Today!   Online

Come Home Montana

• New Residents Aren’t Taking Pay Cuts to Move to Montana

  On average, new residents who moved to Montana in 2020 earned more than existing Montana residents. In fact, the top 10% of new residents had an average household federal adjusted gross income of nearly $600,000, compared to $312,760 for the top 10% of full-year residents

Montana Department of Commerce

• Deer Lodge Entrepreneur Wins Retailer of the Year Award at 2022 Made in Montana Tradeshow

  “Small businesses are the foundation of Montana’s economy, and are vital in keeping our communities thriving by creating jobs and opportunities,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Scott Osterman. “This year’s winner of our Retailer of the Year Award clearly has strong community connections and enthusiastically supports Made in Montana producers,” Osterman added.

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• Downtown director: Bozeman business district thriving

  Here’s some good news: Downtown Bozeman is not dead. Not even close to dying.

Great Falls Development Authority

• Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 3-13-22

  Here is our Top 17 for this week celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy — Montana’s Golden Triangle. And, sharing business resources and skill-building opportunities to empower your success.

Prospera Business Network

• Prospera Pulse March and April Events in Southwest, Montana

  Prospera Business Network is the lead non-profit organization advancing and supporting community-centered economic development in southwest Montana.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• The US will now break out jobs data for Native Americans

  Although the data for indigenous populations still won’t be part of the monthly jobs report (because it is not seasonally adjusted), having data highlighted and published more frequently online is a win for both visibility and real-world progress

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Only 50 Percent of Homes in the Continental US Receive True Broadband Internet Access, NPD Group Finds

  In fact, 34 percent of homes receive internet access at speeds of less than 5Mbps, including 15 percent that do not have any internet access.

• How State Broadband Offices Are Spending Federal Funds

  Unprecedented federal investment from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will soon land in state broadband offices. Maryland, Maine and Utah share their plans for putting those resources to use.

Montana Business and Govt. Agency Collaboration Success

• Wild pig reports on the rise in Montana

  Feral swine appear to be rooting up in Montana — and invasive species officials say they will be ramping up Big Sky’s “Squeal on Pigs!” campaign in the Flathead Valley and surrounding area.

Housing

• Housing Nonprofit Searching for Land Partnership in Kalispell, Montana

  Community Action Partnership of Northwest Montana needs property to install three modulars for 17 rental units to house low-income individuals

• DignityMoves – San Francisco’s first tiny home village for homeless people opens. At $15,000 a pop, city says it’s cost-effective

  Known as the DignityMoves Village, the site is San Francisco’s first experiment with tiny homes, an approach to homelessness that’s been used in Oakland, San Jose and other Bay Area cities.

Montana Business

• Solace Capital Partners Acquires Missoula, Montana Based Sun Mountain Sports

  “For 40 years, Sun Mountain has watched and listened to golfers and worked diligently to create products that make the sport a more enjoyable experience. I am proud of the patents we have earned, the innovations we have ushered in, and the lifelong friends I have made along the way. Solace brings a shared sense of values and deep appreciation for the brand, and I am confident that under Ed’s and the Sun Mountain team’s leadership, the Company’s best days are ahead.”

The Creative and Cultural Economy

• In the Footsteps of Norman Maclean Festival, June 24-26 – Missoula, Montana

  With keynotes by Timothy Egan and Terry Tempest Williams, writers will lead discussions about the unique heritage of American wilderness, public lands and sacred grounds. Admission will be free to the public.

• Film starring locals and shot in Bozeman, Livingston wraps up production – “The Year of the Dog”

  “The first day of our shooting … we had 70, 80 mile per hour gusts shooting outside in downtown Livingston.”

Come Home Idaho

• Is Idaho’s Population Surge to Blame For These Growing Tragedies?

  Lately, Idaho has been ranking among the highest in the nation for things that are NOT to be celebrated.

  In fact, these statistics are not just sad, they are extremely alarming:

University Business Plan Competitions

• Applications being accepted for Montana State’s $50K Venture Competition, set for April 2

  The competition is open to all MSU and University of Montana undergraduate and graduate students, to faculty and staff at both universities, and to MSU and UM alumni who graduated within the last 10 years.

Rural Communities

• In Rural Minnesota, a Documentary Series Tells Local Stories and Invites New Residents

  Otter Tail County’s “Rural by Choice” docuseries has been well received, with a second season in the works.

Energy and Climate Change

• They’re Frustrated with Power Utilities – So They’re Leaving the Grid Altogether

  And thanks to “a stunning drop” in the cost of solar panels and batteries, “Some homeowners who have built new, off-grid homes say they have even saved money because their systems were cheaper than securing a new utility connection….”

• Could micro nuclear reactors be the future of nuclear energy?

  Let’s get down to the micro level!

• Environmentalist Bill McKibben to speak virtually at MSU on April 6

  He holds honorary degrees from 19 colleges and universities. In 2014, he was awarded the Right Livelihood Award, sometimes called the alternative Nobel. Foreign Policy named him to its inaugural list of the world’s 100 most important global thinkers.

MATR Newsletter Supporters: