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1) We commissioned a Transportation & Logistics Market Assessment & Strategy from Moffat & Nichol, a global leader in logistics advising and economic development. The extensive market analysis will be used to develop a logistics economic development strategy to attract investment in logistics services and facilities to better serve existing businesses in the Great Falls region and make our market more competitive for manufacturing investment. If you would like to be involved in this project, contact Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-217-7862. Thank you to GFDA Investors and the U.S. Economic Development Administration for funding this work.
2) Do you know a female entrepreneur who is absolutely rocking it?! We are now accepting Fire Within Award nominations celebrating Entrepreneurial Women. The Fire Within awards began 13 years ago to celebrate female entrepreneurship in the Great Falls Region. Recognizing and honoring women in business is essential for fostering a supportive and inclusive entrepreneurial community. It not only celebrates individual accomplishments but also inspires others who may be considering entrepreneurship. There are two categories: Inspire Nominations (in business 5+ years), and Aspire Nominations (in business 1-5 years). Nominations close March 3rd.
3) Malmstrom AFB MT has issued a combined synopsis/solicitation Request for Quote (RFQ) for “Change of Occupancy (COM) Maintenance and Minor Maintenance” listed under FA4626-24-Q-0015 at SAM.gov. The Period of Performance: One (1) base year and four (4) one – year option periods (1 April 2024 through 31 March 2029). This procurement is being solicitated as a 100% set-aside for small business. Quotes are required to be received no later than 2:00 PM MT, Thursday 7, March 2024. If you have any questions, contact Lillian Sunwall at LSunwall@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-1253.
4) The last window for these LOW INTEREST RATE LOAN FUNDS opens in a few days. GFDA is an approved economic development organization with the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program. The state is expecting their third tranche of funding any day now and it is on a first come first served basis. If you have a project that could move forward with the benefit of low interest rate funding start talking with GFDA now. These funds can be used for business purposes including purchasing real estate, equipment or working capital. If you have a business startup or expansion planned that could benefit from a loan participation, contact Jill at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.
5) GFDA has set a date for the initial cross-border partnership visit with Economic Development Lethbridge for May 7th through the 9th. This partnership will focus on creating an agri-food corridor to promote cross border trade and agri-business investment into North Central Montana and Southern Alberta. If you would like to learn more or are a business leader interested in traveling on this visit, please reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1301.
6) All businesses have successes and failures. Learn from the failures and make them quick. Apply what you learned to future successes and make them last. Success in business does not happen in an instant. In fact, many small business owners and managers worry more about failure than anticipating and planning for success. While failure is certainly a reality for small businesses, this is not where the focus should be. Obsessing about failure keeps a business in the present time, however, planning and figuring out how to succeed is where the real emphasis should be, in the future. Part of the planning process is looking at your business plan and assessing what it will take to start or grow to the next level. Need help guiding you through smart planning, getting ready for funding with a business plan and financial projections, limiting potential risks, knowing your customers, discovering the answers, and staying focused? please reach out to Alan Gohary at AGohary@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.
7) Increasing housing production is a team sport. We submitted a letter to support Cascade County in their submission of an application to the Montana Community Reinvestment Plan Act Planning Grant Program for grant funds to perform regulatory activities to increase attainable, affordable workforce housing in our community. Increasing housing production is the highest priority for GFDA because housing costs have the largest impact on cost of living overall. The best tool we have available to keep housing costs from rising is to increase our supply of available housing units in the market. Ready to get your housing project started? Reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
8) Are you a real estate developer, start-up entrepreneur, or expanding business seeking equity investment? Great Falls Development Alliance is planning our inaugural Angel Investor Networking Event. The purpose of this event is to connect those seeking equity with potential equity investors. Unlike similar events, we won't play matchmaker – it's up to you to strike up conversations, share ideas, and build relationships. For more information, and assistance refining your equity ask, contact Al Gohary at AGohary@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-750-0314.
9) We need your help! We are looking for accredited investors to join us at Great Falls Development Alliance’s inaugural Angel Investor Networking Event. The purpose of this event is to connect those who are looking for strategic investment opportunities within the Great Falls region with real estate developers, start-up entrepreneurs, and expanding businesses who are seeking equity. If you are an accredited investor looking to put your money to use in the Great Falls region, contact Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-217-7862.
