(Carol Buchanan) The sequel to God’s Thunderbolt: The Vigilantes of Montana, the 2009 Spur winner, Gold Under Ice is available on Amazon.com.  By mid-September it will be available to booksellers through Ingram and Baker & Taylor. The Kindle edition should be available before Labor Day.   The price of Gold Under Ice to $17.99, and the Kindle version of God’s Thunderbolt is now $5.99. For those of you who live in the Flathead, it will be available from Borders in Kalispell after Aug. 5.  Gold Under Ice at smashwords.com (e-formats).   To order direct, send a check for $17.99 + $2.00 S&H and I’ll autograph it and mail it to you. My mailing address is PO Box 1655, Kalispell, MT 59903.   Craig Johnson, author of The Cold Dish and Junkyard Dogs, says: “It’s rare that you get a writer like Carol Buchanan; an historian with a novelist’s ear capable of rending the individual voices of character into the orchestral narrative of a sweeping story. Gold Under Ice is an epic journey into Montana’s past with a steady hand at the reins.”  

Revamped SBA.gov will deliver essential information and services to small business owners   WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Small Business Administration will launch a complete redesign of its website, SBA.gov, this fall.   The new SBA.gov will make it easier for small businesses, lending institutions, small business counselors and other members of the small business community to more quickly find the information they need through a simplified navigation structure.  In addition, new features will allow users to tailor their experience to provide information that is specific to their needs and location.    The new website also will offer a dedicated lender area that helps banks and other financial institutions that partner with the SBA.    “Our goal as an agency is to get information, tools and services into the hands of small business owners more quickly so they can spend more time doing what they do best – creating the jobs that will drive our economic recovery,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills.  “Through a new, personalized and dynamic SBA.gov we will be better able to support job growth across the country.”  

Great Falls competing with Boise for Operations Base   WASHINGTON – The Air Force has released its candidate basing decision for the C-27J operations and training aircraft.   The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force approved C-27J operations and training candidate bases. Training candidates are: Key Field Air Guard Station, Miss; Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, Ohio. Operations candidates are: Boise Air Terminal AGS, Idaho; and Great Falls International Airport, Montana.   The Air Force will conduct site surveys at the candidate locations and initiate the environmental impact analysis process in preparation for a final selection.   The C-27J is a twin turboprop engine aircraft designed to meet an Air Force requirement for a rugged, medium size airland transport. The C-27J gives US military troops a unique, short-take-off-and-landing capability, providing access to airstrips otherwise unusable by fixed-wing aircraft.   Senator Jon Tester on the Air Force’s announcement:   “Today’s announcement puts Montana and our Air National Guard one step closer to a final decision about the C-27J, but this isn’t a done deal yet. The Montana Air National Guard has both the airspace and the high-quality personnel needed to keep our nation secure—with every mission they’re assigned. There’s more work to be done, but I’ll keep fighting for our Airmen, for Great Falls, and for the continued success of MANG.”

Bozeman, MT – On August 4, Prospera’s Montana Women’s Business Center and the Downtown Bozeman Association will host a Downtown Bozeman Women-Owned Business Tour. This walking tour will feature the businesses and owners of The Bent Lens, The Loft Spa and Tart. Each owner will provide insight as a women business owner and share her business success story and best business practices. This tour is part of the Montana WBC Women’s Network for Entrepreneurial Training (WNET) series.   The event will be held Wednesday, August 4 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The tour will begin at The Bent Lens at 12:00 p.m. and will continue on to the other businesses. The community is welcome to attend. There is no cost for this event. Advanced registration is required by Tuesday, August 3 to Amanda at info@MontanaWBC.org or 406.587.3113.   The Montana Women’s Business Center funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

 

Economic Presentation Begins Today and Carried Across the State Through August
  “Montana’s Economic Recovery – Making Sense of Mixed Signals” is the theme of the 5th annual Midyear Update around Montana starting in Kalispell July 29. The popular series updates information provided by the long-running Economic Outlook seminars presented every winter.   “When economic recovery is weak, you can expect mixed signals from economic indicators,” notes Patrick Barkey, Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana.  “Tax collections, commodity prices, job data, inflation, housing, and global crises are all contributing to uncertainty for Montana’s economic future.”   Barkey, along with former BBER Director Paul Polzin, will present their latest findings and projections with specific local information in seven cities around Montana. The Montana Chamber Foundation sponsors the annual Midyear Update.  

