they would fall in line to number 430. The time until they would get to the top of the list would take about five years.

• Jackson Hole and Teton County, Wyoming may allow Dreamers to buy affordable housing for first time

  If approved the new rules would give recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, DACA, the ability to buy publicly subsidized or restricted housing in Teton County for the first time.

Montana Business

• Enormous Butte, Montana solar project denied permit

  In their justification, Zoning Board members cited the pure size of the array, saying it would undeniably change the landscape of those who live in the Little Basin Creek area. They said the public’s strong opposition carried weight.

• Scientists Say That Clearing Forests Worsens Wildfire Damage

  Wildfires aren’t caused by forests, but the default approach to fire prevention is to clear them. Climate may be the real problem, and preserving trees a big part of the solution.

• Influx of medical school students could overwhelm Montana resources, program leaders warn

  Opening two new medical schools in Montana would stretch and possibly overwhelm the state’s physicians who provide the clinical training that students need to become doctors, according to leaders of a University of Washington medical school program that relies on those teaching physicians.

Visit Montana

• Going-to-the-Sun Road tickets at Glacier National Park sell out in less than 3 minutes

  Eleigh Sterud, who drove to Montana for her birthday to see the rainbow colored rocks at Lake McDonald said her mom and aunt woke up at 7 a.m. to purchase entrance tickets, only to find they were all sold out by 8:03 a.m.

Funding and Building your Business

• 3 things no one is talking about that make workers not want to quit

  The managing editor at InHerSight reflects on which factors contribute to how potential hires and current employees gauge a company’s level of commitment to equity and inclusion.

Regional Business News

• AgentSync Recognized on the Insurtech Insights Future50 Americas List of Insurtechs Reimagining the Future of Insurance

  Chosen among thousands of contenders, AgentSync rose to No. 2 on the industry’s definitive ranking of insurtech companies that will shape the insurance landscape

Come Home Idaho

• Idaho’s $4.25 million grant to create 750 apprentices is one of 15 states to win funding.

  Idaho is one of 15 states to receive a U.S Department of Labor grant to expand its Apprenticeship Idaho program.

Wyoming Business

• Wyoming Business Council Offering Scholarships to National Main Street Community Transformation Workshop

  Professionals from across the country will come together to learn how strategy, through the lens of the refreshed Main Street Approach, guides successful efforts to transform and sustain our communities.

Rural Communities

• MSU Extension accepting applications for Reimagining Rural virtual gathering

  The virtual gathering is a series of three evening events where people come together in their communities to listen to virtual speakers discuss positive examples of successful rural communities.

Government News & Events

• What State Leaders Need to Know About Cybersecurity

  A new training program is an opportunity for lawmakers and their staffs to get up to speed so that the policies they craft address the issue in ways that don’t harm the economy.

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