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1) We are under buy sell agreements on two Great Falls AgriTech Lots, both for local companies expanding! We are negotiating with another company on a third lot currently. There are another couple hundred acres available for purchase with potential for more. If you are looking for a rail served, heavy industrial site call Jolene, 406.750.4481.
2) Congratulations to Big Sandy Organics in Big Sandy on winning a Organic Market Development Grant to upgrade and expand their processing their food processing line for organic grains and pulses. They will be expanding their processing capacity and increasing the number of offerings with this 3 million dollar award.
3) We presented our Website Bootcamp class to 9 small business owners and community leaders in Cut Bank this week, special thanks to MSU Extension-Glacier County for helping organize the event. We have another business digital marketing class coming up in Great Falls on March 27th, for more information and to register click here.
4) TDS completed its first residential fiber installation in Great Falls; see KRTV. TDS has invested $29 million in its 303 mile fiber network in Great Falls, creating 18 local jobs, and offering top speed of 10 gig for commercial and 8 gig for residential.
5) Businesses are buzzing about downtown Great Falls, and we're here to help you seize the opportunities. Whether you're expanding or starting fresh, our toolkit has everything you need to navigate the process smoothly. Contact Christian at 1-406-836-0136 or CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn more about how we can support your success.
6) Congratulations to S Ranch Meats in Hardin and Hamilton Packing Company in Hamilton for being the two Montana recipients of the 2023 Local Meat Capacity Grant Program. If you are a meat processor interested in funding for meat processing or interested in starting your own meat processing plant, reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1301
7) GFDA is gearing up in anticipation of the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program opening their application portal. 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.
8) The University of Providence and Benefis Health System have partnered to launch the Boost UP for Nurses loan forgiveness program; see KRTV.
9) The eighth annual SBDC Day will occur on Wednesday, March 20th. SBDC Day is a national, collective proclamation of the impact America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) have on the success of our nation’s dreamers, innovators, and doers – America’s small businesses. The theme for SBDC Day 2024 is “Nurturing Dreams. Growing Futures.” The nation’s largest and most trusted small business advising program nurtures the dreams of American entrepreneurs and drives prosperity and growth in communities across the United States and its territories. Your local GFDA Small Business Development Center is here to help. We are part of the national SBDC network and the Montana SBDC Network. 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.
10) Congratulations to all the Montana winners of 2023 Field Work Grant from the LOR Foundation who are working on innovative water saving ideas in agriculture. But special shout out to Katie Pribyl of Pribyl Ranch in Great Falls and her work to install a solar watering system with a cellular-based camera and float system to pump water as needed in lieu of the currently generator-powered pump system, which is costly, inefficient, and time-consuming.
11) Shannon and Lillian attended the NAPEX Spring Training Conference in Coeur d’ Alene, ID. They gained insightful knowledge on cybersecurity awareness, the Do’s and Don’ts of doing business with Northrop Grumman, and tools that will benefit small businesses in the federal marketplace. They learned strategies that can help small businesses stand out and thrive in this competitive landscape. To find out more about these areas and how your business fits into the world of government contracting, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
12) The Blackfoot Confederacy is launching an exciting Tourism Asset Database & Mapping Project to create a comprehensive tourism resource for the Blackfoot regional area. This initiative aims to gather information on historical sites, local attractions, significant landmarks, tourist destinations, trails, tourism businesses, and other events or activities related to tourism within the region. Community members are encouraged to contribute by filling out the survey here.
13) Does your business have the right culture? Every business, large or small, has a culture. A business culture is a combination of employee beliefs, communication, customer service, and interaction between management and employees. Culture might dictate how employees dress, flexibility of work hours, office layout, or break room benefits. It takes effort to build a positive culture, but the right business culture is an essential ingredient for success and with success comes an increase in business value.
Here is a couple of questions for you:
- If we asked your people about your company, how would their answers compare to what your clients say?
- If a reporter drafted a story, what would they say defines your company?
- What do your best clients say about your business? Is it the brand message you would like potential prospects to hear?
- What did it take to ramp up your business? Do the people who came later get it?
- How do you measure success?
- How do you know your new people get your culture as your company grows?
- How will your current culture scale? What needs to change?
- How will you protect what is good about your culture?
The following are ways to create and reinforce a positive business culture:
- Establish clear goals understood by everyone.
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Celebrate achievements.
- Share positive experiences.
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Be a role model.
- Understand a timeline, building a positive culture takes time and effort.
Want to discuss in detail? Please reach out to Al Gohary at AGohary@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.
14) The deadline to submit a proposal in response to GFDA’s Request for Proposals for an Energy Production Opportunity Assessment is this Wednesday, March 20th by 5:00PM MST. Electronic submissions and any questions regarding the RFPs can be directed to Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or by calling 1-406-217-7862.
15) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team. Download a description of openings for Loan Officer and Communications & Marketing Specialist.
16) I was in DC to participate in the National Association of Development Organization's annual policy conference, meeting with leaders of many of the federal agencies we work with. While in DC, I also participated in the annual CDFI Coalition Institute, meeting with CDFI Fund leaders, banks and foundations, met with Montana Congressional staff, and participated in the Opportunity Finance Network's Climate Financing workshop. Networking to secure much needed loan capital as part of our economic development strategy to increase our capacity to support more entrepreneurs, businesses, nonprofits, and developers in our region.
17) Investing in economic development isn't just about building businesses; it's about building communities. We express our appreciation for our esteemed investors and public partners. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Community Division—McLaughlin Research Institute; All Around Construction of Great Falls; ERA Advantage Realty; Macek Companies. Their collaboration and support are the cornerstones of our shared success, and we simply could not do what we do without them. If you’d like to learn about our economic development strategy and the work we are doing to grow the economy, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Join the team that is working to Grow Great Falls!
Congratulations to everyone involved in a great Western Art 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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"Our most valuable resources - creativity, communication, invention, and reinvention - are, in fact, unlimited.
David Grinspoon
Edition 624
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