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The dynamic team of Economic Development Lethbridge. We continue to support our cross border partnership and were able participate in their annual meeting.

1) $1.94 million is the amount GFDA's Food and Ag Development Center has helped clients across North Central Montana receive in loans, grants, and investment in the past two years. GFDA's Food and Ag Development Center works with clients to reach and exceed their business goals. We wouldn't be able to provide this direct assistance without the Montana Department of Agriculture's funding of $52,500 each year for the past two years. Anna Flies of our team shared this story and some of GFDA's Client success stories with state representatives in Helena during Ag Week's Rotunda Days. 

2) GFDA is excited to announce that on April 1^st, Marty Cappis will be joining our team as our new Lending Associate. She has a great network of professionals and wealth of knowledge, with strong ties in our community.  Marty has a background in finance and has skills in quality assurance while maintaining excellent client relationships.

3) GFDA Loan Committee approved five loans to three different businesses. Each of the three businesses had different financing needs from a business expansion, construction costs overruns, and a new business purchase. All the loans were high impact loans with one helping to fill the shortage in the childcare industry, while the others help spur local entrepreneurship and innovation in our region. Does your project have a financing gap? Please reach out to Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your options.

4) It’s Spring Training Season! At the GFDA Small Business Development Center, we are not tossing baseballs into a glove but we are putting on some excellent trainings to make sure your business start or ongoing operations are in excellent shape! Idea to Income is a one-hour training designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of launching a successful small business. For additional information or to register, click here. Boost Your Digital Presence: Essential Skills for Small Businesses is taking place on April 15^th from 9:00-2:00 in Cut Bank. This is a hands-on training designed to equip entrepreneurs with the tools and strategies needed to enhance their digital presence and attract more customers. For additional information or to register, click here. Building an On-Line Business through Amazon is taking place via Webinar on May 1^st from 11:00-11:30 AM. To register, click here. On Thursday, May 8^th, our Business Blitz 2.0 is taking place from 8:30-12:00 at SpringHill Suites. For additional information and registration, click here. 

5) Congratulations to The Kinder Cowboy on securing funding through the Montana Vocational Rehabilitation Program! Based in Great Falls, The Kinder Cowboy provides horseback riding and training services for riders and horse owners of all experience levels. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center is pleased to collaborate with programs such as the Montana Vocational Rehabilitation Program to assist entrepreneurs in bringing their business ownership dreams to fruition.

6) We recently hosted a site visit from a large international manufacturing company exploring locations in our region to expand operations into the United States. We've been working with this company for several years, and it was exciting to finally welcome them to North Central Montana. Additionally, we’re working with a rapidly growing value-added ag company that is considering expanding into our region. They currently have no footprint in the Pacific Northwest and are enthusiastic about the opportunities here. We’re actively coordinating a site visit to help them evaluate potential locations. Thank you to all our partners who help make site visits a success. If you know of companies considering expansion or relocation, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

7) We are working to assess opportunities for recreation, entertainment, and adventure-style businesses (both startups and expansions). We will be hosting stakeholder sessions on April 8 and 9. If you are interested in participating, please contact Shauni Seccombe, Resource Officer, at (406) 788-6867 or shauni@growgreatfalls.org.

8) We are excited to share that we have been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation to support our efforts in expanding childcare by updating our market assessment. The expansion of childcare availability increases workforce participation and remains one of our top priorities in our economic development strategy. Thank you for putting your trust in GFDA and for supporting our community!

9) Jake and our local housing partners: Great Falls Association of Realtors, NeighborWorks Great Falls, and The Homebuilders Association of Great Falls, attended the Great Falls City commission work session to present four actionable ways the Commission could help provide more tools for housing development. Many other Montana communities are leveraging these tools and developers considering our market expect them to be available in Great Falls as well. Mayor Reeves and the Commission, who have been fantastic partners in housing and land use decisions, warmly welcomed the recommendations and have asked city staff to consider action.

10) The Great Falls City Commission unanimously approved a $158,000 request for funding to support upgrades to the Times Square Building in Downtown Great Falls. Jake testified in support of the project. The funds will cover updates for the elevators and fire alarm systems in the building as part of a $1,000,000+ renovation project. Let's get your Downtown project moving with help from the TIF fund, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

11) It’s finally here! Our Angel Investor Networking Event is Wednesday, March 26th, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Meadow Lark Country Club . Unlike traditional pitch events, we won’t play matchmaker—you’ll have the opportunity to network, share ideas, and explore investment opportunities on your own terms. Register here.

Who should attend?

