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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Apr 3, 2007 |
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting Don Collins, one of the original founders of the Missoula Children's Theatre. I learned about an organization that is doing a wonderful job while also promoting the State of Montana. The numbers are amazing... "Who are those little red trucks from Montana and why do they visit towns and hamlets across the globe?" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Come Home Montana
Missoula Children's Theatre
- Come Home Montana - Tour Actor/Director! - Missoula Children's Theatre
Are you a performer? Do you like to teach? Do you enjoy travel?
- Montana Career Opportunity - Controller - Montana Silversmiths
The position requires the ability to be innovative and have the initiative to rise above the routine expectations and provide the organization with the informational means to successfully manage the business.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Mechanical Engineer - Big Sky Laser Technologies, Inc.
Big Sky Laser Technologies, Inc., a premier supplier of pulsed Nd: YAG lasers is currently seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineer to join its team.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Who are those little red trucks from Montana and why do they visit towns and hamlets across the globe?
The Mission of the Little Red Truck Fleet: "The development of lifeskills in children through participation in the performing arts."
- ON THE ROAD WITH THE MISSOULA CHILDREN'S THEATRE (MCT): Teaching without words in Mexico
We still had parents with tears, thrilled at seeing their child do something they never thought possible, thanking us with words I couldn't understand. We had kids hugging and laughing, drinking in the joy of accomplishment. The children kept coming up and begging us to come back every week....No different than any other week.
Montana Education Excellence
- Shortage of scientists threatens biotech boom. "We do a lousy job of training our kids to be scientists."
Genentech says the lack of qualified applicants means the company is "scrambling" to grow. A drop over the past decade in the percentage of U.S. college graduates pursuing science is making the task harder.
- US workers saddled by houses that won't sell
Soft real estate markets hurt worker mobility as relocation gets more costly – financially and emotionally.
- Average Seattle worker can't afford to live here
Employers agree that housing costs are becoming an issue when hiring. Companies have a harder time attracting and keeping workers and may even move where employees can afford homes. "Jobs follow workers," John McIlwain, a senior Urban Land Institute fellow, warned recently.
- Microsoft expanding operations in North Dakota
Another company is shipping jobs to a remote land to find good workers for less money. In this case, the company is Microsoft Corp. But the faraway land is only two time zones away.
Education
- Girls Can Learn About Science And Math Careers At MSU Conference, 4/14, Bozeman, Montana
"All the workshops are fast-paced, hands-on and fun," said Albin. "We want girls to see that there are women all around them who have fulfilling careers in fields like engineering, computers, biology and many others."
- Montana University System Campus Directories
The Montana University System http://bor.montana.edu/ serves students through the delivery of high quality, accessible postsecondary educational opportunities, while actively participating in the preservation and advancement of Montana’s economy and society.
2007 Montana Legislature
- No Child law faces medley of changes
If President Bush wants the next version of his signature No Child Left Behind education law to carry his imprint, the White House will have to compromise with a host of disparate groups seeking changes in the 5-year-old act.
- Why Kids Should Walk Or Bike To School. Kids look at us in amazement and ask questions like "Why do you ride a bike?" and "Don't you have a car?"
The next generation of grandparents won't even need to harangue their progeny with tales of walking seven miles to school in the snow; it'll be impressive enough to say that they walked at all. My neighbor was right — the world is a very different place.
- Casper College in Wyoming to offer robotics degree in the fall
Casper College will start a new robotics degree program this fall that's designed to meet industry needs locally and train students in what officials say is an emerging technical field.
Montana Business
- Martz blasts Schweitzer as being a bully
She referred to Schweitzer practice of bringing his border collie, Jag, into the Capitol, saying, “Some days, bringing a dog to the Capitol is animal cruelty.”
Montana Economic Development
- Feds say no to ash spreading business in Montana
Federal officials denied a permit to a Montana woman whose business aims to spread the cremated remains of clients in publicly owned mountains and meadows.
- MYTOPO.com (Billings, MT) Releases New Product: A Navigation-Ready TOPOHOTO ™ Map
Landowners and outdoor enthusiasts who have for years relied on the United States Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map series now have a new option.
- Stageworx Openhouse, 4/13, Missoula, Montana
The purpose of this event is to let our community know that we are here as well as open up more dialogue about what types of technical support performing arts in our area need.
- Distinctive design marks work of Montana architectural firm - CTA Architects Engineers
Only in Montana could two friends’ blissful day of fishing and sipping sour mash along a stream bank morph seven decades later into a multimillion-dollar national architectural and engineering concern — and not lose that focus on fun.
- Seedless startup: With few resources, Missoula entrepreneur takes idea international. ArmorCoat
Today, that product is the only one of its kind on the market, and is taking the automotive industry by storm.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- The April Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) Online News
The April MEDA Online News is now available for your reading pleasure. Catch up on our new members, grant and training opportunities, working groups…and more!
- Lighting up Montana with wind power is easier said than done
Without "regulatory reserve," or firming service to generate electricity when the wind doesn't blow hard enough, and the lines to move power, Montana can't fully develop its rich wind resources.
- Expert: To draw tourists, Helena needs a ‘brand’
“Outdoor recreation” stinks as a lure for out-of-town visitors, according to tourism and marketing expert Roger Brooks.
