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1) We had our most successful SelectUSA Investment Summit ever, where we met with more than 40 companies from across the globe. It was an incredible opportunity to showcase North Central Montana as a strategic location for international business expansion—highlighting our shovel-ready sites, affordable operating costs, access to Canadian markets, and pro-business environment. Now, the real work begins as we follow up with each of the companies we met to explore next steps and opportunities. If you know of global companies considering U.S. expansion, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.
2) Congratulations to Benefis Health System on once again being named one of the top 150 places to work in healthcare by Becker's Healthcare!
3) The 2025 Livability Great Falls magazines are here! This is a great tool for employers to use to recruit talent to relocate to the Great Falls region. Hard copies will be distributed this week -- the digital version is now live—with interactive links perfect for showcasing all that Great Falls has to offer. Last year’s digital magazine saw 24.3K views and over 200.3K social impressions—proof that people are looking at Great Falls and liking what they see. Help us spread the word about the lifestyle, opportunities, and energy of Great Falls. Contact Katie Carvell for support and ideas on how to make the most of this resource at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.
4) Congratulations to Conservation Grains for the award of $92,908.00 from the Resilient Food System Infrastructure grant. With this award, the Choteau based grain mill will be able to expand both their capacity and offerings to grow their market further.
5) Jake was in Chicago meeting with transload companies during the annual meeting of the Transload Distribution Association of North America (TDANA). There are several transloaders considering the Great Falls Market and Jake was able to connect with 4 of them in person as well as some new contacts with the BNSF Railroad. Additionally, Jake was able to invite some Chicago-based site selection consultants to an event we are hosting in August in Chicago to showcase Montana business opportunities for consultants that help client businesses fin their new home or expansion location. Ready to make Great Falls the new home for your business? Reach out to Christian Leinhauser CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.
6) The Baatz Block in Downtown Great Falls which NeighborWorks Great Falls and Homeword are redeveloping to create a permanent supportive housing facility with 25 units and an array of services was named to the National Register of Historic Places. We're proud to be a small part of the financing of the project.
7) This week, our GFDA Small Business Development Center helped clients dig into real numbers using powerful tools like Profit Cents, Vertical IQ, and Bizminer for industry financial benchmarks. We also helped clients tap into wage data using Jobs EQ, a labor market analytics platform loaded with up-to-date wage, employment, and industry trend data for our region. From startup research to expansion planning, we’ve got the data to back your business decisions—all at no cost to you. Need insights for your industry? Contact the Small Business Development Center today. You can also reach out directly 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.
8) Artful Motion Pilates has opened in Downtown Great Falls. The Milk River Irrigation Project that serves more than 18,000 Hi-Line residents, farmers and ranchers expects to return to service earlier than expected which is great news! See Montana Free Press.
9) Our Great Falls Regional APEX helped a business in our region prepare for the HUBZone certification process by guiding them through the steps required for eligibility and reviewing the necessary documentation. You may qualify for this certification if you live in a HUBZone. You can check your location using the HUBZone Map. To qualify, a business must meet the following requirements: Be a small business according to SBA size standards, be at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, an agricultural cooperative, an Alaska Native corporation, a Native Hawaiian organization, or an Indian tribe. Your principal office must be located within a HUBZone and at least 35% of your employees must reside in one. Obtaining HUBZone certification offers valuable benefits, including access to set-aside contracts, a 10% price evaluation preference in full and open competitions, and increased visibility with federal buyers, helping small businesses grow and compete more effectively. For more information, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
10) Governor Gianforte and the Montana Department of Commerce released a new Montana Brand to boost tourism and build a stronger identify for Montana to attract talent and investment; see KRTV. The new brand is inspired by and created to represent Montanans by promoting the entire state, attracting and dispersing travel, celebrating and marketing Montana’s businesses, welcoming new businesses, uplifting rural communities and their stories and celebrating Montana’s heritage and character. You can download the new media assets here. We will begin using the new state brand to hone our business attraction and talent attraction efforts for the Great Falls 13-county region.
11) Kristen made positive connections this week with energy developers interested in our region. As power demand surges across the nation, North Central Montana is poised to generate electricity to attract large scale business ventures. What are you curious about in the energy sector? Would you like to participate in a specific training course or workshop to learn more about the energy landscape and opportunities in our region? Reach out to discuss your ideas or projects with Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.
12) Get registered by May 30th for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Rural Retreat to get the early bird registration. The first ever IEDC Rural Retreat will be in North Central Montana June 23-25. Also, members of the Montana Economic Developer Association get a special discounted rate. Click here to register and learn more about the retreat. If you have additional questions email or call Jolene, JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org, 1-406-750-4481. 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.
13) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low-interest loan program will open on May 20, 2025. This program offers a valuable opportunity for eligible businesses and projects that can benefit from affordable, low-interest financing. Funds are extremely limited, and demand is expected to be high. If your project or business could benefit, we strongly encourage you to begin discussions with GFDA as soon as possible. For more information or to explore your eligibility, please contact Jill at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.
14) GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor participated in an interactive training session presented by Angelyn DeYoung, International Trade Manager with the Montana Department of Commerce. Topics covered included the Trade Show Assistance Programs, Export Finance Programs, International Trade Missions and STEP Grants. In addition, there is a new program, Prime Target market research + B2B matchmaking, which is designed to assist Montana businesses in determining their best international market. With this program, businesses receive a professional, customized market research report on the top 5 international markets for that company. Then, if appropriate, the Montana Department of Commerce will work with an in-country contractor to set up virtual or in-person matchmaking meetings in the top country of the business’s choice. The STEP grant will reimburse 50% of the cost (average net cost of $1,500 - $3,000). For additional information on these programs, please reach out to Angelyn DeYoung at 406-841-2783 or 406-431-5075.
15) Jake joined our housing partners for a "Knowledge Drop" on housing in Great Falls hosted by the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Check out the video online to get caught up on the demand for new housing in Great Falls. Connect with Jake to move your housing project forward Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937, you can also catch Jake next week at the Montana Housing Partnership conference in Billings, MT presenting on "Bridging the Gap: Market-Rate Housing Solutions with Walkable Neighborhoods and Land Ownership."
16) Participated in the Sentinel Town Hall and met with DOD leaders who visited the region as we continue to work with USAF and industry to prepare for successful construction and future operations of the critical Sentinel national defense mission.
17) 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.
18) We held a kick-off meeting with Cushing Terrell for the catalyst redevelopment sites project we are undertaking. We are looking for properties in Cascade County with the potential for redevelopment that would have ripple effects throughout their areas. If you know of existing buildings or land sites with redevelopment potential and with owners willing to consider selling, participating in or undertaking a redevelopment, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385.
19) Data drives decisions. Which is why we have leveraged resources to provide market data that aids companies in their decisions to locate, start, or expand in our market. You can find this data on our website here.
20) We’re preparing to welcome the third class of Touro University students and are looking for businesses willing to donate 155 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.
21) Save the date for GFDA’s Annual Meeting! Tuesday, June 17th, 8:00-10:00 AM at The Newberry. Come celebrate the accomplishments of our community partners, clients and investors at our while also honoring this year’s Ally Award winners. Registration will be going out soon, mark your calendars. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org if you’d like more information.
22) At the Great Falls Area Chamber’s Future of Great Falls forum, Jenn represented GFDA on a panel with leaders from MANG, Downtown Great Falls, Great Falls College, Touro, GFPS, GF International Airport, GF Montana Tourism, Cascade County Commission, University of Providence, and the City of Great Falls. She highlighted the region’s housing and childcare shortages and announced new funding to update GFDA’s 2021 Child Care Market Assessment. See: KRTV. Events like these are important because they keep the community informed and engaged.
23) Deb participated in the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Program (KEP) hosted by the Minnesota Small Business Development Center state network. Topics and presentations included integrating AI into preparation for starting a business as well as effective management of the business; 9 key steps for making sure clients have loan packets prepared effectively; writing better marketing plans; and creative problem solving. If you are a business owner preparing a loan package, experiencing challenges with tariffs or needing more effective research, 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! Our services are provided at no cost to you.
24) Are you a Montana resident who has considered law school but can't commit to a full-time program? We'd like your input. We are conducting a quick anonymous survey to assess interest in a part-time law school option for Montana. Click here to take the survey. If you have additional questions email or call Jolene, JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org, 1-406-750-4481.
25) The Governor signed SB 458 which further expands CPACE financing options including using CPACE to help finance public safety. We look forward to offering training in partnership with the Montana Facility Finance Authority on the new binding and CPACE options created during the legislative session. Stay tuned.
26) The Montana legislature also approved three House Joint Resolutions that support efforts we have been working on including HJ 15 that supports increasing electric transmission capacity, HJ 17 that supports improving regulatory pathways for energy development (sponsored by local legislator Steve Fitzpatrick, and HJ 30 the supports studying incentivizing increased density housing development.
27) I had the pleasure of teaching parts of the Council of Development Finance Agencies' Intro to Revolving Loan Funds and Advanced Revolving Loan Funds courses this week.
28) Our work doesn’t just happen. To our investors, thank you for providing the capital and confidence that creates new opportunities. To our public partners, thank you for stepping up and staying at the table. When we help a new childcare center open its doors, when a vacant building is transformed into a thriving business, or when a young entrepreneur secures their first loan, those stories are possible because you chose to invest in this community. Economic development is never a solo effort, and we’re grateful to have a team that shows up and follows through. Learn more about them, by viewing this short video. If you’d like to join this amazing team, reach out to Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
29) 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 flew down to Vegas this weekend for the start of the ICSC commercial real estate annual networking event. I'll be meeting with developers, commercial brokers, and dining, retail, entertainment, hospitality and recreation brands to pitch our regional market.
Have a fantastic week!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
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