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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Oct 2, 2015 |
When you have more than you need build a bigger table - not a higher fence.
Startup Week Great Falls!, 10/6-9, Great Falls, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =5619 --- Glacier Startup Weekend, 10/09-11, Kalispell, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =5637 --- Montana Economic Developer's conference in Billings oct. 13-14 - All are invited to participate http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
2014 Montana Politics & 2015 Legislature
Early Edge Montana
- The most important person in Montana politics
"The staff, the candidates, committees and the public are lucky to have him. And we hope we get to keep him."
Montana Department of Commerce
- Kindergarten Kids' Drawings, Numbers Graphically Show Why Pre-K is Key
"If anybody needs the proof, we have the evidence, and it is our responsibility to step up our game and find the investment. This is extraordinary."
Missoula Schools Excellence
- Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development - Two Divisions Coming Together to Increase Collective Impact
The goals for the new Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development are to: grow and expand Montana's economy through innovative programs and services; enhance the quality of life for Montana residents, business owners, and entrepreneurs through infrastructure and business development; and market all aspects of Montana that make it the best state to live, work, and play.
- HOME And CDBG Economic Development Program Changes, Various Dates Starting 10/19 And Locations In Montana
The Montana Department of Commerce Community Development Division (CDD) is excited about the HOME and CDBG Economic Development program changes, and we want to share them with you and learn how they will impact your organization and your constituents.
- The Department of Commerce Community Development Division will begin accepting Montana Main Street membership applications for the 2016 membership application cycle on October 1, 2015.
Acceptance into the Montana Main Street Program is competitive and based on community preparedness as well as resource availability at the state level; not every community that applies will be invited to join at the time of application.
Big Sky Commerce
- Missoula County Public Schools: Invest in high-quality education
Our schools are falling behind: the average age of Missoula's school facilities is 57 years; high-speed internet is often unavailable; and some schools are so overcrowded that kids are turned away from their neighborhood schools.
Come Home Montana
- Missoula banks, businesses prep for new microchipped credit cards
Local merchants are also getting prepared for the switch to avoid being liable if fraud is detected in their store.
- Merchants That Ignore EMV Will 'Inherit' Fraud
Investing in new payment terminals could save merchants large sums of money in the future.
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Montana Career Opportunities - Solutions Consultant, Engagement Manager - commonFont
We come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, but we share a common commitment to serving others: our clients, partners, community, and each other. Come join us!
Montana Business
- Montana Economic Developer's conference in Billings oct. 13-14 - All are invited to participate
The MEDA Conference will provide a great opportunity to network with business leaders and professionals and to hear from several major players in the economic development/business world.
- October MEDA News and Reminders for You
Please share the attached press release(s); we want as many people as possible to know about the conference and the Montana Infrastructure - Call to Action Town Hall Meeting.
Startup Weekend in Montana Communities
- Primrose vision: Owners see positives in restoring historic substation in Missoula as Bed & Breakfast and Event Space
"We want to make it a historic landmark again, and we want to make it a community space," Erin Helm said last week while showing off the 2 1/2-story building to visitors. "Our plan, our sort of business model, is to make it into a bed and breakfast and an event space for Missoula."
- Montana finds it hard to get data centers without incentives - States competing for data centers extend $1.5B in tax breaks
It's a challenging objective, because Montana has no specifically crafted incentives for data centers. Almost half the other states do, including its western competitors of Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.
- The Impact of Early Education and Care on Parents and the Economy
"Child care can allow parents to participate in the labor force or pursue education or training," the report's executive summary says; and "the organized child care industry itself is an integral part of state economies."
- Bozeman timeshare seller Timeshare Specialists getting national attention
"If you are not committed to using the timeshare every year it does not make sense to spend $700-800 on maintenance fees for something that you're not using," said Timeshare Specialist owner Brent Maggio.
- Hospital files lawsuit against CEO search firm
"Had the board of directors of the hospital known about Pitzer's felony convictions and the circumstances," the suit said, "it would not have considered Pitzer a final CEO candidate for a highly-sought after leadership position."
- Missoula, Montana's Neptune Aviation awarded four "Next Generation" Air Tanker Contracts by the U.S. Forest Service
"We appreciate the Forest Service recognition of Neptune Aviation's hard work and solid results in developing the Next Generation of firefighting aircraft," said Neptune Aviation CEO Ron Hooper. "The contract award validates the dedication of the entire Neptune team of pilots, mechanics, engineers and support staff."