Economic Presentation Begins Today and Carried Across the State Through August
  “Montana’s Economic Recovery – Making Sense of Mixed Signals” is the theme of the 5th annual Midyear Update around Montana starting in Kalispell July 29. The popular series updates information provided by the long-running Economic Outlook seminars presented every winter.   “When economic recovery is weak, you can expect mixed signals from economic indicators,” notes Patrick Barkey, Director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) at the University of Montana.  “Tax collections, commodity prices, job data, inflation, housing, and global crises are all contributing to uncertainty for Montana’s economic future.”   Barkey, along with former BBER Director Paul Polzin, will present their latest findings and projections with specific local information in seven cities around Montana. The Montana Chamber Foundation sponsors the annual Midyear Update.  

A new program, under the state's Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program, encourages WIC participants to purchase fresh, locally grown produce from Montana farmers, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) announced.

WIC added the Farm Direct Program in June 2010 and already 94 farmers in 22 counties have become 'authorized' by WIC to sell their produce to participating families. WIC participants can redeem the Farmers' Market Nutrition Program Benefits and the WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefit with authorized farmers who sell in a farmers' market, roadside stand or u-pick style at their farm location.

According to DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell, the Farm Direct Program increases access for WIC participants to purchase locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables and supports Montana farmers.

"Since many rural parts of the state do not have established farmers' markets, the addition of this program will help connect WIC participants with farmers," DPHHS Director Anna Whiting Sorrell said. "This program really furthers the WIC mission of promoting healthy eating and fostering good nutritional habits for participants."

The Montana WIC program is just the second state in the region to allow the use of the WIC Fruit and Vegetable Benefit directly with farmers. "We're working hard to stress the importance of encouraging the selection and preparation of healthy foods," Montana WIC Program Director Joan Bowsher said. "This program will help Montana farmers and WIC participants."

To become authorized to sell to WIC participants, farmers must meet certain basic requirements such as selling fresh produce on the approved WIC Farm Direct food list, growing the produce in Montana and displaying the 'We accept WIC' sign at their sales location.

MISSOULA – Only 48 percent of Montana students are ready for college mathematics, and only 30 percent are prepared for higher education science, according to 2009 ACT test data reported by the state Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.   To address this issue, the state university system will host a meeting of the Montana Math and Science Teacher Initiative on Monday, Aug. 2, at the Carroll College Campus Center in Helena .   Free and open to the public, the event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is titled “Statewide Transformation in STEM Education.” (STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.)   Featured speakers from 10 to 11 a.m. will include Gov. Brian Schweitzer, Montana State University President Waded Cruzado, University of Montana President George M. Dennison, Carroll College Dean Paula McNutt, and Howard Gobstein, a Washington D.C.-based official with the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.   “One goal of this meeting is to brainstorm ideas about how we can enhance mathematics and science education across Big Sky Country,” Schweitzer said. “We also want to educate people about the important work that has already been done.”   A 2005 federal report titled “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” from the National Academies outlined the critical nature for improved math and science education to the success of the United States. Montana responded to this challenge by forming the Montana Math and Science Teacher Initiative in October 2008.  

Check out the July Edition of the SBA Montana District Office newsletter (pdf):  

• Get details on the new Podcasts Available via SBA to Help Small Business Break into the Global Market
• Lenders:  Read the Reminder regarding Recovery Act Loan Documentation Requirements and Restriction, as well as the E-tran Tip of the Day and Updates on the SBA Recovery Act Provision
• Find out more on the Affordable Care Act and how it can help your small business
• And much more!

Montana State University was awarded a record $109.5 million in research funding for the fiscal year ending June 30, showing the university's growing strength in biomedical sciences, energy, and the environment.

MSU received about $11 million more than last year and $6.5 million more than the previous high set in 2006. It's the third time that MSU's research dollars have exceeded $100 million.

"This record is testament to the stellar faculty at MSU," said Waded Cruzado, MSU president. "Research funding at the federal level is stagnant or even declining and the competition for these dollars becomes more intense every year. Still, our faculty are able to compete at a high level of success."

The largest single funding source was the National Institutes of Health, which provided $29.6 million, or 26.7 percent, to MSU for everything from the university's Center for Native Health Partnerships, to research into boosting humans' innate immunity, to treatments for chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis and infectious diseases such as influenza, Q-fever and rotavirus.

"Though NIH is the biggest source of funding for biomedical research, it is not the only source," said Tom McCoy, MSU vice president of research. "All told, roughly 40 percent of all the research dollars arriving at MSU are in some way connected to biomedical research."

