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This year’s Fire Within Awards was record-breaking! We honored 56 incredible women, making it our largest event ever, and filled The Newberry with energy and inspiration. We celebrated both Aspire and Inspire Award winners, recognizing women who are igniting their entrepreneurial journeys and those who continue to lead with passion and impact. Fire Within is an annual event, so keep notes on the incredible women around you and be ready to nominate next year’s honorees! As Feisty Woman Week comes to an end, we can confidently say—this one was for the books! Thank you to everyone who made it unforgettable.

1) We hosted two companies considering expansions to the Great Falls region, an ag processing company and an advanced manufacturing company. Thank you to all of our partners, investors, and board and council members who helped to identify and show potential sites for these companies, met with them and provided information on next steps, and helped sell the collaborative and welcoming spirit of the Great Falls regional business community. We think Great Falls is the best fit for both of these companies to find a new home. Time to make Great Falls the newest home for your business expansion? Reach out to Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136. 

2) Benefis Health System shared its plans to build a Healthy Aging Center in Great Falls; see KRTV. Congratulations to Marketplace on Main of Cut Bank on winning 2025 Retailer of the Year at the Made in Montana Trade Show. Congratulations to Roots & Shoots of Great Falls on winning Best in Show New Exhibitor. See Montana Department of Commerce press release.

3) Christian Nichols, a GFDA Small Business Advisor, facilitated a Boots to Business workshop at Malmstrom AFB for 21 active duty and guard service members interested in entrepreneurship. The comprehensive class provides fundamental insights into business formation, offering military personnel a structured introduction to the essential steps of launching and managing their own enterprise. By focusing on core business principles, the program equips transitioning military members with foundational knowledge to help them successfully navigate the challenging landscape of small business ownership after their military service. If you’re interested in starting a business, veteran or not, please reach out to Christian at 406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

4) Did you know that the SBA 504 rates have been dropping the last few months? High Plains Financials approved a $175,000 SBA 504 loan for an entrepreneur who is purchasing real estate for their business expansion. The SBA 504 option allows the client to have a lower downpayment to help preserve their working capital for their expansion and has the extra benefit of low interest rates that are fixed for up to 25 years. If you have a project that needs a creative solution, please reach out to Jill Kohles at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1056.

5) Congratulations to our five regional companies that were awarded Growth Through Agriculture grants and loans this week. North Central Montana is becoming an exciting region for innovative value-added ag and food manufacturing companies dedicated to starting and growing their Montana businesses. A huge thank you to both the Montana Agriculture Development Council and MT Department of Agriculture staff for reviewing these applications. If you are a agri-food processor interested in learning how to expand your company, reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.

6) The Great Falls region has superb wind potential. Superb is not a random adjective; it is the technical descriptor for strong and consistent winds abundant over a large geography. Superb winds are highly valuable for large-scale, high-efficiency wind farms. The North Central Montana area has the potential to recognize $11.5 billion dollars in wind energy investment. Want to have a superb conversation about Energy? Reach out to Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org

7) Our Great Falls Regional APEX assisted 13 small businesses this week, including one that reached a significant milestone. We guided them through the Veterans Integrated Procurement System (VIPR) registration process and helped them submit their first solicitation response. VIPR registration is a requirement to do business with the U.S. Forest Service and opens the door to valuable contracting opportunities. To learn more about contracting with the U.S. Forest Service Contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184.

8) Montana is reopening its low interest loan participation program and GFDA is ready to connect you with this business financing opportunity. Contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

9) Over 100 companies attended the Made in Montana Tradeshow to connect with regional buyers and retailers to show case their products. Anna represented both GFDA and the Food and Ag Development Center Network as she connected with targets, generated leads, and built the interview list for our statewide Pulse Processing Market Assessment. A big thank you to our partners in the MT Department of Commerce for putting on this wonderful event!

10) GFDA’s Senior Vice President of Lending Jill Kohles, led this month’s Small Business Webinar, sharing insights on the role of gap financing for businesses. The monthly Small Business Webinars are a partnership with the GFDA Small Business Development Center and MSU Extension. If you missed it, a recording will be available soon at this link. Our April webinar will feature an interview with entrepreneur Jennifer Renaud of Thrive Cycle, where she’ll discuss her biggest challenges and successes in business. More information and registration for our April Small Business webinar can be found here.

11) Jake connected with statewide leaders in housing on the release of the updated Consolidated Plan for Housing and Investment as well as the second session of the Rural Frontier Housing Lab. Montana experts agree that a supply approach to housing at all levels is the best way to address the rapid rise in housing costs. There are 5 new housing projects in our pipeline making a run at 2025 construction starts. Jake and team are working to keep these projects on track. Need support for your housing project in Great Falls? Reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

12) Join us on Wednesday, March 26th, from 5:00-6:30 PM at Meadow Lark Country Club for our Angel Investor Networking Event. 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.

13) Do you have a hobby that is starting to feel more like a business? Throughout the past two weeks, our GFDA Small Business Development Center Advisors have worked with multiple clients who wanted to explore taking their hobbies to the next level. We work with clients on putting together cash projections, creating a business plan and exploring whether or not it’s time to move forward with the business. We help clients sort through the process of starting a business and break it down into manageable pieces. We invite you to explore taking your hobby and idea to the next level and attend our Idea to Income training at GFDA on April 7th beginning at 5:30 PM. Click here for additional information and details. Our Business Advisors are also here and ready to provide guidance. Reach out to one of us to get scheduled: 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.

14) Get ready for 400-500 rural leaders to converge on our community at the first ever International Economic Development Council Rural Retreat to be held in Great Falls June 23-26, 2025. We are working with Great Falls Montana Tourism and many partners to ensure we maximize this opportunity and compel them to come early and stay late, shopping and exploring North Central Montana. Help us showcase why our region is a great place for business investment! Contact Jenn Gallmeier for sponsorship opportunities, Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-781-9499.

15) GFDA earned the Candid/Guidestar 2025 Platinum Seal of Transparency, the highest transparency level a U.S. nonprofit organizations can earn. This is the 6th consecutive year we have earned a Platinum Seal and remain the only economic development organization in Montana to achieve this. Transparency is one of our core values, coupled with protecting client confidentiality.

16) 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.

17) As we continue to strengthen our organization and region to make our market more competitive in attracting both investment and talent, I am pleased to announce three GFDA staff team promotions: Jill Kohles to Senior Vice President of Lending, Jana Williams to Chief Financial Officer, and Jennifer Gallmeier to Vice President of Investment. These leaders have been instrumental in forging our success. Please join me in congratulating Jill, Jana and Jenn!

18) GFDA'a Board and Council met to begin looking at the feasibility of creating a Community Impact Investment Fund to help entrepreneurs, businesses and real estate developers to access capital they need to make their ideas a reality Such a fund would complement our existing gap and bridge financing and our Angel Network. Undertaking the feasibility is one of the strategic actions in our 2024-2026 Economic Development Strategy.

19) Exciting things are happening in our region, and much of it wouldn’t be possible without the dedicated support of our investors and public partners. Their commitment not only strengthens our organization but also empowers businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive. Check out this short video to learn more about their impact. As our region continues to grow, new opportunities are emerging for residents. If you’d like to learn more about our work and how you can get involved, contact Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

20) 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.

I'm back in DC today for the National Association of Development Organization's annual Public Policy conference and Board meeting. Have a fantastic week!

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-2119

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!

"You just can't beat the person who never gives up."

Babe Ruth

Edition 675

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