http://www.matr.netMATR Newsen-gbTue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:19 -0700Copyright: (C) MATR15


The Montana Department of Commerce awarded a total of over 160 000 in economic development planning grants to organizations across the state. The Department s grant review committee approved applications for five Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund BSTF planning grants totaling 123 375. The committee also approved two Community Development Block Grant Economic Development CDBG ED planning grants totaling 40 000.



"Planning grants are essential economic development tools that allow community leaders to invest smartly in the future of their citizens " said Dore Schwinden Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.



BSTF planning grants are awarded to local certified regional development corporations CRDC tribal governments and local economic development agencies not located in a CRDC region to assist in planning efforts to promote long term stable economic growth in both the region and Montana.



CDBG ED planning grants are awarded to local governments to help stimulate economic development activities in Montana. CDBG ED receives its funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is awarded to states annually.



The grant awards include the following:

Great Northern Development Corporation located in Wolf Point received 26 250 of BSTF funds to assist in the preparation of a needs assessment that will cover the six counties within its service area. Great Northern Development Corporation s service area has been impacted by recent developments in the oil and gas industry and includes the counties of Daniels Roosevelt Sheridan McCone Valley and Garfield. Roosevelt County received 25 000 of CDBG ED funds to assist Great Northern Development Corporation with the cost of this needs assessment that covers the six counties within its service area.



Kootenai River Development Council Inc. located in Libby received 26 250 of BSTF funds to assist Eureka Consulting and Sales located in Eureka with the completion of an engineering feasibility study and business plan for its Griz Guard product. Griz Guard is being developed to improve pepper spray products that they are effective and easier to use during an encounter with a Grizzly bear.



Beartooth Resource Conservation & Development RC&D Area Inc. located in Joliet received 26 250 of BSTF funds to assist Red Lodge Mountain Resort with the completion of a transit system study in Red Lodge. The planning effort will provide Red Lodge Mountain with plans for a gondola ride and/or bus system to allow visitors a much more convenient and safer means of traveling between the town and the resort.



Beartooth Resource Conservation & Development RC&D Area Inc. located in Joliet received 26 250 of BSTF funds to assist the Big Sky Economic Development Authority located in Billings with the completion of a target industry analysis for Yellowstone County. The analysis will enable Big Sky Economic Development Authority to better understand what the competitive advantages are of Yellowstone County and how the Big Sky Economic Development Authority can better align their resources to further economic growth in the Yellowstone County Region.



Montana West Economic Development Corporation located in Kalispell received 18 375 of BSTF funds to assist Hurraw Balm with the completion of a Preliminary Architectural Report. The Montana based manufacturer which is located in Whitefish has outgrown its home based business setup and is proposing to move into a new facility. Hurraw lip balm is an all natural product containing only organic ingredients.



Toole County received 15 000 of CDBG ED funds to assist with the preparation of a strategic analysis that will examine future infrastructure needs and identify social impacts of anticipated economic grown within Toole County.



BSTF is a state funded program. The goal of the program is to promote good paying jobs and to promote long term stable economic growth in Montana. Besides planning grants the BSTF can provide grant assistance to basic sector Montana businesses who are hiring net new positions within their company. Additional information about the Big Sky Economic Development Trust Fund program can be found at the BSTF website which is www.bstf.mt.gov.



CDBG ED is a federally funded program. Besides planning grants the CDBG ED program assists businesses by making fixed rate financing available to them at reasonable interest rates and by providing public improvements in support of economic development activities. CDBG ED provides flexibility in interest rates and loan terms to complement conventional business financing and other State and Federal business financing programs. Additional information about the Montana Community Development Block Grant Economic Development Program can be found at the CDBG ED website which is http://www.cdbged.mt.gov.

http://www.matr.net/article-48650.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48650.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 17:26:00 -0700
Governor Brian Schweitzer http://governor.mt.gov/ announced that Harold Hamm of Continental Resources http://www.contres.com/ the largest independent oil producer in the Bakken region will keynote the Montana Ambassadors annual meeting and conference. The conference theme is Imagine the Possible and will be held at the Billings Crowne Plaza March 22 23.

