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1) Congratulations to Benefis Health System on their new Helena Specialty Center! See KRTV and KFBB.
2) The Montana Department of Commerce has extended the deadline for businesses to apply for a cybersecurity grant up to $8,000. Apply by April 30th. More info here.
3) We've been working diligently preparing for the Leland Consulting Group initial visit to downtown Great Falls as part of the Downtown Market Assessment & Transformational Strategy. We're excited to host them for their initial visit and to show off our amazing downtown. If you would like to part of the change in downtown by opening a business or expanding into downtown Great Falls, call Christian at 1-406-836-0136 or [email protected]
4) Manufacturers, if you don't get the monthly newsletter from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center you are missing out on great training and other resources. Check out MMEC's February Newsletter.
5) We love the collaboration happening across our community! We participated in the interview processes for both the new Superintendent of Public Schools and the Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development. In addition, we collaborated with a cross section of leaders in our community focused on workforce development through the Great Falls Area Chamber’s initiative Central Montana Works.
6) Congratulations to the 40 Montana food and ag businesses who presented their Growth Through Agriculture applications to the Agricultural Development Council. They represented a range of different business ventures from all across the state with a focus on promoting value added agriculture to benefit their communities. The Agricultural Development Council will make their final decision on the $1 million set aside for the Growth Through Agriculture later in February. If you are looking to start or grow your own food and ag business and would like to know more about resources to support you, reach out to Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.
7) We had the initial call to commission an update to the Housing Market Demand Assessment with the Concord Group. We believe enough has changed in 3 years that an update will show an increase in market demand even with the exciting new housing developments in Great Falls. It's time to get moving on your housing project! Reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or [email protected].
8) A Fairfield entrepreneur recently purchase, moved, and remodeled Fairfield’s only liquor store, Saddle Up Sprits, see the Choteau Acantha. KRTV ran a nice story about the new La Mia Cucina restaurant in Choteau.
9) 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 3, 2024.
10) Beat, do not Meet, The Competition. How does a business get ahead of the competition, or is it an easier path simply to meet the competition? Does meeting the competition with similar operations, marketing campaigns, and pricing produce a higher net profit than trying to disrupt the market with dissimilar operations, marketing, and pricing?
With the current economy, every business is in a competitive market as more businesses enter the marketplace and competition gets even stronger. The survival of small businesses will go to those who beat the competition by being better and different, better with products and services offered and different through innovation and uniqueness.
A business can change its operations and offerings in two different ways. It can be proactive through its own innovation or reactive by allowing the competition to force a change for the business to remain somewhat competitive. Proactive is being the leader of the pack keeping the competition in the rearview mirror while always looking ahead. A business that is reactive is always trying to play catchup, being a follower rather than a leader. Change is inevitable in every business and change is good for every business. Without change, businesses become stagnant. While completely “reinventing the wheel” would be extremely difficult for any business, pivoting with diversification opens the door for additional business. The global pandemic is a perfect example of how so many businesses had to pivot their operations to survive. Pivoting is a way to stay ahead of the competition and continue to be a leader rather than a follower. This creates long-term sustainable growth.
Want help with your business’s SWOT (Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) analysis? Let the GFDA Small Business Development Center help. please reach out to Al Gohary at [email protected] or 1-406-750-0314.
11) FHLB Des Moines announced a matching grant opportunity. Participating banks collaborate with local non-profits focusing on affordable housing or community development, potentially receiving a $3 to $1 match if awarded. Special thanks to Stockman Bank, Wells Fargo, Montana Credit Union and First Bank of Montana for identifying GFDA as a partner and submitting applications for the 2024 Member Impact Fund to support our work. If you are a member of FHLB and would like to submit GFDA for a grant, potentially tripling the impact your investment has in our community, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected]. Deadline for applications is February 23, awards will be announced on or before March 22.
12) Are you a real estate developer, start-up entrepreneur, or expanding business seeking equity? 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 [email protected] or call 406.750.0314.
13) Does your business need a website? Are you intimidated or confused by the process? Would you like to learn how to create and manage your own business website? Join us on February 21st, 2024, for an in-depth, one day in-person training course, “The Website Boot Camp - Website in a Day”. In this one-day course GFDA Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business advisor Rich Gannon will teach participants how to create, build and maintain a business website from start to finish, including the creation of an online store, using the Wix design platform. For more information, or to register Click here, or contact Rich Gannon at [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.
14) 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 [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056.
15) 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 [email protected] or call 1-406-217-7862
16) We have set the 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 [email protected] or at 1-406-590-1301.
17) Have a business dream that you want to pursue? The GFDA Small Business Development Center can walk you through the steps of startup, business growth, selling or acquiring a business, business planning, and cash flow projections. For a no-cost business consulting, Click here to sign up.
18) A community thrives when it invests in its economic development, as each dollar spent catalyzes a ripple effect of opportunity and progress for all. We are grateful for our amazing team of investors and public partners for their continued support. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. It is through their dedication that we have been able to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and implement impactful initiatives. Together, we've turned aspirations into achievements, and dreams into reality. To learn more about or economic development strategy and how you can join the team that is driving growth in the community, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].
19) 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, [email protected]. 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, [email protected]. 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, [email protected]. Open until we find an awesome new team member.
I was unexpectedly out of state this week and appreciate how the GFDA team always steps up and keeps pushing forward!
Brett
Brett Doney
President & CEO
1-406-750-2119
[email protected]
Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region.
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"The journey is never ending. There's always gonna be growth, improvement, adversity; you just gotta take it all in and do what's right, continue to grow, continue to live in the moment."
Antonio Brown
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