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| MATR Newsletter - Tue Oct 4, 2005 |
The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them! - Albert Einstein
Good Example: "Hawaii quietly nurturing high-technology industry - There are keys to success." -- http://www.matr.net/article-16274.html
Education
Montana Business
- The state of learning in, and about, the West
Still, if the region is going to position itself for long-term prosperity in the context of the emerging global economy, we need to be steadily expanding the reputation of the Rockies as a world-class center of learning. Most of that work will have to continue to be done on an institution-by-institution basis, of course—and also state by state.
- Montana Governor Schweitzer Presents A Status Report on School Lawsuit
"I want to assure the court that the legislature and the executive branch of government are making progress in addressing the constitutional challenge in providing all Montanans access to a basic system of quality education," said Governor Brian Schweitzer. " As we continue to work together, we build a stronger education system for our children."
- How to Fix School Lunch - Celebrity chefs, politicians and concerned parents are joining forces to improve the meals kids eat every day.
"If you can put a man on the moon," he says, "you can give kids the food they need to make them lighter, fitter and live longer."
- Montana schools panel seeks to add $36 million a year for teacher salaries
The legislative panel crafting a school funding plan took perhaps its most significant action yet Friday, endorsing an additional state payment of $4,000 per classroom.
- Why kids don't get math and what Idaho schools are doing about it
Only a third of Idaho's sixth-graders and half of its eighth-graders successfully completed a different 2005 statewide exam in which students had to show their work in solving math problems.
- Business Technology: Competitiveness, Truth, And Today's Universities
Some universities seem to shrug at the very suggestion that they adapt to the times and take measures to address this situation; their attitude seems to be, "Dude, we're in the demand-fulfillment business, not demand creation. If the little darlings wanna drop $150K to major in Graffiti Studies or Existential Anthropology, it's my job to deliver. And what happens to them after they graduate? Not in my job description, yo."
Montana Economic Development
- GCS Research Geospatial Sensor Project Receives Funding for US Army Program – Regional Consortium to Advance Capabilities of US Warfighter
GCS Research and a consortium of partner companies worked closely with Senator Conrad Burns’ office to secure $1 million in Department of Defense (DoD) program funds. Known as the “Smart Data Project,” the program addresses existing NVESD sensor system requirements and advances the critical mission capabilities of the US warfighter.
- Montana Chamber of Commerce October 2005 EYE on Business Newsletter
The Montana Chamber of Commerce has been Montana’s leading business advocate since 1931. We represent and promote the interests of business at the national and state levels.
- Venture into Victor's corn maze - if you dare - Qwivals
My first mistake was taking two 16-year-old boys at their word.
- Deep cuts in Bonner, Montana - Plywood mill will lose 120 jobs
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., announced Thursday that displaced workers from the plywood mill at Bonner would be eligible for 24 months of retraining, job search and unemployment assistance.
- Scotty's Table in Missoula serves all, selectively
The lesson? If you're not the one in control, it's not really your restaurant.
- N.E.W. allowing workers to field calls from home in Great Falls, Montana
"It's an option that appeals to people who either have transportation issues or live in a remote place or want to be at home with children after school,"
Montana Biotech
- Hamilton lab official says Montana should foster biomedical growth
“The places that have been successful in the biomedical arena have emerged from areas where there is a tradition and history of excellence in basic and applied biomedical research,” Dr. Marshall Bloom, associate director of Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, told attendees of Friday’s Ideas Montana Medicine conference in Billings. “Montana has a tradition of excellence in biomedical research areas.”
- A wind farm windfall blows through Judith Gap, Montana
"It's been really good for the community," he said. "We've had a lot of extra business."
- Growth gobbling up fertile farmland in Montana
But for farmers and ranchers like Paugh, it represents what the Gallatin Valley has become: crowded, unappreciative and a place where even the battle for water has become too much to bear.
- Montana Film Office and Bozeman-Based ARTSMARKET, INC to receive Research Award at economic development conference
"Economic development pursuits have always played an invaluable role in strengthening the nation's economy one locality at a time, and as our country faces challenges ranging from an elevated national debt to a declining yet still significant unemployment rate, these efforts take on an even greater importance,"
Funding and Building your Business
- LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals of Bozeman, Montana Receives $4.6M NIH Biodefense Challenge Grant for Intranasal Anthrax Vaccine
"Securing this level of a competitive NIH award validates our anthrax vaccine approach and allows us to quickly move forward in our preclinical development,"
Legislative Newsletters
- Inventors must protect their creations
The story of corporate fraud reads like David and Goliath, with the lowly inventor playing the role of David. David won with a slingshot, and the only way that an inventor can win against such corporate Goliaths is with a well-written patent.
- Dispelling business niche myths
"After a while, you learn what sells."
- Businesses learn it's all in the name - Picking what to call your company can be vital to its success
Few decisions a business owner makes are as visible or enduring as the company name, and picking it can be daunting task.
- Writing a business plan
Don't forget: No one is likely to know about the nuances of your business better than you do.
- Building a Better Workforce - What technology can (and can't) do to help companies optimize their most valuable asset.
There remains only a tenuous connection between pay and performance, companies routinely lay off valuable workers and then spend large sums to recruit less-capable employees, and the incessant labeling of the workforce as a company's most-valuable asset seems wholly at odds with the scant efforts most companies make to optimize it.