The conference is open to and welcomes everyone interested in Montana s future.



Hamm Chairman and CEO of Continental Resources founded the predecessor company in 1967 as an oilfield service provider later expanding to focus on the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas properties in Oklahoma. In 1993 Continental Resources expanded into the Rocky Mountain region first into the Red River Units of Montana and the Dakotas and then into the Bakken Shale play in Montana and North Dakota. The company is now the third largest crude oil producer in the Rocky Mountain region the largest leaseholder and driller in the Bakken Shale and the largest leaseholder in the Anadarko Woodford in Oklahoma with additional operations in the South and East regions of the United States.



"The Montana Ambassadors play an important role is sharing our success stories such as our top business climate and high quality of life to attract new businesses and create jobs. We are also excited to have Harold Hamm a leader in the energy industry speak at the annual meeting " Governor Schweitzer said.



A special energy panel will highlight the second day of the conference and include leaders in wind power development coal development merchant electrical transmission line development and oil pipeline development.



The Governor will also present five major Montana Ambassador Awards for their outstanding service to the state of Montana. The following recipients will be recognized:



The Montana Ambassador of the Year is Leslie Messer Executive Director for Richland County Economic Development. Ms. Messer serves on the Ambassadors Board of Directors and exemplifies what it means to be a Montana Ambassador through her service to the organization and the state of Montana. Ms. Messer works every day with businesses involved in the Bakken development and growth of eastern Montana.



The Montana Ambassador Entrepreneur of the Year is Sarah Calhoun of Red Ants Pants in White Sulphur Springs. Ms. Calhoun s clothing manufacturing and sales business operates in a way that protects Montana s quality of life. She has demonstrated leadership innovation entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to the economic development in the state. Calhoun was among entrepreneurs at a recent meeting at the White House as part of the Business Leaders\ Forum on Jobs and Economic Competitiveness.



The Montana Ambassadors Business of the Year is Stillwater Mining Company. Stillwater Mining Company currently employs over 1 500 workers and has demonstrated extraordinary innovation in the highly competitive mining industry. Frank McAllister Chairman and CEO of Stillwater Mining is expected to accept the award. The company recently added 81 new jobs and announced plans to spend 68 million on the expansion of its mines.



Montana Ambassadors Mike Malone Educator of the Year award is Dr. Waded Cruzado of Montana State University. Dr. Cruzado has demonstrated outstanding accomplishment excellence and leadership in the field of education in her brief time as President of MSU. Under her leadership MSU has won more than 215 million in research grants in the past two years earning MSU the Carnegie "very high research activity" classification. Cruzado secured the largest university system donation ever from Montana native Jake Jabs 25 million to construct a new state of the art Business School at MSU.



Outreach Montana Ambassador of the Year is awarded to Lynda Colucci Global Indemnity/Diamond State Group Pasadena California. Ms. Colucci a native Montanan hosted a very successful outreach event in the San Francisco Bay Area that resulted in at least one business expanding to Montana. Ms. Colucci continues to build interest in business expansion to Montana and is in the process of establishing a Southern California Chapter for Montana Ambassadors.



For more information on these awards and the Annual Meeting and Conference visit http://www.montanaambassadors.com. The Montana Ambassadors is a volunteer not for profit organization of leaders in business education economic development and local and state government with a common dedication of supporting the Governor s economic development agenda and improving the economy of Montana.

http://www.matr.net/article-48649.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48649.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 21:22:00 -0700
Florida school testing new educational software called Letters alive http://www.logicalchoice.com/

A menagerie of virtual 3D animals that swim eat bugs and fly are building crucial reading skills in autistic children at Audubon Park Elementary in Orlando.

Four year old Christopher Gomez lined up a set of specialized word and animal cards including one with the letter "I" and a picture of an iguana under a camera to compose the sentence "The iguana can eat."


Full Story: http://www.eschoolnews.com/2012/02/07/3d technology helps autistic kids learn to read/http://www.matr.net/article-48648.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48648.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 12:12:00 -0700In This Issue

Politeness Sells Products

Buying on the Web instead of here in Town

The Lawyer A Friend Indeed

Well February is here President\ s Day Valentine\ s Day and only 6 more weeks to hopefully some sun and nice weather Our weather here in Montana has been good for most of the winter we did have some cold weather and snow the middle part of January however other than that the weather has been good.

