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1) We are launching a childcare access survey for the Great Falls commute-shed and would like to get as many parents and guardians with young children to take a few minutes to complete the survey. This is part of the childcare demand market assessment we have commissioned, updating and expanding data from our 2021 assessment. The new market assessment will help existing, expanding and new childcare providers. Here is the survey pitch -- please spread as widely as possible:
Help shape the future of childcare in Great Falls! The Great Falls Development Authority is undergoing a planning process to determine the demand for a new childcare facility in Great Falls, MT and is conducting a short survey to understand local childcare needs. Your input will guide efforts to address unmet demand and improve options within the city. The survey takes about 15 minutes. You will be asked to answer questions regarding current childcare arrangements, basics household characteristics, and future and preferred childcare needs. This information is for market research only. Results are completely confidential. Share your voice today and make a difference for your community!
2) A growing IT company completed a highly productive site visit this week as it explores an expansion into our region, offering strong early signals of fit and interest. The visit showcased the depth of local collaboration, with partners from across Great Falls helping demonstrate the coordinated support and talent that set our community apart. Company leaders noted that “we had all the right people at the table,” reinforcing the value of presenting a united front and the readiness of our ecosystem to help them succeed here. If you know of a company that would be a great fit in our region, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136.
3) Toby’s House Crisis Nursery received a $500,000 donation for a new facility; see KRTV. Bear Paw Development and partners announced a new tourism marketing brand for Havre, “Stay for the Story.” See details in Havre Daily News and Hi-Line Today. Congratulations to NeighborWorks Great Falls on helping a local family to purchase a home -- the first loan of NWGF's new HomeStretch finance fund made possible by the Montana Community Reinvestment Organization program.
4) NOW is the time to get your housing project ready for construction season 2026. Jake participated in meetings this week to keep several housing projects on pace for their 2026 construction goals. Does your project need support to stay on track? Reach out to Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or1-406-403-4937.
5) Last reminder! Calling all entrepreneurs, we want to celebrate you! Join us for the second annual Entrepreneur Celebration at the Newberry on November 19th from 5-6 PM and get recognized for your awesome achievement. Starting a business is not easy! This celebration is for anyone who has ever started a business in the entire 13-county Great Falls region. Register in advance here so we have a head count!
6) The GFDA Small Business Development Center had 32 unique client interactions this week. The support provided ranged from assisting clients preparing to sell businesses, new start-ups, creative brainstorming to solve cash flow challenges, preparation for lending from a bank and expansion financial forecasting. Our Business Advisors bring experience, certifications and knowledge to the diverse needs of our entrepreneurs and small business clients. The work with clients this week also provided referrals to the Food, Ag & Bioprocessing Business Development Officer; Downtown Business Development Officer; Lending; and APEX (Government Contracting). There are so many resources available. Please reach out to see how we can support your entrepreneurial journey-wherever you may be on that journey right now: 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. Our services are provided at no cost to you.
7) Calumet Montana donated $100,000 to support public safety initiatives in Great Falls, with $50,000 going to the Sheriff Legacy Foundation and $50,000 to the Great Falls Police Community Foundation. “Safety is a core value everything we do, not just in our operations, but in how we support our community,” said Kollin Schade, Senior Vice President of Montana Operations. “This donation is a tangible way Calumet Montana is investing in the people and organizations who protect Great Falls every day.” See KFBB.
8) Montana is famous for its ag industry, but did you know that only 3% of Montana grown food ends up on Montanans’ plates? GFDA’s Food Ag Development Center Director and the Montana Department of Agriculture are calling on stakeholders who want to increase this percentage! Take this short survey to help plan the 2026 Governor’s Summit on Local Food and Agriculture, held October 23-24 in Helena. The state-wide summit only happens once every 10 years- do not miss this chance to be involved! Complete the survey by November 24 and reach out to Sara Niccum at Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301 with questions or to discuss your role in Montana’s food supply chain.
9) This week we highlighted several Veteran Owned Businesses. Each business owner was interviewed by Business Advisor Christian Nichols and highlights were included in e-blasts and on social media. We offer many resources and services for Veterans interested in starting, expanding, purchasing or selling a business. One of the key training programs we partner with is Boots to Business which is offered multiple times throughout the year. Our services are provided at no cost to you. Please reach out to Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385 to find out how our business advising services can assist you. If you missed this year’s Veteran Owned Business features, you can find them on our GFDA Facebook page.
10) Katie has continued meeting with downtown business owners who are exploring expansion opportunities and identifying spaces that fit their needs. These conversations highlight the confidence businesses have in the direction of Downtown Great Falls and the market advantages our community offers. If you are considering an expansion or looking at a new concept for downtown, connect with Katie at KCarvell@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-7635
11) Pomodoro restaurant has opened in Great Falls. Build-A-Buddy toy shop has opened in Downtown Great Falls. The Great Falls Symphony has received a $500,000 donation! Boot Barn is reportedly headed to Great Falls. See details on these and other business news in TheElectric's Business Bites.
12) Kristen engaged with the Montana Energy Business Alliance in Helena this week. The event had excellent attendance from stakeholders throughout the state and focused on the critical issue of transmission. Transmission is the key to supporting energy generation growth and use in Montana. To learn more about the Montana Energy Business Alliance or energy opportunities in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.
