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| MATR Newsletter - Fri Sep 12, 2008 |
"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness." -- George Sand
Excellent conference focusing on Montana's economic future: "Photos, Presentations, Conference Summary 2008 MEDA Fall Conference" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html which highlighted some of the outstanding state programs that are up for legislative renewal and funding. Please talk with your legislators about these programs which do so much to move the Montana economy forward: "Reinvesting In Montana's Economic Future - Your Support and Involvement is Needed" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- "Continuing the Investment Success: Proven Programs for Montana’s Economy" http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- " Green Economic Recovery Program - Impact on Montana - Part of a National Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy " http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html --- and if you thought "The Earth is Flat" by Tom Friedman was a good book... "" "Hot, Flat, and Crowded Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How it Can Renew America" by Thomas Friedman http://www.matr.net/ar ... .html
Idaho National Laboratory
Montana Chamber Choices
- Job training program to debut in Salmon, Idaho - Rural Idaho Outreach Partners
Doug Sayer, president of Blackfoot-based Premier Technology Inc., has spearhead the initiative. A native of rural Idaho, Sayer says the state's smaller communities need more help in developing a steady, strong economy.
- Idaho National Laboratory nuclear materials detection technology wins national security award
New technology under development at Idaho National Laboratory has been proven to safely detect hidden nuclear materials smuggled into ports and across borders.
Montana World Trade Center
- Montana Chamber of Commerce puts health care in reach
Unlike Insure Montana, there is no waiting list for Chamber Choices, and small employers with one to 99 employees are immediately eligible to gain coverage through this health program.
PrintingForLessBoomtown Institute
- PrintingForLess.com September 2008 Newsletter - Driving Innovation and a New Newsletter Design
In this month's new-and-improved issue, you'll find useful tips to help drive innovation and generate more revenue in any economic climate.
City Club Missoula
- The Boomtown Institute - Internet Speed in the United States
The results of a second annual survey of Internet speeds, conducted by the Communication Workers of America, show that the United States has not made significant improvement in the speeds at which residents connect to the Internet.
MEDA -Montana Economic Developers Association
- Rising cost of food subject of next Missoula City Club forum on 9/15
People in the audience are asked to bring ideas and questions about the rising cost of food and what that means to our community.
Come Home Montana
- Photos, Presentations, Conference Summary 2008 MEDA Fall Conference
Many of you requested a copy of Governor Schweitzer’s presentation and it is available within the summary.
Developing Tech Jobs in Rural Communities
- Montana Career Opportunity - Small Business Development Center Director- Kalispell
This position is responsible for directing and providing counseling on all small business operations at the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce including: business planning, marketing, management, financing, personnel, accounting, and other areas, but with special emphasis on small business financing in the three-county area of Northwest Montana.
- Montana Career Opportunity - Human Resources - Ligocyte
This person is directly responsible for the overall administration, coordination, and evaluation of the Human Resources function.
Developing a more Entrepreneurial Montana
- Europe's Impending Demographic Disaster
A new report is warning that aging populations and declining birthrates will bring a demographic disaster to most of Europe within a generation.
Leadership Montana
- Why Small-Business Owners Aren’t Always Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs are economic drivers that create jobs and bring new ideas into the marketplace. Small-business owners make a contribution to the economy but not often to the same degree as entrepreneurs.
- New Game Lets Teens (and Adults) Simulate Running a Business - "Johnny Money"
The Internet-based game – Johnny Money http://www.johnnymoney.com/ – lets them simulate running a small retail store for 24 months, asking them to select the name, products and price mark-ups, advertising budgets, hire employees, manage inventory and other typical decisions new business owners must make. It includes a teacher’s manual so schools can use it to help teach entrepreneurship in the classroom.
Montana Business
- How to Develop a Leadership Competency Model
A leadership competency model should serve as the foundation for any organization’s leadership development system.
Montana Economic Development
- Rural Montana officials grow frustrated with lack of air services
As Essential Air Services resume for airports in Sidney and Lewistown, Glendive officials are expressing frustration. Not only have EAS flights failed to resume here, but there is no word on a plan to make it happen, they said.
- Montana making it easier for rural areas to implement recycling efforts
With an ambitious goal of increasing recycling statewide from 15 percent to 22 percent by 2015, State legislation is in the works to help support rural communities in accomplishing that objective.
- Phillips Environmental Products of Belgrade, Montana to re-brand as "Cleanwaste" to bring big changes
For the past eight years, a Belgrade company has profited off of something as old as man himself: poop.
- AE Biofuels Inc. cellulosic ethanol pilot plant starts operation in Montana
Andy Foster, president of AE Biofuels subsidiary American Ethanol, said the company’s technology can most immediately be optimized in existing facilities. “Ethanol producers are a captive audience, and they’re constantly looking for ways to reduce operating expenses,” he said.
