MATR Newsletter – March 13, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

“The trouble is, you think you have time.” Buddah

Corona Virus Information

• Governor Bullock Declares State of Emergency in Montana Related to COVID-19

  Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force launches informational line for Montanans at 1-888-333-0461

• ATTENTION – Made in Montana Tradeshow Limits Event to Wholesale Buyers

  The annual Made in Montana Tradeshow for Food & Gifts will be limited to wholesale buyers to protect against the possibility of spreading novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

• As of March 23rd, all MUS campuses will, in every instance possible, transition all in-class instruction to online or other remote teaching modalities that do not require in-class presence.

  I am directing all MUS campuses to implement the following decisions as soon as possible:

• A message from Montana Governor Steve Bullock regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  We all need to work together to make this response effective.

• 8 strategies to set up remote work during the coronavirus outbreak

  The CEO of HackerOne, which features a community of over 600,000 people working remotely, offers tips for the best ways to set up remote workers to succeed.

• The Census Faces its Toughest Challenge Yet: Coronavirus

  Now the coronavirus is sending people into social isolation, making the process of an accurate count very difficult.

Montana Department of Commerce

• Regional Economic Development Corporations Earn Go-Ahead to Continue Serving Business Needs Across Montana

  11 CRDCs will Share $2.5 Million Over the Next Four Years

Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

• Ways to Connect at the Montana Governor’s Tourism Conference April 26 – 28 in Billings

  Bringing together tourism and recreation leaders from every corner of the state continues to elevate these industries by inspiring innovation, educating through on-the-ground insights, connecting partners across the state, and experiencing all that the host city has to offer.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• How, where, and why Montana became the grayest state in the West

  Montana is the oldest state west of the Mississippi and peak age is yet to come.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Senator Tester’s Push for Rural Broadband Expansion in Montana Passes Congress, Heads to President’s Desk

  Senator’s bill will expand rural broadband, direct the FCC to build more accurate coverage maps

Montana Business

• $500K Available for Montana Volunteer Ambulance & EMT Services in Grants from Town Pump Foundation

  2020 Volunteer Ambulance & EMT Services Grant Applications can submitted online by filling out the application

Regional Economic Development

• Watch: The City of Tomorrow

  In the panel, we talk about the disconnect between the radically different urban futures envisioned in the past versus the more incremental change we’ve experienced, how to design with unknown future changes in mind, and how to bring the digital to the physical.

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

• Message from University of Montana President Seth Bodnar – What should a flagship for America’s future look like?

  Over the course of this spring, I invite you to join me in thinking collectively about the attributes that will define the UM of tomorrow.

Connectivity & Communications

• Creator of the World Wide Web says the Internet isn’t working for women

  “The web is not working for women and girls,” Tim Berners-Lee says.

• A sneaky attempt to end encryption is worming its way through Congress

  The EARN IT Act could give law enforcement officials the backdoor they have long wanted — unless tech companies come together to stop it

Transportation

• New electric car can be rented for just $22 a month

  The two-seat vehicle is 100% electric and comes with a battery that can be powered from a standard electrical socket in just three hours.

Privacy, Hacking and Virus Alerts

• Governments Are Paying Increasingly High Ransoms, Study Says

  A new report from Deloitte highlights the degree to which state and local governments are being targeted by ransomware attacks.

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