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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Aug 19, 2016 |
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Never buy flowers from a monk. Only YOU can prevent florist friars.
Free Big Sky Broadband Workshop For Regional Broadband Stakeholders, 8/31-9/1, Missoula, Montana http://www.matr.net/ev ... =6085
Big Sky Economic Development
Gov. Steve Bullock
- The 16 Best Places to Live in 2016 in the U.S. from Outside Magazine - Billings, Montana
For more on what sets Billings apart, watch this video.
Main Street Montana Project
- Governor Bullock announces "National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative"
Bullock says the purpose of the Initiative is to push congress to make meaningful changes to improve forest management and encourage more effective collaboration throughout the west.
Montana Department of Commerce
- The Biggest Name in Naming: Hear from Lexicon Branding President David Placek at the Market Montana Symposium - 9/11-12, Missoula
Fast Company magazine claims "no branding agency has generated more envy than Lexicon Branding"
- National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant program
The Our Town grant program supports creative placemaking projects that help to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places with the arts at their core.
Montana Politics & Legislature
- Montana Downtown Conference, 10/5-7 - Butte, Montana
Additional details about registration and conference agenda coming soon. We hope to see you in Butte in October!
- Department of Commerce Announces New Tourism Marketing Agency to Combine Services, Maximize Return on Investment
The contract brings multiple services under a full-service agency to provide comprehensive and integrated marketing solutions.
Northwestern Energy
- Missoula Moves to Amend: "Money isn't speech and corporations aren't people"
Missoula Moves to Amend has joined the national organization in asking voters to call their representatives in Congress to urge them to support HJR 48.
- Montana lawmakers want to make it costly to close Colstrip plant
A package of bills crafted by a legislative panel would hit Puget Sound Energy and Talen Energy with millions of dollars in fees for 10 years following the closure of Colstrip Units 1 and 2 in southeastern Montana.
- Montana biomedical research initiative will stand
It will create a Montana Biomedical Research Authority, which will award grants for scientific research in the state of Montana.
Montana Code Girls
- Installation work has begun on Northwestern's Bozeman Solar Project
The goal is to understand how solar energy can fit into Montana's electrical grid.
- PSC stands firm in denying NorthWestern Energy rate increase for Colstrip outage
At issue, NorthWestern's cost of purchasing electricity on the open market to serve its Montana customers during the Colstrip outage.
Visit Montana - Montana Dept. of Tourism
- #SitWithMeMontana Campaign In Great Falls, 08/19, Great Falls
Come join us for the announcement of the Academy's Great Falls campus and record a short video for Montana Code Girls to help us encourage young girls to pursue careers in technology.
Energy and Climate Change
- Stay away from Montana's North Fork of the Flathead River
Don't go there, ever.
Come Home Montana
- Arizona's Utility Regulator Adopts New Method of Crediting Rooftop Solar
The company just wants the rates customers pay to more closely match the expenses they incur.
- Find A Solar Installer - Search for solar companies that service your community.
An office in your state does not mean an installer will service your particular town or city. Search for one here by looking for who that actually installs in your area.
- A Landmark Settlement in Colorado Over Solar Grid Fees: 'This Could Be a Model'
Proof that the solar industry and utilities can find proactive alternatives to solar grid fees.
- NASA: Natural gas industry the source of massive methane 'hot spot'
"Solving the problem will require the oil and gas industry to cut emissions from all sources, large and small."
- Hawaii Governor Pushes to Expand Solar Power to Renters
Gov. David Ige said Tuesday he wants Hawaii to deploy more community solar projects -- which give those renting or living in condominiums access to renewable energy -- by 2018.
- Missoula reports 11 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2008 baseline
Carbon neutrality is sought by 2025.
- Eroding Alaska island village votes to move to mainland
"Doing nothing is not an option."
- Deafening silence - Outdoor outfitters can't stay quiet anymore on climate change
If the silence I hear on climate translates across the West, the industry is short-changing millions of visitors at a time when dialogue is needed.
- Corporate Customers Pressure Electric Utilities to Step Up Their Game
Apple, Google and others are leading a megatrend around clean energy procurement.
- Should We Be Having Kids In The Age Of Climate Change?
For years, people have lamented how bad things might get "for our grandchildren," but Rieder tells the students that future isn't so far off anymore.
- It's Official: Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Exceed Coal
"Carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas are expected to exceed those from coal for the first time in more than 40 years, according to data released Wednesday from the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
- You could soon harness the power of the stars to heat your home
So if fusion is so amazing, why isn't it here yet, powering our devices, homes and cities? Simply put, the entire process isn't as easy and straightforward as it may sound.
- California Utilities Are Fast-Tracking Battery Projects to Manage Aliso Canyon Shortfall
Facing the threat of rolling blackouts next year, Southern California's utilities are turning to energy storage developers to get battery projects up and running at a record speed.
