MATR Newsletter – September 15, 2025
The state with the best education wins!

TONIGHT

Lauded Writers, Speakers, Thinkers to Visit UM for President’s Lecture Series – Robert Putnam Sept 15

Putnam has written 15 books, including “Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Italy” and “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community,” both among the most cited and bestselling social science works in nearly a century. He also consulted for former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama.

New Mexico to become the first state to offer universal child care

The program may offer a blueprint for other states on an issue that was prominent during the 2024 campaign.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

The List: September 2025 – The Butte Local Development Corporation
BLDC is currently working with two local engineering firms on projects related to the Department of Commerce’s ORE grants. Thank you Pioneer Technical and Water and Environmental Technologies for your assistance and year ‘round support!
Wyoming Business Council Proposes a Transformational Vision for Wyoming’s Future
“Wyoming’s economy is in long-term decline. Whether you look at the drop in GDP post 2008, or whether you look at the number of people who are born in Wyoming and leave at a rate that’s twice the national average… Those are not good economic indicators. Our kids can read these graphs, and they’re saying, ‘Mom and Dad, you’re going to have to come visit me somewhere else, ’” said Josh Dorrell, WBC CEO.
New Mexico to become the first state to offer universal child care
The program may offer a blueprint for other states on an issue that was prominent during the 2024 campaign.

Missoula Chamber of Commerce

Strange trip around the block. The 130-year history of how the Hip Strip keeps Missoula weird.
Missoulians call it the “Hip Strip.” But even that name dates back just a half-century. The block at the south end of the bridge has been in constant churn since Missoula’s 19th century origins.

Montana Manufacturing Extension Center

September 2025 Montana Manufacturing News
Manufacturing Success Story:
Montana Truck Company Strengthens In-house Capabililties Through Training Partnership

Visit Montana

Fort Benton, Montana’s Mandan keelboat has been fully restored
Now, the Mandan once again resembles a true keelboat, preserving a piece of Montana history and serving as a centerpiece along Fort Benton’s riverfront.

American Prairie

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, joined by Senator Steve Daines, Senator Tim Sheehy, Congressman Ryan Zinke, and Congressman Troy Downing Urge Interior to Block American Prairie Grazing Permits
In a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the officials emphasized their support for production agriculture and warned that APR’s efforts would undermine Montana’s rural economy and way of life.

Energy and Transportation

Tourists are paying hundreds of dollars to go on Waymo rides around San Francisco
From February to August, Mihaly booked 10 Waymo tours in which clients would ride the autonomous vehicles to such prominent landmarks as Alamo Square, Twin Peaks and the Golden Gate Bridge.
Recycling plastic without sorting? A cheap new catalyst makes it possible
Researchers at Illinois’ Northwestern University might have a way to largely skip sorting plastic. Their process uses an inexpensive catalyst that selectively breaks down the most common single-use kind of plastics into liquid oils and waxes that can be upcycled into lubricants and fuels.
Rudy “Butch” Stanko: The Wyoming Maverick Who Ended Montana’s No Speed Limit Era
Back when there was no speed limit in Montana, highways there were known as the “Montanabahn.” Then along came a stubborn cattle hustler from Wyoming named Rudy “Butch” Stanko, whose lead foot and hard head inadvertently brought the no-speed limit era to an end.
Climate Good News of the Week – Climate.us
Earlier this year, the Trump administration shut down Climate.gov, the federal government’s main public website for climate information. But the team behind Climate.gov is not deterred – they’ve launched Climate.us
How The End Of The US EV Tax Credit Could Supercharge EV Sales
I know that most of us are upset that Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have decided to kill US incentives encouraging people to buy more zero-emissions electric vehicles. However, there is a possible way that the end of these tax credits inadvertently leads to more EV sales. It goes back to the root arguments EV enthusiasts have made for more than a decade. Let me explain.
California could save big if virtual power plants target ‘sweet spots’
The state’s utilities could use rooftop solar, batteries, and EVs to cut $13.7B in costs — by applying those to the right parts of stressed-out local grids.

University of Montana & Montana State University Tech Transfer

University of Montana Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics Open House – 10/3 – University Center
Join us to explore the exciting research and capabilities of the CBSD!

2025 Legislature and Politics

Wildfire Crews Can Finally Mask Up — Too Late For Men and Women With Damaged Lungs
The U.S. Forest Service has lifted a decades-long ban on wildland firefighters wearing masks. The move comes too late for a Lander firefighter who had to retire early with damaged lungs, but he says they’re a good idea — if the right mask is used.