MATR Newsletter – May 12, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

Come Home Montana

• My Beloved College Town (Bozeman, Montana) Has a Problem: It’s too Popular

  Senator Jon Tester called this potential revision “the death knell of Montana,” and just introduced a bill to prohibit the O.M.B. from raising the metropolitan yardstick past 50,000 people.

• Yellowstone County among tops in Montana for growth

  Gallatin County has grown 30% since 2010 while Yellowstone County grew 10% — and is one of eight counties in the estimated 10% to 16% range in the last decade.

• Dillon, Montana Downtown Street Design Request for Proposal

  The community is requesting the assistance of a qualified firm to develop a downtown street design and plan to create pedestrian improvements; improvements for the central business district and a corridor along Montana Street; and to expand upon a test project that was completed in 2017.

Montana Department of Commerce

• Montana SBDC May Newsletter – 3 Businesses Share Their Stories – 5/27 – 9AM – Online

  Missoula Regional Small Business Development Centers provides tools and guidance to help small businesses succeed in Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli, and Sanders counties.

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy to upgrade all the state’s electric meters over next three years

  It could take three years to upgrade the state’s 590,000 electric meters.

Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

• Kalispell Chamber’s Kate Lufkin working to strengthen Flathead workforce

  Kate Lufkin is working to change Kalispell’s workforce through education and cooperation.

Merrill Bradshaw Carpentry

• Master Carpenter Merrill Bradshaw Provides Escritoire Desk for Five Valleys Land Trust Auction

  Take home this handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece this weekend by bidding in our Raise the Roof online auction. Visit http://www.fvlt.org to register, bid and win!

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Accelerate Montana’s Rural Innovation Initiative – UM Students: Check out this International Innovation and Entrepreneurship Course!

  This program will teach you what is like to work with an international remote team working to crack economic inequity in rural communities using innovative, cutting-edge, lean startup tools to launch and grow sustainable businesses.

• Missoula entrepreneur double dips in new startups, overcomes industry hurdles

  “Missoula has allowed myself and my team to have a great work-life balance where we can be passionate about growing a business and making sure we are home to have dinner and take our kids fishing, bike riding, hiking, skiing,”

• 3 Ways to Build Stronger Small-Business Communities in a Post-Covid World

  The economic recovery could present a new opportunity for Main Street businesses and startups nationwide–with some strategic planning.

• Missoula business leaders express post-pandemic optimism; interest in relocating high

  According to the Downtown Missoula Partnership, 21 new businesses opened in the downtown area in 2020 while 10 closed. Only one of those closures was attributed to the pandemic.

The Telecommuting and Gig Workforce in Montana

• The Case for Letting People Work From Home Forever

  Do you want happier, productive, more engaged, and more fulfilled employees and coworkers? Well, you should campaign to let them work remotely. Here’s why.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Joe Biden’s Broadband Push Could Be Worth Billions To Wireless And Cable Companies

  All the major carriers stand to benefit if the Biden buildout goes forward.

• Call for Reviewers – NTIA Broadband Connectivity Programs

  Help America Advance its National Objective of Broadband Access for All!

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte

• Montana Just Passed a Bill Limiting Access to Sex Education

  Montana’s Republican Governor, Greg Gianforte, has just signed into law two bills targeting LGBTQ youth in schools. Senate Bill 99 will require K-12 schools to notify parents of any curriculum pertaining to human sexuality and allow parents to opt their children out of said courses.

Housing

• Missoula and Gallatin County, Montana Have Some of the Most Expensive Homes in America

  Assuming a 20% down payment, it would take a minimum annual income of $79,181 to afford a typical home in Missoula County, in keeping with the 28% rule. For context, across the U.S. as a whole, an annual income of about $52,523 is enough to afford a typical home, assuming the same 20% down payment and 28% affordability ratio.

• City leaders recap another year in Missoula’s 10-year plan to end homelessness

  Looking around Missoula, you can see this harsh reality play out as urban campers flock to the Poverello Center, live in tents off highway 93, or spend their days on the lawn of the courthouse.

Montana Biotech

• Montana BioScience Spring II – 2021 Newsletter

  Bioscience is thriving and growing in Montana.

Regional Business News

• The Crime of the Century on HBO

  The Crime of the Century is a searing indictment of Big Pharma and the political operatives and government regulations that enable over-production, reckless distribution, and mass abuse of synthetic opiates.

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

• Guns on campus policy drafted, public comment session scheduled Wednesday

  Faculty, student leaders urge Regents to challenge law

2021 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Montana Adopts New Broadband and Business Tax Bills – What About Offering Starlink to Rural Locations?

  Democrats voted against the tax proposals, saying they benefit wealthy Montanans instead of those who need financial help the most.

Government News & Events

• Cities Aren’t Making Climate Investments Where They Matter Most

  Buildings, transport, energy and waste have the most potential to reduce emissions, according to a CDP report

City Club Missoula

• City Club Missoula Forum – Missoula Food Bank, community gardens saw big spike in demand during pandemic

  Brock said in 2019, the number of new customers who shopped at the food bank store totaled 8,723. That number spiked to 21,626 in 2020.

Transportation

• Inside Berlin’s Free Cargo-Bikeshare Program

  Another huge asset to the program, Michael said, is that it’s completely free to use.

Cool Stuff That’s Coming

• Bacteria converts toxic copper ions into usable forms – Hello Butte

  A team of researchers at the University of Houston have discovered bacteria that naturally converts toxic copper ions into metallic copper

• Scientists find new way to revive dead lithium-ion batteries

  The process uses electrolysis to rejuvenate the electrodes and has been found to produce electrodes that are almost as energy efficient as brand new batteries

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