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| MATR Newsletter - Fri May 16, 2008 |
"The entrepreneur in us sees opportunities everywhere we look, but many people see only problems everywhere they look. The entrepreneur in us is more concerned with discriminating between opportunities than he or she is with failing to see the opportunities." -Michael Gerber
We see lots of press and hear the rhetoric surrounding school funding in Montana so it's wonderful to see what two people can do to encourage excellence in our schools through their own initiative and generosity. Congratulations to Rob and Terry Ryan for continuing to show how individuals can make a difference. "Rob and Terry Ryan's Generous Support Continues to Inspire Montana's Future Leaders at Hamilton High in Montana" http://matr.net/articl ... .html --- Hope you're planning to see the results of what an outstanding education system can produce by attending the upcoming Science and Technology Conference hosted by Sen. Baucus in Bozeman on June 1 and 2. " June conference in Bozeman to focus on developing research in Montana. Sunday evening reception added to agenda" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html What have you done to improve your local school? "The State with the Best Education Wins!"
Vision Net
Idaho National Laboratory
- Vision Net to provide streaming video so injured Malta man can watch daughters’ graduation
“We’re honored to participate in the effort to enable Rick to attend his daughters’ graduation,” said Vision Net CEO Rob Ferris.
Montana Chamber of Commerce
- Idaho National Laboratory scientists look at future of alternative energy
INL associate laboratory director Bill Rogers said the United States will still rely in part on carbon fuels such as oil and gas, but the nation will need to be more careful about how it consumes energy.
- Work for Others program delivers nearly $600 million to Idaho National Laboratory
The WFO program brings in work approved by the U.S. Department of Energy and performed directly for federal agencies and private institutions when they are unable to reasonably acquire the capability elsewhere.
Boomtown Institute
- Montana Chamber of Commerce - Workers Compensation Survey
Please fill out this easy survey to give the Chamber your views.
City Club Missoula
- The Agurban from Boomtown Institute - Opportunity (?) Blew Into Town
Greensburg was in a very unique position as it set its sight on the future. Most towns do not get an opportunity to rebuild their town with the vision and wisdom to last for generations into the future, and to rebuild exactly as they want themselves to be.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Next City Club on Monday 5/19 to focus on urban fringe growth
Millar and his staff are leading public discussion to help develop a framework plan that incorporates what the community wants in its growth policy.
Leadership Montana
- Attracting the Creative Class with Infrastructure
A changing demographic and economic landscape demands that city leaders, economic developers, and urban planners begin to think more creatively and integratively about leveraging infrastructure investments to address complicated urban challenges.
Montana Economic Development
- Leadership: Social Intelligence is Essential
The leadership competencies that build on self-mastery include self-confidence, the drive to improve performance, staying calm under pressure, and a positive outlook.
- A Formula for Leadership: Know Where You Want to Go
Do you ever wonder why some things that should change never seem to?
Careers
- Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Montana economic development report outlines economic opportunities, including alternative energy, and hurdles
Anaconda is a shrinking town among growing communities in Southwest Montana, but that could change if it played up assets to attract industrial, alternative energy, wood products, tourism and other companies.
- Montana’s Tourism & Recreation Industry Partners Complete 5-year Strategic Plan
Some of the top priorities set forth in the plan include: enhancing and preserving what’s so special about Montana while strengthening visitation in “off peak” seasons; targeting “high value, low impact” niche market visitors; connecting more visitors with Montana-made and grown products; and increasing the capacity of community, regional and tribal tourism organizations.
- Passport to Service - Statewide Customer Service Training in Montana
“Every employee has an impact on the customer,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “Last year over 10 million people visited Montana, so let’s keep them coming back by offering nothing but the best. Investing in training to broaden the skill base of every employee involved in our tourism industry will benefit businesses and our visitors.”
- Montana could purchase vast forested swaths of Plum Creek Timber Co. land under a little-known provision tucked into the nation's farm bill.
“Max doesn't want to see these prime hunting and fishing lands turned into golf courses, condos and strip malls,” said Baucus spokesman Barrett Kaiser. “Private timberland is being gobbled up for development, and this provision gives states the tools they need for land conservation.”
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- Women still trail in tech jobs
"It certainly is the case, and it's worse than ever," she said of the current dearth of women pursuing careers in information technology.
Funding and Building your Business
- Maine Governor Pocket Vetoes Fund of Funds Legislation
“I recognize the importance of attracting venture capital and new investments to Maine,” Gov. John E. Baldacci said. The governor later added, “However, as it is currently written the bill carries enormous risk. This bill would guarantee a rate of return for venture capital investors while Maine would shoulder all the risk. The potential liability for the State is too great for me to sign this bill.
- The Boom in Angel Investing
We joined 300-plus attendees at the Angel Capital Association’s Annual Summit in San Diego last week and are awestruck by the growth, not only in numbers, but also in sophistication of what is likely to evolve into an asset class of its own.
