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Groundbreaking for the new Benefis Healthy Aging Center! The 15,550 sq. ft. facility will feature physical therapy and gym spaces, exam rooms, classrooms, provider offices, a modern grab-and-go meal area, and outdoor areas for therapy, yoga, and wellness activities. The project team includes Sletten Construction and Cushing Terrell, bringing this innovative project to life to support healthy aging in our community.

1) The interest in community solar projects for our region is heating up right along with the temperatures. Kristen Blue had four unique company touch points this week regarding potential community solar development opportunities. Are you curious about the process from a landowner or end user perspective? Would you like to know more about solar related topics such as types of systems, direct normal irradiation, optimum panel tilt, and calculated energy yield? Contact Kristen Blue at Kristen@growgreatfalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 to chat.

2) Congratulations to the Montana Food Hub on finding the location for the first step of their growth. They will be partnering with Fresh Rescue Community Kitchen in Great Falls to act as the aggregation and distribution center for producers and processors in our region. This is a huge step for both the Montana Food Hub and the local food system of North Central Montana.

3) Jenn and Shauni participated in the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) annual conference, the largest gathering of fundraising professionals in the world. There they were able to network with fundraising peers & leaders, expand their skills, build connections, and take part in in-depth professional development sessions. Their participation strengthens GFDA’s capacity to secure new funding and resources to support our work.

4) 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.

5) Jake arranged two site visits to Great Falls with housing developers that have been longstanding targets to invest in the Great Falls market. These targets have successful developments in other parts of Montana and are excited about the opportunities Great Falls offers. Additionally, one housing developer target closed on a test project in Great Falls, a huge milestone for the development of build-able lots, a real need to keep our existing housing production numbers intact. Let's get your housing project moving forward, reach out to Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

6) Need some cyber security best practices, look no further than our own Rich Gannon. Congratulations Rich on successfully completed the 2025 North Star Cybersecurity Certificate Program. Rich is one of two individuals certified for the Montana Small Business Development Center network. If you want to chat with Rich, he can be reached at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org.

7) Congratulations to two downtown businesses who took part in Local Yarn Store Day 2025 on April 26th: Yarn and Honey and The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers. Yarn and Honey also included a trunk show with three additional businesses: Sweet Prairie Farm based out of Power; Pinnacle Creations by Janet Dunn based out of Essex; and Tributary Yarns out of Eureka, California with a special local Great Falls partnership. The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers featured special Mystery Bags that benefited Sisters United. These two amazing businesses collaborated for some special drawings when individuals made purchases at both stores. Collaboration with other businesses can be one key to success when owning a business!

8) Nineteen participants joined us for this month’s GFDA Small Business Development Center/MSU Extension Small Business Webinar Series focused on Building an On-Line Business with Amazon. Our special guests, Grant Bauer, CEO of Novelty Giant and his wife, Marge Bauer, CFO for Novelty Giant joined us for an interactive presentation to share more about their journey of building an on-line business and shared some of the tools, resources and wisdom they’ve learned since starting this business from a bedroom in their home to operating out of a giant warehouse. A recording of the webinar will be posted here soon. Make sure you have your calendar marked for Thursday, June 5^th at 11:00 AM for the next webinar topic in this series, Think Like an Inventor. More details and registration information can be found here.

9) 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.

10) Is your business ready for government contracting? We'll help you get ready. Great Falls Regional APEX is working closely with small businesses in our region to ensure they are ready for the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 event on August 13^th at University of Providence. We’ve assisted several local businesses in developing a capability statement that effectively showcases their expertise and readiness for government contracting opportunities. Do you have a capability statement? A strong capability statement is essential for standing out and connecting with prime contractors and government agencies. We can also help ensure your business is registered in the relevant databases and that your SAM.gov profile is up to date, so you're fully prepared to make the most of the event. To get started, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-590-1184. To Register: CLICK HERE!

11) We are pleased to announce the selection of Cushing Terrell as our consulting partner for the Brownfields Revitalization and Visualization Roadmaps project. GFDA is excited about the opportunities this collaboration brings to Great Falls and the surrounding region. Cushing Terrell will support us in site selection, visualization, and revitalization efforts, with a primary focus on Downtown Great Falls and nearby rural communities.

12) We submitted another RFI for a business in the firearms industry exploring expansion opportunities in Montana. Our continued responses to these inquiries help position North Central Montana as a strong contender for companies seeking pro-business environments, skilled labor, and strategic market access. If you know of businesses considering relocation or expansion, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

13) This week, we approved two separate Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. The first will support the City of Great Falls in redeveloping a city-owned property into functional office space. The second assessment was approved for a local business owner planning to relocate their business to Downtown Great Falls. If you’re considering the purchase of a commercial property for your business, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-788-9385 to explore potential savings on environmental assessment and cleanup costs.

14) Montana was ranked #1 by Entrepreneur Media as the Best State to Start a Business, also topping the list with the highest 10-year survival rate for startups. The state’s low costs, business-friendly regulations, and strong entrepreneurial ecosystem continue to make it an ideal location for launching and growing businesses. North Central Montana offers additional advantages like affordable sites, access to key markets, and a supportive community for new ventures. If you’re looking to start or expand a business, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

15) Thank you to our investors and public partners whose support powers our work across the North Central Montana. Because of them, we’re able to address business needs, break down development barriers, secure critical funding, and provide technical assistance throughout the region. Check out this video to learn more about their impact. Their continued partnership moves our region forward. To get involved, contact Jenn Gallmeier, Vice President of Investment, at 406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Jolene

Jolene Schalper

Great Falls Development Alliance

JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-4481

Connect with me on LinkedIn

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“I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”

Estée Lauder

Edition 683

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 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.

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

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.

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.

We have several upcoming trainings. 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.

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