With the weather being good the question becomes \"How is Business?\" What many of our clients are reporting is that they have had a great beginning to 2012. Some clients have taken us up on our ideas of reviewing the business plan and making necessary changes. Some clients have elected to add new product lines to their stores and are seeing some wonderful results in terms of acceptance of the new lines increased traffic at both the bricks and mortar store as well as on line. With a review of the business plans some clients have dropped some product lines that either were not selling well or were no longer in demand.

Now is the time to give us a call and review your business plan getting ready for the spring Spring will be here in about 6 weeks you need to be ready. Our consultants can help you focus your energies on having a successful spring season. Give us a call if we can be of assistance.




Full Newsletter: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=fhww5cdab&v=001dTY NYldfV0MeV9dd7Dzv8V05dvTPb MKgywNBfRehC N06GiyfRpPl8IK6UaiMKsjAZ5_d17mHQW0ai1nzEFIS84G4dQglHhttp://www.matr.net/article-48647.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48647.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 10:59:00 -0700The MPG Ranch http://www.mpgranch.com in Florence MT is seeking full time summer seasonal field technicians and irrigators to assist in meeting ecosystem conservation restoration and research goals. Successful applicants must be punctual reliable motivated and interested in conservation.

MPG Ranch is an 8 790 acre undeveloped landscape in the northern Bitterroot Valley Montana. This historic ranch was purchased in 2009 to protect it from development. Documents on our website http://www.mpgranch.com show our efforts to restore native plants and understand wildlife use of the ranch. The videos and field notes display the beautiful settings and incredible wildlife we see while we work.


Irrigation Assistant

Responsibilities include operating center pivots wheel lines K Lines and hand lines over 300 acres of native plants and wildlife forage. Must be able to work independently and think critically about assigned tasks.

Applicant must be highly responsible in good physical condition and able to lift 50 lbs. Field experience and a strong understanding of farming and/or plant ecology are necessary. Irrigation and mechanical experience is preferred but not required. Pay Rate: 15 18 DOE

Irrigator

Responsibilities include driving a watering truck and trailer to water planted shrubs and trees transferring water to drip systems and manually moving K line irrigation systems.

Applicants should be able to follow directions record detailed observations and work long hours in often sunny and hot conditions. Must be able to lift 50 lbs work 10 hours a day four days a week and able to work weekends. Pay Rate: 12

Field Technician

Responsibilities include data collection forest management activities weed eradication fence construction/destruction tree protection tree planting grounds maintenance prescribed burns landscaping erosion control and habitat restoration.

Applicants must be able to work multi day hitches in the back country maintain motivation while conducting repetitive tasks and have a basic understanding of Western Montana s flora and fauna. Must have at least one year of fieldwork experience. Pay Rate: 12 15 DOE

Field Technician Assistant Manager

Responsibilities will be similar to field techs with added managerial expectations. Applicants must have at least two years of leadership experience. Pay Rate: 15 18 DOE



Send a cover letter resume and three references to ranchjobs@mpgranch.com. Indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line. Job postings will close on March 15 2012.

Swan Valley field technician

MPG Operations in Missoula MT is seeking a full time summer seasonal field technician to assist with ecosystem restoration on a private property near Condon MT Swan Valley . Persons seeking this position should have experience in applied forestry or other fieldwork and be familiar with Western Montana forest species and ecology. Job dates are approximately May 1 to September 30; pay 14 18 DOE.

Responsibilities include field data collection forest management activities weed management tree protection tree planting grounds maintenance and habitat restoration. Additional responsibilities may include wildlife/plant photography and field note preparation depending on experience. Applicants must have reliable transportation to the job site be able to work multi day hitches in the backcountry and maintain motivation while conducting repetitive tasks. Experience organizing project logistics and leading work crews a plus.

To apply please send a cover letter resume and three references to swanjobs@mpgranch.com. Please type "Swan field tech" in the subject line. Job posting will close on March 15 2012.