Incubators and R&D
- Fulfill a journalist's needs to boost your company's exposure
Understanding the changing face of journalism can be the key to getting more coverage for your business.
- Want better climate for performance? Improve CEO communications
Even though you may already be a good communicator, everyone can improve on their current abilities and approaches to communications.
- Insanity? Why A Bootstrap Entrepreneur Raised $17 Million in Venture Funding
Raising funding is often harder than building a product/business -- and much less fun!
Montana Education Excellence
- Research Roundup at Montana State University (#278), West Nile traps, Smoking bans, Healing honey, Rocket racket, Washing away seeds
Honey reduces pain and odor in wounds. It has strong antibacterial properties.
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Make children a top priority in Montana's education funding
Education is being approached from a business standpoint. If children are the district’s business, then cutting back staff and eliminating student options is bad business. Please look at our students as children and not as numbers when making decisions.
- Students in Montana State University certificate program achieve 100 percent acceptance into med school
The 100 percent acceptance rate is impressive, particularly given that only about 42 percent of all people who apply to medical school usually are admitted.
- Web site seeks to protect Montana's kids from online predators
The site http://www.safeinyourspace.org gives advice to parents, teachers and kids on a host of Internet safety considerations, like how to identify and report online predators and what to do if other kids bully your child online.
- June conference in Bozeman to focus on developing research in Montana. Sunday evening reception added to agenda
Sen Max Baucus is teaming up with Montana State University, the University of Montana and Tech Ranch to bring Montana research and business leaders together for the first-of-its-kind research summit in Bozeman.
Regional Business
- Rob and Terry Ryan's Generous Support Continues to Inspire Montana's Future Leaders at Hamilton High in Montana
“While we don’t have children, we felt it was important for our community and our country to do the best we can in supporting science. America is strong because of our people and our technology. Technology is science. The High School is where it begins...We hope others will give according to their means and heart..” Rob and Terry Ryan
University Business Plan Competitions
- Biomedical device industry shows off. Summit will display health of the industry
"What we're seeing is that the biomedical device industry does stay put. They have more stability for their work force."
- Locavores get vocal
A locavore tries to only eat food grown or produced locally.
- Venture Capital: OVP Venture Partners, at 25, broadens its vision
Managing partner Chad Waite told me that the firm has five term sheets in various stages of negotiation, an extraordinarily high number, which he said speaks to the quality of the entrepreneurs who are emerging in the Northwest.
Idaho Business
- Wharton Business Plan Competition - It's Biotech's Year: 'Eight Great' Business Plans to Help People Live Longer and Better
Five of the eight finalists at this year's Venture Finals -- the culminating event in the yearlong business plan competition -- offered up ideas for businesses that could help people live longer or less painful lives.
Washington State Business
- IdaVation - Inspiring Innovation in Idaho - Join Us! Thursday, May 29
Kickstand presents IdaVation, Idaho’s premier annual education and networking summit for innovators and entrepreneurs.
Education
- The University of Washington Releases Plans for College of the Environment - largest environmental college in the world.
"Certainly, higher education in general has a responsibility to tackle challenges that threaten the well-being of the planet," the report says. "The UW is strongly positioned to truly advance the contributions of academia to the very concrete problems of the world around us."
Government
- Teach for America surges on better recruiting, worse economy
More than ever, graduating college seniors are signing up to spend two years in America's poorest communities as part of Teach for America, the non-profit that recruits and trains top college students for teaching jobs.
- Students gain experience while financing entrepreneurs
The programs aren't affiliated with universities, but give students hands-on experience in working with struggling businesses.
Connectivity & Communications
- Montana Sniffs Out Funds of Funds
According to the memo, the RFP would contain language including “Issuance of this RFP in no way constitutes a commitment by the Board to award a Contract” and “…the Board, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to cancel or terminate this RFP.”
Energy
- MTA Commentary--FCC Reins in Explosive Growth of Universal Service Disbursements
On May 1, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action to rein in the explosive growth in disbursements made under the federal high-cost universal service program.
Miscellaneous Ramblings
- University offers schedule change to save energy
An energy-saving option of a four-day work week is being offered to faculty and staff at the Washington State University Vancouver campus as part of a new summer initiative.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Build Your Will Power
Those of us who struggle to resist junk foods or otherwise suffer a lack of will power will be heartened by some good and bad news from neuroscience.
- At The Churchill Club: The Top 10 Tech Trends
#9 Within 5 years, everything that matters to you will be available to you on a device that fits on your belt or in your purse.
- Microsoft TouchWall can inexpensively turn any flat surface into a multi-touch display
TouchWall is a fundamentally simpler mechanical system, and is also significantly cheaper to produce. While Surface retails at around $10,000, the hardware to “turn almost anything into a multi-touch interface” for TouchWall is just “hundreds of dollars” says Sands.
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