The university's growth in biomedical research has taken place mostly in the last decade fueled in part by the priorities of federal research funding agencies and by the arrival of two new facilities: the Chemistry/Biochemistry Building in 2007 and the Molecular Biosciences Building in 2003. Those facilities are under the colleges of Letters and Science and Agriculture, respectively.

(Kristen Lee-Charlson, edibleMISSOULA) All across North America, people are discovering the joys of eating locally—whether shopping at their local farmer’s market, joining a community supported agriculture group (CSA), or supporting local artisans. Since 2002, Edible Communities, Inc. (edibleMISSOULA) has been promoting this way of life through a dynamic and growing network of regional food magazines in the United States and Canada that celebrates place-based foods with compelling stories about and recipes from farmers, fishermen, chefs, and food artisans. With its emphasis on sustainable agriculture, small family farmers, and amazing artisanal food products, Edible is an earth-friendly guide to great eating.   Now, in EDIBLE: A Celebration of Local Foods (Wiley Hardcover; May 3, 2010; $29.95), Edible co-founders Tracey Ryder and Carole Topalian present some of North America’s local food heroes and traditions in one gorgeous package with beautiful full-color photography, inspirational stories from various contributors to the Edible magazines, and 80 unique recipes celebrating the very best of local food movements across the U.S. and Canada.     

Senator visits Floating Islands International in Shepherd   (SHEPHERD, MT) – Senator Jon Tester is urging the U.S. Coast Guard to use technology developed in Montana to help clean up oil caused by BP’s Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.   Floating Islands International attended Tester’s Treasure State Export Seminar in Billings in June.  Tester recently asked the Coast Guard to consider the technology as it works to clean oil from the sensitive wetlands on the Gulf Coast.   Tester visited the Floating Islands headquarters on the banks of the Yellowstone River last week to see the technology firsthand.  The company has several floating islands that treat purify river water.   “Floating Islands is a Montana success story that ought to be a part of the equation as we look for new, innovative ways to address polluted water in the Gulf of Mexico and across the world,” Tester said.  “Montana is home to a lot of great ideas and brilliant minds.  They’re doing good work, creating good jobs and making the world a better place for our kids and grandkids.”  

 

(By PHIL DRAKE, Montana Watchdog) The BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast has wreaked not only environmental but financial havoc since it began April 20. But as other states investing in the oil giant have lost money, the state of Montana’s investment system managed to make $92,000, an official said this week.
“Our external managers began buying and selling BP stocks since the oil leak and actually made a profit,” said Carroll South, executive director of the Montana Board of Investments, which is authorized to invest the state’s funds, including all state and local pension funds.   As of late June, the retirement fund still had 759,000 shares of BP stock, South said. But the BP holdings are a drop, or perhaps less than a drop, in the state investment fund’s $6.6 billion bucket, the director said. “It makes very little difference to the pension fund because (the BP stock) is 6/100ths of 1 percent,” he said. Although the price of the BP stock has decreased, “You don’t have a loss until you sell something,” South said.

WASHINGTON – Once you’ve developed a business continuity plan, it’s a good idea to make sure it works. A successful dry run will reassure your management team, employees and customers that no matter what disaster occurs, you’ll be back in business quickly.   The U.S. Small Business Administration has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer disaster preparedness strategies for small business owners via their “PrepareMyBusiness” website.       On Tuesday, July 27 Agility’s Testing Manager Adam Quilty will discuss the basics of Testing Your Recovery Plan.  Key points discussed during the live, interactive webinar include improving recovery efficiency, minimizing downtime and protecting your business’ bottom line.    

The Public Service Commission (PSC) honored its retiring Chairman, Greg Jergeson of Chinook, by naming the Department’s new internship program after him.    “Greg is a strong advocate for education, and has been for decades. He has been pushing for an internship program here at the PSC since he was elected in 2002,”observed PSC Vice Chair Ken Toole. “Now that we have a quality program up and running, naming it after Jergeson is a perfect way to officially recognize his tremendous leadership and public service.”   Jennifer Hill-Hart is the first Jergeson Intern. The 3rd year University of Montana Law School student is researching how other states deal with many of the complicated, and often controversial, issues related to renewable energy. Hill-Hart will summarize her findings in a memo to the Commission, including recommended actions bases on lessons learned in other states.  