- Energy-Efficient Homes Are Worth More. So Let's Create an Easy Metric for Buyers
What if it were easy for consumers to know how much energy a home uses and how much that energy costs? It could unlock a whole new market that doesn't exist today worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
- Sun on the roof: Frenchtown schools, Missoula Electric Cooperative partner on solar garden
"As far as we know it's the first of its kind in Montana," Mark Hayden, general manager for Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC), said of the utility-school solar partnership.
Montana Business
- Montana Career Opportunity - Director of Economic Development - The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT)
The primary focus is analysis and management of new and existing business development opportunities to create increased revenues to the Tribes and creation of new jobs.
- Request for Proposals (RFP) - Economic Development Consultant/s - Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) Tribal Council
The Tribal Council is looking for a consultant/s that can determine the development costs, and expected return on investment for each property under consideration.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Marketing Specialist, Civil Engineering Project Manager, Civil Designer,GIS Technician and more... - DJ&A
DJ&A, P.C. is a civil engineering, surveying and planning firm, based in Missoula (MT) since 1973.
- Montana Career Opportunities - Technical Support Lead, Technical Support - Neptune Aviation
Neptune Aviation Services. The future of aerial firefighting
- AT&T hiring 100 employees for Missoula call center
The positions are a result of an effort to support AT&T DIRECTV customers across the country.
- Montana Island Lodge, Seeley Lake MT
Montana island lodge has been used to host large events, such as corporate retreats and weddings, of up to 125 people.The property also includes an 1800 sq ft log shore house with 4 bays for boat storage on 26.5 acres.
Montana Economic Development
- The Optics/Photonics Industry Cluster of Companies in Bozeman, Montana
On a per-capita basis, Bozeman, Montana has one of the highest densities of optics companies found anywhere in the United States.
- News & Events for Montana Manufacturers, August 2016
What happens at the Compete Smart Conference doesn't stay in Montana, it just starts here.
- Montana Companies on the Inc. 5000 2016 Fastest Growing Companies
Congratulations to the 7 Montana companies that made the list this year!
- Glo European Windows Introduces the A4 Series Windows and Doors
"We have been receiving requests for a double pane aluminum window in a slim modern frame," says Vice President, Mark Wells.
- Join Today - OpenSourceMT - Technology Leaders Keeping Montana Great for Business
The founders of OpenSourceMT are active participants in Montana's technology industry.
- Montana's Wisetail - Tech Firm Dedicated to Rejecting Venture Capital Named One of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America
Wisetail was just ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in the U.S. on this year's Inc. 5000 list.
TEDx Events in Montana
- Missoula City Council prods Missoula Economic Partnership
The city supplies around 11 percent of MEP's annual budget, but council members said they've felt left out of the loop on how the money is being spent. "I don't think that serves us well," von Lossberg said during an Aug. 10 discussion.
Next Generation Broadband in Montana
- Today's TED Talk - A letter to all who have lost in this era
"Dare to commit to the dream of each other."
Government
- Analysis: New Use of Wireless Holds Promise for Rural Broadband
Lower costs, quicker installation, and the potential of hybrid wired and wireless networks are some of the reasons.
Idaho Business
- Aetna shows why we need a single-payer system
The best argument for a single-payer health plan is the recent decision by giant health insurer Aetna to bail out next year from 11 of the 15 states where it sells Obamacare plans.
- Flathead County launches surplus auction website
This site is aimed at letting the public to bid on items that are no longer needed by Flathead County and would otherwise go into storage or end up in the landfill.
- Bill Opening Wilderness Areas to Bikes Also Opens Debate
A bill in Congress would open up biking in federally designated wilderness, where "mechanical transport" has been banned since President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act in 1964.
Incubators and R&D
- New FBI data center would add 300 jobs in Pocatello, Idaho
The facility will cost $10 million to complete, and will be funded by a federal allocation to the FBI. Regets says it makes sense as to why they would build it in Pocatello, as opposed to anywhere else.
- Boise cited as a success story in Smart Growth America report
Boise was recognized for its friendly sense of community and active, pedestrian-friendly downtown this summer in a report from Smart Growth America
Oregon Business
- MSU and partners awarded $20 million grant to address Native health disparities in Montana and Alaska
This program is the first capacity-building collaboration of its kind to focus solely on Native health disparities in Montana and Alaska.
Other Economies
- Oregon's corporate tax measure is a big deal. Here's why.
Oregonians face a big decision this fall, as they consider how to vote on a $3 billion corporate tax measure that could reshape the state's finances and the future of government services.
South Dakota
- Israel tries to lure tech companies with incentives
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon wants to cut corporate taxes for companies that conduct research and development in Israel and register intellectual property there
Utah Economic Development
- Aberdeen, S.D., Plans Maker Spaces to Engage Millennials
The city hopes the new workshops will create a welcoming atmosphere for young entrepreneurs, not unlike that of Silicon Valley.
- In South Dakota, Voters Get Rare Chance to Transform Politics
Change tends to happen gradually in state government. But South Dakota could see rapid -- and sweeping -- change to its electoral laws next year. That is, if voters there approve a raft of ballot measures in November.