MPG Operations LLC

1001 South Higgins Ave Ste 3A

Missoula MT 59801


http://www.matr.net/article-48646.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48646.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 14:55:00 -0700The 61 300 square foot fresh mozzarella production plant slated to be operating by the spring of 2013 will be built this year behind the existing Lactalis plant east of Nampa at the intersection of Franklin and Star roads.

Officials from the international Groupe Lactalis gathered at the site with Gov. Butch Otter and local officials Monday to announce plans for the 40 million expansion. The project will make the Canyon County plant already Lactalis largest in North America the biggest Lactalis facility in the world officials said.


By Kristin Rodine krodine@idahostatesman.com


Full Story: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2012/02/06/1983600/canyon countys lactalis cheese.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48645.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48645.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 10:19:00 -0700As a college educator I am tasked with preparing today s students for their future careers.

Implicit is that I should know more about the future than most people. I do not at least not in the sense of specific predictions. But I can suggest some boundaries on the path forward.


by Daniel Jelski


Full Story: http://www.newgeography.com/content/002656 the three laws future employmenthttp://www.matr.net/article-48644.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48644.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 10:11:00 -0700



Senator Says "All Hands on Deck" Approach Needed to Support High Tech Good paying Jobs for Montana


Montana\ s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus http://www.baucus.senate.gov/ applauded the news today that Flywheel Ventures a national venture capital firm that was drawn to Montana http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=844 following Baucus 5th Economic Development Summit in Butte has finalized its largest investment yet into a Montana company.



Flywheel has announced it will lead a 1.55 million venture capital investment into Missoula based advanced security software company TerraEchos Inc. which will help raise the profile of high tech entrepreneurial efforts in Montana.



"Our economic development summits are designed to bring the right people together to move the economy forward. TerraEchos innovative work along with Flywheel s commitment to look for star companies across our state is a winning combination for Montana jobs " said Baucus. "Supporting high tech innovation requires an all hands on deck approach so that we can secure good paying jobs for Montana. This new partnership between Flywheel and TerraEchos is good news for Montana jobs and will remind the world that Montana is full of entrepreneurs and a great place to do business."



"Flywheel is pleased to make this investment in TerraEchos and by extension in the broader potential we see in Montana s entrepreneurial landscape " said Trevor Loy General Partner at Flywheel Ventures. "We are impressed with the shared commitment among Montana s public and private stakeholders to create the foundations for a 21st century entrepreneurial economy as evidenced by the quality of events such as the last few Montana Economic Development Summits organized by Senator Baucus."

"As the Founder of TerraEchos Inc. I am incredibly excited about partnering with investors like Flywheel " said Dr. Alex Philp TerraEchos Chief Executive Officer & Chief Technical Officer. "This new funding represents a significant milestone for TerraEchos and its various stakeholders and I look forward to continued innovation and to expanding our commitment to our customers. Senator Baucus has helped raise the profile for high tech opportunities in Montana and has been instrumental in laying the foundation for this exciting step forward."

Flywheel attended Baucus 5th Montana Economic Development Summit http://www.flywheelventures.com/index.php/website/news article/flywheel_ventures_names_new_venture_partner/ in Butte in September 2010 and laid the foundation for the national venture capital firm to set up shop in Montana and look for ways to support and invest in start up companies. Flywheel s investment in TerraEchos has been its largest yet in Montana. TerraEchos is based in Missoula and is considered a national leader in advanced internet security.



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

More than 2 000 people attended Baucus\ 2010 Montana Economic Development Summit with success stories including:

Goldwind USA representatives attended the jobs summit and announced January 2012 plans to construct a 20 megawatt wind farm near Shawmut. Read more HERE. http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=812

SeaCast Inc a Butte manufacturing company connected with GE to make jet engine parts. The two entities are working on ambitious plans to ramp up business in the next five years. Read more HERE. http://mtstandard.com/news/local/article_35cef258 bfd8 11df a641 001cc4c03286.html

UM business students were invited to study with Warren Buffett in Omaha. Read more HERE. http://baucus.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=170



Montana Economic Development Summits are just one of many ways Baucus is fighting to create the right conditions to move Montana\ s economy forward. As the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee which has sole jurisdiction over the tax code Baucus is working on ways to reduce the tax burden for middle class Montanans while sparking new opportunities for businesses to grow.http://www.matr.net/article-48643.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48643.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 22:44:00 -0700In his State of the Union address last month President Obama called on states to raise the dropout age to 18. With research showing that low income children who participated in high quality early education are 30 more likely to finish high school it is clear that early learning is a critical component of an effective dropout prevention strategy.

