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Construction of new facility for the Montana State University's Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing in Great Falls is making great progress!

1) The Great Falls Development Authority has earned recertification as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) by the CDFI Fund of the U.S. Treasury! Since 1996, GFDA has provided gap and bridge financing to support businesses, nonprofits, and commercial and housing developments in Great Falls and the north central Montana region. We have made 200 loans totaling $69,936,510 that have leveraged private investment of over $350 million.

3) Three new food businesses opened in Great Falls: Old Chicago Pizza (see KRTV), Soda Station, and Asian Mix; see KRTV.

4) Congratulations to Stockman Bank on being named as one of the world's best banks by Forbes for the 4th consecutive year! See KFBB.

5) GFDA Small Business Center Business Advisor Rich Gannon hosted a full-day digital marketing workshop in Cut Bank with 22 engaged participants. The training, held in partnership with Kari Lewis (Glacier County Extension) and Kim Woodring (Toole County Extension), covered branding, building a digital presence, and hands-on practice using Canva for marketing. We are celebrating a great day of learning and collaboration in northern Montana!

6) The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Hiring Fair Wednesday April 23rd from 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Employers can find more information and sign up here.

7) Our Great Falls Regional APEX helped eight small businesses new to government contracting. We helped them strengthen their foundation to compete more effectively in the government marketplace. Our support covered the fundamentals that included registering in relevant databases like SAM.gov and SBA Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS), understanding the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), exploring contract types, learning the acquisition process, and conducting targeted market research. These core building blocks are essential to becoming a knowledgeable and competitive government contractor. By establishing a strong foundation, these businesses are now equipped to pursue contract opportunities with confidence. To learn how you can become contract-ready, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

8) There is still time to register, the Great Falls Association of Realtors is hosting a Housing Summit on Thursday, April 24 from 9:00-11:00 AM. Register here to join the solutions-focused conversation about housing production in Great Falls. 

9) Congratulations to the three agricultural producers in our region who worked on or applied for the Value Added Producer Grant on April 17th. If all are awarded, North Central Montana could look at an influx of half a million dollars. This grant from the USDA- Rural Development supports agricultural producers who are looking to start or expand a value-added agricultural business by helping pay for eligible working capital expenses. If you would like to discuss your value-added agricultural business idea and learn about the resources available to you, reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.

10) Christian Leinhauser joined industry peers at the Chmura Economics Current Conference in Nashville, where economic developers, labor market professionals, and data experts came together to explore the latest trends in analytics and regional growth. The insights gathered will help strengthen our efforts to align data-driven strategies with business attraction and expansion in North Central Montana. To connect on industry trends and site selection data needs, contact Christian at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

11) GFDA's Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Christian Nichols and Regional Director Deb McGregor were part of a Montana Small Business Development Center interactive webinar presented by Breeinna Bosch, Safety and Health Specialist from the Safety and Health Program with the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Safety & Health Consultation Programs are available to small businesses in Montana. The program focuses on assisting employers in creating a safe workplace for all employees and providing employers with all the necessary tools and resources required to avoid being assessed fines or penalties from OSHA. If your business could benefit from a safety and health consultation, click here.

12) Jolene shared some of our housing and entrepreneurship strategies at the Economic Development Administration Regional Conference in Denver, hosted by the National Association of Development Organizations. This was an excellent conference for both content and relationship development. 

13) Governor Gianforte signed SB 104, a bill we supported that expands bonding authority for the Montana Facility Finance Authority. This enhances bond financing for businesses, housing developers, healthcare providers and nonprofits across the state at no cost or risk to Montana taxpayers.

14) Congratulations to THRIVECycle for hosting celebrity cyclist, Zack Schares (ZAXFIT) in their studio. Business Owner, Jennifer Renaud continues to THRIVE in her business with a relocation, expansion, enhanced classes and new partnerships. THRIVECycle was featured in 2024 as a SBDC Success Story and was most recently a guest on the monthly GFDA Small Business Development Center/MSU Extension partnership. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center loves guiding clients in the entrepreneurial journey and equipping them with tools and resources to THRIVE! Whether you are just getting started or you are ready to move to the next level of business ownership, please reach out to one of our Business Advisors: Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314. Our services are provided at no cost to you.

15) April SBA 504 Rates. The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.432%; 20-year at 6.450%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.337%; and, 25-year refinance 6.461%; 20-year refinance 6.480%. These rates are FIXED for the life of the loan and are inclusive of all fees. If you would like to find out how to get financing for commercial real estate and equipment at potentially lower rates than you're paying for your home mortgage, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

16) Google's Project Sunroof lets you analyze solar options and potential savings for your home or business. No room for panels? No problem! Montana Legislature has passed SB 188 which establishes a framework for community solar projects, allowing individuals or businesses who cannot install solar panels on their property to subscribe to shared solar facilities and receive proportional credits on their utility bills; see Bozeman Daily Chronicle. To explore community, commercial, and utility scale solar options in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

17) We’re now preparing to welcome the third class of Touro University students and are looking for businesses willing to donate 145 items to help greet the new students and make them feel at home in our community. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to coordinate the details.

