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1) Congratulations to Montana Specialty Mills on the completion of their major expansion in the Great Falls Agri-Tech Park. See: KRTV. With this investment, their facility now has three times the processing capacity. This growth supports the production of Non-GMO and Organic Canola Oil, Flaxseed, Linseed Oil, and other essential ingredients for food, feed, and industrial products. As a primary sector leader in agricultural processing, they provide high-paying jobs and generate revenue, contributing significantly to the local economy. Their commitment reinforces the success of our region’s farm-to-table strategy and marks another vital achievement in creating sustainable growth. Congrats again and thank you for investing in our region!
2) Five new businesses opened in Downtown Great Falls during the third quarter of 2024, creating 40 new jobs and $1954,500 of private investment. Join us for the presentation of the Downtown Great Falls Market Analysis and Downtown Great Falls Economic Vitality Transformation Strategy on Wednesday, November 13th from 8:30-10:30 AM at Haute Hive in Downtown Great Falls. You can register here. For questions or to discuss investing in Downtown Great Falls, please contact Nicki Dallison at Nicki@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-2099.
3) Joann opened a new store at the Holiday Village Mall in Great Falls; see KRTV. Tony Roma's opened in the Great Falls Holiday Inn; see KRTV and TheElectric's Business Bites. The University of Providence has added two concentrations to its Master's in Healthcare Administration program; see KRTV. Sisters Coffee and Cafe opened in the Columbus Center in Great Falls; see Business Bites.
4) A major single family housing development proposed in Great Falls took a significant step forward thanks to cooperation between city, county, and state agencies working together to solve development challenges and hopefully keeping the project on pace for spring construction. It is not too late to hit the 2025 construction season for your housing project reach out to Jake today at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
5) The Great Falls Development Alliance is excited to invite you to our First Annual Entrepreneur Celebration! This event will bring together community leaders, business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs to recognize and celebrate the local innovators who are driving economic growth and shaping the future of Great Falls. Join us Wednesday, November 20 from 5:00-6:00 PM. Make sure to RSVP in advance.
6) The first tenants have moved into The Station District on the Great Falls riverfront. 2 Basset Brewery opened their new space in downtown White Sulphur Springs. Montana Premium Processing Coop will increase production capacity with a $250,000 USDA Meat processing grant; see Havre Daily News.
7) Congratulations to Great Falls College on receiving a $250,000 workforce training grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture for their new Veterinary Technician program! See: The Electric. This investment not only boosts our local workforce but also contributes to the broader economic health of our region by enhancing education and workforce development in essential fields. We’re thrilled to see this progress and look forward to the positive impact on our community.
8) Six entrepreneurs attended our new startup class, Idea to Income, this week. The training is designed to guide aspiring business owners through the essentials of launching a successful small business. We plan to hold this class quarterly in Great Falls, with the next session scheduled for January 14th. If you're in a rural area and would like to bring this training to your community, please contact Rich Gannon at 1-406-836-2078 or RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org
9) Agriculture is not exempt from the evolving trends in technology or financing. To stay abreast on new developments and meet the producers innovating this industry in Montana, Anna attended the Montana Ag-Tech Innovation & Investment Summit in Bozeman, where she learned about the developments in renewable energy from Montana Renewables, support from MSU programs and how AI can benefit farmers among much more. If you have an innovative Ag start up idea and would like to discuss how to get started, reach out to Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org at 1-406-590-1301.
10) NeighborWorks Great Falls now has seven counties whose commission's have voted to participated in the regional CRO housing program. We are looking forward to supporting this effort by connecting developers and employers to produce more housing in the Golden Triangle Great Falls Trade Area region. Contact Sherrie Arey if your county would like to participate. The deadline is very soon. Any county that does not participate in a CRO will lose it's state allocation of funds. Sarey@nwgf.org or 1-406-216-3512.
11) Do you have a capability statement? A well-prepared capability statement is essential when engaging with government agencies, especially at networking and matchmaking events where first impressions matter most. It serves as a concise introduction to your business, highlighting your expertise, qualifications, and the unique value you bring, making it easier for agencies to assess your potential as a trusted partner for their contracts. At Great Falls Regional APEX, we provide expert guidance and tailored training to help you craft a statement that leverages your strengths and gives you a competitive edge in securing government contracts. 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.
12) Jake and Nicki met with a new building owner in Downtown Great Falls and connected them with resources including Tax Increment Financing, Commercial Property-Assessed Capital Enhancements, our Small Business Development Center and the Downtown Great Falls Association. If you are a downtown property owner or business and would like to discuss resources to help your business grow, contact Nick Dallison at Nicki@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-2099.
