TODAY!!!

Nationwide Women’s STRIKE (Wear Red) on Monday – June 24 – SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!

Come Home Montana

• Nation’s First Chief Growth Officer on Reimagining Michigan
  The former Rust Belt state is betting its future on a sought-after natural resource — people — guided by one person in particular. Hilary Doe, the first state chief growth officer anywhere, discusses what’s next.
• 25 Companies Hiring Now For Fully Remote Jobs In 2024

  Across these sectors can be found companies who have taken innovative approaches to hiring and proactive employee retention, ensuring employee wellbeing is consistently upheld, including fully remote, hybrid options, unlimited PTO, and even offering access to meditation, yoga, and wellness classes. Many of these employers not only offer remote jobs, but they are proactive about providing you with the opportunity to thrive while working from home, so you do not feel isolated, and to ensure that your role is fully supported so you can deliver your best work. For example, some employers such as HubSpot provide a stipend for working…

• Number of job openings has declined sharply in every state

  At the height of the labor shortage in 2022, there were two job openings per job seeker. As of April, the ratio was down to 1.2 openings per person.

• Wanted: Montana ( and other states) host families for international students

  Students from throughout the world come to the United States every year to not only study in our schools but to gain a better understanding of our American culture. And without the help of gracious host moms and dads, their education wouldn’t be possible.

• Nationwide Women’s STRIKE (Wear Red) Expected on Monday – June 24 – SPREAD THE WORD!!!!!

  The organizers are calling for supporters to wear red, stay home from work and school, and not spend any money unless it’s at a women-owned business. The movement is calling for equal rights, reproductive freedom and the end of gender-based violence.

• U.S. Workers Are Experiencing A Gap Between Expectations Versus Reality

  For Montana, this trend underscores the importance of fostering strong leadership and communication to enhance job satisfaction and economic development. As the state continues to invest in education and workforce development, addressing these concerns could play a critical role in boosting employee confidence and driving economic growth.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• 10 negative body language signals to avoid in your next meeting  

  When you consciously choose how to show up, it transforms meetings from mere discussions into powerful platforms for connection.

• Dept. of Commerce allocated $8M to 16 Montana economic development organizations to support Montana economic growth

  The grant, funded through the Big Sky Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Grant Program, provides funding to Montana businesses in local economies.

• Starting teacher pay $9K higher in Montana than national report, state says

  News about new teachers’ pay comes on top of other news that Montana’s teacher turnover is high. Nearly 31% of first-year teachers are experiencing turnover in Montana public schools, and more than 27% are leaving within two to five years, according to OPI.

• Montana Film Office Reel Report Summer 2024

  This quarterly newsletter from the Montana Film Office at the Montana Department of Commerce (Commerce) aims to keep the state’s film and television industry professionals, constituents and fans informed of the latest Montana production, infrastructure and festival news. You’ll also find information on locations and upcoming events. We’re here to help you stay connected with all things “film” in Montana.

• Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit – 8/7-8 – Helena

  Our second annual Summit will include inspiring keynote speakers and break-out sessions hosted by experts in the fields of business and child care.

  More info to come!

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• Drought conditions have eased in Bozeman—so why are there permanent watering restrictions?

  “There’s potential for a water shortage, especially in a year like this where we saw that really low snowpack. This is just good planning. This is really trying to conserve water for that—no pun intended—lack of a rainy day. The potentially dry days ahead,” says Michael.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 6/23/24

  The Montana Innovation Partnership is offering a number of trainings and an accelerator program for companies interested in pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.

Montana’s Headwaters Tech Hub

• Taiwan, Montana seek to build cooperation in photonics, quantum industries

  The state of Montana has one of the highest per capita concentrations of optics, photonics, and quantum computing companies in the U.S., including an industrial cluster with leading technologies in self-driving, drone detection and applied defense detection systems, according to the office.

Montana Business

• US Hwy 93: Missoula to Florence Corridor Study- 6/25 – Lolo, Montana

  This study is investigating the best possible improvements to enhance safety, support growth within the area, and provide an improved travel experience for drivers. June engagement opportunities are the second of three phases, where RPA will present initial solutions for the corridor before finalizing recommendations to MDT later this year.

