MATR Newsletter – September 21, 2020
The state with the best education wins!

“We will all live with the consequences of this Census undercount for the next decade.” Kendra Miller Montana Districting and Apportionment Commissioner

Ending census early will cost Florida, Montana new congressional seats

Supporters of an extension say the extra time is needed to make up for hurdles from the pandemic, wildfires in the West and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. Besides determining how many congressional seats each state gets, the census helps determine the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal spending annually.

Montana State Library, Department of Commerce Launch “It’s Not Too Late to Be Counted…at the Library” Week

Even with door-to-door counting by U.S. Census workers, Montana’s overall response rate is below the national average, and tribal nations and rural counties in Montana are at risk of an undercount.

Life is like a helicopter.

I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunity – Business Advisor – Missoula – Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC)

  Help Montana manufacturers succeed! The Business Advisor helps Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) support that mission by providing growth, innovation, efficiency, compliance, and managerial assistance. Great Job Opportunity in Missoula, Montana Nestled in the Northern Rockies of Montana, surrounded by seven wilderness areas and at the confluence of three rivers, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast’s…

Montana Department of Commerce

• Ending census early will cost Florida, Montana new congressional seats

  Supporters of an extension say the extra time is needed to make up for hurdles from the pandemic, wildfires in the West and hurricanes along the Gulf Coast. Besides determining how many congressional seats each state gets, the census helps determine the distribution of $1.5 trillion in federal spending annually.

• Montana State Library, Department of Commerce Launch “It’s Not Too Late to Be Counted…at the Library” Week

  Even with door-to-door counting by U.S. Census workers, Montana’s overall response rate is below the national average, and tribal nations and rural counties in Montana are at risk of an undercount.

Great Falls Development Authority

• Great Falls Economic Development Top 10 for 9-20-20

  Here is our Top 18 for this week celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy — Montana’s Golden Triangle. And, sharing business resources and skill-building opportunities to empower your success.

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Research Suggests State Broadband Policies Make a Difference

  A new article in Telecommunications Policy presents evidence that local areas generally fare better when states award broadband money to providers and allow municipalities to get into the broadband business.

Gov. Steve Bullock

• Governor Bullock Announces Montana’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 5.6% in August

  “Montana continues to outperform the national economy in our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Steve Bullock said.

Montana Business

• The team here at onX is excited to have recently released our new streaming Offline Map technology out into the wild for hunting season.

  Heading to an area without cell service?

• High demand, lack of housing drives Missoula’s median home price to $338K

  “We are at historically low levels of housing supply to points that we’ve never seen before,” Wahlberg said. “It generally means that sellers hold an extreme advantage. They’re able to ask for a high sales price and obtain it.”

Government Technology

• Public Innovation Academy Offers Practical Training for Government Employees

  “A Khan Academy for Civic & Government Innovation”

  Empowering public servants with the skills to lead in the digital age

Non-Profit News

• Despite Pandemic Challenges, a Colorado Group Is Connecting Rural Entrepreneurs to Resources They Need

  Startup Colorado has been focusing on supporting rural startups throughout the state since 2017. The pandemic challenged them to step up and switch their strategy.

Careers

• This one unconscious reaction may be holding women back at work

  Regardless of gender, employees have a hard time taking critical feedback from a woman.

Miscellaneous Ramblings

• Here are a few smiles because we all need smiles during this time.

  Life is like a helicopter.

  I don’t know how to operate a helicopter.

• Notorious RBG – RIP – CBS Sunday Morning

  Erin Moriarty of “48 Hours” looks back at the trailblazing attorney and jurist, who fought against gender discrimination and for voting rights, and who became an icon for millions.

Transportation

• This Tech Could Stop Drivers from Double-Parking and Blocking Bike Lanes

  “As deliveries and ride hailing become more and more ingrained into our city’s street culture, we need more tools to understand who’s using this curb,” said Ken Smith, Omaha’s parking and mobility manager. “Coord will help us get that — and once we get that data, we can start layering on that enforcement.”

• Pacific Northwest, Deep South serve as visionary models for passenger rail in Montana

  “It’s about a lot more than transportation,” said Roger Millar, Secretary of Transportation for the state of Washington. “It’s about opportunities and connections for the entire mega region, carrying us into the future and providing better access to jobs, affordable housing, sharing resources, increasing collaboration, and addressing more economic prosperity and a cleaner environment.”

• Flying cars, pop culture dreams may be hovering on horizon

  A previous version of this video misstated the expected launch year of Uber Elevate’s taxi service. It is expected to launch in 2023.

Energy and Climate Change

• Geoengineering Is the Only Solution to Our Climate Calamities

  Altering Earth’s geophysical environment is a moon shot—and it will be the only way to reverse the damage done. It’s time to take it more seriously.

• New Climate Maps Show a Transformed United States

  Warming temperatures and changing rainfall will drive agriculture and temperate climates northward, while sea level rise will consume coastlines and dangerous levels of humidity will swamp the Mississippi River valley.

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