• - Accredited investors looking to expand their portfolio in the Great Falls region.
• - Real estate developers, start-ups, and growing businesses seeking equity funding.

Not sure if you're an accredited investor? Check out this SEC resource. For details or event prep tips, contact Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

12) GFDA’s Investment Committee helps drive economic growth by securing resources, supporting businesses, and attracting investment to the Great Falls region. Want to make an impact? Join us and help shape our community’s future! Contact Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to get involved.

13) Great Falls Regional APEX helped small businesses navigate the complexities of submitting solicitations at both the state and federal levels. If you're ready to respond to a contract opportunity and need guidance through the process, we’re here to provide the support you need to succeed. Contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184.

14) Malmstrom Air Force Base Market Research Outreach for the 341st Missile Wing Headquarters Facility Project- The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB) is conducting market research to identify qualified construction, architecture, and engineering firms interested in participating in the refurbishment of Building 500 for the 341st Missile Wing Headquarters Facility project. Project Managers invite you to share your approach as if you were the Government Program Manager for this project, along with your experience in exterior finishes, general construction, and project delivery methods. To learn more and schedule a one-on-one session with Malmstrom AFB Project Managers, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184.

15) Electric Transmission is the process of moving electricity from power generating stations to businesses and homes. There are over 3,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines in Montana. These lines connect with neighboring states, balancing supply and demand across the region. An exciting energy investment in Montana is the North Plains Connector Transmission project. The North Plains Connector will add approximately 420 miles of transmission lines; connecting the United States Eastern and Western electric grids through Montana and North Dakota. The North Plains Connector will be open to all sources of electrical power generation and represents a $3.2 billion dollar investment in North Dakota and Montana. Contact kristen@growgreatfalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 to discuss energy related topics and opportunities. 

16) Shout out to our dedicated team of investors and public partners! Their support drives our efforts to grow and diversify the economy of Great Falls and the surrounding region. Check out this video to learn more. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—Bravera Bank; Community Division—Dustin Young & Company, Enbar, and Opportunity Bank. Their investment fuels job creation, business expansion, housing development, and community vitality. Thank you for believing in our work and being part of the team. To learn how you can join them in driving growth, reach out to Vice President of Investment, Jenn Gallmeier, at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

17) We're growing our GFDA Staff Team with a new Accounting Assistant position and a new Business Development Officer - Defense position, and we have an opening for a Business Development Officer - Downtown Great Falls. Download our Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

As they say in Lethbridge, we are brighter together!

Have a great week!

Jolene

Jolene Schalper

Great Falls Development Alliance

JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-4481

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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!

“Always deliver more than expected.”

Larry Page

Edition 677

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 JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.243%; 20-year at 6.310%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.337%; and, 25-year refinance 6.272%; 20-year refinance 6.340%. 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 JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

It is important that the voices of the business community be heard in the Great Falls Growth Policy process. Please take a few minutes to complete the Future of Great Falls Survey.

GFDA seeks proposals from experienced firms to assist us in selecting at least five (5) brownfields sites suitable for impactful redevelopment, put together redevelopment visualizations and redevelopment roadmaps for these sites, and produce marketing packages for these sites that we can use to attract businesses or developers. The goal of this project is to demonstrate market-driven, financially feasible redevelopment concepts for sites in Cascade County that we can use to attract private investment in impactful redevelopment. Due Date: 5:00 PM MST on Friday, March 21, 2025. GFDA Brownfields Redevelopment RFP Final 2-9-25

The Great Falls Area Community Foundation, Montana Nonprofit Association, TDS Fiber, Alliance for Youth, and Great Falls Public Library invite non-profit Board members and leaders throughout the region to participate in Nonprofit Board Excellence trainings: Board Culture and Trust on Monday, March 10th 9:00 AM to Noon, Board Basics also on March 10th 6:00-8:00 PM, and Fundraising Planning and Methods, Tuesday March 11th 9:00 AM to Noon. Find all registration links on the Great Falls Area Community Foundation website. Space is limited so register today!

GFDA has commissioned a regional market assessment to explore market-driven opportunities for more recreation and entertainment offerings. We are building a list of existing businesses and future entrepreneurs in the Golden Triangle that already offer and/or may be interesting in expanding or starting new recreation and entertainment offerings in the region. Please contact Deb McGregor at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314. Our consultants, Hunden Partners, will be in the field the week of April 7th to meet with groups of businesses and entrepreneurs.

