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The Little Shell Tribe held the site blessing and groundbreaking for their Ceremonial Center at 1301 Stuckey Road, attended by City, County, and Tribal leaders, staff and members. This milestone is significant as the Little Shell people historically enjoyed their culture in and around this place, where now cultural events and additional projects will provide space for Little Shell culture to thrive once again. See KRTV. Congratulations!

1) Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA) closed two high-mission loans to support the acquisition of a child care facility. Little Learners Academy Center, Inc. is acquiring the established Little Learners child care business, ensuring continuity for both staff and enrolled children. This transition not only preserves the current workforce but also expands the availability of child care slots and increases staffing, further strengthening the community’s access to quality early childhood education. A special thank you to our bank partner, Aspen Aggas of Bravera Bank, for their invaluable support in making this high-impact project possible. If your business requires financing assistance to start, grow, or innovate, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

2) Benefis Health System presented plans to Neighborhood Council 5 for the 92-home Sanavista Estates it plans to break ground on this year adjacent to the Benefis Grandview in Great Falls. The 55+ housing development includes a mix of villas and apartments designed by Cushing Terrell. Dick Anderson Construction is the general contractor. This is an exciting addition to our housing stock!

3) We responded to three RFIs from the Montana Department of Commerce for companies in the firearms industry exploring expansion or relocation opportunities. Each submission helps demonstrate why North Central Montana is a smart, strategic choice for manufacturers—offering competitive sites, skilled labor, and a supportive business environment. If you know of companies exploring new locations, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

4) Jake spoke on a panel with our housing-focused partners: City of Great Falls Staff, Great Falls Association of Realtors and NeighborWorks Great Falls at the Housing Summit hosted by the Great Falls Association of Realtors. The conversation was really positive and the message was clear that we need more housing in Great Falls to help solve several challenges to our historic affordability. See KRTV. Time to get your project going, reach out to Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

5) Our Great Falls Regional APEX assisted 15 small businesses with a wide range of government contracting services, empowering them to move forward confidently in the federal marketplace. Among these, one client successfully completed a thorough NAICS code analysis and learned how to calculate their average annual receipts for SBA size standard compliance—a critical step in verifying eligibility for small business set-aside contracts. Understanding your correct NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes is essential for pursuing the right federal opportunities. These codes define your business’s industry classification and are used by contracting officers to determine which opportunities you’re eligible for. Equally important is knowing how to calculate your average annual receipts, as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA), to ensure you qualify as a small business under your primary NAICS code. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184

6) Building a digital presence is more important than ever—but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. If you're unsure how to get your business online and noticed, this free Digital Marketing Basics webinar is for you. Join Business Advisor Rich Gannon from our GFDA Small Business Development Center team on Tuesday, April 29th, from 12–1 PM to learn simple, practical steps to get found online. Register here

7) Congratulations to Dan Severson on his recent purchase of the Dupuyer Cache. The unique store in Dupuyer caters to locals and travelers alike. The GFDA Small Business Development Center loves guiding clients through the process of buying and selling businesses as well as starting one from scratch. If being an entrepreneur is something that interests you and there is an idea you want to explore, 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. Our services are provided at no cost to you.

8) We approved a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment to assist an expanding downtown business, saving the business owner thousands of dollars. If you’re looking to purchase a commercial building for your business, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385 to explore savings on environmental assessment costs.

9) If you are a brick-and-mortar business but looking to expand on-line or you are interested in starting an on-line business, join us for our upcoming free webinar on Thursday, May 1st at 11:00 AM: Building an On-Line Business through AMAZON. Joining us is special guest Grant Bauer as he talks about the journey he and his wife Marge have gone through while building an on-line business. From starting in a bedroom to expanding to the garage to a building on their property to ultimately purchasing a warehouse building, they have experienced many layers of on-line business building. Grant brings a unique perspective as a presenter as he teaches from his own first-hand experience. These monthly webinars are offered through the GFDA Small Business Development Center/MSU Extension partnership. For additional information and to register, click here.

10) Since the start of this century, energy efficiency efforts have saved Montanans nearly $1,000 per year. The value of energy efficiency for homes and businesses is growing as the United States experiences a new era of increased electricity demand. Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality manages several programs related to energy efficiency initiatives, learn more here. To discuss energy efficiency or energy generation projects, contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4898 or Kristen@growgreatfalls.org

11) Shandi and Anna networked with meat processors from both Montana and our neighboring states at the Montana Meat Processing Association convention in Missoula. During the convention, Anna gave a presentation on funding opportunities, resources and technical assistance that GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center can offer to meat processors both regionally and across the state, including additional GFDA funding for meat processing. If you are a meat processor interested in expanding your plant’s operations, reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.

