by Travis Mateer
The quick answer to the question posed in the title of this post, for your average Missoulian, is pretty simple: Missoula’s designation as a “tech hub” will NOT benefit you. In fact, the opposite will probably happen, especially as it relates to the cost of housing, and those championing this designation know this. That’s why it’s important for propaganda rags, like the Missoulian, to help out those who WILL directly benefit from this Federal designation. Here’s how our newspaper of record assists the important people of Zoom Town (emphasis mine):
The “tech hub” designation for Montana was made to help the United States develop “smart optical sensing technologies,” according to U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, who both have touted the funding.
Bozeman and Montana State University will have to have a big role to play, because there are several photonics companies in that area. However, the tech hub will be led by Accelerate Montana, which is based on the University of Montana campus in Missoula.
O’Hair said he knows there’s an elephant in the room when anyone talks about bringing in more companies and more jobs to Montana. That would be the issue of housing, or the lack thereof.
“I know particularly in places like Missoula, it’s like, ‘Yeah well I’m not sure this is great news,'” O’Hair conceded. “10,000 new jobs and 1,000 new companies, is that really what we need at this time? But I will remind you and all of us, that this is exactly what we’ve been wanting for generations. How many times have we talked about the need to diversify Montana’s economy? How many times have we talked about the need to create different and new opportunities for our kids and grandkids to stay here?”
Who is O’Hair speaking for when he claims that tech jobs are EXACTLY what we’ve been wanting for generations? Maybe it would be helpful to get a little more context on who this Montana Chamber of Commerce guy is, like from this article when O’Hair was running for Secretary of State 20 years ago. From the link (emphasis mine):
The secretary of state oversees elections, maintains records of businesses and nonprofit organizations, and serves on the state Board of Land Commissioners and Board of Examiners, among other duties.
“My wife and I own a small business in Helena and we know how hard it is to keep a small business going in Montana,” said O’Hair, 37. “We need to find a way to streamline those processes.”
His wife, Melissa O’Hair, operates their catering business in Helena.
“I was born and raised on a cattle ranch and my family has been in the land-management business since 1878,” he added. “We understand about maximizing value of land while still protecting the environment.”
The job Todd O’Hair wanted is the job that would have some oversight with non-profits that come into our state claiming to help the poors, like the guy I’m profiling for Western Montana News this week, Dr. Surajit Khanna.
While it appears Montana is a state that offers a 12 month open-season for con artists to operate freely under our BIG SKY, Todd O’Hair wants you to think developing SMART OPTICS will be a good thing for Montanans. Why? Because jobs?
The “tech hub” designation for Montana was made to help the United States develop “smart optical sensing technologies,” according to U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester, who both have touted the funding.
Bozeman and Montana State University will have to have a big role to play, because there are several photonics companies in that area. However, the tech hub will be led by Accelerate Montana, which is based on the University of Montana campus in Missoula.
Cool, BOTH Republican and Democrat Senators think this is a great idea, so why worry? When has their ever been problems with technology being used by the psychopath class to manipulate and control large human populations?
It’s not ALL an impending technocratic dystopia because artists like myself DO enjoy the benefits of using technology, like I did with my phone the other day by recording this tune that rhymes FARTED with RETARDED.
If you appreciate my critical concern plus practical use of modern technology, then USE that technology by clicking Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF). Any little bit helps, like the $5 dollar donation I got a few days ago that will help fund my caffeine addiction.
Thanks for reading!