Starting and Owning a Business includes a lot of moving parts. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the day-to-day tasks and not take a step back to pause, evaluate, make adjustments and gain new perspective. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center Advisors are ready and equipped to help entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the many stages of owning a business. If you are ready to evaluate where you are at and where you want to be, set some business goals, get a snapshot of your current financial situation or review your marketing strategy, 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.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) has a new advisor in our region. Carolyn Kelman joins the staff as a business advisor for the Great Falls Region and Northeastern Montana. She has a broad skill set in manufacturing operations with particular expertise in continuous improvement, supply chain optimization, logistics, and warehouse management. Learn more about her experience reading the MMEC newsletter, here. Welcome to the team Carolyn! You can reach her at Carolyn.Kelman@Montana.edu.

Inside each monthly edition of our new newsletter, Investing in Downtown Great Falls you’ll find a curated mix of news, updates, and resources designed to celebrate and support our downtown Great Falls businesses and building owners. If you are ready to invest in Downtown Great Falls, contact Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

SAVE THE DATE! Get ready for Montana APEX GovMatch 2025, the government contracting matchmaking event of the year hosted by our Great Falls Regional APEX. This premier matchmaking event is where businesses meet with government agencies to build relationships and explore opportunities to secure contracts. This event is designed to facilitate introductions and connect agencies with quality leads while fostering impactful partnerships that benefit communities and drive economic growth. When: Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Where: University of Providence in Great Falls. For more information, contact SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.

Made in Montana Trade Show wholesale buyer registration is open. Join the Montana Department of Commerce at the 2025 Made in Montana Trade Show on March 7. If you own, manage or buy for a retail store, shop or restaurant, you can pre-register as a wholesale buyer on our website.

Registration for the Montana Department of Commerce’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism is open through April 1st. The event will feature a wide variety of sessions focusing on a "The Road Ahead" theme. Hear from industry leaders and get the inside scoop on what tourism is looking like in Montana. 



The Great Falls Business Improvement District has grants available for businesses and property owners located in the BID. Contact Kellie Pierce at 1-406-727-5430 or kellie@downtowngreatfalls.net. Stay ahead of the curve in Downtown Great Falls!

Are you hiring? Our Hot Jobs Program is the perfect platform for employers to share their job openings! By sending us your listings, your opportunities could be featured on our Hot Jobs blog and shared across our social media channels for maximum visibility. Relocating with a partner or family member? Our Trailing Partner Program ensures no one gets left behind. Many times, for someone to accept a position, their partner also needs a job secure – and we’re here to help! Send us their resume (with permission), and we’ll share it within our network. You never know who’s hiring! Let’s work together to make Great Falls the perfect place for new opportunities. For more information contact our Marketing and Communications Officer Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

Are you interested in exploring government contract opportunities but unsure where to start?  Great Falls Regional APEX provides the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the government marketplace. We simplify the key steps of registration, research, and response, streamlining the process to ensure your business is prepared for contract opportunities. Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to expand your reach, we can help you identify opportunities, build valuable connections, and achieve your goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174. 

If you’re looking to expand or start your business through purchasing a commercial building for your future location, make sure to talk to Christian Nichols, Brownfields Project Manager, so we can see if you qualify for an Environmental Site Assessment paid for by EPA. You don’t know what environmental conditions or possible contaminates exist until you have an assessment completed. With our help you could save thousands of dollars and have confidence in your purchase knowing all contaminates are identified and assessed. For more information, please call Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or email at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Do you know the benefits of C-PACE financing for your multifamily housing project? Last Best PACE, Montana's program, brings value to Montana commercial building owners by improving their bottom line. Last Best PACE can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs and payments are repaid through a special property tax assessment with terms of 20+ years. Reach out to Jake to find out how this tool can help your project move forward Jake@GrowGreatalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2025? 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! RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD)! Is your business prepared for the new cybersecurity standards in federal contracting? If your company manages Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), you must comply with specific standards. For contractors working with the federal government, the minimum requirement is Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1. This self-certification verifies that your organization has implemented fundamental security measures to safeguard FCI. To begin your self-assessment journey, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174

Our freight logistics consultants, Moffat & Nichols, completed key findings of the Great Falls Region Freight Market Assessment and Economic Development Strategy Recommendations. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the logistics industry and its potential in our region. We have already begujn work implementing some of the recommendations. Others will need to wait until we work with our partners to secure more resources. Logistics are a key consideration for existing manufacturers in our region, and in attracting new investment in manufacturing operations.

The 2024 Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for 650 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

Great Falls Recruiters and HR professionals! Here is a link to our Talent Attraction Toolkit and the 2024 Great Falls Livability Magazine, part of our effort to help local businesses attract the talent they need for key positions. 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. Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. 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 Katie Carvell at Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-7635.

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. MMEC 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.

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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

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 RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

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.

Our Mission is to 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