Chad d Entremont new executive director of the Rennie Center and former research and policy director of Strategies for Children tells American Prospect that mandating attendance "is not a silver bullet."


by Irene Sege

Full Story: http://eyeonearlyeducation.org/2012/02/07/early education is a dropout prevention strategy/http://www.matr.net/article-48642.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48642.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 19:33:00 -0700Last year Utah said it would give 148 million worth of incentives to help companies expand more than double the amount allocated in 2010 as the state tries to spur employment.

By Blaze Bullock Deseret News

Full Story: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700222719/Utah incentives total 148 million to spur growth.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48641.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48641.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 10:04:00 -0700

Investor Joel Peterson has spent his career building companies and leaders.

For the past 20 years Mr. Peterson the founder of private equity firm Peterson Partners and chairman of JetBlue Airways Corp. has taught entrepreneurial management and leadership courses at Stanford Graduate School of Business in Palo Alto Calif.

By MELISSA KORN

Full Story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203920204577195043334765630.html?mod=career_newsreelhttp://www.matr.net/article-48640.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48640.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:00 -0700
Several times a year Warren Buffett invites students from across the country to Omaha where they ply him with questions. Why does he do it?

Warren Buffett spends one weekend a year meeting with thousands of shareholders at the annual meeting of his company Berkshire Hathaway Inc. But several Fridays a year Mr. Buffett entertains business students from all over the country who descend on Omaha Neb. to pick the billionaire investor\ s brain.

By SERENA NG

Full Story: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203711104577199891216425590.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_careerjournalhttp://www.matr.net/article-48639.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48639.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 06:53:00 -0700

Too many entrepreneurs develop a new product without regard to market demand then build an entire strategy based on creating a need rather than acting on an existing market need. Investors characterize this approach as a "solution looking for a problem." These don t get funded.

Martin Zwilling

Full Story: http://blog.startupprofessionals.com/2012/02/investors fund solutions rather than.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48638.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48638.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 06:52:00 -0700



Click on the links to read the complete articles.

by: Derek Keller

Full Story: http://www.highway12ventures.com/2012/02/06/portfolio news january 2012/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed 3A Highway12Ventures 28Highway 12 Ventures 29&utm_content=Google Readerhttp://www.matr.net/article-48637.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48637.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 13:49:00 -07002012 02 09 17:30:00
Gallagher Board Room @ Community Medical Center
Contact: http://www.communitymed.org/index.php/our_philosophy/foundation/foundation_minerva_society/




Minerva Society Lecture: \"The ABC\ s of Autism\" presented by Ann Garfinkle PhD University of Montana Associate Professor.
Thursday February 9th at 5:30 PM in the Gallagher Board Room @ Community Medical Center

1. Learn the past present and future criteria for an Autism Spectrum Disorder ASD diagnosis.

2. Learn about early identification and early treatment for ASD.

3. Get an overview of the \"recommended\" educational/behavioral treatments for ASD.

4. Understand the affected ASD can have on the individuals with the diagnosis and their families.

Please register for this free event by clicking on the following link:

http://februaryminerva.eventbrite.com/

General Lecture Information


Minerva lectures are free and the public is encouraged to attend. They are held in the Gallagher Board Room in the Rehabilitation Institute of Montana on the Community Medical Center campus. Lectures begin at 5:30 PM unless an alternative time is noted.

The Minerva Society Committee welcomes lecture topic and speaker suggestions. Please call the CMC Foundation at 406 327 4141 with your ideas. Thank you for your participation
http://www.matr.net/article-48636.htmlhttp://www.matr.net/article-48636.htmlTue, 07 Feb 2012 06:46:38 -0700