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Touro and GFDA celebrate student success. Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Student Government Association threw its first annual Touro Med Ball event at the Rendezvous at Four Ten.

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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.
• Celebrate achievements. 
• Share positive experiences.
• 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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

[email protected]

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!

"Our most valuable resources - creativity, communication, invention, and reinvention - are, in fact, unlimited.

David Grinspoon

Edition 624

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Jolene Schalper at 1-406-750-4481 or [email protected]

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.281%; 20-year at 6.36%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.587%; and, 20-year refinance 6.39%; 25-year refinance 6.31%. These rates are FIXED for the life of the loan and are inclusive of all fees. If you would like to find out how to get financing for commercial real estate and equipment at potentially lower rates than you're paying for your home mortgage, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or [email protected].

Join BLM and Montana APEX Accelerator to learn about BLM contract business opportunities for your company. Emphasis on construction/trades, land stewardship, architecture and engineering, cultural resources/archeology, recreation services, veterinary services, professional services, and supplies. Meet one-on-one with BLM contract officers. March 28th; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Billings. Register at MontanaAPEX.org/events. Click HERE to see what BLM buys. Want help to prepare? Contact Lillian at [email protected] or 1-406-750-1253.

GFDA participates in the Montana State Small Business Initiative (SSBCI 2.0) program that helped provide a lower interest rate on 50% of the funding. We've been partnering with local banks and credit unions to put together some creative financing packages for business startups and expansions, but this low-interest money is vrey limited and first come, first serve so contact us today if you have a business startup or expansion planned that could benefit from a SSBCI 2.0 loan participation. Contact Jill at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056 or Brett at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2119.

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.

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

We have set the date for the initial cross-border partnership visit with Economic Development Lethbridge for May 8th through the 10th. 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. 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.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is partnering with the USDA and the Agricultural Marketing Services to help strengthen the resiliency of Montana food systems. Is your food company focused on middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products? If so, there is a new funding opportunity for your projects. Discuss this new opportunity and check your eligibility with Anna by reaching out at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2024? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) run by the Export Montana team at the Montana Department of Commerce has a host of export support services and federal grants available for businesses up to $12,000. They're awesome to work with! Our Small Business Advisor, Rich Gannon, can help too and he is also awesome! [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.

Have you created or updated your Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile? A strong profile can significantly boost your contracting success by increasing your visibility to local, state, and federal agencies seeking goods and services. If you would like more information on how to create or update your DSBS profile, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

The Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for over 450 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

USDA has launched a new online tool to assist small businesses in identifying procurement opportunities; see USDA's Procurement Forecast.

Zero to 5 has launched the Montana Child Care Business Connect website to help support the startup and expansion of early childcare businesses. The Great Falls Childcare Demand Assessment shows a need for additional childcare facilities to serve 580 children in Great Falls. For assistance with childcare facility business planning, contact Rich Gannon at [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.

One of the many tools we have for renovating your building in Downtown Great Falls is the City's Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Grant. This 50% match grant can help with Façade, Building Code Compliance, and Safety & Security. One of the biggest uses of this grant is Fire Suppression and updating the face of your building. To find out more about this grant, call Christian at 1-406-836-0136 or email [email protected]. Let's discuss how TIF and other tools can help you change the face of Downtown Great Falls. 

Employers, are you looking for timely data on our local workforce? JobsEQ for Workforce is a software tool that provides timely data on our local workforce and employers—including demographics, occupations, wages, certifications, and more. Contact Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937 to be connected with a JobsEQ-trained Business Advisor today. To learn more about GFDA's other talent attraction tools, visit our website. 

We still have a few copies of the 2023 Livability Great Falls talent attraction magazine. Find and share Livability Great Falls online, or contact Tracy Heggem for hard copies: [email protected] or 1-406-788-1192. 

Recruiters, are you hiring for a job position that is:  

• High level 
• High salary 
• Out-of-the-box/unique/creative? 

Help us attract workforce to move to Great Falls - send a one-sentence description of the job, 3-5 of your company's top employee benefits, salary (if listed), and a link to apply for your job to [email protected] to be included in the Hot Jobs in Great Falls blog post.  

Cybersecurity challenges for businesses continue to grow. The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) is offering an array of useful resources to help Montana businesses to protect themselves.

USDA opened a new round of Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and loans. Rural small businesses and agricultural producers can use the funds to make energy-efficiency improvements, lower operating costs, or install renewable energy systems. Quarterly competitions will be held through March 31st. For for help applying, contact Anna Flies: [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301. 

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center has launched the Certified Manufacturing Associate Apprenticeship program. This one-year program combines on-the-job training with online technical classes on safety, math and measurements, manufacturing processes, and quality control.



If you are trying to redevelop a property that involves an environmental cleanup (including lead paint and asbestos) and you have a gap in your financing, your project may qualify for our low-interest brownfield redevelopment loan funds. We can make loans anywhere in Cascade County or within 100 miles from the borders of Cascade County, which covers much of the region. We're eager to help make your project move forward. Contact Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or [email protected]. We also have some small business or nonprofit startup/expansion loan funds available for Glacier and Blaine counties.

Do you have open government contracts? Is your SAM.gov registration due to renew in the next few months? SAM.gov continues to have issues with the transition of the new validation process. It is recommended that businesses start early to renew their registration to keep from going inactive. If you are having trouble getting through the process, contact Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or [email protected] for assistance. 

The Montana Innovation Partnership is offering a number of trainings and an accelerator program for companies interested in pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.

The best resource we scan daily to stay abreast of business and community innovation is MATR.net (Montana Associated Technology Roundtables), which we are proud to help sponsor. Sign up for their free newsletter.

Join our Trailing Partner Email Group specifically for local employers to share resumes of trailing spouses/partners across the Great Falls region with other employers looking to hire. “Your (Live in Great Falls) website is very impressive and helpful! Great Falls looks amazing, and we love what we've seen real estate-wise, and business-wise.” This quote was from an email sent to us from a couple considering relocation to Great Falls. We will be sharing their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group.

Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. This website was the #1 request we got from local recruiters and HR professionals for aiding in attracting talented workers to Great Falls.

Of our online business planning tool, LivePlan, one said: "LivePlan is Awesome!" The LivePlan tool is helping streamline her strategy in preparation for presenting to bank partners. We offer LivePlan licenses for FREE to active clients. Learn more about LivePlan on our website.

Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

Our Mission

Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

GFDA is a certified Community Development Financial Institution and a 501(c)3 charitable organization. High Plains Financial is a certified Community Development Corporation that offers SBA 504 loans statewide. GFDA and High Plains Financial are Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders and Providers.

GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center, a Montana APEX Accelerator, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. GFDA is a certified Montana MicroBusiness Development Corporation.

GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.

Great Falls Development Alliance | GrowGreatFallsMontana.org