View as Webpage

Montana's first medical students have arrived in Great Falls! Our team has been working with Touro College of Osteopathic MedicineBenefis Health System and many local businesses to put together a great welcome for the first class of medical students. We will be sending a separate thank you to all the generous partners who have contributed to the success of this warm welcome. The response this week has been amazing!

1) Our loan committee approved two bridge loans totaling $620,000 to support two much-needed developments of affordable and workforce housing in Great Falls. We continue to work with developers on apartment construction, but are also searching for developers to undertake major homeownership construction. Contact Jake at 1-406-403-4937 or [email protected].


2) To address local housing needs and support business startups and expansions, we have issued pending bridge and gap loan commitments totaling $10,322,175 and have an additional $2.5 million in underwriting. These loans will leverage tens of millions of investment in our region. To keep the momentum going, we need more loan capital. We are seeking sources to borrow more capital. Contact me, Brett Doney at 1-406-750-2119 or [email protected] if you know of a potential source.


3) Luckily we have unlimited capacity to underwrite SBA 504 loans throughout Montana. To offer the best service to Montana banks and businesses, we have put together a virtual SBA 504 underwriting and loan closing team that has closed hundreds of 504 loans. Try us out! Contact Tony at 1-406-750-2099 or [email protected].


4) Worked with an outstanding renewable energy company that is expanding in our region with plans to open an office in Great Falls and invest in significant renewable energy production in the Great Falls region! They are currently hiring and we’ll have their positions featured in our next Hot Jobs! Are you receiving our Hot Jobs eblast? Do you have jobs that people would move here for that we should include? Reach out to Lyndsay at [email protected].


5) Testified in support of low and moderate income tax credits for the proposed redevelopment of the historic Elmore Roberts Building in downtown Great Falls that will preserve 60 affordable apartments. The project is being undertaken by CPP Housing and NeighborWorks Great Falls.


6) Published our new Economic Development Strategy and our GFDFA 2023Q2 Quarter Index. GFDA has adopted the dba Great Falls Development Alliance to more accurately reflect our public/private partnership. Anna Flies started work as our newest Business Development Officer. Anna will be working with Katesha Campbell on growing and diversifying the region's food, ag, and bio processing industries. Contact Anna at 1-406-590-1301 or [email protected].


7) Speaking of bio processing, Montana Renewables announced the successful startup of its hydrothermal cleanup pretreatment unit, an industry first. Designed by Applied Research Associates, the unit can process 10,000 barrels per day of low carbon intensity waste fat, oil and grease feedstocks with near 100% yield of clean organic product; see Biomass Magazine.


8) Kim Winchell owns Montana Mutt Dog Treats in Cut Bank. Montana Mutt specializes in all-natural dog treats, snout, and paw balm. "The inspiration for the first recipe we ever had was baking with my daughter on Christmas Day." Follow Kim on her business journey as she works with GFDA to transform Montana Mutt from a hobby into a thriving e-commerce business, selling products in 31 stores, all from her dog kitchen in Cut Bank. 


9) We hosted the Montana Facility Finance Authority to offer an interactive presentation on the C-PACE program and how this and other tools can benefit housing and commercial projects. If you are not sure about how the C-PACE program can help your project, contact Jake with questions, 1-406-403-4937 or [email protected]. 


10) Downtown Great Falls has a new restaurant, Korean Cup Bob, serving authentic Korean cuisine. Check out more local business news in The Electric's Business Bites. A new Great Falls addiction recovery business, Illumination Recovery, has opened; see KRTV. Great Falls has a new non-profit gaming club, the Owlbear Gaming Club, that has become popular for Dungeons & Dragons fans and other games; see KRTV.


11) Our Great Falls region APEX Accelerator helped a regional business with complex SAM.gov issues caused by the April 2022 conversion. The delays in the renewal process have adverse effects on small businesses engaged in government contracting, leading to payment delays on their active contracts. With our APEX advisor's assistance, the business is making progress, resolving the challenges and expecting six months' back payments. Contact Shannon at 1-406-590-1184 or [email protected].


12) This week Montana's Food & Ag Development Center network hosted a Rural Energy for America (REAP) training webinar in conjunction with USDA. If you are an agricultural producer or rural small business owner looking to reduce energy costs and consumption, the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) could help! Contact Katesha at 1-406-788-0860 or [email protected]


13) Our Business Focus topic this month is bank and credit union readiness and how to get there. If you are looking at starting a business or perhaps have an existing business this will help you understand more about preparing for that ask. Please visit our events page to see when and where these will be held. For questions please reach out to Tony at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2099. 


14) Have you been interested in developing in Downtown Great Falls? We have a TON of opportunities for residential development and GFDA has the tools such as bridge and gap financing to help you complete your project. Contact Christian at 1-406-836-0136 or [email protected] and let's discuss the opportunities and tools we have available. 