Government TechnologyIdaho Business
- Coming Soon: Collecting Tax from Online Sales
The states will also entice online retailers to collect state and local sales taxes by offering amnesty on taxes the retailers haven't collected in the years since the Internet retail boom began.
Other Economies
- Filmmakers eye sweet tax breaks in Idaho - Napoleon Dynamite put Idaho on the radar
Gov. Kempthorne long has been a supporter of tax incentives for business, especially if the tax breaks cause money to be spent in Idaho that wouldn't otherwise be spent.
- Idaho Hits Tourism Grand Slam
When asked how the Trail affected business, our server said the restaurant experienced a “phenomenal” increase when the Trail opened. I’m sure you’d hear similar stories from hospitality businesses all along the Trail.
University TechTransfer
- The Clustering Alliance Number 69 September 2005
The average age of the manufacturing workforce in the Indian subsidiary is 30 years – all highly educated, at least a degree and most with masters. A high proportion spend 12 hours a day at work/travel, and a further 3 - 4 hours at night studying. This underscores the desire for personal achievement and improvement. Many of the male shop floor operators are motivated by the need to provide for not only their own family but that of their siblings and parents. But there is an overwhelming sense of hunger – a hunger to do better, to learn, to develop, to succeed. They are extremely enthusiastic to learn new things and apply them in their work.
- Hawaii quietly nurturing high-technology industry - There are keys to success.
Fitzgerald said the people of Hawaii will have to act fast if they want high-technology to become a third pillar of the economy after the low-wage tourism industry and defense spending. "We have to be quick to do this if we are going to preserve what's here and build upon it," Fitzgerald said. "If we are still having this debate five or 10 years from now, these companies are going to be dead or gone. And new ones that would start here will pass us by."
The Creative and Cultural Economy
- The iBridge Network provides the research community an additional channel through which to disseminate discoveries, research methods, and findings.
By increasing awareness of existing research and facilitating exchanges among those who are conducting and/or using the research, the iBridge Network also aims to expand the number and scope of collaborative relationships.
Careers
- Bozeman, Montana's Hatch fest gives public inside look at movie biz
Movie stars Kevin Bacon, Peter Fonda and Liam Neeson will be here to mentor the filmmakers at this year's festival. Other big-time players include Frank Pierson, past president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, and Patrick Markey, producer of "A River Runs Through It."
- Arts HELP States Reap Rural Economic Gains - New NGA Issue Brief Paints Picture of Governors’ Efforts to Revitalize Rural Communities Through the Arts
Incorporating the arts into states’ existing rural economic development policy helps not only to diversify rural economies but to provide these previously struggling communities with a competitive advantage in the 21st century’s global marketplace as well.
Non-Profit News
- How to beat tech screening in job applications
"Because employers get so many responses, they prescreen by filtering the answers,"
- Is Your Resume Working for You? 10 Steps to a Killer Resume
An overwhelming majority of job seekers make basic mistakes with their résumés - mistakes that ensure that they will not get the interviews they deserve.
Energy
- Nonprofits meet in Missoula this week (10/3-5) to brainstorm effectiveness
The fourth annual Montana Nonprofit Association Conference runs Monday through Wednesday at the Holiday Inn Parkside. The theme is "Mission Driven: Building Effective and Accountable Nonprofits."
Hydrogen News
- Sacramento Poised to Become Green Energy Powerhouse; Report Outlines Plans for Contest Among High-Tech Companies
"High technology is being segmented into various disciplines and green energy technology could very well be one of the fastest growing segments in the years ahead as energy prices soar,"
- Guest opinion: We must create blueprint to combat high energy costs By Denny Rehberg U.S. Representative of Montana
"We've got the coal, we've got the workers, why not build it in Montana?"
- Counties switch to biodiesel school buses
So far, the results have been "great."
- MSU seeking ideas on energy issues
Since the oil embargo days of the 1970s, MSU Extension has been at the helm of many public-education programs that help people save money by conserving energy.
Connectivity & Communications
- University of Montana's College of Technology launches Web site to explain hydrogen
"I think it's a fantastic tie for Montana because it ties technology, K-12 education and two-year education programs all together in one project," Williamson said. "It's a really well-done Web site and it opens up a portal for us to do a lot more things like this in the future."
Community
- Video-laced websites evolve into pseudo-TV stations
"I can envision a day when we'll all be watching our flat-panel TVs and will Google the TV to figure out what to watch," says Sarah Kim, a vice president at advertising agency AvenueA/Razorfish.
- Fierce Wi-Fi fight expected in S.F. - Mayor hints lawsuits could hinder plan for affordable, high-speed wireless Internet access
Google, the Mountain View search engine, is among the 24 companies that submitted proposals. As part of its plan, Google offered to provide free wireless service at no cost to the city, potentially recouping its costs from online advertising and renting its network to other companies for a fee.
Cool Stuff That's Coming
- Maine city bans restaurant chains - Local officials are trying to preserve a quaint, bed and breakfast feel for the area
''This is a pristine and special community that we are stewards of. It's not about finance and marketing, it's about preserving this small fishing and arts community.''
- Missoula, Montana listed among best places for kids in U.S.
The city is now also in the running for a $20,000 grant that will go to five of the 100 cities.
- This Laser Trick's a Quantum Leap - an important step toward quantum computing
Slowing down light allows scientists to map information onto it. The information is then transferred from the light to the crystal, Sellars said. Then when the scientists release the light, the information is transferred back onto the beam.
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