MATR Newsletter – March 6, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

Autonomy is coming fast. The Transportation Industry Is Preparing For The End Of Carcatecture (Our lives and environment based on the auto)

Every time you feel yourself being pulled into other people’s nonsense: repeat these words: “not my circus, not my monkeys.” Polish Proverb

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

National Association of Counties launches app to track broadband, cellular coverage data
“The decisions made in D.C. are largely based on the FCC broadband coverage maps which in much of the U.S. are very inaccurate. Montana is one of the areas in which the broadband coverage is greatly overstated,” Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs said in a release.

2019 Montana Legislature and Politics

2019 Montana Legislative roundup: Halfway through 90-day session, lawmakers break to prep for round 2
The midpoint of the session is the transmittal deadline for moving any general bills, meaning those that don’t contain revenue or appropriations, from one chamber to another.

Montana Economic Development

Butte Local Development Corporation March Newsletter
There are many unique attributes from our mining heritage that are visible throughout Butte, but our work ethic and ability to “get the job done” is one trait of that past that is visible everywhere you look.
Bozeman Community-Based Organization Receives Funding Through The Citi Foundation And LISC To Help Train Workers For Growing Job Sectors
“Getting our local workforce properly trained and supported in their efforts to advance their own lives and careers is one of the most important things we can do for our communities,” said Brit Fontenot, the director of economic development for the City of Bozeman, who said education and workforce development are among the pillars of the city’s economic development strategy.
One Big Sky supporters direct ire at Billings city council
Billings business leaders castigated City Council at its meeting Monday night for failing to support its agreement the One Big Sky District developer.

Montana Business

Montana has an opportunity to manage the future of part of Colstrip
The energy landscape is transitioning and Colstrip’s future, along with the community and employees, needs to be addressed.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

Pitching Your Business to a Venture Capitalist – George Deeb, Startup Expert
On this segment of Advice From the Pros, startup expert, George Deeb discusses the steps you should take before pitching your business to a venture capitalist.

Northwestern Energy

NorthWestern Energy’s 2019 draft Montana electric supply plan open for public comment
Montana’s energy landscape is evolving, changing from a state that produces more electricity than our citizens can use 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to a state where there is a growing risk there won’t be enough electricity to serve our citizens at critical times of peak demand.

Zoot Enterprises

Eric Hathaway of Zoot is talking alternative financial data with Zach Tondre, Director of Strategy for the Digital Economy at LexisNexis.
We discuss the wide range of available data, how it can help banks understand potential customers and how it unlocks the products and services that people desperately need. And that is definitely something to celebrate.

Idaho News & Events

How This Former Outback Steakhouse Waitress Built a $2.8 Million Retail Brand
Cheekys Brand has tapped into a lucrative, overlooked market, with apparel and sassy slogans appealing to country dwellers.

Wyoming Business

Editorial board: Wyoming Legislature failed to address state’s most pressing concerns during general session
When polled before last year’s midterm election, Wyomingites responded that their biggest concern is the rising cost of health care premiums.
New Faces | Wyoming Business Council welcomes four new board members
CyberWyoming takes creative approach to teaching small business owners

Funding and Building your Business

10 Productivity Tools for Software Engineers
We’ve put together a list of tools (free and paid) that are trending in the market and are proved incredibly useful for software engineers.
Head of Halo development team tells 60 Minutes why it’s important to have women in gaming
It’s important for women to be on the development side in gaming so they can shape diverse characters and storylines.
A new generation of young managers is reshaping how we work
Younger generations are stepping up at an astounding clip as baby boomers retire. And technology is radically altering the types of skills most companies need.

The Creative and Cultural Economy

Rural Nebraska libraries reinventing themselves in ‘makerspace’ movement
“Makerspaces are a new thing libraries are getting into, but it’s really hard to convince your city council or people you might be fundraising with that you need a makerspace before you know if there is a demand,” she said.

Regional Economic Development

Print your city? 3D printing is revolutionizing urban futures
We must radically redefine urbanism by changing how we produce, consume and live in cities so they can digest locally the waste they produce.

Regional Business News

Businesses hire high-skill workers even if there’s no job for them. Here’s why
They’re stockpiling the most talented employees in fields such as information technology, social media and engineering on fears they might not be around when an opening arises.
Will Statewide Rent Control Catch On Beyond Oregon?
It’s the first in the nation to pass a rent control law that covers tenants across an entire state.

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

Whitefish philanthropists Michael and Jamie Goguen have given Code Girls United a boost with a $50,000 donation.
“The generous donation from Michael and Jamie Goguen helps us all to build community connections that empower us,” said Code Girls United leader Marianne Smith.
Girls in tech: Confronting the “middle school cliff”
Educators know that girls’ interest in computers science wanes in middle school. But why? And how can they prevent it?

Government News & Events

Where you’ll pay the most – and least – on state and local taxes in the US – Montana is 17th lowest.
Taxes are one of the few certainties in life – but they do not have to be a great burden.

Non-Profit News

Online Portal Seeks to Decrease Rural Health ‘Philanthropy Gap’
A federal agency and national association have commissioned a toolkit to help groups raise more money for rural health-related projects. The creators hope a rising tide in funding will lift all boats.
Missoula Food Bank Asks for More Volunteers During Winter Weather Challenges
Discover all the ways you can serve Missoula Food Bank & Community Center, and your community, from stocking the shelves of our stores, sorting food, bagging groceries, or delivering food to home-bound seniors.

Careers

5 Keys To Career And Business Success For Introverts
In this age where every person feels the need for a relationship with people they do business with, introverts like me might seem to be at a distinct disadvantage.
Keys To A Winning Public Profile, Online and Offline
Today, most personnel organizations readily admit that they already use the Internet to validate what they see in your written resume.

Transportation

Autonomy is coming fast. The Transportation Industry Is Preparing For The End Of Carcatecture (Our lives and environment based on the auto)
Riders could use their smartphones to summon cars of their choice. Fares would be calculated in advance, and on per mile basis, just like a current Lyft or Uber ride. And when the vehicle was no longer needed, it would drive away to its next fare.
All New Cars To Have Speed Limiters Fitted, Rules European Parliament
A new ruling by the European Parliament could result in the mandatory installation of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) in all new cars within three years.
Electric ATV makes for stealthy search and rescue operations
DRR USA out of Brunswick, Ohio, has been making gas-powered all-terrain vehicles for almost two decades, and is now moving into a new clean and quiet production zone with the launch of the Stealth Electric ATV.