MATR Newsletter – October 10, 2024
The state with the best education wins!

UM Grads Ryan Hansen, Mario Schulzke and Will Lapointe Succeed with Start-Up Business Sale

“Our partnership with UM has given us a steady pipeline of quality, talented employees,” Lapointe said. “I personally think people from UM have grit. It’s a hard-working, blue-collar culture in a way. That’s what makes the difference is the culture and the DNA of the students who come out of there.”

7 ChatGPT Prompts To Know If Your Business Idea Is Good

58% said they would have done more research before launching, and the same percentage wished for a stronger business plan. Thorough idea validation can help you avoid failure.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority

Invisible Solar Panels Hide In Railroad Tracks To Thwart Critics
The latest demonstration of photovoltaic ingenuity comes from the Swiss firm Sun-Ways, which is piloting a system to hide solar panels in plain sight, in between railway tracks.
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority Fall 2024 Update
Since receiving the Corridor ID grant, BSPRA has been actively collaborating with stakeholders, including state and local governments, transportation authorities, and community organizations, to gather input and ensure that the restored route will serve the needs of all residents. Public meetings and outreach efforts have been critical in shaping the vision for the Big Sky North Coast Corridor as community feedback continues to guide the development of the SDP.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

Montana’s child care industry is in crisis, but many providers say they still have open slots
Montana’s child care landscape has been described as a crisis by many. Providers agree their industry is in survival mode, but they say it might be more complicated than immediately expected.
Is This the End of Mass Production in Everything From Education To Manufacturing?
We’re in an age when artificial intelligence and other technologies make it easy to personalize everything and every experience. Few realize how much this will change how we produce and consume anything and everything.

Montana Business

7 ChatGPT Prompts To Know If Your Business Idea Is Good
58% said they would have done more research before launching, and the same percentage wished for a stronger business plan. Thorough idea validation can help you avoid failure.
UM Grads Ryan Hansen, Mario Schulzke and Will Lapointe Succeed with Start-Up Business Sale
“Our partnership with UM has given us a steady pipeline of quality, talented employees,” Lapointe said. “I personally think people from UM have grit. It’s a hard-working, blue-collar culture in a way. That’s what makes the difference is the culture and the DNA of the students who come out of there.”
Bozeman-based Simms Fishing Products under deal to be sold again
The $1.125 billion deal is for the Revelyst brand and is expected to close by January, according to a press release issued last week. Revelyst includes the brands Bushnell Golf, Bell, Giro and CamelBak in addition to Simms, and is a division of Vista Outdoor Inc., which bought Simms in 2022 for $192.5 million.
How to Create a Great Board of Directors
Bryce Tingle’s new book highlights best and worst practices around corporate governance.

Housing

Community groups announce affordable housing fund in Missoula
The fund is well on the way to its $10 million goal, with a $5 million gift from an anonymous local family and a $3 million contribution from First Security Bank.
Villagio: Huge affordable housing complex houses nearly 600 Missoulians
The $42 million Villagio is the largest single affordable housing project in Montana history based on the number of bedrooms, 503.

Government Technology

TSA implements new identity verification technology at Bozeman airport
The new identity verification technology is available at four other airports across the state, including the Billings-Logan International Airport, Helena Regional Airport, Great Falls International Airport and the Missoula Montana Airport.

Non-Profit News

Keep the Swan Valley simple – Holland Lake Lodge
Stewards of the Swan Valley hope you can join our “home-grown” endeavor to protect our iconic public lands and wildlife to ensure that all Americans can enjoy them.

Transportation

‘Modular Roundabouts’ Offer Quick-Build Traffic Safety Solution
The prefabricated roundabouts can be installed more quickly and at a much lower cost than traditional concrete traffic circles.
The 100-Year Road to Car Dependency in the US
October 8, 2024, marks the centennial of the publication of what would soon become the Los Angeles Traffic Ordinance — a landmark on the road toward our car-dominated status quo.