12) We’re now preparing to welcome the third class of Touro University students and are looking for businesses willing to donate 145 items to help greet the new students and make them feel at home in our community. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to coordinate the details.

13) We’re continuing our preparation for SelectUSA, where we’ll be promoting North Central Montana as a prime location for international business investment. With shovel-ready sites, low operating costs, and access to Canadian markets, we’re focused on attracting companies looking to expand into the U.S. If you know of international businesses exploring U.S. opportunities, or want to learn more about our outreach efforts, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

14) Registration is open for the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 Event!  Whether you're a supplier ready to showcase your capabilities or a buyer seeking qualified suppliers to meet contracting needs, this GovMatch event is for you! Don’t miss this chance to connect with key decision makers, build strategic partnerships for government contracting success. To Register: CLICK HERE! To learn more about this event contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174

15) Jenn, Jolene and Brett participated in the Montana Economic Developers Association Conference in Livingston about how economic development organizations can diversify revenue. Jenn spoke on a panel and shared GFDA’s approach and results, and while there, connected with state leaders and peers to discuss funding strategies and statewide collaboration. Participation in events like this helps GFDA stay ahead of funding trends, build relationships, and bring back ideas that strengthen our ability to support business growth and regional development.

16) Join GFDA’s investment committee! Help us secure the resources that power business expansion, job creation, and community transformation across North Central Montana. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

17) Thank you to our investors and public partners for making our work possible. Their support allows us to respond to business needs, remove barriers to development, secure funding for priority projects, and provide technical assistance across the region. Learn more about them by watching this video. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—Eagle Beverage; Community Division—Ag Processing Solutions, Inc., Tim & Johnna Lightbourne. Their continued partnership drives real progress in North Central Montana. To learn how you can support our mission, reach out to Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

18) 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.

An early Top 10 this week. have a wonderful weekend!

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.

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“To swear off mistakes is very easy. All you have to do is swear off having ideas.”

Leo Burnett

Edition 682

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 6.432%; 20-year at 6.450%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.337%; and, 25-year refinance 6.461%; 20-year refinance 6.480%. 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.

We’re now preparing to welcome the third class of Touro University students and are looking for businesses willing to donate 145 items to help greet the new students and make them feel at home in our community. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to coordinate the details.

We're excited to be a sponsor of the Montana Housing Partnership Conference that will be held May 19-21 in Billings. Register here.

In June, we will host the first ever International Economic Development Council's Rural Retreat. This gathering of 400-500 professionals will focus on growing rural communities we are excited to feature immersive experiences in White Sulphur Springs, Choteau, Conrad, Fort Benton, and Cut Bank. If you're interested in being part of the retreat or want to learn more, reach out to Jolene at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org. For unique sponsorship opportunities, contact Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Immediately following the IEDC Rural Retreat, RMI is hosting an Energy Bootcamp for Economic Developers in Great falls on June 26th. Click for more information.

We have several upcoming trainings. Thursday, May 1st, 11:00-11:30 AM-ONLINE: Building an On-Line Business through Amazon. To register, click here. Thursday, May 8th, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM: Springhill Suites: Business Blitz 2.0.  The event is structured around four focused modules designed to address critical aspects of business success: Building Time and Boundaries for Business Owners, Creating Your Digital Marketing Footprint, Understanding Business Financial Statements and Building a Storyboard for Business Branding. For additional information and registration, click here. May 13th, 8:00-9:45 AM: GFDA AE2S: Buying and Selling a Business: Key Considerations for a Successful Transition. Register by clicking here.  If you’re interested in starting a business, please reach out to Christian at 1-406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Spring proposals for NorthWestern Energy’s E+ Renewable Energy program are due May 1. This program offers a limited amount of funding for renewable energy installations on non-profit, government, and public buildings. Learn more about the program and application process here. To discuss energy projects and initiatives of all sizes, reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.

The Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Council of Cooperatives are hosting the inaugural Montana Cooperative Academy in Great Falls May 12-14. Designed specifically for the Montana Cooperative Community, the academy will focus on building cross-sector connections, learning how cooperatives of all shapes and sizes shape Montana's economy, lessons in cooperative leadership, and leaving with a stronger cooperative network and tangible items you can implement at home. Learn more and register here.

JOIN US FOR THE MONTANA APEX GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING MATCHMAKING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Great Falls Regional APEX is proud to host the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 event at the University of Providence on Wednesday, August 13th. This event is designed to connect suppliers with federal, state, and local government buyers, as well as prime contractors, fostering relationships and creating opportunities for government contracting success. Whether you're a supplier showcasing your capabilities or a buyer seeking qualified suppliers to meet contracting needs, this GovMatch event is for you!  Registration is now open to both buyers and suppliers: CLICK HERE! For more details or to prepare for this event, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

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.

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