 

Tester, Baucus say measure will help create jobs while expanding Montana’s energy potential   (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – From wind and biomass to biofuel and even pond scum, Montanans have no shortage of ideas about how to create jobs and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil by tapping into Montana’s potential to develop renewable energy.   They’ll get more help in their efforts when one of the bills passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee becomes law.   Senators Jon Tester, a member of the subcommittee that drafted the bill, and Max Baucus announced today that this year’s Energy and Water Appropriations Act  includes funding for several innovative renewable energy projects across the Treasure State, including:  

• Montana State University’s Algal BioDiesel Project in Bozeman – This funding will help MSU create biodiesel from algae that feeds on carbon dioxide emissions produced by coal-burning power plants.  ($750,000)
•  The City of Bozeman’s Energy Recovery Project – The City of Bozeman will use this funding to help build a generator that will turn naturally produced gas from Bozeman’s sewer facility into energy.  The City of Bozeman estimates the project will save Bozeman an average of $230,000 per year.  ($750,000)
•  Lewis & Clark County’s Tri-County Biomass Pilot Project in Helena – This project will create renewable energy for Helena using some of the 350,000 tons of woody biomass (such as woodchips and unusable beetle-killed trees) produced in Lewis and Clark, Jefferson and Broadwater Counties every year.  ($800,000)  
• Headwaters RC&D’s Wind Power Exploration Project in Butte – Headwaters would use this funding to purchase reusable towers and wind gauges to measure wind speeds across western Montana to determine the feasibility of future wind energy development.  ($100,000)
• Montana State University-Northern’s Bioenergy Resource Center in Havre – This funding will help MSU-Northern expand the potential for camelina biofuel development in Montana.  Camelina is a plant that grows easily in Montana and whose oil can be easily converted to biofuel.  ($800,000)

 

BOZEMAN -- In today's economy, expendable cash is limited and people are hesitant to spend what they have. Consumers have changed their buying habits, finding creative ways to obtain items with less cash and limited credit.

One such change is a resurgence of layaway. Blogs and social networks confirm that consumers are looking for stores that offer layaway options. Corporations like Kmart & Sears have recently reported substantial increases in sales as a result of their increased promotion of layaway as a viable and convenient payment alternative.

The Internet makes connecting with and managing customers easier than ever before. Layaway management software like that offered by LayawayPro.com allows layaway to be managed entirely online and eliminating the need for antiquated tools like 3x5 cards and ledger books. Retailers set payment terms, amounts, and schedules in the software. LayawayPro.com produces contracts, calculates payments, and provides automated tracking. Consumers login for free to view their layaway details. LayawayPro.com provides secure online layaway information for the consumer and easy management tools for the retailer. Easy purchase options enhance the consumers' ability to buy now and pay later resulting in a significant boost to retail sales.

Washington, DC - National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Chairman Rocco Landesman and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan participated in a joint webinar in July (webcast archived online) to discuss two new, innovative community development funding opportunities. 

HUD and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released two Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs): $100 million in grants available through HUD's Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program, and up to $75 million in grants available through a joint HUD and DOT Sustainable Communities Challenge Grant Program. Under both programs, arts organizations are eligible to partner with state and local governments, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), transit agencies, philanthropic and non-profit organizations and other eligible applicants to develop consortia grant proposals.

HELENA -- Montana's organic farmers, ranchers and processors of organic food and agricultural products can receive cost-share funding to help offset certification costs under a program administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture.

Cost-share assistance is available to production or handling operations receiving certification or continuing with certification under the USDA National Organic Program for the period October 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010. The program reimburses 75 percent, or up to $750, of qualifying costs for certification. Funding is limited and is paid out by the department on a first-come first-served basis.

Application forms are available on the Montana Department of Agriculture's web site or by calling the department at (406) 444-7804.

Certification costs that qualify are annual application fees, inspection fees, and fees on organic sales. Entities that have both organic production and handling operations may apply for assistance for both.

A bipartisan legislative committee will meet next week to consider recommendations from the public on proposed changes to Montana energy policy.

The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee will meet at 8 a.m. July 28-29 in Room 172 of the State Capitol. The public is welcome to attend and will have a chance to comment on two draft bills the committee is thinking of offering during the 2011 legislative session, as well as on other business of the committee. An agenda and the draft proposals are available at leg.mt.gov/etic.

The committee began accepting written comments from the public in June on the two proposals to revise state energy policy. It has received more than 170 responses so far. The public will get a chance to offer further comments directly to the committee during its July meeting.