13) Christian Nichols of GFDA's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) visited several Veteran-owned businesses to discuss the transition from military service to entrepreneurship. Christian was able to gather insights and stories from the Veteran business owners about their trials, stress factors and keys to success which will be featured in a series of "shout-outs" on the GFDA and Montana Small Business Development Center’s social media channels and website throughout National Veterans Small Business Week which begins on Veterans Day and continues through November 15th. The GFDA Small Business Development Center aims to shine the light on the achievements of Veteran entrepreneurs in the community and inspire other service members considering the leap into business ownership by sharing the firsthand experiences of these Veteran-owned businesses. If you are a Veteran or family member of a Veteran and considering the idea of owning a business, please reach out to Christian Nichols, Small Business Development Center Advisor at 1-406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org. Christian has not only served our country and is a Veteran, but he has also owned his own business. Thank you, Christian, for your service not only to our country but to our small business owners and specifically for highlighting and shining the light on these brilliant business owners.
14) GFDA is launching a Food Manufacturing Safety 101 video series, supported by a USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant in conjunction with the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center, to help value-added food processors in Montana navigate key food safety practices. This 11-part series will cover essential topics like sanitation, HACCP, food labeling, and compliance with FDA guidelines. The series will be available online at no cost, and if you'd like to be notified as new videos are released, simply reach out to Christian Leinhauser, at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136. Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your food manufacturing business is set up for success with this valuable training!
15) Accelerate Montana is offering cybersecurity and drone pilot training, as well as a variety of other business training resources.
16) GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director, Deb McGregor presented Navigating Stress for Business Owners on Thursday, November 7th as a part of the MSU Economic Extension/Small Business Development Center partnership. Eight individuals participated in the interactive webinar. Business owners wanted to know how they can encourage a work environment committed to health/wellness/stress navigation strategies in addition to gaining skills and ideas that help entrepreneurs lead by example. Next month’s featured speaker is Erin Townsend, Bravera Business Banking Officer, for an engaging webinar on how to successfully navigate the business loan process. The webinar will take place on Thursday, December 5th at 11:00 AM. Click here for additional information.
17) Together we’re more! That’s the mantra exemplified by the Choctaw Nation. Jolene was able to learn about their business attraction, expansion, small business advising, and community capacity building as part of the International Economic Development Association’s Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) Program. They will become the first economic development accredited Tribal Nation and we believe wholeheartedly – together we’re more!
18) The deadline to submit a proposal in response to GFDA's Request for Proposals for a Market Assessment of Opportunities in Pulse Processing is Friday, November 15th. Electronic submissions and any questions regarding the RFP can be directed to Anna Flies at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
19) Get ready to light the entrepreneurial flame at Ignite 2025! On January 10th, we’ll be showcasing presentations from businesses starting, expanding, or opening in 2025. The event kicks off with a networking session at 7:30 AM, followed by a series of inspiring presentations starting at 8:00 AM. This is your chance to connect with industry leaders, explore new opportunities, and support the growth of our region. Mark your calendars now—more details coming soon! If your business, government agency, or non-profit has a project launching or expanding in 2025, email Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136 to get on the list!
20) We are partnering with Great Falls Association of Realtors on hosting a public information forum regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Duplexes in residential zoning districts for Great Falls. The event will be held at 9:00 AM on Thursday, November 14th, register here for the event.
21) We are looking for employers in the region to participate in the 2025 issue of Livability Great Falls, our talent attraction print and online digital magazine. If you are interested in recruiting talent, please contact jenn Gallmeier at Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-781-9499.
22) This week we applied to be part of the first Opportunity Finance Network Nascent Climate Lending Cohort. This will aid us in assisting more businesses with energy efficiency implementation to reduce their energy costs. The cohort begins first quarter 2025.
23) We’re pleased to welcome Katie Neil of Springhill Suites to the GFDA Council! Springhill Suites has been a fantastic partner in supporting our mission, contributing to our shared vision of regional growth and economic opportunity. Thank you to Katie and the entire Springhill Suites team for your continued partnership—welcome to the Council!
24) We’re excited to welcome Shauni Seccombe to the GFDA team as our new Resource Officer. Shauni brings valuable experience with a strong track record in building partnerships and securing resources. Shauni’s expertise and enthusiasm for community impact will be an asset to GFDA as we continue expanding our support for local entrepreneurs, businesses, and development projects. Welcome to the team, Shauni—we’re thrilled to have you on board!
25) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team and have excellent career opportunities. Download a description of openings for Loan Officer and Lending Solutions Specialist. Contact Tracy for more info at Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org.
26) The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is seeking a Business Advisor based in Great Falls to support manufacturers in the region. See description on Facebook.
27) Thank you to our investors and public partners for their continued support. Their commitment makes it possible for us to expand economic opportunities, provide critical resources, and address challenges across the region. Learn more about them here. Together, we’re helping entrepreneurs and businesses grow, creating jobs, and building a stronger foundation for economic resilience. Our work to improve access to capital, foster business growth, and attract new investment is fueled by their belief in our mission. To learn about our economic development strategy and how you can join the team that’s growing the region, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Play ball!!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
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!
"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
T.S. Eliot
Edition 658
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