- FVCC To Host Center For Manufacturing Open House, Haas Demo Day Oct. 14
Ideal for manufacturing employers, employees, students, educators and anyone interested in pursuing a career in or learning more about manufacturing, the event will feature educational mini-seminars, live cutting tool demonstrations, door prizes and free giveaways, including limited edition Stewart-Haas Racing baseball hats.
AAA Mountain West
- Startup Weekend Taps into Flathead Valley's Entrepreneurial Spirit
In an effort to tap into those creative juices, the Flathead Valley is hosting its second annual Glacier Startup Weekend from Oct. 9 to 11.
- 2014 Glacier Startup Weekend Award Winner Ready to Go to Market - Bringing Pottery to a New Level
The weekend - taking place this year over Oct. 9-11 - brings together anyone interested in entrepreneurship, from potential businesspeople to mentors and coaches.
Careers
- Becoming Bozeman
This is a place where elk bugle in the suburbs, mischievous black bears show up in the police blotter, and locals squeeze in a little fly-fishing in the cool autumn evenings after work.
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- 7 Ways To Blow Your Boss's Mind
You're putting the work in, so why aren't you getting rewarded? The answer is simple: you don't get promoted for fulfilling your boss's expectations.
- Can you say something nice about IdeaMensch?
It would be great to get some awesome testimonials from people who appreciate our work.
City Club Missoula
- Sanford, Maine, to Build State's Biggest Muni Broadband Network
The city of Sanford plans to start work next year on the state's largest municipal broadband network, building a 32-mile extension of fiber-optic cable off the state's open Three Ring Binder system.
Government
- City Club Missoula Presents: Climate Change And How Missoula Is Shrinking Its Carbon Footprint, 10/12, Missoula
Featuring Eva Rocke, Sustainability Coordinator at The University of Montana, Chase Jones, Energy Conservation Coordinator for the City of Missoula, and Amy Cilimburg, Director of Climate Smart Missoula.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Toys 'R' Us Exploits H-1B Visa Program and Brings Temporary Foreign Workers to U.S. to Move Jobs Overseas
"She just pulled up a chair in front of my computer," said the accountant, 49, who had worked for the company for more than 15 years. "She shadowed me everywhere, even to the ladies' room."
Regional Economic Development
- The Real Estate Crisis in North Dakota's Man Camps
"We are overbuilt," said Dan Kalil, a commissioner in Williams County in the heart of the Bakken, a 360-million-year-old shale bed, during a break from cutting flax on his farm. "I am concerned about having hundreds of $200-a-month apartments in the future."
Wyoming Business
- $1.65 Million Award Increases Affordable Housing Options for Low-Income People in Montana and Idaho
In 2013, the residents at River Acres, a manufactured home community in Missoula, faced possible eviction.
Montana Education Excellence
- Wyoming Business Council defends economic aid practices
Most lawmakers have generally been supportive of the Business Ready Community Program and have consistently approved requests to add funds to the program. But there have been some concerns through the years about its effectiveness and fairness.
Community
- Superintendent Denise Juneau Applauds 3 Montana Schools Recognized As National Blue Ribbon Schools
Margaret Leary Elementary School in Butte, Eureka Middle School, and Hellgate Elementary Intermediate School (grades 3-5) in Missoula are Montana's 2015 National Blue Ribbon Schools award winners.
- First Annual Montana STEMfest 2015 For Montana High School Students And Teachers!, 10/19-20, Online
On October 19 and 20, students will virtually connect to dynamic STEM industry role models and University of Montana faculty to explore STEM college and career pathways.
- Green energy praised by Montana Governor Bullock, still on UM President Engstrom's "hit list"
The Missoula College's energy technology program received an award from Gov. Steve Bullock for energy innovation, but still found itself at the wrong end of an academic assessment when the University of Montana administration questioned its low enrollment numbers.
- Bright Montana kids picking MSU Bozeman campus
The best and brightest students in Montana are offered free four-year tuition at any state campus, and again this year the majority of winners have chosen to attend Montana State University.