15) Join GFDA and Instructor Claude Smith from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center in August for the Preventive Controls Qualified Individual for Human Food training, August 16-18 here in Great Falls. Learn to develop and implement a FDA-compliant Food Safety Plan and receive a certificate of completion directly from the Food Safety and Preventive Controls Alliance. Click here for more information and to register, or contact Katesha at 1-406-788-0860 or [email protected]


16) The Montana Child Care Business Connect Fall Summit will be held September 13-14 at the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. The summit will be the first of its kind annual gathering of child care providers, entrepreneurs, community leaders and industry professionals in Montana, offering a unique opportunity to share best business practices, learn new skills and resources, and network with like-minded partners. Register today.


17) The State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program is still awaiting their third tranche of funding. This third tranche is on a first come first served basis, so start talking with GFDA now, if you have a project that could move forward with the benefit of low interest rate funding. These funds are limited and will be put to work very quickly to help our economy recover and come back stronger than ever. If you have a business startup or expansion planned that could benefit from a loan participation, contact Jill at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056.


Off to the horse races!


Brett

 

Brett Doney

President & CEO

[email protected]

1-406-750-2119

 

Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region. Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list HERE or text GFDA to 22828.

Subscribe to the Grow Great Falls Montana YouTube channel!


"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."

Alan Saporta


Edition 592

DOWNLOAD OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
DOWNLOAD OUR GFDA SERVICES AND STAFF TEAM HANDOUT
DOWNLOAD 2023 Q2 QUARTER INDEX

Staff Openings 

We have two great career opportunities to join the GFDA staff team. Download info on Small Business Advisor -- Director Regional Small Business Development Center and a new opening for a Small Business Advisor and Project Manager. GFDA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer!

Cost-Effective Rail-Served Industrial Sites Available

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 [email protected]

DOWNLOAD AGRITECH FLYER

SBA Rates

July SBA 504 Loan Rates

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.579%; 20-year at 6.632%; 10-year equipment loan at 7.063%; and, 20-year refinance 6.650%; 25-year refinance 6.597%. 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 [email protected].

Events, Business Trainings & Opportunities

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 [email protected].


The University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research annual Mid Year Economic Update is coming to Great Falls on August 2nd, Noon-1:30 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Register here.


The 12th Annual Montana Clean Energy Fair will be in Billings this year. The Fair will be held on the MSUB campus on August 12 from 9:00am to 3:30 pm. The Fair is free and open to the public. No tickets or registration are required. There will be workshops, exhibits and clean energy experts. Workshops will take place throughout the day, starting at 10 am and running through 2:45 pm. For more information call 1-406-214-9405 or see montanarenewables.org.


Central Montana Works!’s second annual Worlds of Work™ (WOW™) will be held in Great Falls on September 26th. WOW™ is not your typical job fair, but a hands-on career exploration event which opens new avenues of opportunity for middle school and high school students they never knew were possible. The goal for this second year is to have approximately 100 businesses spread across sixteen “worlds,” each of which represents one of the sixteen nationally recognized career clusters. If you are a business interested in being an exhibitor at Worlds of Work™, please click here. If you need to edit your existing participant profile, need assistance with registration, or are interested in sponsorship information, please reach out to Alyssa Larkey at [email protected] or call 1-406-761-4434. 


The Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for over 450 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.


USDA has launched a new online tool to assist small businesses in identifying procurement opportunities; see USDA's Procurement Forecast.


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 [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.


One of the many tools we have for renovating your building in Downtown Great Falls is the City's Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Grant. This 50% match grant can help with Façade, Building Code Compliance, and Safety & Security. One of the biggest uses of this grant is Fire Suppression and updating the face of your building. To find out more about this grant, call Christian at 406.836.0136 or email [email protected] and let's discuss how TIF and other tools can help you change the face of Downtown Great Falls. 


Employers are you looking for timely data on our local workforce? 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 Lyndsay Bruno at [email protected] or at 1-406-590 – 1539 to be connected with a JobsEQ-trained Business Advisor today. To learn more about our talent attraction tools visit our website


We launched the new Livability Great Falls Magazine. Find and share Livability Great Falls online or contact Lyndsay Bruno at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1539 for hard copies of the magazine. 


Recruiters are you hiring for a job position that is a:  

  • High level position 
  • High salary position 
  • Out-of-the-box/unique/creative position? 

Help us attract workforce to move to Great Falls - send us a one sentence description of the job, 3-5 of your company's top employee benefits, salary (if listed), and link to apply for your job to [email protected] to be included in the Hot Jobs in Great Falls blog post.  


The 2023 Montana Food and Beverage Show, hosted by the Montana Department of Agriculture, is scheduled for October 16 in Missoula. The show allows Montana businesses to showcase their food and beverage products to professional buyers from restaurants, hotels, bars, retailers, and more.


The Montana Department of Commerce has extended the application deadline to December 31st for the Montana Cybersecurity Program will provide up to $8,000 reimbursement for your cybersecurity expenses. And don't forget about funds available for your workforce through the Incumbent Worker Training Program and the Primary Workforce Training Grant. We can help you access these programs if you run into snags.


