MATR Newsletter – November 5, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity – Community Economic Development Director – Mission West  Community Development Partners (MWCDP)

             Community Economic Development Director Mission West  Community Development Partners (MWCDP)     Located in beautiful northwest Montana, Mission West Community Development Partners (MWCDP) seeks a committed and creative  leader.

• Montana Career Opportunity – Clean Energy Program Director or Advocate – Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC)

  MEIC is hiring a Clean Energy Program Director or Advocate (depending on qualifications and experience) to lead MEIC’s efforts to tackle the climate crisis through the deployment of clean energy.

Eventgroove

• Eventgroove – How A Film Festival Went Virtual

  Bow Wow Film Fest: 5 years of film tours, first year going virtual When the world changed seemingly overnight as COVID-19 infiltrated the US, events were canceled with vigor.

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy – 2022 Electricity Supply Plan is underway. Get involved and stay in touch by signing up for email updates.

  We’ll let you know when meetings are scheduled and provide information on how to participate in our stakeholder meeting process.

Flathead Valley Community College

• FVCC offers scholarships for machining students

  The Flathead Valley Community College Trades and Industrial Arts received $24,000 in 2021-2022 scholarship funds for machining program students courtesy of the Gene Haas Foundation.

Great Falls Development Authority

• Great Falls Montana Tourism’s NEW Visitor Magazine is here! … and it’s really, really good.

  We’re excited to be able to add this effective Great Falls resource to our toolkit of Talent Attraction tools and resources.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Montana Launches $7.5 Million Value-Added Agriculture Grant Program – 3 reasons agriculture is poised for a surge of sustainable innovation

  Governor Greg Gianforte today launched a $7.5 million Agriculture Infrastructure Grant Program to invest in value-added agricultural products across the state and strengthen the industry.

• Officials: Missoula’s focus on social causes won’t hinder, slow economic efforts

  “I don’t think taking care of people and building a stronger, more resilient economy and attracting and entertaining business is mutually exclusive,” Mayor John Engen said. “That’s what we’re doing today.”

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Federal Funds Not Enough to Bring Broadband-for-All to Maine

  CIO Fred Brittain discusses why despite an influx of funds from the federal government, Maine’s topography and demographics make getting high-speed Internet to everyone easier said than done.

Housing

• Can Simulation Tools Soften Tension Over New Housing?

  That SaaS tool, Simulate for Housing, enables residents to offer their own suggestions for changes to city housing plans. Via maps and other features, residents using mobile phones or computers can make their own tentative housing plans for client cities, with completed plans able to be shared anonymously with city officials and other constituents.

• Levy’s failure disappointing for Bozeman officials, but not the end of road for affordable housing efforts – Billings voters back $7.1 million for public safety

  By a margin of just 276 votes, the housing mill levy, which would have generated $9.5 million over the next 10 years, failed to pass, while voters overwhelmingly supported the city’s other two ballot questions, approving a $6.7 million bond to relocate a fire station and a $2.2 million bond for repairs to three recreation facilities.

• World’s Largest 3D-Printed Community Planned In Austin, Texas

  The process aims to reduce labor hours and material waste, dramatically cutting construction costs for new housing.

Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana

• I took a cross-country train trip to meet founders starved of Silicon Valley capital

  The passage of the JOBS Act in 2012, the rollout of Regulation Crowdfunding in 2016, and the improvements to the rules in early 2021 now allow anyone to invest in startups they love, not just rich people.

Funding and Building your Business

• The Metaverse Is Simply Big Tech, but Bigger

  It’s a rebrand of Silicon Valley’s increasing power and reach. And it’s made for companies, not people.

• Building The New Narrative For Data ‘Storytelling’

  What comes next is what some in the industry are calling ‘data storytelling’ i.e. the action to put data analytics in the hands of less data-literate employees through narrative techniques.

• This Founder Cut Ties With Amazon Based on a Tip From His Dad. Now the Business Is Thriving–and With Better Margins
  We pulled the plug on Amazon–and our sales remained steady. Instead, we saw an improvement in our margins–and we simplified our order flow by selling directly to customers.

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

• University of Montana’s Mansfield Center Seeks High School Juniors for Korea Exchange – Applications close Nov. 7.

  During the six-month program, students will cultivate their understanding of leadership skills and Korean society and culture through bi-monthly workshops. Pandemic allowing, the project culminates in a 10-day study tour in Korea in April 2022, followed by a community service project or presentation.

• Montana School Boards Association leaving national group – Arntzen tells mask opponents to run for school board

  The National School Boards Association in September asked President Joe Biden for federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with increasing threats of violence and intimidation over coronavirus requirements at schools.

  The Montana organization opposed that request and said most local issues can be handled by local law enforcement.

2023 Montana Legislature and Politics

• GOP “compromise” map #12 for new Montana congressional districts adopted – Panel approves map on 3-2 vote

  “To me, with the right person there, you could have a competitive district,” she said. “I appreciate that a lot of people are not going to be happy with me, but that’s what I’m going to go forward with.”

Careers

• This Checklist Can Make You a Better Leader

  Wharton’s Michael Useem talks with Brett LoGiurato from Wharton School Press about the 10th anniversary edition of his book, ‘The Leader’s Checklist.’

Transportation

• Portland Considers Electric-Cargo-Bike Delivery Hubs – Montana’s Coaster Cycles in Seattle Reduce Emissions by 30%

  “We’re trying to figure out ways to reduce truck traffic into the downtown area,” Hoy shared. “So we’re looking at options for micro hubs in different parts of the city that would allow for some of these last-mile deliveries to be done by trikes and bikes.”

• Input Requested for Montana Red Tape Review Project

  Today, I’m reaching out to request your help with this important process. MDT has developed a short survey as an easy way for you to share your input and ideas. It should only take a few minutes of your time to complete.

Privacy, Hacking and Virus Alerts

• Free Cybersecurity Training Could Be Coming for Small Businesses

  Congress wants entrepreneurs to have access to certified security experts at government-run support centers.

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