- Helena’s Bill Ballinger Named Montana SCORE Volunteer of the Year
“As a retired dermatologist who operated his own practice, Dr. Ballinger brings to the Helena SCORE Chapter, not only extensive expertise in the medical and professional services arena, but valuable experience as a business owner and entrepreneur”, said Michelle Johnston, District Director for the Montana SBA Office.
- Plum Creek Montana News - An Update to the Community
This newsletter is a new way for us to communicate with Montanans, to provide you with information about us and to share our news and plans. So you’ll be hearing more from us in the future.
- Summit takes look at local-option tax in Montana
Larry Swanson, director of the O'Conner Center for the Rocky Mountain West, said local governments "aren't growing hog wild." Some are struggling to keep up with the rapid population growth.
Regional Economic Development
- Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer to Announce Economic Development Funds for Hi-Line Projects
"These projects represent the future of energy technology and community revitalization in Montana. The investments we make now will create opportunities down the road, and when those opportunities come knocking, we'll be there to open the door."
- Missoula gets bulk of latest Montana airport funds
The Missoula International Airport will receive $485,000 to help support local air service as well as attract new air services.
- Montana council advances handful of climate measures
Council member Christine Kaufmann, a state Senate Democrat from Helena, said the council's work will not serve the state well. She echoed a position expressed last month when 13 conservation groups that include the Sierra Club, Montana Audubon and the National Wildlife Federation wrote the EQC, urging it to "reconsider its underpowered package" that leaves industry with "no role or obligation in addressing the climate-change problem."
- Green Economic Recovery Program - Impact on Montana - Part of a National Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low-Carbon Economy
This details the impact on Montana based on a national report that outlines a green economic recovery program to strengthen the U.S. economy over the next two years and leave it in a better position for sustainable prosperity.
- Reinvesting In Montana's Economic Future - Your Support and Involvement is Needed
Once again a call has gone out to form a coalition to insure that these proven and successful endeavors may continue far beyond their sunset of 2010.
- Continuing the Investment Success: Proven Programs for Montana’s Economy
Montana has excellent programs to assist businesses succeed in the global marketplace.
- Report aims to help small developers and policy makers with local wind projects
"Montana is the potential Saudi Arabia of wind power."
- National Geographic Adventure - 50 Best Places to Live: The Next Great Adventure Towns - Missoula and Red Lodge high on the list in the Rockies
The next great adventure towns aren't just the best base camps for outdoor pursuits, they're smart investments.
Developing Funding Opportunities in Montana
- "Hot, Flat, and Crowded Why We Need a Green Revolution - And How it Can Renew America" by Thomas Friedman
Friedman proposes that an ambitious national strategy—which he calls "Geo-Greenism"—is not only what we need to save the planet from overheating; it is what we need to make America healthier, richer, more innovative, more productive, and more secure.
Funding and Building your Business
- Giving Businesses Their Wings - Frontier Angel Fund
Supporting local economic development is one reason that angels often cite for their interest in this type of investing.
- Venture Capital in Rockies Gets Under Way
"Part of that plan was to expand to a larger part of the region, to bring in VC firms and service providers from the other states in the Rocky Mountains, and then to create this conference to attract companies from elsewhere in this region and give them a forum for presenting."
Montana Education Excellence
- Plan B for Fund Raising - Guy Kawasaki
In this plan, you take very little if any venture capital until you need capital to expand, not create, your product. Here’s how it works:
- Montana Manufacturing Center - Forward Focus - Summer 2008
Hear Company Challenges & Triumphs at Compete Smart October 2 and 3
- Yammer Takes Top Prize At TechCrunch50
Every day, the presentations just seemed to get stronger and stronger. There were so many strong contenders this year that we are awarding five jury selection prizes, in addition to the top prize.
- 8 Startup Insights Inspired By The Mega Mind of Seth Godin
#1. Resist becoming “average”. This is my favorite insight.
- Inside Entrepreneurship: Promised financing doesn't always show up -- so what to do?
The problem is the investors haven't invested like they promised. Can I sue?
Montana Education/Business Partnerships
- Popular high school program builds homes, bridge to future
Students from CMR and Great Falls High School's advanced-building trades classes, in partnership with the city and NeighborWorks, broke ground on their 22nd and 23rd houses Tuesday.
- Climate change minor proposed at the University of Montana
At present, the University of Michigan is the only university in the country offering such a program.
- Browning, Montana's wilderness academy lifts dropout rate
Designed to prevent dropouts, the Blackfeet Academy Wilderness Adventure/Mentoring Program has worked so well for students like Azure that it was recently awarded a three-year, $1 million grant to expand.
