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The Big Sky Film Grant is open and closes Feb. 7, 2025. This grant program aims to build and support partnerships with filmmakers and production companies to create Montana film industry jobs. Up to $1.5 million in awards is available to filmmakers.
Our GFDA Small Business Development Center has been onboarding the Downtown Great Falls Winter Cohort Participants. The Winter Cohort runs January 28th - April 8th. During this three-month period, the Cohort meets every other Tuesday from 8:30-10:00 AM. The group sessions include connection around business topics, business skills trainings and a time for solution think-tanks where the Cohort participants assist fellow small business owners in problem solving while applying skills and strategies. There is no charge to be a part of the Winter Cohort. If you are interested in learning more about our Cohorts, please reach out to Deb McGregor, GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director at 1-406-750-0314 or Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org. We look forward to starting additional Cohorts in Spring 2025 and Fall 2025.
Zero to Five Montana is offering a one-time grant opportunity for Montana employers to develop employer-sponsored child care programs. Grants range from $10,000 to $100,000; applications are due February 7th Apply Here. Great Falls Public Schools is holding a Job Fair on January 22nd. See more details on both and much more in The Electric's Business Bites.
Are you a specialty crop (ie anything not wheat, barley, oilseeds, or soy) producer or processor? Or do you work with specialty crop producers or processors? If so, please not that the 2025 Specialty Crop Block Grant is now opened. Applications are due by Feb 28th at 5:00 PM. If you would like to discuss your project or find other funding opportunities for your value-added ag project, reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
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! Our new monthly newsletter, "Investing in Downtown Great Falls," delivers monthly insights and opportunities for business and building owners downtown. Sign up today! Questions? Contact Nicki at Nicki@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-2099.
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.
Join our Great Falls Regional APEX and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) at the SpringHill Suites, Big Falls Room, on Thursday, January 23rd, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, to explore exciting business opportunities with the U.S. Forest Service. You’ll have the opportunity to network, present your capability statement, and connect directly with USFS representatives and potential partners. This is your chance to stay competitive and ready for the 2025 season. To register CLICK HERE! If you need to create a new capability statement or just update an existing one, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.
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.
The Preventative Control Qualified Individuals (PCQI) certification is required for Food companies reregister under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) barring any exemptions or modified requirements that might apply. If you are a local food business who needs a certified PCQI on staff, please reach out to Anna. We are putting together a list for an upcoming training. You can reach Anna at 1-406-590-1301 or Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org.
MySBA Certifications portal is now open! The Great Falls Regional APEX is assisting businesses in preparing for set-aside certifications, providing them with a competitive edge in the government marketplace. To verify your eligibility for certifications such as WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB, and to ensure you're prepared to apply for the certification that best suits your business, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.
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
Great Falls Regional APEX is assisting multiple businesses in preparing for small business set-aside certification programs. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resumed the certification application process. Verify your Eligibility for certifications such as WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB. To ensure you're prepared to apply for the certification that best suits your business, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
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.
Join GFDA’s APEX Team for Take Action! Move Beyond SAM! every third Wednesday for a high-level virtual training session that will add real value to small businesses looking to break into the government market. Hosted by APEX advisors from across Montana. Is your SAM.gov registration due to renew in the next few months? It is recommended that businesses start early to renew their registration to keep from going inactive. Great Falls APEX can help you with through the process, contact Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org for assistance.
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.
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 Nicki at 1-406-750-2099 or Nicki@GrowGreatFalls.org. Let's discuss how TIF and other tools can help you change the face of Downtown Great Falls.
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, lower operating costs, or install renewable energy systems. Quarterly competitions will be held. The Montana Department of Agriculture is partnering with the USDA and the Agricultural Marketing Services to help strengthen the resiliency of Montana food systems. Is your food company focused on middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products? For for help, contact Anna Flies: Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
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.
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