“If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.”
― Rabindranath Tagore

Come Home Montana

• Black Ram Guitar Festival 9/28/2024 The Wilma – Missoula, Montana

  On September 28 in Missoula, Montana, TMP will host a transcendent weekend in celebration of the Breedlove Black Ram Guitar (www.blackramguitarfest.org) and in solidarity for creating the first Climate Refuge (www.yaakvalley.org) in northwest Montana’s Black Ram forest.

• Bozeman airport to offer flights to D.C., Boston, New York, Boise this winter

  There will also be flights from Los Angeles, Boston, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Dallas, Denver and Washington, D.C., that land in Bozeman before noon.

• Montana Career Opportunity – Missoula Chamber CEO

  This is an opportunity to contribute to the future of the Missoula business community by embodying and advancing the Chamber’s core values of advocacy, expertise, collaboration, leadership, connection, and innovation. As our President/CEO, you will be the guiding force behind our vision to serve as a primary catalyst for creating a cooperative and prosperous community. The Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, an influential organization whose mission is to preserve and enhance the quality of life in Missoula through advocacy for a thriving, responsible, and diverse business landscape, is seeking an exceptional individual to fill the role of President/CEO.

• MPG Ranch Newsletter – Promoting conservation through restoration, research, education and information sharing.

  If you have a group that is interested in touring the MPG Ranch or learning more about what we are up to, please email us at [email protected].

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Changes to state contracts with childcare service providers provoke concern, and cuts 

  While support services for Montana providers and families will continue, changes to who delivers those services and how are presenting serious challenges.

Northwestern Energy

• NorthWestern Energy: Facts matter regarding our property taxes

  In Montana, NorthWestern Energy is the largest single property taxpayer in the state by a significant amount.

Great Falls Development Alliance

• GFDA Top Ten for 9-11-24

  Apologies for not getting this Top 10 out until Wednesday morning. I flew to DC on Sunday with Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs and Great Falls Area Chamber President Ed Brown for defense-related meetings — more about those in the next Top 10. It is surreal to wake up in DC on 9/11. Brings back vivid memories of that morning. And is a reminder of how appreciative we are of the men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe. THANK YOU! Brett

Montana Business

• Ridin’ Into Fall – Events and News of all things Transportation in Montana – Sunday, September 15th is Missoula’s Annual Sunday Streets!

  Sunday, September 15th is Missoula’s Annual Sunday Streets!

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Montana’s Data-Driven Broadband Affordability Plans

  In Montana, over 63,400 Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) remain unserved and nearly 24,000 remain underserved.

Senator Jon Tester

• Montana Senator Tester Secures $7 Million for Missoula to Hire More Firefighters

  “When disaster strikes, Montana’s local fire departments are there to answer the call, but in order to do that, they’ve got to have enough folks on staff,” said Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to have secured this funding for the City of Missoula to hire and train more firefighters and ensure that the Missoula Fire Department is staffed up—because when our firefighters are supported, our communities are safer.”

Montana Economic Development

• Montana State University sets new record in annual research expenditures at over $257 million

  In its annual report to the National Science Foundation, MSU recorded research activities totaling $257.9 million for fiscal year 2024, which ended June 30. That’s compared to the $230 million in expenditures reported to the NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development survey a year earlier.

Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana

• Next Frontier Capital Summer 2024 Newsletter

  We are thrilled to announce our latest round of investments, supporting visionary entrepreneurs and innovative startups that are transforming their industries. These Fund IV investments are possible due to the unwavering support and trust of our LPs. We look forward to announcing more in the coming months.

Come Home Idaho

• Welcome to the Idaho Technology Council Bi-Monthly Newsletter!

  In this issue, you’ll discover upcoming events, member achievements, and more! Our goal is to keep you informed and engaged, ensuring that you’re well-equipped to make the most of your membership with us.

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

• Missoula early literacy programs get added capacity as new school year starts

  Early literacy is free and runs during the regular MCPS school year. A survey sent out by United Way found a need for more early education in Missoula. The survey found less than half of the city’s young children arrive fully prepared for kindergarten. Kindergarten readiness is a key indicator of long-term outcomes in education, health and income.

• Lawmakers considering short-term help for school districts, funding formula fix unlikely during 2025 session

  A Free Press Fest panel explored what funding changes are needed to address challenges facing Montana school districts.

2024 Montana Legislature and Politics

• Dustup brewing over a roundabout in Ravalli County – “Lions and Tigers and Bears… Oh MY!”

  Opponents say the proposal for Highway 93 an example of ‘woke’ ideology; traffic officials maintain the change is needed for the dangerous intersection.

Government News & Events

• Missoula chipping away at updated Long Range Transportation Plan

  With an eye on future transportation, the City of Missoula is chipping away at its Long-Range Transportation Plan and prioritizing roughly 200 projects – many of which have no funding.

Careers

• Changing your career? 6 steps to pivoting successfully

  If you’re ready to switch up your career and give it a new focus, here’s what you’ll need to do.

Events

• Death Cafe’ creates safe space to talk about death, dying and beyond in Missoula

  We recently went to have coffee with a group of people who are talking about some of life’s scariest issues. It was the last Thursday in August and about a dozen people were enjoying coffee and talking about death. This is Death Café.

Transportation

• Ford EV Owners Can Now Get Paid To Support Southern California Grid

  The program is called the California Power Response. It is Ford’s part of the Southern California Edison (SCE) Emergency Load Reduction Program (ELRP). It is operated in coordination with Olivine ClimateResponse® VPP. (VPP = virtual power plant.)

• Retrofitting electric railways for the future

  The autonomous railcars boost efficiency and reduce costs

Energy and Climate Change

• The ‘biggest problem the world’s ever faced’: Bill McKibben talks climate in Bozeman

  The environmentalist’s talk was part of a larger tour of election-critical swing states.

• Financing Solar Panels Just Became Way Easier in USA. Thank the Climate Bill.

  Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, a new financing model can make solar easier to access for low-income households and nonprofits. Here’s how a church in Compton put it to work.

• How Do People Get Tricked Into Believing Anti-EV, Anti-Solar, Anti-Wind Myths?

  I’ve known people of all sorts who have fallen for these myths, and I actually did so a bit myself before I worked in this business/industry (~15 years ago). But how does it actually happen?

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