MATR Newsletter – September 30, 2019
The state with the best education wins!

In tight job market, Missoula employers increasingly apt to train, hire ‘ex-offenders’

“Employers are hiring for attitude and they’re willing to train,” she said, although more local small business owners are needed to participate.”

An apology without change is just manipulation.

Today’s MATR Newsletter is sponsored by:

Montana Career Opportunity – Senior Franchise Sales Manager – Kampgrounds of America, Inc.
At KOA we believe there are endless places to explore and always something new to discover. We believe camping is fun and for everyone. And we believe in fostering entrepreneurship. If you have a passion for camping and the outdoors and have proven sales management experience then come explore with us. KOA is currently looking…

Idaho Business Review forum: Experts discuss Opportunity Zone investment
For those willing to invest patient capital into projects in areas primed for redevelopment, an Opportunity Zone might be the right option

North Western Energy Fall 2019 Energy Efficiency Training In Montana
Montana Customers/Trade Allies—Scholarships may apply. Certification or CEUs available.

Groups partnering to create downtown Great Falls business development officer
A collection of community groups have been working for years to spur activity in the downtown area.

Montana Tourism Industry News and Events
Last Call for Tourism Grant Applications!
Grant funds available for domestic trade shows
Are you planning on exhibiting at any U.S. trade shows outside Montana between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020?
Nomad Global Communication Solutions is Building a Manufacturing Powerhouse Right at Home in Montana
As Nomad Global Communication Solutions continues to grow its global footprint, it proudly maintains operations in the Flathead Valley
In tight job market, Missoula employers increasingly apt to train, hire ‘ex-offenders’
“Employers are hiring for attitude and they’re willing to train,” she said, although more local small business owners are needed to participate.

What’s Hindering Regional Transportation in the U.S.?
“Finding the political will to surmount these institutional constraints and develop regional rail should be a priority in virtually every metropolitan area,” he adds.

Montana biotech company receives Small Business Innovation Research Grant to develop novel treatments against infectious diseases.
“This award has the potential to develop a new broad-spectrum immunomodulator that would provide non-specific protection against a wide range of biological pathogens, and is primarily targeted for preventing upper respiratory tract infections in individuals or populations at risk for emerging or opportunistic pathogen exposure.”

Sperry Chalet (Glacier National Park) rebuild ‘brings out the best in people’
The pride here is readily apparent among all of the crew members who are helping to rebuild the 105-year-old wood and stone chalet, which was heavily damaged after an “ember storm” from the 17,000-acre Sprague fire.

‘Mickey and the Bear’ takes a hard, truthful look at small-town Montana
“Mickey and the Bear” immediately places itself among the very best Montana-set movies ever made, marking another stellar entry in a recent film revival of sorts for the state.

Idaho native who set $70K minimum pay in Seattle opens Boise office, pledges raises
Dan Price stunned the business world when he announced four years ago that he would begin paying his 120 employees at Gravity Payments a minimum salary of of $70,000 a year.

Wyoming pays one-fifth of its bills with investment income. What happens when a recession hits?
According to numbers from the state budget office, nearly one-quarter of Wyoming’s operating expenses each year are paid for with income earned from its investments, making the state’s performance on the stock market a significant factor in how well it can fund schools and pave roads.

Schools are using data to build and scale interventions to support every student
Aspen Florence of the Ogden School District in Utah describes how teachers are using data to implement the right support at the right time.
Missoula’s Brightways Learning offers customized ‘web of support’ to schools, students
Initially a software design and data company, Brightways Learning has since branched out to offer its Brightways Global Academy, which includes a comprehensive, personalized education that meets each child’s unique learning needs and an online student management system that helps others stay on track for academic and bounce-back success.

Storymakers Program promotes early childhood literacy in Montana
Parents, teachers and family outreach workers from across the state got together to talk about techniques that promote early childhood literacy.

Chair of the Federal Reserve of Minneapolis takes questions from community at MSUB gathering
At one point, Kashkari was asked if he believed home ownership was still the American dream.

New Imitation Census Survey Reaches Montana Residents
The survey is called the “2019 Congressional District Census” and was mailed by the Republican National Committee.

Webinar: How to Take a Data-Driven Approach to the Census
Future installments include how to study what motivates or scares populations, how to implement effective messaging campaigns, and how to take advantage of the Census Bureau’s data for in-campaign optimization.
6 Ways Robots Are Changing City Planning and Development
Several major cities are already using these technologies to introduce automation, earning them the name “robot cities.” Tokyo, Singapore, and Dubai are just a few examples.

D.C.-area gas station shuts off the pumps and goes all-electric
When it comes to EV infrastructure, a crucial question remains: If you build it, will they come?
Hymer Galileo self-driving camper concept takes travel and leisure to new heights
Not only will they enhance holiday R&R and sightseeing by eliminating the tedious task of driving hundreds or thousands of miles, they should also open up interior space and design opportunities, allowing for new layouts, more beds and more amenities.
“Building new parking in Center City just doesn’t make financial sense anymore”
As evidence of the trend, Rinde mentions the 18-story 23rd+Market commercial development, in the works by Parkway, which will include 47 private spaces and no public parking.
4 Takeaways From Amazon’s Huge Electric Delivery Van Order
This order is a wake-up call for companies with large vehicle fleets, electric utility executives and state and national regulators alike.
This is the future – Canoo signals an end to vehicle ownership with subscription-only EV pod
Los Angeles-based Canoo has unveiled an electric people mover that you don’t buy or lease, but use through a monthly subscription model.

Stem cell treatment restores man’s sight in right eye after 25 years
“This is going to have a huge impact. A lot of these patients are young men so it affects their work, their lives, those around them. It’s not just the vision that drops, it’s the pain.” said Dr. Ahmad in the news release previously mentioned.
Amazon unveils its first-ever pair of smart glasses, the Echo Frames
The gist of Amazon’s massive product reveal Wednesday was new ways to get Alexa into our daily lives, from smart glasses and earbuds to a tiny Echo that connects to a night light for the bedroom.