13) The Governor’s Energy Task Force met this week. The public is welcome to provide comments to the task force, and the full meetings, including generation, transmission, growing demand, and markets can be viewed here.
14) Face-to-face outreach makes a difference. During our recent business attraction trip to Bozeman, our team met with a business owner who shared that he receives constant cold emails and business cards from communities trying to recruit him. What stood out was that our team came in person. That made a lasting impression and opened the door for a detailed conversation about how their company evaluates markets, what matters in location selection, and where they're headed next. These kinds of conversations help us sharpen our recruitment efforts and build relationships that matter.
15) Great Falls Regional APEX assisted 16 clients this week, and a growing number of businesses are focusing on improving their cyber health. That focus has become increasingly important since Phase 1 began on November 10, 2025, when the Department of Defense (DoD) started adding Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements into its solicitations and contracts. To get a head start and determine your company’s cyber health, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
16) Shauni met with two local tourism businesses and connected them with our Small Business Development Center for tailored advising to help strengthen operations, explore potential expansions, and an upcoming business transition. This work supports revenue growth, job retention, and new investment in our community while enhancing overall quality of life. With easy access to rivers, trails, cultural attractions, and wide-open spaces, Great Falls is well positioned for new tourism, recreation, hospitality, and entertainment ventures. If you are interested in starting, expanding, or relocating your business here, contact Shauni Seccombe at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org.
17) At the Central Montana Tourism Board meeting in Belt, Shauni met with regional directors to discuss strategies for strengthening tourism across the area. Following a robust conversation outlining our Recreation, Hospitality, and Entertainment Market Assessment and Regional Strategy, she met with a local business to offer support and explore next steps, helping foster stronger local partnerships and advance economic growth.
18) Did you know that App Developers miss up to 75% of vulnerabilities and over 99% of applications in production contain at least four vulnerabilities? This month, our GFDA Small Business Development Team participated in an interactive cybersecurity training on the topic of APP Security provided by CyberMontana/University of Montana Missoula College. Key topics covered were QR Readers/Fake QR codes and identifying phishing attempts in messaging apps. We continue to stay on topic of topics that affect our small business owners. If you would like to have a conversation about QR codes, messaging apps or other apps you are using in your business, 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. Our services are provided at no cost to you.
19) Shannon met with the 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base as part of her Honorary Commander role, learning more about how their team supports mission readiness and exploring ways to strengthen ties between the base and the community. We collaborated on practical steps to help businesses better understand and engage in upcoming contracting opportunities, reinforcing a strong partnership for the year ahead.
20) Our second joint cohort gathering has taken place with the 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. Thank you to Erica Ferrin of GRAE + CO for hosting our second combined group cohort. This session focused on making sure our business strategy includes a focus on “clicks to conversion” in all areas of our marketing and customer service. We also had an invigorating conversation around using creativity to move past being stuck in business decisions and strategy. To see an example of creativity in action, check out GRAE + CO’s Facebook On-Line Shopping Events.
21) GFDA’s Board and Council met to discuss new opportunities with data centers, Opportunity Zones 2.0, and the Great Falls AgriTech Park.
22) Mariah completed the Department of Homeland Security’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Train-the-Trainer Course. This certification enhances her expertise as an APEX advisor, equipping her to effectively guide businesses through the process of engaging in federal innovation programs.
23) I travelled to Marquette, Michigan to conduct a reaccreditation site visit for the International Economic Development Council and was able to connect with world class mining operations and learn about innovative university housing development partnerships, waterfront redevelopment success, and health related advanced manufacturing efforts.
24) Every success story in our region has many hands behind it. Thank you to our investors and partners for being part of those stories. Their dollars support the services that guide entrepreneurs, strengthen industries, and keep our economy moving forward. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Let’s turn your support into lasting community impact. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to find out how you can get involved.
25) We encourage you to take advantage of the Innovative Educational Program Tax Credit to make a direct and lasting impact on education in Great Falls. Montana’s Innovative Educational Program Tax Credit allows you to redirect a portion of your state income taxes directly to Great Falls Public Schools, enhancing innovative programs and opportunities for our students. Thanks to the generosity of our community, Great Falls has led the state for two consecutive years—securing nearly $1 million in tax credits last year alone. Together, community members like you have already invested over $2.1 million through this new program. These funds have been used to establish the new GFPS Innovative Learning Center opening in 2026, expand summer learning, and provide mental health support for students. This year, contributions will help restore and begin to sustain field trips/investigations for more than 800 elementary students and expand STEM learning for all K–12 students. By participating before the statewide opening on January 21, 2026, you will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your 2025 Montana income tax return. Timing is critical—credits are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and have been claimed in under ten minutes in past years. The statewide cap is $7.2 million, with Great Falls eligible for up to $2.88 million. For more information, visit GFPS Innovative Education Program Tax Credit.
It's exciting to have so many clients and partners hitting it out of the park with new efforts and successes! You are very much appreciated!!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
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"Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your habits.
Watch your habits; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."
Frank Outlaw
Edition 711
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