Navy Week - Doing Business with the Department of Navy & GovMatch Event (Billings Depot on Montana Avenue) - Join the Montana APEX Accelerator (formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Center - PTAC) August 9th from 9 AM – 5 PM as they welcome Mr. David E. Walz to Billings. Mr. Walz is the Deputy Small Business Program, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division, Keyport. He serves as the principal advisor and advocate to the commander, senior management, contracts, and the technical department on all matters pertaining to small business program. During this event, businesses will receive information on the following topics: 1. Department of the Navy (DON) Office of Small Business Programs' Achievements and Goals 2. The DON OSBP Mentor-Protégé Program 3. Preparing for the DON procurement process 4. Resources and assistance to help businesses 5. GovMatch event in the afternoon. You will be able to meet with various other federal agencies in the afternoon. To register, click here. If you have any questions, contact Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or [email protected].


USDA opened a new round of Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and loans. Rural small businesses and agricultural producers can use the funds to make energy-efficiency improvements to lower operating costs or to install renewable energy systems. Quarterly competitions will be held through September 30th. See MATR.net for more info. Contact Katesha Campbell if you would like help with applying; [email protected] or 1-406-788-0860. 


The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center has launched an apprenticeship program. The Certified Manufacturing Associate Apprenticeship is a one-year program that combines on-the-job training with online technical classes on safety, math and measurements, manufacturing processes, and quality control.


Are you in the planning and development phase of expanding your agricultural product or adding value to Montana agriculture by expanding your product into new markets? Montana’s Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Business Acceleration Program (BAP) and Market Development Program (MDP) grants could help! Funds are available; click here for more information or contact Katesha at 1-406-788-0860 or [email protected].


The 341st Contracting Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB), is contemplating a solicitation for a multiple award contract (MAC) and is looking for responses to this Sources Sought Notification. Awarded MAC indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts would be for the construction of structures and facilities, repair, maintenance, and alteration of real property assets within the confines of Malmstrom AFB, Weapons Storage Area (WSA), and Missile Alert Facility (MAF) and Launch Facility (LF) sites located within the Missile Complex throughout Montana. This is a great opportunity to Introduce your company to the Contracting Wing at Malmstrom AFB. Do you have a Capability Statement prepared that you can provide with your Sources Sought reply? If not, contact us at 1-406-750-1253 or [email protected]. For more information on the Notice, click here.



ArtsFest Montana will return to downtown Great Falls August 11-18. The Business Improvement District is looking for property owners who would like to have a professionally painted mural installed on their building. Contact Kellie at [email protected] or 1-406-727-5430. See TheElectric for more details.


If you are trying to redevelop a property that involves an environmental cleanup (including lead paint and asbestos) and you have a gap in your financing, your project may qualify for our low-interest brownfield redevelopment loan funds. We can make loans anywhere in Cascade County or within 100 miles from the borders of Cascade County which covers much of the region. We're eager to help make your project move forward. Contact Tony Peres at 1-406-750-2099 or [email protected]. We also have some small business or nonprofit startup or expansion loan funds available for Glacier and Blaine counties.


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.


Do you have open government contracts? Is your SAM.gov registered due to renew in the next few months? SAM.gov continues to have issues with the transition of the new validation process. It is recommended that businesses start early to renew their registration to keep from going inactive. If you are having trouble getting through the process, contact Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or [email protected] for assistance. 


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.


Montana STEP grants can pay for 75% of your international export marketing efforts up to $10,000. The Montana TechLink Center at MSU is offering a new round of workshops on how to win Small Business Innovation Research funding.


We have migrated our pre-business workshop for early stage and pre-venture startups to a self-paced, video-facilitated, online format, Business Basics for Startups. If you’d like to check out the content and provide feedback, we’d appreciate it. Click here to check out the new modules and resources. All of our recorded monthly business strategy webinars are available online for viewing anytime, check them out here. Please direct feedback to Rich at 1-406-836-2078 or [email protected].


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.


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. “Your (Live in Great Falls) website is very impressive and helpful! Great Falls looks amazing, and we love what we've seen real estate-wise, and business-wise.” This quote was from an email sent to us from a couple considering relocation to Great Falls. We will be sharing their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group.


Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. This website was the #1 request we got from local recruiters and HR professionals for aiding in attracting talented workers to Great Falls. The Great Falls At-A-Glance two-pager is a great complementary resource that highlights Great Falls for people unfamiliar with our community.


Of our online business planning tool, LivePlan, one said: "LivePlan is Awesome!" The LivePlan tool is helping her streamline her strategy in preparation for presenting to bank partners. We offer LivePlan licenses for free to active clients. Learn more about LivePlan on our website.

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 Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. We are also proud to provide office space for MSU's Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and an SBA Women's Business Center in partnership with the University of Montana and the Montana Native Growth Fund.


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

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter