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Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana announced at the Big Sky, Bright Future Summit, they are donating $1.4 million to Great Falls College to launch a program that will train power grid system operators in Great Falls.

1) Congratulations to Great Falls College MSU on receiving a $1.4 million gift from the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation to launch a first-of-its-kind grid operator training program in Great Falls. The investment will fund a new Grid Operations Training Center, enabling students to earn certification through the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and prepare for high-demand careers overseeing the nation’s power systems. With a nationwide shortage of grid operators, this initiative positions Great Falls College as a national leader in developing the skilled energy workforce of the future. Read the full story at The Electric.

2) Exciting news! The TownePlace Suites by Marriott is now open in West Bank Landing. This 109-room hotel offers modern amenities including fully equipped kitchens, separate living and sleeping areas, a beautiful pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and stunning views of one of Great Falls’ greatest assets, the river. Thank you to Stockman Bank, who partnered with GFDA and the SSBCI 2.0 loan program to provide financing to help make this project possible. Congratulations to Colter Falls for bringing this fantastic new project to our community.

3) Is your business positioned to do business with the government? Great Falls Regional APEX worked with ten businesses of all sizes and industries this week to help them expand their reach and prepare for the opportunities happening in the government marketplace. Every level of government purchases nearly every product and service imaginable, from construction and technology to office supplies and professional expertise. Great Falls Regional APEX is your resource for government contracting. We help businesses compete effectively, secure contracts, and grow with confidence. Let’s get you positioned to take advantage of the opportunities waiting for your business. contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

4) A new Mexican restaurant, Xóchitl Montana, is opening soon in Downtown Great Falls in the former Bert and Ernie’s space at 300 1st Avenue South; see The Electric's Business Bites. KRTV ran a great story about the Sip N' Dip Lounge's retrovation. Alliance for Youth unveiled a new inclusive playground; see KRTV.

5) We are actively working on responses to multiple Requests for Information (RFIs) from the Montana Department of Commerce related to business attraction opportunities. These projects reflect growing interest in our region’s competitive assets and potential for new investment. Thank you to all partners and stakeholders who’ve provided timely data, insights, and support as we craft strong responses and prepare for potential site visits. To learn more about these business attraction efforts or share resources, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136.

6) Congratulations to Big Sky Bungee on your new business! Located at 1020 Central Avenue, the business is dedicated to empowering women through movement, low impact cardio, strength, mobility, yoga and bungeliates. An Open House is taking place on November 1st from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. If you've felt inspired to start a business but don't know how to get started, 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.

7) Jenn spoke on a panel at the Big Sky, Bright Future Summit, hosted by Governor Gianforte and the Montana Department of Commerce. The event brought together leaders from the energy industry, utilities, government, and economic development to tackle Montana’s growing energy needs and explore solutions for the future. Conversations focused on energy reliability, transmission expansion, regulatory modernization, and next-generation power, all essential to keeping Montana’s economy strong and competitive. The takeaway was clear: meeting Montana’s rising energy demand will take all of us. We can’t power new opportunities without new energy and the time to act is now. Want to be part of the discussion? Connect with Kristen at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

8) As the US federal government shutdown continues, interruptions to federal contracts, federal agencies, grants, and other programs may be affecting your business and GFDA is here to help, as seen on KRTV. Reach out for free small business advising, government contract support, creative lending support or other tools. Call Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org

9) A robust conversation took place as a part of the Introduction to Government Contracting webinar presented by Shannon Clancy and Mariah Liebing from APEX Accelerator. If you missed the webinar or would like to learn more about Government Contracting, please reach out to Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

10) Did you know GFDA’s Downtown Development Officer, Katie, has an office in the Great Falls Downtown Association’s workspace, making it even easier for businesses and property owners to connect about downtown opportunities. She’s available to discuss ways to activate your storefront, fill a vacant space, or collaborate on projects that enhance the heart of our community. If you’re exploring ideas to strengthen your presence downtown or want to learn about available resources and incentives, stop by and say hello. Contact Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org for details or to schedule a time to meet.

11) Our first joint cohort gathering has taken place with our Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Cohorts joining together to grow, learn and build new skills. We have 18 individuals in our joined cohort which is facilitated by Deb McGregor, the GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director. Thank you to Veronica Ronnau of Pizazz for hosting our first combined group cohort. We loved hearing about your future plans and are inspired with your entrepreneurial journey.

12) We have been accepted as a Signature Partner with Western Montana’s Glacier Country, given our work in the East Glacier corridor. This partnership connects GFDA to a powerful regional marketing network that promotes Montana as a premier travel destination. Through enhanced visibility on GlacierMT.com, inclusion in the annual travel guide, event and content promotion, and access to advertising and lead generation programs, GFDA will strengthen its presence and drive tourism and economic growth across our region. For more information, reach out to Shauni Seccombe at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org

13) The Great Falls Association of Realtors held their fall membership gala and recognized GFDA for our partnership in working to create more housing in Great Falls. Is your project ready to take the next step? Get ahold of Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

14) Six additional entrepreneurs have been trained on their application for the Montana Department of Commerce’s Indian Equity Fund Grant program by Rich and Christian Nichols, GFDA Small Business Development Center Business Advisors. This brings the number of trained entrepreneurs in this program to 35! The Indian Equity Fund is a competitive grant program from the State of Montana designed to help enrolled tribal members secure funding to start a new business or grow their businesses. The grant application deadline is October 31st.

15) Sara Niccum started as our new Food and Ag Development Center Director and Business Development Officer for Food, Ag, and Bio Processing! We are thrilled to have Sara's expertise and network added to our business development team and for food, ag, and bio processing companies in our region to have a great resource. You can reach Sara at Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301. 

16) Three great business resource enewsletters we follow are from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, the Montana Innovation Partnership and the Montana Advanced Technology Roundtable (MATR).

17) Congratulations to GFDA Small Business Development Center Senior Business Advisor, Rich Gannon, on successfully passing his exam to become certified in the SBA International Trade Program! This achievement strengthens his expertise in helping local businesses grow and expand into global markets. Learn more about the SBA International Trade Program here.

18) Shandi Gebhardt Jones and Lisa Andis attended the national SBA 504 industry conference, NADCO, where they met with SBA and NADCO leadership to learn about exciting new opportunities for businesses to finance growth through the SBA 504 program. The 504 is an excellent tool to preserve working capital with as little as 10% down and low, fixed interest rates for up to 25 years. To learn how your business can take advantage of this program, contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-9037.

19) Deb participated in an interactive discussion with Devon Laney, CEO & President of Gradient-Tulsa's Innovation Hub as part of the International Business Innovation Association (INBIA) New Member Circle Cohort. The discussion highlighted the importance of gathering the right metrics in economic development and connecting those metrics to the impact being made in our communities. Several varieties of metric gathering tools were highlighted. We continue to gather the best metrics and tie them to the outcomes and impact you see within the Great Falls Trade Region.

20) I travelled to Salt Lake to participate in the National Association of Development Organizations board meeting and annual training conference. While in Salt Lake sent out a Quarterly Investor Letter.

21) We are looking for two dynamic team members, an Accounting Assistant and a Business Development Officer focused on online lead generation. Download our updated Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

22) Every milestone we celebrate in our region is the result of strong partnerships. We’re grateful to our investors and public partners for walking beside us and shaping what comes next. Take a look at this short video to meet the team helping us move forward. Recent investment include: Advance Division—Northrop Grumman. Thank you for being a part of our region’s growth. To learn more about how you can support our work, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Upcoming Events

23) Registration is live for our event on October 28, Powering Savings: Energy Tools and Financial Opportunities for Montana Businesses. Renewable energy professionals, financial partners, and state and federal program experts will showcase programs and opportunities to fund and support commercial energy upgrades. This event is perfect for municipalities, nonprofits, schools, hospitals, farms, and businesses of all sizes. Attendees will gain practical insights and clear next steps to potentially capture long term savings, improve operations, and enhance financial sustainability through energy savings.

24) Mark your calendar for our second annual Entrepreneur Celebration: November 19th at the Newberry. Have you started a business in the 13-county Great Falls region? We want to recognize you for your awesome achievement. Starting a business is not easy! Register in advance here so we have a head count!

25) The Montana Department of Labor & Industry is bringing its innovative Montanans at Work tour to Great Falls on October 23rd. The event offers local employers, community partners, and workforce stakeholders a unique opportunity to access expert resources, engage with DLI leadership, and connect with industry peers. Learn more and register today or download event flyer.

26) Kids' Education Yes! (KEY) is holding a lunch event in Great Falls on October 23rd, at The History Museum 11:30 AM-1:00 PM, “Our future starts at School! Connecting education and workforce in Great Falls.” Sarah Swanson, Commissioner of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry will keynote. RSVP to Jamie Marshall at jamiewyatt1@gmail.com by October 17th.

27) We’re looking for presenters to join Ignite 2026, taking place January 9th at 8 AM at The Newberry in downtown Great Falls! This annual event celebrates the exciting projects, expansions, and initiatives launching across Great Falls and North Central Montana in the coming year. Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, or public agency with something new on the horizon, we want to feature your story. To be part of the lineup, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

28) The Montana Energy Business Alliance (MEBA) is hosting evening events in Billings on October 23rd and in Helena on November 11th. Unlocking Montana's Business Potential - Energy Challenges and Economic Imperatives. Please join us for dinner, 5:00-8:00 PM on November 11th at the Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel for a timely discussion on energy and business in Montana. Montana's leaders in business, energy, politics, and economic development are convening for a timely discussion on the state's economic and energy opportunities. These experts will assess the challenges Montana faces with rising electricity prices and demand, as well as remedies required to keep Montana among the most attractive states for business investment. RSVP here.

29) Is your business listing on Google up to date? Is your business reaching out to customers for reviews on Google? Do you have “take action” buttons on your website and Facebook pages? We receive calls on these topics every week. Our regional Small Business Development Center has created a Digital Marketing Training that will be taking place on Tuesday, October 21st from 9:00-11:00 AM at University of Providence. Senior Business Advisor, Rich Gannon has created a hands-on workshop so you can work on your Google business listing, website SEO and AI integration. We will also have additional Business Advisors in the room to assist as needed. There is no charge for this training. Click here for additional information and registration.

Jolene and I flew to Seoul to participate in a week-long Montana Business Attraction Mission to South Korea and Japan being led by Governor Gianforte. We joined an outstanding 45-person delegation of Montana business, agriculture and state leaders. South Korea has 52 million people in a land area less than a third the size of Montana.

Have a great week!

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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"Ideas are cheap. Ideas are easy. Ideas are common. Everybody has ideas. Ideas are highly, highly overvalued. Execution is all that matters."

Casey Neistat

Edition 707

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 5.922%; 20-year at 5.983%; 10-year equipment loan at 65.766%; and, 25-year refinance 5.925%; 20-year refinance 5.986%. 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.

GFDA has been approved to participate as both a lender and an economic development organization in the Montana Department of Commerce’s new Opportunities in Rural Economies lower interest loan participation program. Contact Jill for more info at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Did you know that 68% of data breaches involve a human element? This past week, our Great Falls Development Alliance Small Business Development Center Business Advisors did the CyberMontana/University of Montana Missoula College Data Loss Prevention (DLP) training. This 30-minute interactive session provided the tools and habits to keep sensitive information from vanishing into the digital shadows.

Thinking about buying or constructing a new location or upgrading equipment? SBA 504 rates just dropped below 6, the lowest in years. The SBA is making it even more affordable for manufacturers with reduced fees on qualifying 504 projects. Right now, FIXED 504 rates are 5.922% for 25 years, 5.983% for 20 years, and 5.766% for 10-year equipment loan. Refinance options are available at 5.925% for 25 years and 5.986% for 20 years. Fixed interest rates for up to 25 years can deliver significant savings, making it easier to invest in your business and grow. Contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to get started today.

Two exciting new grant opportunities are now available from the Montana Department of Commerce to help grow businesses across the state. The Agritourism Grant Program supports innovative projects that expand agritourism, strengthen marketing, enhance visitor experiences, and boost rural and tribal economies. The Tribal Tourism Small Business Grant is a competitive opportunity for Native-owned businesses to launch or expand ventures in lodging, guiding services, food businesses, hospitality experiences, and more. Applicants must be enrolled tribal citizens, and the program is now open. For assistance with you grant applications -reach out to the Great Falls Small Business Development Center

According to our recent market assessment - Recreation, Hospitality, and Entertainment: Market Opportunities and Regional Strategy - the global adventure tourism market was valued at $406 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow, reaching an estimated $1.1 trillion by 2030. With easy access to rivers, trails, cultural attractions, and wide-open spaces, Great Falls is ideally positioned for new recreation, hospitality, and entertainment ventures. If you’ve been dreaming about launching or expanding your business in north central Montana, a region built for growth and adventure, now is the time. Contact Shauni Seccombe at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Effective November 10, 2025, all new Department of Defense (DoD) contracts will require Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance. Contractors must have the appropriate cybersecurity measures in place. Great Falls Regional APEX can help you understand the requirements and help you prepare to ensure your business is ready to compete and in compliant.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (MT DEQ) announced a new funding opportunity to help curb transportation sector nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The Clean Truck, Bus & Airport Equipment Program matches funds to replace older diesel trucks, buses or airport ground support vehicles with battery electric, alternate fuel or newer diesel vehicles. Examples of vehicles eligible to receive funding through this opportunity include garbage trucks​, school buses, street sweepers, bucket trucks, buses​ or equipment that service aircraft between flights. This funding opportunity is similar to ones announced in 2021 and 2024 that successfully funded the first electric school buses and electric street sweepers in Montana. For school districts considering purchasing an electric school bus, the Montana Electric School Bus Technical Assistance Report provides information on actual fuel costs, maintenance issues and performance of electric buses operating in Montana.



Fall proposals for Universal System Benefits (USB) funding available through NorthWestern Energy opens on November 1. This program offers a limited amount of funding for renewable energy installations on nonprofit, government, and public buildings. US Department of Agriculture Rural Energy for America (USDA REAP) supports agricultural producers and small rural businesses in installing renewable energy systems or making energy efficiency improvements. Tools available include grants, guaranteed loans or a combination of both. To discuss energy projects and initiatives of all sizes in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.

If you missed the Housing Production Update event we held this summer you can watch the video on the GFDA YouTube page. You will hear about a riverside development making moves, a new single-family development currently raising capital, and you'll get a teaser for a newly announced project on the East end of Great Falls. Let's get your housing project moving, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatfalls.org

As Montana businesses win government contracts and strengthen the economy, Great Falls Regional APEX makes finding opportunities easier with BidMatch. This free service, available to all active APEX clients, serves as a powerful “one-stop-shop” by automatically scanning federal, state, and local opportunities that align with your company’s capabilities and delivering them straight to your inbox. If you haven’t set up your BidMatch profile yet, now is the perfect time to contact with Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org

Data helps drive decisions in business. Our Small Business Development Center assists clients dig into real numbers using powerful tools like Profit Cents, Vertical IQ, and Bizminer for industry financial benchmarks. We help clients tap into wage data using Jobs EQ,  a labor market analytics platform loaded with up-to-date wage, employment, and industry trend data for our region. From startup research to expansion planning, we’ve got the data to back your business decisions—all at no cost to you. Need insights for your industry? Contact the Small Business Development Center today.

The 2025 Livability Great Falls magazines are here! This is a great tool for employers to use to recruit talent to relocate to the Great Falls region. Hard copies will be distributed this week -- the digital version is now live—with interactive links perfect for showcasing all that Great Falls has to offer. Last year’s digital magazine saw 24.3K views and over 200.3K social impressions—proof that people are looking at Great Falls and liking what they see. Help us spread the word about the lifestyle, opportunities, and energy of Great Falls.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering an upcoming energy auditor training pilot program. DEQ is covering the costs for lodging, pre-requisites, class, and testing. For more information contact Sam Hall at 406-444-4960 or Sam.Hall@mt.gov

USDA announced that the first grant application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) opened on October 1st. USDA is using the remaining time in FY25 to implement the Secretary’s direction to disincentivize solar panels on productive farmland for future application windows. Read the full STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT. We can help you prepare to apply. Contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

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.

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!

Ready to sell to the government but not sure where to start?

Great Falls Regional APEX makes it easy to break into the government marketplace. We’ll guide you through registration, research, and responding to opportunities, so your business is ready to win contracts. Whether you’re new to contracting or ready to grow, we’ll help you find opportunities, build connections, and reach your goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174 and if your actively pursuing government contracts and haven't signed up for Great Falls Regional APEX services, Click Here

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 Assessments Director, 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 1-406-590-1184 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 2025 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.

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