• Missoula, Montana Based – The Insight Studio – HubSpot is Tricky But We’re Here To Help

  If I could give 10 stars I would. Working with The Insight Studio has been an absolute amazing experience. They are so responsive, professional, flexible, able to pivot quickly when new priorities arise, and so much more. 10/10 would recommend!. Riley Norman
  Telecommunications

• Clark Fork Prep is looking for 3-5,000 square foot building in Missoula

  Planning to serve high school students from throughout the Missoula Valley, Clark Fork Prep is intent on finding a centrally located building. We need 3,000-5,000 square feet, and the space needs to be single story or have fire suppression on upper floors.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Colorado Passes New Broadband Laws, Takes Aim At Landlord Monopolies

  Colorado has been a key player in the municipal broadband space, and is home to several major municipal broadband deployments (from Longmont’s Nextlight to Fort Collins’ Connexion) that have been proven inspirational to municipalities across the country.

Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success

• New state program aims to put 500,000 acres of Montana prairie under conservation leases
  The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has signed off on the first round of conservation agreements proposed under FWP’s new program.

Housing

• Abundant, Affordable, Climate-Friendly Homes: What Part 1 of the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building Means for Housing

  This week, the US Department of Energy (DOE) finalized Part 1 of a national definition of a zero emissions building, focused on operational carbon emissions.

• How an American Dream of Housing Became a Reality in Sweden

  The U.S. once looked to modular construction as an efficient way to build lots of housing at scale, but Sweden picked up the idea and put it into practice.

Visit Montana

• Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun road opens for 2024 season

  Visitors can access Logan Pass both from West Glacier and St. Mary entrances.

Funding and Building your Business

• How the Savannah Bananas Hire _Truly Inspirational – Could your organization do it better than how it does it now?

  Write your future resume (What do you expect that you will  have accomplished in life in 20 years?)

The Creative and Cultural Economy

• Star Psychologist Adam Grant Says Pebbling Is the Secret to Stronger Relationships

  Pebbling doesn’t actually involve any pebbles (if you’re human, at least).

• Spectrum UM Discovery Area at Missoula’s Library – Explore the Fun

  Missoula’s hands-on science center dedicated to igniting passion for discovery through science.

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

• SpectrUM hosts Summer of Science events for Montana’s future leaders

  In its 10th year, the spectrUM Summer of Science program is free to all participants and funded by the Jane S. Heman Foundation, located in the Bitterroot Valley. It has expanded its offerings and locations, adding hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of communities.

• A Trusted Space® Film Series for the community of advocates, educators, students, and all who care about and serve the mental health crisis among students—soaring rates of suicidal ideation, disruptive behavior, and emotional distress.

  These films examine the urgent need for our education system to create trusted, healthy spaces for all students. They address the growing social-emotional crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, which is facing today’s youth.

• Clark Fork Prep – Test Your Talent for Trivia Night – 6/26 – Imagine Nation Brewing

  While you have fun racking your brain for local facts, figures, and memories, Imagine Nation will be donating $1 of every pint purchased to CFP. And there will even be prizes—imagine that!

Government News & Events

• To help fund roads, Washington state lawmakers eye fee on delivery of online purchases

  New revenue options are needed as gas tax collections lag behind rising maintenance costs. “This is not a done deal,” says the leader of Senate transportation panel.

American Prairie

• Montana’s second appeal to stop American Prairie bison grazing denied

  “We appreciate the thoughtful consideration being given to this issue,” said Pete Geddes, vice president and chief external relations officer for American Prairie, in an email. “Grazing bison on federal public lands is in total compliance with the BLM’s conservation goals and authority, and we look forward to the completion of this case.”

Careers

• The federal government is recruiting young people for Montana climate change jobs

  Earlier this spring, President Biden launched the program’s first round of jobs. This includes nine temporary positions in Bozeman, Butte and Helena.

• Why some people are hiring a ‘reverse recruiter’ for their job search 

  In a hyper-competitive job market, more candidates are turning to reverse recruiters for help finding opportunities. Is it right for you?

Transportation

• Utah vehicles may be able to communicate with roads soon. Is your community planning for the future.

  In a visit to Salt Lake City, Shailen Bhatt, federal highway administrator, said that while technology has transformed many things, there were over 40,000 traffic fatalities in the country in 2023 “because we have not been as courageous, or as quick to deploy technology in transportation.”

• Florida EV Drivers Will Get The Chance To Experience Wireless In-Road Charging

  In-road charging will replenish batteries of EVs as they travel along SR 516.

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

• Hugging Face – The AI community building the future.

  The platform where the machine learning community collaborates on models, datasets, and applications.

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