MATR Newsletter – June 1, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

Yesterday I saw a book titled “How to Solve 50% of Your Problems” so I bought 2.

Corona Virus Information

• Pandemic historian: Don’t rush reopening. In 1918, some states ran straight into more death.
  Over a decade ago, I looked at state lockdown measures during the 1918 influenza pandemic. My takeaway: Longer is better than shorter.
• Montana State Fund offers PPE grant for frontline workers

  The program has a total of 100 infrared thermometers, 15,000 medical tri-fold masks and 15,000 KN95 masks for distribution.

• Montana Launches Tourist Education, Business Safety Programs As Reopening Proceeds

  Through the Montana Business Adaptation Program, a single business can receive up to $5,000 in reimbursement for expenses related to keeping staff and customers safe from COVID-19, according to Gov. Steve Bullock.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Association of Counties (MACo) News: May 2020

  Counties Job Openings

Great Falls Development Authority

• Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 5-31-20

  Here is our Top 22 for this week celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy — Montana’s Golden Triangle.

• June Business Training – Great Falls Development Authority

  Here are our upcoming educational events for business owners, managers, and professionals for June 2020:

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• MEDA June News and Updates

  Here we go, launching into the month of June and Phase 2 of Montana’s COVID-19 recovery.

• Ravalli County asks governor to consider economic plan for revitalization following pandemic

  The resulting 20-page COVID-19 Emerge Strong Plan analyzed the needs of economic drivers impacted by the pandemic and created a near $22 million budget to stabilize and rebuild those businesses.

• Make Investing in Resilient, Localized Food System Part of Next Stimulus

  If we don’t reform our food system in the next round of stimulus, we might not be ready the next time we face a challenges.

• Meeting our Economic Needs Together- Webinar on Housing Cooperatives – 6/11 – 2:00PM to 3:30PM

  Presenters will be Katie Biggs, Marketing & Resource Development Manager for NeighborWorks Montana, and Julie Foster, Executive Director for Ravalli County Economic Development Authority.

Funding and Building your Business

• Google Search will now favor websites with great UX

  Now optimizing for a more delightful web.

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

• COVID-19 made Khan Academy Kids vital for parents. Now it faces a cash crunch

  The free education app for young children has boomed during the pandemic—but so have its costs.

2020 Montana Politics

• What Montana’s governor’s race means for reproductive health

  Legislative Republicans have long tried to restrict abortion access. If a Republican takes the governor’s seat, they’re likely to get their wish.

Transportation

• ’20 Is Plenty’ – D.C. cuts speed limit to 20 mph to curb pedestrian deaths

  Speed limits in Washington, D.C. are safer for everyone.

• App Designed to Turn Lights Green for Cyclists Goes National

  The app, called GiveMeGreen!, has been undergoing tests in California and Indiana with positive feedback. By telling traffic lights when a cyclist is coming, it aims to make rides smoother and keep hands off buttons.

TED and TEDX Talks

• Today’s TED Talk – PayPal CEO Dan Schulman – The future of capitalism, commerce and cash

  He discusses why companies need to cultivate trust to recover and rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic — and how we can use this defining moment to create a more inclusive, ethical economy.

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