Workforce Development
- Facebook Tax Break for Data Center Voted Down In Salt Lake County
Speakers against the tax break proposal complained that other data center providers had not asked for $240M in tax breaks, and that the data center would consume power and water--but not provide jobs--to the area.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- To Switch or Not to Switch? How Workers' Career Choices Could Help the Economy
"We believe that policy changes such as these are critical first steps to closing the jobs gap by better aligning what is economically rational for an individual with what is beneficial for the economy as whole."
- Training programs promise good jobs without college degrees. Can they deliver?
Called "sector-based" or "skills-based" training, this model - of finding out what jobs community businesses need to fill and training people for them - has the potential to re-invigorate workforce development at a precarious time in the country's economy, supporters say.
- Can't Afford Coding Camp? The Feds May Have a Loan for You
Announced last year, the so-called Educational Quality through Innovation Partnerships program will offer federal student aid to students enrolled at non-traditional institutions like coding bootcamps and skills-training programs.
- How other regions are building workforce talent
Some regions are receiving national recognition for the success of their programs.
Funding and Building your Business
- New UM Student-Produced 'Business: Made in Montana' to Premiere on MontanaPBS on Sept. 1
This episode introduces Coaster Pedicab in Bonner, Adipose Boatworks in Helena, McCollum Longboards in Missoula, Alpine Tipis in Polson, E.L.K. Inc. in Gardiner and Kochel Guitars in Potomac.
Government Technology
- Are You Thinking About Planning Your Exit?
Cashing out of a business you have built into a thriving enterprise can be a rewarding experience, but a successful exit takes preparation.
- Forget Millennials. Are You Ready to Hire Generation Z?
A complete guide for employers on the youngest generation entering the workforce.
- 5 Strategies for Identifying the Best Hire
Why I Was Wrong About Liberal-Arts Majors
- Patagonia's CEO Explains How To Make On-Site Child Care Pay For Itself
For the past five years, turnover among Patagonia employees who use its child care program is 25% lower than in its overall workforce.
Non-Profit News
- Analytics: Turning a Flood of Data into Valuable Information for Communities and States
The benefits that come from data analytics are many -- it's helped reduce inmate populations, improve reliability of emergency medical services and reduce traffic fatalities, to name just a few.
- The Chief Data Officer's Path to Success in Government
A lot of obstacles need to be overcome to bring the power of data and analytics to government, but it's doable.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- 2016 MNA Conference: Nonprofits In Focus, 9/27-29, Helena, Montana
Wow. Who will you choose? Picking from this year's menu of 45 speakers will be no easy job.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Make the most of your brief time on Earth By Garrison Keillor
Do the right thing. Travel light. Be sweet.
- Legendary Biologist John Craighead Celebrates 100th Birthday in Missoula, Montana
John Craighead and his brother Frank forever changed the field of wildlife conservation. They were a different breed of scientist, with their preferred laboratory always in the wilderness of Montana and Wyoming.
Transportation
- Next-gen concrete bends instead of cracking
The ConFlexPave is reportedly "tough as metal and at least twice as strong as conventional concrete under bending." As an added benefit, the microfibers are also claimed to enhance the material's skid resistance.
- 'Interscatter' contact lenses talk to phone via Wi-Fi
A new way of communicating lets devices such as brain implants, contact lenses, credit cards, and smaller wearable electronics talk to everyday devices such as smartphones and watches.
- Site lets anyone earn cash by being an amateur travel agent
TRVL is a P2P travel booking platform, where anyone can sign up to be a travel agent.
- University of Montana Launches Statewide Adaptive Bike, Recreation Initiative
The Wheels Across Montana program will host its second state regional Adaptive Bike Clinic from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at the Southwest Family YMCA in Dillon.
- Ford promises driverless cars by 2021
"Taking the driver out of the equation improves the economics for us as well as consumers."
- Tesla's Cars Have Driven 140 Million Miles on Autopilot. Here's How
Elon Musk says it would be "morally reprehensible" to delay its rollout.
- Uber's first self-driving cars will pick up riders this month
Uber CEO Travis Kalanick told Bloomberg Businessweek that the company is just about ready to roll out its first driverless, autonomous cars later this month in Pittsburgh.
- Volkswagen reportedly readying 300-mile EV prototype to take on Tesla
Granted, that car will be just a prototype. Thankfully, Diess confirmed the production version of the car will be sent into production in 2018 or 2019.
- The Car-Centric Future of Planning Data - It's no longer about "Carcatecture"
Data collection used for planning purposes has traditionally focused on cars, rather than people. So far, innovative transportation technologies seem unconcerned with changing that pattern.
- Study: Electric Cars Can Handle 87 Percent of Trips
The study effectively refutes the "range anxiety" (i.e., fear that electric cars can't travel far enough before needing a charge), considered a barrier to wider market acceptance of electric cars.
To subscribe or unsubscribe from the free weekly MATR newsletter, please visit our list info page