18) We're excited to be a sponsor of the Montana Housing Partnership Conference that will be held May 19-21 in Billings. Register here.

19) I travelled back to DC to network at the Council of Development Finance Agencies' policy meeting along with Olivia Kettenring, Business Development Manager at Montana Department of Commerce, and Laura McRae, Loan Program Manager at the Native American Development Corporation. Discussions included State Small Business Credit Initiative, Brownfields financing, revolving loan funds, bond financing, Opportunity Zones, development tax incentives, disaster recovery financing, and the CDFI Fund. On Thursday I met with staff of all four Montana Congressional offices to stress the importance to Montana of protecting tax-exempt municipal and private activity bonds.

20) Spring is a season of change, and in our work, that means forward movement. Thanks to the support of our investors and public partners, we’re turning that energy into real progress across the region. Every contribution made by them helps GFDA deliver measurable results. Learn more by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—KRTV; Leadership Division—Stockman Bank—Pacesetter Division—Montana Milling, Inc. We’re grateful to have so many great partners in this work, and excited about the new possibilities we’re creating together. If you’d like to join the team that is making meaningful change in the community, reach out to Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

21) In June, we will host the first ever International Economic Development Council's Rural Retreat. This gathering of 400-500 professionals will focus on growing rural communities we are excited to feature immersive experiences in White Sulphur Springs, Choteau, Conrad, Fort Benton, and Cut Bank. If you're interested in being part of the retreat or want to learn more, reach out to Jolene at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org. For unique sponsorship opportunities, contact Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

22) Immediately following the IEDC Rural Retreat, RMI is hosting an Energy Bootcamp for Economic Developers in Great falls on June 26th. Click for more information.

23) We're growing our GFDA Staff Team with a new Accounting Assistant position and a new Business Development Officer - Defense position, and we have an opening for a Business Development Officer - Downtown Great Falls. Download our Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

24) Join GFDA’s investment committee! Help us secure the resources that power business expansion, job creation, and community transformation across North Central Montana. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Happy Easter!

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-2119

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list here or text GFDA to 22828.

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“Success is the sum of small efforts - repeated day in and day out.”

Robert Collier

Edition 681

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Jolene Schalper at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.432%; 20-year at 6.450%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.337%; and, 25-year refinance 6.461%; 20-year refinance 6.480%. These rates are FIXED for the life of the loan and are inclusive of all fees. If you would like to find out how to get financing for commercial real estate and equipment at potentially lower rates than you're paying for your home mortgage, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

We're proud to sponsor the Montana Economic Developers Association's Spring Conference in Livingston April 22-24. For more info and registration, click here.

We have several upcoming trainings. Thursday, May 1st, 11:00-11:30 AM-ONLINE: Building an On-Line Business through Amazon. To register, click here. Thursday, May 8th, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM: Springhill Suites: Business Blitz 2.0.  The event is structured around four focused modules designed to address critical aspects of business success: Building Time and Boundaries for Business Owners, Creating Your Digital Marketing Footprint, Understanding Business Financial Statements and Building a Storyboard for Business Branding. For additional information and registration, click here. May 13th, 8:00-9:45 AM: GFDA AE2S: Buying and Selling a Business: Key Considerations for a Successful Transition. Register by clicking here.  If you’re interested in starting a business, please reach out to Christian at 1-406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Spring proposals for NorthWestern Energy’s E+ Renewable Energy program are due May 1. This program offers a limited amount of funding for renewable energy installations on non-profit, government, and public buildings. Learn more about the program and application process here. To discuss energy projects and initiatives of all sizes, reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.

The Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Council of Cooperatives are hosting the inaugural Montana Cooperative Academy in Great Falls May 12-14. Designed specifically for the Montana Cooperative Community, the academy will focus on building cross-sector connections, learning how cooperatives of all shapes and sizes shape Montana's economy, lessons in cooperative leadership, and leaving with a stronger cooperative network and tangible items you can implement at home. Learn more and register here.

JOIN US FOR THE MONTANA APEX GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING MATCHMAKING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Great Falls Regional APEX is proud to host the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 event at the University of Providence on Wednesday, August 13th. This event is designed to connect suppliers with federal, state, and local government buyers, as well as prime contractors, fostering relationships and creating opportunities for government contracting success. Whether you're a supplier showcasing your capabilities or a buyer seeking qualified suppliers to meet contracting needs, this GovMatch event is for you!  Registration is now open to both buyers and suppliers: CLICK HERE! For more details or to prepare for this event, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

Starting and Owning a Business includes a lot of moving parts. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the day-to-day tasks and not take a step back to pause, evaluate, make adjustments and gain new perspective. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center Advisors are ready and equipped to help entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the many stages of owning a business. If you are ready to evaluate where you are at and where you want to be, set some business goals, get a snapshot of your current financial situation or review your marketing strategy, please reach out to one of our Business Advisors: Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) has a new advisor in our region. Carolyn Kelman joins the staff as a business advisor for the Great Falls Region and Northeastern Montana. She has a broad skill set in manufacturing operations with particular expertise in continuous improvement, supply chain optimization, logistics, and warehouse management. Learn more about her experience reading the MMEC newsletter, here. Welcome to the team Carolyn! You can reach her at Carolyn.Kelman@Montana.edu.

