MATR Newsletter – September 3, 2021
The state with the best education wins!

Montana’s Clusters of Excellence?

MSU awarded $20 Million grant for quantum technology development

The foundry will assist those studying 2D materials for quantum technologies by creating tools to aid their research and infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of ideas across academia and industry.

Montana Biotechnology Infrastructure Proposal – A proposal to the State of Montana ARPA Commission for one-time investment in infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation for Montana’s rapidly expanding bioscience and technology sector.

The goal of this proposal is to leverage our collective expertise and strength, accumulated over
the last two decades as we have built the biotechnology sector in Montana. Here, we present
projects that will further accelerate the formation and growth of high-paying jobs in the science
and technology businesses, not just in one or two cities in Montana but ultimately across the
state, north to south and east to west.

 

Corona Virus Information

• Mayor: National Guard not available to help Missoula hospitals with Covid surge; Sleepy Inn offline

  On Thursday, Missoula County reported 752 active cases of Covid-19 and 110 deaths. Last week, Providence St. Patrick’s Hospital CEO Joyce Dombrouski said the resurgence of Covid-19, fueled by the more virulent Delta variant, was stressing local hospitals.

Come Home Montana

• Montana Career Opportunities – Director of Development and Director of Communications – University of Montana Foundation

  The UM Foundation is actively seeking a Director of Development to work with Mansfield Center leadership to set the strategic direction and growth for the only organization in the nation with…

Big Sky Economic Development

• Prices spike as Billings joins the great Montana housing bubble

  The Wall Street Journal recently ranked the state’s largest city as the nation’s top emerging housing market. Locals paint a more complicated picture.

City of Bozeman Economic Development

• OLLI at Montana State University  “The State of the Bozeman and Gallatin County”  – 9/10 – 1:30 – Online

  Bozeman Deputy Mayor Terry Cunningham, Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane and community planning specialist Randy Carpenter of Future West will provide insights, examples and recommendations for how the city of Bozeman and Gallatin County currently work together and could work together in the future to meet the needs of the rapidly growing communities.

Prospera Business Network

• Wells Fargo establishes $2.4M in grants for Montana small businesses

  Wells Fargo has given nearly $5 million in grant money to nonprofits in Montana over the past three years.

• PROSPERA: Learn Everything You Need to Start Your For Profit or Nonprofit Business – October 5, 12, 19, and 26 – Online Webinar

  This four session course has been specifically designed for individuals who are brand new to the non-profit sector wanting to start a new non-profit.

MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association

• Montana Receives Nearly $120 Million to Expand Internet Access, Improve Water Systems from American Rescue Plan, Tester Announces

  Funding is a part of $1.89 billion for Montana in state and local funding secured by Tester in American Rescue Plan

Next Generation Broadband in Montana

• Why America Should Suddenly Prepare For A Billion-Dollar ‘Internet Apocalypse’ Caused By The Sun

  Our Sun is waking up—and it could have devastating consequences for the Internet, particularly in North America, if a “black swan event” like a solar superstorm occurs.

Montana Businesses Seeking Investment or For Sale

• You Just Don’t Love Your Business Anymore — Now What?

  Whether it’s part of a long-term plan or a new development, when it comes to selling a business, preparation is everything. Here’s how to make a smooth transition:

Housing

• White House Announces Plans for 100,000 Affordable Homes

  The Biden administration has proposed a suite of policy and funding programs designed to create and protect 100,000 affordable housing units. If successful, the program will still fall well short of the need.

• Sponsors resubmit, amend proposed 2022 initiative to cap property taxes in Montana

  Would apply only to Montana `primary residence’

Montana Business

• Businesses Sue Montana Secretary Of State Over Duplicate License Charges

  Former Secretary of State Corey Stapleton was still in office in 2020 with Jacobsen being second-in-command.

Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana

• Video – Alice Waters: How to Start a Food Revolution – Chez Panisse

  On August 28, 1971, Chez Panisse opened its doors in Berkeley, Calif. The restaurant merged fine dining with high-quality, locally and seasonally sourced food. Over the past half-century, Chez Panisse has inspired countless restaurants, chefs and home cooks, forging a movement of simple food made with local ingredients. This special 30-minute documentary explores the history and lasting effects of Chez Panisse and Alice Waters.

• University of Montana’s Women’s Entrepreneurship Program Receives Grant to Expand Online Classes

  The $125,000 grant will allow W.E.L.L. to build awareness around inequities for women in business, highlight the ways men can support women and develop additional programming for budding entrepreneurs no matter where they live in the state, said Morgan Slemberger, director of the W.E.L.L. program.

Montana Biotech

• Montana Biotechnology Infrastructure Proposal – A proposal to the State of Montana ARPA Commission for one-time investment in infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation for Montana’s rapidly expanding bioscience and technology sector.

  The goal of this proposal is to leverage our collective expertise and strength, accumulated over
  the last two decades as we have built the biotechnology sector in Montana. Here, we present
  projects that will further accelerate the formation and growth of high-paying jobs in the science
  and technology businesses, not just in one or two cities in Montana but ultimately across the
  state, north to south and east to west.

Funding and Building your Business

• This is the optimal number of hours you should work every day

  There’s plenty of evidence that putting in more hours doesn’t necessarily equate to higher productivity.

• The 9 best podcasts to make you more creative

  Get the creative juices flowing with podcasts on circular design, UX, and a lot more.

• Get This Key Employer Tax Credit Before Congress Takes It Away

  The employee retention tax credit could be shortchanged to fund the $1 trillion infrastructure deal. Many eligible businesses haven’t made use of it, but there’s still time.

Incubators and R&D

• MSU awarded $20 Million grant for quantum technology development

  The foundry will assist those studying 2D materials for quantum technologies by creating tools to aid their research and infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of ideas across academia and industry.

Regional Business News

• What it would take to put all our electric lines underground

  Burying cables protects them from the elements. It’s not cheap.

• Cashierless checkout company Zippin raises $30M

  A technology that seeks not only to make supermarket queues obsolete, but also generate big data insights for retailers.

Idaho News & Events

• Boise State Venture College Newsletter – Sept. 1, 2021 – Launching Ventures Beyond the Classroom

  As part of the College of Innovation + Design, Venture College cultivates and supports entrepreneurship at Boise State University to economically empower the campus community. Our programs build skills and instill an entrepreneurial mindset to pursue new ideas and launch ventures.

Careers

• McDonald’s in Oregon puts up a huge banner asking ’14 and 15-year-olds’ to apply

  The fast food industry has long relied on teen workers – mainly 16-and up – but this store in Medford, Oregon, put out a large banner to advertise directly towards potential teen workers even younger. The banner is still out front of the store, store manager Ashley Fincher confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday morning.

Transportation

• Lidar Makers Target Proactive Safety As Automated Driving Remains On The Horizon

  At next week’s IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany, Luminar will be demonstrating how its high-performance lidar sensors can be utilized for ADAS to make roads safer.

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