Funding and Building your Business
- Missoula should select design standards
The new Cellular Plus outlet store under construction on the highly visible corner of East Broadway and Madison is ... (you can fill in the rest)
- Roemer's Tire Factory continues with its promise "60 Acts of Kindness" to help repair the Missoula Downtown Christmas lights.
During the month, Roemer's will donate $20 for every set of tires sold to the campaign to raise funds needed to repair the Downtown Christmas lighting infrastructure.
Energy and Climate Change
- Small Business Owners - Why Are You Working Your Butt Off?
Small business owners work their asses off to build a successful company. However, have you ever thought about why you are working your tail off?
- Solid Bookkeeping - The Key to Growing and Exiting a Business
Having a solid bookkeeping system in place is the key to growing a small business and implementing an exit plan. A great idea will get you going, but it won't necessarily lead to huge growth and an eventual exit.
- Billion Dollar Unicorns: Good, Bad And Ugly
I want to highlight some really good Unicorns, lest you think all Unicorns are artificially bloated. And, I will also point out the at risk ones.
- Grants Funds for Montana Manufacturers
Federal program to help manufactures reauthorized by Congress, seeking eligible companies.
- Elon Musk's Tesla Model X launch was a marketing and PR disaster
Prominent venture capitalist and Tesla customer Stewart Alsop posted angrily about the event, which was delayed by almost two hours, calling it "unacceptable" and "insensitive," and worse, saying the presentation and slideshow was amateurish.
- Crafting A Chart Of Accounts For A Small Business
The Chart of Accounts is the initial building block of any accounting system.
- New cottage food law goes into effect - could mean an increase in jobs all over Montana
This will allow for people to sell low-risk food items to consumers straight from their kitchen.
- 'Millennials on Steroids': Is Your Brand Ready for Generation Z?
And now here comes Generation Z, the post-millennials loosely defined as those born between the mid- to late-1990s and 2010.
Connectivity & Communications
- Farms key to renewable energy development, feds say - New programs, underutilized in Montana
In Billings to kick off a three-day conference on energy, agriculture and forestry, Salerno told The Gazette there are new programs, underutilized in Montana, to help farms and rural communities develop renewable energy. Namely, the new Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP.
- Free Solar Power Seminar, 10/15, Lewistown, Montana
At the seminar, attendees will learn how solar fits into today’s ranch, farm and rural settings. Topics include cost and payback time, site selection, sizing the system, installation, warranties and incentives, grid-tied and off-grid options and pivot and pump systems.
- Missoula real estate agents study effects of climate change on homebuyers, neighborhoods
"Basically, we believe that climate change is very relevant for real estate," Thompson said. "Because real estate is a long-term, serious investment. It's the biggest investment that most Americans will make in their life.
Government Technology
- Google's Cell Service Could Snare All the Major Carriers
'The folks at AT&T and Verizon come from a monopoly background. They've been used to this since even before Google was born. But that's not going to work anymore.' Richard Doherty, Envisioneering
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- 4 Government-Friendly Startups to Watch
Can these companies make a difference in how governments share, conserve and connect?
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- "Ray Risho's Ports of Call" Missoula chef provides introduction to 'Syrian state of belly'
His forthcoming book, "Ray Risho's Ports of Call," will include a large section on Syrian cuisine.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Yellowstone's 2nd-largest geyser erupts for nearly an hour
Yellowstone National Park's second-largest geyser spewed water and steam into the air for nearly an hour in its first eruption since 2010.
Transportation
- How magnets could bring us closer to energy-free refrigeration
Specifically, the magnetocaloric effect could play a role in futuristic refrigerators that wouldn't need industrial coolants to run, which would be a boon in the fight against climate change. Sign me up.
- Self-driving cars could reduce accidents by 90 percent, become greatest health achievement of the century
The Atlantic hails the self-driving car revolution has potentially having a similar impact on public health as vaccines and anti-smoking campaigns.
- Cape Air to continue service between rural Montana cities
The Essential Air Service program subsidizes flights to rural cities that would not otherwise get commercial air service.
- Electric vehicle charging habits revealed
The key finding was that public charging infrastructure is not needed everywhere to enable PEV adoption. Instead, charging infrastructure should be focused at homes, workplaces and public "hot spots" that serve multiple venues.
- This Car Knows Your Next Misstep Before You Make It
An experimental new dashboard computer can not only keep track of your behavior behind the wheel, but even predict what you're about to do next.
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