10) Jake spoke to 33 college students from across the state visiting Great Falls and experiencing our community as they consider joining Great Falls Public Schools as teachers at the annual High Voltage weekend recruiting event. Great Falls remains among the most affordable Montana cities to live, work, and play with cost of living overall at 86.1% of the national average. and housing costs were 65.1% of the national average, according to C2ER.
11) For a no-cost business consulting from GFDA Small Business Development Center, please click here to sign up.
12) Welcome to the GFDA Board of Directors Rob Worden, CEO of VisionNet. Rob was named CEO last summer and has more than 30 years of telecom and technology management experience. See: KRTV and The Electric. We are excited to have his extensive industry knowledge and expertise to guide us as we continue our work bringing more high wage opportunities to the region. Thank you Rob for your continued support and welcome to the team that is growing Great Falls!
13) Jolene and I participated in the International Economic Development Council's annual Leadership Summit. I gave a presentation on Igniting Entrepreneurship while Jolene represented us in the Economic Development Research Partners working meeting. We were able to share ideas with colleagues, site selection consultants and speakers, including a great education/workforce keynote speaker.
14) Our ability to carry out our work relies on the ongoing support of our investors and public partners. Their annual contributions and collaboration play a vital role in the successful growth of our economy. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—Culligan Water Conditioning of Great Falls; Leadership Division—Great Falls Montana Tourism. They endorse our mission and aim to see our community thrive. To learn about our economic development strategy and how you can help transform our community into a thriving economy, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
15) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team:
Loan Officer
Are you a problem solver that is driven to look for solutions to obstacles with creative and innovative ideas? Do you have the ability to help entrepreneurs navigate their loan request, analyze financial information, and write professional credit narratives to present to loan committees and agencies. Would you like to engage with current referral partners and seek out new lending opportunities and partners throughout Montana? We are looking for a team member who is inquisitive; pursues knowledge of people and how things work; can conduct research into topics; is able to write professional credit write-ups; who is able to listen, learn, and adapt; who likes having multiple projects and clients; who is excellent working independently; and implements systems for success. If you want to help businesses start, grow, and innovate in the Great Falls Montana Region you should apply. Starting salary range depends on experience and includes excellent benefits. We invest in our team both through salary increases based on performance and through professional development. While we do have a flexible work environment, candidates must live in the Great Falls region. EOE. Cover letter telling us why you would be a great team member and resume are both required. Email to Tracy Heggem, Executive Assistant, Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org. Open until we find an awesome new team member.
Communications and Marketing Specialist
Do you like to create and tell epic success stories on multi-media platforms (electronic, print, social, and traditional) utilizing writing, photography, and videography? Can you identify and choose new platforms and audiences to increase our impact regionally among startup businesses, existing businesses expanding, and businesses looking to locate in our region? Would you like to engage employers and community members in sharing our stories to attract new talent to our community to fill professional jobs? Utilize your talents to help us transform the Great Falls Montana region. We need someone to lead and coordinate these storytelling efforts. If you want to help businesses start, grow, and locate in the Great Falls Montana Region you should apply. Starting salary range depends on experience and includes excellent benefits. We invest in our team both through salary increases based on performance and through professional development. While we do have a flexible work environment, candidates must live in the Great Falls region. EOE. Cover letter telling us why you would be a great team member and resume are both required. Email to Tracy Heggem, Executive Assistant, Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org. Open until we find an awesome new team member.
Business Development Officer
Are you a natural connector of people and resources? We are looking for a team member who is inquisitive; enjoys the act of discovery; pursues knowledge of people and how things work; can conduct research into topics; is able to write professional emails and proposals; who is able to listen, learn, and adapt; who likes having multiple projects and clients; who is excellent working independently; and implements systems for success. If you want to help businesses start, grow, and locate in the Great Falls Montana Region you should apply. Starting salary range depends on experience and includes excellent benefits. We invest in our team both through salary increases based on performance and through professional development. While we do have a flexible work environment, candidates must live in the Great Falls region. EOE. Cover letter telling us why you would be a great team member and resume are both required. Email to Tracy Heggem, Executive Assistant, Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org. Open until we find an awesome new team member.
Have a Super Sunday and great week!
Brett
Brett Doney
President & CEO
1-406-750-2119
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region.
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"Where there is no vision, there is no hope."
George Washington Carver
Edition 619
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