- Montana Gov. Schweitzer commends and presents check to Montana State University-Northern for biofuel advances
"It's a wonderful recognition for the work we've done and the potential development of science and technology. It's a recognition of an emerging industry that (we) are serving." Interim Chancellor Rolf Groseth
- Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia - "Constitutional Interpretation", 9/24, Missoula
Scalia’s speech is part of UM’s Judge William B. Jones and Judge Edward A. Tamm Judicial Lecture Series. The speech is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the University Theatre.
- Montana State University film graduate student, Vanessa Serrao nominated for Emmy
Serrao, a digital media producer for the Discovery Channel, is one of three nominees for an Emmy award in the "Outstanding Special Class - Short-format Nonfiction category" for her short film about the people of the port city of Unalaska.
Idaho Business
- Generous donors aid Montana medical education
RMC has 89.5 percent of our students, who apply to medical school, accepted.
North Dakota Business and Economic Development
- Moscow, Idaho, law clashes with home business
Moscow officials are reviewing a city ordinance that currently makes it illegal for residents to earn a living by working at home without first going through a rigorous permitting process.
- High-tech wine labels from Boise's PakSense track travel temperatures
A high-tech shipping label made by Boise-based PakSense Inc., and now being used by some in the wine industry, aims to warn customers if there’s a chance they’re getting cooked cabernet.
South Dakota Economic Development
- Oil boom creates millionaires and animosity in North Dakota
"These people have been farming rocks for generations," he says. "It's like winning the lottery." Or the booby prize.
Utah Business
- South Dakota universities encouraged to transfer ideas into marketplace. Promise of research subject of summit
"We cannot let any discovery go unattended that could potentially go to commercialization."
Utah Economic Development
- Urban Utah's economy hot - State dominates an index of cities' performance
Three Wasatch Front metro areas are in the Top 25 in the United States in the annual Best-Performing Cities index compiled by the Milken Institute and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners.
Washington State Business
- Utah offers bike firm incentive to move to state
In its application for state money, the company said its average wage in Utah would be about $44,000, not including benefits.
Wyoming Business
- Venture Capital: Big Fish hauls in $83.3 million in funding
"My experience, the best time to raise capital is when you least need it."
Education
- Duke Energy to build wind farm near Casper, Wyoming
The Campbell Hill Windpower project -- to be located about 15 miles northeast of Casper -- will consist of 66 wind energy turbines, each generating 1.5 megawatts of electricity.
- Wyoming announces redesigned Web site
It provides information and links for residents, tourists, job seekers and kids.
Government
- Teachers lured from struggling states
“I watch the markets,” Herndon said. “I’ll admit, if the economy is in bad shape, or the state legislature isn’t managing funds, I focus on those states.”
- Top State Education Policy Organizations Form Expert Advisory Group on International Benchmarking
"The United States needs workers whose knowledge, skills and talents are competitive with the best in the world. This international benchmarking effort said Craig Barrett, Intel Chair of the Board. "All our students need the critical thinking and problem-solving skills to handle the complex challenges of the 21st century if the U.S. is going to maintain its competitive edge."
- Washington State University Receives $3.69 Million Grant to Bolster Female Faculty in Engineering, Math, Sciences
Women remain significantly underrepresented on the science and engineering faculties of research universities.
- Why Schools are Failing Boys
Journalist Peg Tyre explains why schools are failing our sons and in this excerpt, she takes a hard look at the rising rates of ADHD among boys.
Energy
- Brian Schweitzer Eyes the Future. Headlines Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin's annual steak fry
(A Fix side note: No politician, we repeat NO politician, just happens to go to Iowa. Every one of them knows that an Iowa trip means the press will float the idea of a presidential run. So, don't believe them if they say otherwise.)
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Nanonets Snare Energy
A new material could cheaply convert sunlight into hydrogen.
- Community Wind Can Play a Pioneering Role in Renewable Energy Development
Wind power is booming and the U.S. is now the world leader with billions of dollars in growth each year.
Government Technology
- HP to launch 24 hour business laptop
The allure of a battery that can last a day is incontestable, as anyone who has spent time in an airport searching for a power outlet knows.
Hydrogen News
- Largest Video Conference in Montana State Government History
In the largest video conference in state history, the State of Montana provided simultaneous training to over 580 employees in 11 Montana cities Wednesday afternoon. The use of video conferencing to eliminate travel is in response to Governor Schweitzer's 20x10 Energy Initiative for state agencies.
- The Future Of Hydrogen, 9/17, Missoula
Free to anyone who is interested in the future of the hydrogen economy.
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