Montana Biotech
- VCs Aim to Out-Angel the Angels
Responding to the emergence of a new breed of wealthy investor, venture capitalists are boosting their early-stage investments in startups
Funding and Building your Business
- S.F. biotech has equity funding epiphany. Firm embracing new model for raising capital
"The West Coast venture model works best when you are dealing with academics starting their first-time company," said Epiphany CEO and co-founder Fred Volinsky, who has both founded biotechs as an entrepreneur and funded them as a venture capitalist. "When you have experienced entrepreneurs or serial entrepreneurs, I think this new model might be better adapted. There are too many people in the venture community that have too much of a pedigree, but not enough operational experience, entrepreneurial experience and risk tolerance."
Regional Business
- Professional web-design may be best bet for small business success
"If you're serious about business, it's something you need to have."
Regional Economic Development
- Average Salaries For Technology Professionals Increased 5.2 Percent In 2006 According to the Dice Salary Survey
The survey of nearly 20,000 technology professionals found that average Tech salaries in the U.S. increased 5.2 percent to $73,308 in 2006 from $69,700 in 2005.
Utah Business
- Tucson's economic blueprint unfurled
The long-awaited strategic plan http://www.treoaz.org/About-TREO-Economic-Blueprint.aspx to enrich the local economy went public Wednesday with renewed calls for boosting high-paying jobs, improving education and enhancing the area's livability.
Idaho Business
- "Utah's technology economy is the hottest economy in the country."
Robison said his biggest concern for Utah's IT industry was continuing to connect with the rest of the world. "I've traveled all over the world," Robison said. "Every month, I'm somewhere on a different continent. The one concern I always have about the state is getting too isolated. The pace of change out there is just incredible."
Washington State Business
- Community college and development group's partnership makes south-central Idaho a leader in economic growth
They are the product of the state's most successful economic development strategy, say officials from Idaho Commerce & Labor. What makes the partnership so unique is that it combines the instructional capabilities of a community college with the marketing efforts of an economic development organization.
- Online company to make promotional videos for Boise
The company, e-Locallink, contacts local businesses to take part, with those businesses then paying the bill.
- Potlach timber company begins charging for access to Idaho land
Potlatch Corporation on Sunday began charging recreational users for access to its 660,000 acres in Idaho.
University Business Plan Competitions
- Startup lands another Microsoft veteran. "Jackson Fish Market"
Marr, 31, oversaw viral marketing efforts for Windows Vista, including the elaborate Vanishing Point promotional game. He spoke highly of Microsoft Corp. and said he wanted to work in a leadership position at a smaller company. The difficult commute between Seattle and Redmond was a major factor, he said.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Calle plan wins Brigham Young University business plan competition.
The Business Plan Competition Final Event pitted three teams against each other for a final prize of $52,500 to help the winners launch their dream business. This year's winning team proposed a hybrid company, Calle, which merges the performance and fashion industries by selling clothing and equipment for street soccer.
Careers
- Grants help Bozeman teachers plant sparks with students
Eleven proposals from teachers and schools have won grants from the nonprofit foundation, which was created to raise private funds to support Bozeman's schools.
- Breaking ground for the future. Victor, Montana school officials give thanks to residents for support
Funds will compliment $1 million the Victor Schools Foundation raised through fundraising projects and a $1 million matching grant from the Mary Stewart Rogers Foundation. That money will fund a 24,000-square-foot building that will house a two-story performing arts center, the district's science program and several classrooms.
Non-Profit News
- Willing and Able: A Job Hunting Guide for Montanans with Disabilities
Specifically tailored to meet the needs of job seekers with disabilities, Willing & Able guides readers through each step of the job hunting process, from identifying potential employers to preparing for that all-important interview.
- Good life starts with a good job
We're asking readers throughout North Idaho to help in another critical area to a large, seriously underserved segment of the population: people with disabilities.
Energy
- Group studies ‘philanthropic divide’ in rural Montana communities
Montana continues to rank 48th in the country in foundation assets.
- Enjoying the perfect job at CASA
Collins, who is the program director of an advocacy group for abused and neglected children, said fishing is a stress reliever and he adores his job so much that he doesn’t really need to get away anymore.
Connectivity & Communications
- Supreme Court Rebukes Administration in Global Warming Case
In a 5-4 decision, the court said the Clean Air Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency the authority to regulate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from cars.
- Public Officials Required To Bike To Work. Transport chiefs to get taste of their own policies
The new city regulation that has just come into force is aimed at reducing traffic and pollution in one of the most congested cities in the world.
Leadership Montana
- Freifunk: Germany's User-Run Network Explodes Beyond Its Borders
It is the largest user-contributed mesh network in the world today
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Kathy Coll is a profile in high school leadership
What started as a one-time solution to the North Allegheny schools' unusual grade configuration has blossomed into a two-year leadership program, with three teachers teaching 12 sections of Leadership I, as well as a Leadership II class started and taught by Coll. North Allegheny Intermediate High's leadership program is a model program visited by students and educators nationwide.
- Creator of explosives-sniffing technology wins 500K Lemelson-MIT award
"I can envision down the road it could be used for airport security screening,"
- The Ultrafast Future of Wireless
A new metal film could help control terahertz radiation and lead to wireless devices that are thousands of times faster than today's Wi-Fi.
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