MATR Newsletter – October 14, 2024
The state with the best education wins!

Montana Career Opportunity – Executive Director and Association Management – The Montana Ambassadors (MTA)

The Montana Ambassadors (MTA) seeks professional services to fill the roles and responsibilities of an executive director and association management. We are inviting responses from individuals and association management firms capable of managing MTA’s…

I am often mistaken for an adult because of my age.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Montana’s Headwaters Tech Hub

Why young people continue to flee big cities even as pandemic has faded
The trend, if it persists, could further dampen the vibrancy of large cities already diminished by the COVID-19 crisis while enhancing the economic viability of small towns.

Come Home Montana

Are sold-out hotels and expensive rooms the new normal for Bozeman?
According to the Chamber, there are currently 2,535 hotel rooms in Bozeman in 31 hotels. 650 of those rooms were created in the last five years, but that hasn’t kept up with the rapid rate of tourism. So why aren’t more hotels being built to increase availability and lower costs?
The Role of Firms in Immigration and Economic Prosperity
Professor Britta Glennon explains how immigration benefits the economy.
Must Watch Video: BlackRock Asset Management: The Conspiracies You Don’t Know But Are Real and Impact Your Life in Every Aspect
This video is an outstanding analysis of our current financial, economic and social condition in the world. If you own stocks, work at a job, are retired or want your heirs to have a better future… WATCH THIS!!!!!
Montana Career Opportunity – Executive Director and Association Management – The Montana Ambassadors (MTA)
The Montana Ambassadors (MTA) seeks professional services to fill the roles and responsibilities of an executive director and association management. We are inviting responses from individuals and association management firms capable of managing MTA’s organizational development, administrative, and financial functions, along with providing executive oversight. The selected firm or contractor will work to support MTA’s mission and enhance Montana’s communities and economic development.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

Montana Dept. of Commerce announces grants to increase visitor appeal
The second round of funding through the Pilot Community Tourism Grant Program will be made available on Nov. 1.
The Corner Store Comeback
Small-scale neighborhood retail is staging a post-Covid revival in many cities, thanks to a mix of zoning reforms, shopping trends and local incentives.
GFDA Top Ten for 10-13-24 – The inaugural IEDC Rural Summit, scheduled for next June in Great Falls, Montana!
Team GFDA along with Nathan Ohle, CEO of the International Economic Development Council, announced during the IEDC Annual Conference the inaugural IEDC Rural Summit, scheduled for next June in Great Falls, Montana!
Montana Department of Commerce Launches Agritourism Grants Program
The Montana Department of Commerce invites all interested individuals to register and join a webinar on Oct. 15, 2024. Participants will learn more about how to apply for an agritourism grant, scoring criteria and timelines.
Beyond books: How a public library in Ohio’s Rust Belt is spurring economic growth
There’s a movement among public libraries to become hubs of entrepreneurship.

Big Sky Economic Development

Big Sky Economic Development Executive Director Steve Arveschoug Announces Retirement After 16 and a Half Years.
“I look forward to supporting a great leadership transition for Big Sky Economic Development. We have an outstanding team in place and a strong board. The future is bright for BSED and its role as the community’s economic development organization. It has been my honor to be a part of this team and mission. I am indeed blessed by this experience.” – Steve Arveschoug, Executive Director, Big Sky Economic Development.

Great Falls Development Alliance

Housing ‘imbalance’ in Great Falls market
“We’re seeing a lot of people coming to Montana for a different lifestyle, including retirees and military veterans,” she said. “Montana, especially areas like Great Falls, is still relatively affordable compared to places like Whitefish and Bozeman, which have become more like California in terms of cost.”

Montana Business

Livingston business – Woodland Ridge Tiny Home Crafters – building tiny homes as affordable housing alternative
Rick and Cody have been building tiny homes for five years to address affordable housing needs without unnecessary sprawl.

Funding and Building your Business

An Employer’s Guide to Surviving the 2024 Election Season
Managing a workplace during an election season is hard — so we wrote you a guide.

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

State of the University address delivered at University of Montana
University of Montana President Seth Bodnar hit on several key points at which the school is excelling
School Lunch: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
John Oliver discusses school lunch programs in the US, why giving kids free lunch is in all of our best interest and, crucially, why Gogurt exists.
Do You Know About the Missoula County Public Schools (MCPS) Ag-Ed and Industrial Technology Center?
We are thankful for the many businesses and organizations that donate equipment and funds for necessary tools and machinery. The students return these investments by processing and donating food to the community.
This vertically integrated 100-acre operation, run entirely by teachers and students, is a Farm-to-Fork feather in the cap for MCPS.

Government News & Events

Proposed Postal Changes Could Slow Down Rural Mail
USPS’s cost-cutting measures could disproportionately hurt rural people who rely on the service the most.

Government Technology

The 1,000-Page Document That Decides Your Street Designs Just Got a Refresh
The new edition makes important steps toward a safer, more people-focused transportation system but fails to include many necessary reforms that would create comprehensively safe streets.

Careers

How choosing solitude can free your mind and lift your mood
Being alone is not the same thing as being lonely. In fact, it’s associated with positive feelings.

Transportation

Onsite EV Charging For Renters Is Finally Coming, & So Is Yet Another Headache For Fossil Fuels
To overcome the landlord–tenant roadblock, 3V came into being with a business model that requires no upfront investment from property owners. 3V swoops in with a team of experts to handle permits and utility connections along with other setup chores, and they also take care of ongoing operation and monitoring as well.
Elon Musk unveils the Tesla Cybercab and Robovan
He also announced Tesla is getting into wireless charging: “It’s really high time we did this. The robotaxi has no plug, it just goes over the inductive charger and charges. So yeah, that’s kind of how it should be.”

Energy and Climate Change

New Hampshire’s Low-Income Community Solar Program Is Finally Hearing The Starting Line
The projects selected will work with the utilities to identify customers receiving discounted rates, who will be automatically enrolled in the program.
GM Offers New Energy Storage Options for EV Owners Across the U.S.
By combining two 17.7kWh GM Energy PowerBanks, consumers can create 35.4kWh of stationary storage, enough to power the average American home for up to 20 hours.