Inside each monthly edition of our new newsletter, Investing in Downtown Great Falls you’ll find a curated mix of news, updates, and resources designed to celebrate and support our downtown Great Falls businesses and building owners. If you are ready to invest in Downtown Great Falls, contact Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

The Great Falls Business Improvement District has grants available for businesses and property owners located in the BID. Contact Kellie Pierce at 1-406-727-5430 or kellie@downtowngreatfalls.net. Stay ahead of the curve in Downtown Great Falls!

Are you hiring? Our Hot Jobs Program is the perfect platform for employers to share their job openings! By sending us your listings, your opportunities could be featured on our Hot Jobs blog and shared across our social media channels for maximum visibility. Relocating with a partner or family member? Our Trailing Partner Program ensures no one gets left behind. Many times, for someone to accept a position, their partner also needs a job secure – and we’re here to help! Send us their resume (with permission), and we’ll share it within our network. You never know who’s hiring! Let’s work together to make Great Falls the perfect place for new opportunities. For more information contact our Marketing and Communications Officer Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

Are you interested in exploring government contract opportunities but unsure where to start?  Great Falls Regional APEX provides the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the government marketplace. We simplify the key steps of registration, research, and response, streamlining the process to ensure your business is prepared for contract opportunities. Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to expand your reach, we can help you identify opportunities, build valuable connections, and achieve your goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174. 

If you’re looking to expand or start your business through purchasing a commercial building for your future location, make sure to talk to Christian Nichols, Brownfields Project Manager, so we can see if you qualify for an Environmental Site Assessment paid for by EPA. You don’t know what environmental conditions or possible contaminates exist until you have an assessment completed. With our help you could save thousands of dollars and have confidence in your purchase knowing all contaminates are identified and assessed. For more information, please call Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or email at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Do you know the benefits of C-PACE financing for your multifamily housing project? Last Best PACE, Montana's program, brings value to Montana commercial building owners by improving their bottom line. Last Best PACE can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs and payments are repaid through a special property tax assessment with terms of 20+ years. Reach out to Jake to find out how this tool can help your project move forward Jake@GrowGreatalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2025? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) run by the Export Montana team at the Montana Department of Commerce has a host of export support services and federal grants available for businesses up to $12,000. They're awesome to work with! Our Small Business Advisor, Rich Gannon, can help too and he is also awesome! RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD)! Is your business prepared for the new cybersecurity standards in federal contracting? If your company manages Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), you must comply with specific standards. For contractors working with the federal government, the minimum requirement is Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1. This self-certification verifies that your organization has implemented fundamental security measures to safeguard FCI. To begin your self-assessment journey, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174

Our freight logistics consultants, Moffat & Nichols, completed key findings of the Great Falls Region Freight Market Assessment and Economic Development Strategy Recommendations. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the logistics industry and its potential in our region. We have already begujn work implementing some of the recommendations. Others will need to wait until we work with our partners to secure more resources. Logistics are a key consideration for existing manufacturers in our region, and in attracting new investment in manufacturing operations.

The 2024 Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for 650 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

Great Falls Recruiters and HR professionals! Here is a link to our Talent Attraction Toolkit and the 2024 Great Falls Livability Magazine, part of our effort to help local businesses attract the talent they need for key positions. Join our Trailing Partner Email Group specifically for local employers to share resumes of trailing spouses/partners across the Great Falls region with other employers looking to hire. Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. JobsEQ for Workforce is a software tool that provides timely data on our local workforce and employers—including demographics, occupations, wages, certifications, and more. Contact Katie Carvell at Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-7635.

Cybersecurity challenges for businesses continue to grow. The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) is offering an array of useful resources to help Montana businesses to protect themselves. MMEC has launched the Certified Manufacturing Associate Apprenticeship program. This one-year program combines on-the-job training with online technical classes on safety, math and measurements, manufacturing processes, and quality control.

Have you created or updated your Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile? A strong profile can significantly boost your contracting success by increasing your visibility to local, state, and federal agencies seeking goods and services. If you would like more information on how to create or update your DSBS profile, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

Zero to 5 has launched the Montana Child Care Business Connect website to help support the startup and expansion of early childcare businesses. The Great Falls Childcare Demand Assessment shows a need for additional childcare facilities to serve 580 children in Great Falls. For assistance with childcare facility business planning, contact Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

The Montana Innovation Partnership is offering a number of trainings and an accelerator program for companies interested in pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.

The best resource we scan daily to stay abreast of business and community innovation is MATR.net (Montana Associated Technology Roundtables), which we are proud to help sponsor. Sign up for their free newsletter.

Our Mission is to Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.

GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center, a Montana APEX Accelerator, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. GFDA is a certified Montana MicroBusiness Development Corporation.

GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.

Great Falls Development Alliance | GrowGreatFallsMontana.org