|
1) Congratulations to the participants in our Winter Entrepreneur Cohort. After a summer break, the group will move to monthly meetings. This cohort was facilitated by GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor. Beginning this Fall, both the Fall 2024 and Winter 2025 cohort groups will begin meeting together once a month. We will have a monthly training topic as well as time for connection and getting to know each other’s businesses. The cohorts have covered topics including profit margins, pricing, inventory, buying groups, navigating stress, managing teams, time navigation, systems and more. We will continue building on these skill sets. We have a list started for business owners and entrepreneurs who are interested in joining a future cohort. If you are interested in learning more or getting on the “interested in a cohort” list, please reach out to Deb at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.
2) Jake and Jenn joined colleagues from across the state for the Montana Housing Partnership Conference to network and discuss best practices for providing housing affordability in Montana communities struggling to produce enough new units to curb demand and therefore steep rises in housing costs. Jake co-presented a breakout session on the role of market rate housing production in developing affordable, attainable workforce housing. While in town, Jake and Jenn were able to meet with target business owners and developers interested in projects in Great Falls. Great Falls has some real momentum that our colleagues in other Montana communities are recognizing. Time to get your project rolling? Reach out to Jake at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
3) As part of our ongoing efforts to advance GFDA’s strategic mission, we closed three loans totaling $215,000 to support two local businesses through the SSBCI 2.0 loan program. The first loan supported Great Falls Ice, which is nearing completion of a state-of-the-art ice manufacturing facility. The second loan provided working capital financing for Robyn’s Nest Daycare, which recently completed a major expansion that nearly doubled its childcare capacity. Both projects exemplify how targeted financial support can help local businesses scale and succeed. If you’re considering a project that could benefit from gap funding to reach its next stage, we encourage you to explore your options with GFDA. Contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org to start the conversation.
4) Online registration closes for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Rural Retreat this week. We highly recommend community leaders consider attending this regional immersive conference. No power points here - instead we will be immersing participants in all facets of economic development on the ground with five full day rural excursions and 6 half day options here in Great Falls. This is an incredible experience to engage and connect with leaders from across the country right here in North Central Montana. June 23-25 headquartered in Great Falls! You can check out the agenda, immersive experience descriptions, and register here.
5) I networked with real estate developers, commercial brokers, and retail, hospitality, restaurant, recreation, and entertainment companies at ICSC Las Vegas, the world's largest annual commercial real estate gathering. Just to be clear, I did not talk with the many car wash businesses who exhibited this year!
6) The Roxy Theater reopened in downtown Shelby; see Shelby Promoter and KRTV. Congratulations to all involved in making this happen!
7) Registration is open for GFDA’s Annual Meeting. Tuesday, June 17th, 8:00-10:00 AM at The Newberry. Join us as we reflect on the past year's achievements, share updates on projects, and outline our strategic priorities for the upcoming year, while also honoring this year’s Ally Award winners. Mark your calendars and register here. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org for more information.
8) Great Falls Emergency Services hosted an open house in their new garage facility; see KRTV. More improvements are on the way at Great Falls International Airport; see KFBB. KRTV ran a great story about addressing childcare challenges in the Great falls area, one of our strategic priorities.
9) Our Great Falls Regional APEX presented What Happens After SAM! a high-value training designed to help businesses take the next step in government contracting. Participants received a practical overview of the government contracting landscape and gained key insights into purchasing thresholds, federal buying methods, and effective market research strategies. In addition, they were provided tools for identifying contract opportunities, including how to create saved searches in SAM.gov, along with guidance on developing a strong capability statement and effective strategies for marketing to government agencies and prime contractors. Invest in yourself and take the next step toward winning government contracts! Contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343.
10) The City of Great Falls is holding open meetings to discuss adding workforce housing to the downtown tax increment program: May 28 at 12:00-1:30 PM or May 29 at 5:30-7:00 PM, both in the City Commission Chambers in the Civic Center.
11) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low-interest loan program opened on May 20, 2025. This program is designed to support businesses and projects that can benefit from affordable, low-interest financing. The application portal will close at the end of June 2025, and funding is extremely limited, with demand expected to be high. If your business or project could benefit from this opportunity, we strongly encourage you to begin discussions with the Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA) as soon as possible. For more information or to explore your eligibility, please contact Jill Kohles at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.
12) Congratulations to Joe Schares on opening The Simulator, VR, & Table Game Place! The business is located in the former Goodwill, 1210 9th Street South in Great Falls. They have 2 advanced golf simulators that show actual club impact and multi-sport options including hockey, baseball, football and disc golf. For racing and flying enthusiasts, they have 3 racing and 2 flight simulators, plus 3 virtual reality bays.
13) We continue to actively work leads generated from SHOT Show, the Transload Distribution Association of North America (TDANA) Conference, and the SelectUSA Investment Summit—three high-impact events that connect us with companies and site selectors actively seeking U.S. expansion opportunities. These events are key to building relationships with decision-makers and showcasing why Great Falls and North Central Montana stand out. We've had positive conversations with logistics companies and developers who are seriously considering our region for future projects. If you know of businesses exploring expansion, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.
14) NeighborWorks Great Falls and Great Falls Public Schools celebrated the completing of the 47th High School House The High School House program provides new homes for first-time homebuyers in our community and gives high school students valuable employment skills. Read more about the High School House here.
15) GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor had a productive and engaging meeting with Lainie Norman, Key Support Mentor of the Commander’s Key Support Program (CKSP) with the 741 Missile Security Forces Squadron. The group is working on bridging the gap between the Great Falls Businesses and Non-Profits with Malmstrom Air Force Base. The meeting focused on a vendor event that will be taking place on MAFB where businesses and non-profits from Great Falls have an opportunity to introduce themselves to families on Base. The event should be taking place in September and more details will be released soon. It is exciting to see additional ways our businesses and partnerships are working together to continue building community and opportunity.
16) Governor Gianforte signed HB 505 which creates a $50 million revolving loan fund at the Montana Board of Investments to help finance infrastructure for much-needed housing development across the state.
17) Energy is the thing we all need but don’t notice until it is expensive or gone. Electric generation, transmission, and distribution are complex systems that ultimately impact the finances of all residences and businesses. Hawaii has the highest residential electricity rates in the United States at about 42 cents/kWh. It costs roughly $210 per year to run a typical modern refrigerator in Hawaii. North Dakota offers the lowest average residential electricity rate in the United States around 10 cents/kWh, costing approximately $50 per year to run the same refrigerator. Are you interested in Montana’s energy costs, capacities, and opportunities? Kristen Blue wants to discuss your questions and projects. Use the power of electricity to call, email, or text Kristen at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.
18) Business Advisor Christian Nichols and Deb McGregor participated in an interactive webinar on tariffs that identified some of the key reasons business owners have not been taking active measures as well as discussing the industries which will be impacted the most. If you are concerned about the impact of tariffs in your business or you would like to take a look at the efficiency and profit margins for your business, reach out to one of our trained 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.
19) 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.
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) 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.
22) 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.
23) We take pride in this progress, but even more pride in the partnerships that made it possible. To our investors and public partners: thank you for your dedication and support that makes this possible. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana; Northern Directory Publishing; Community Division—1st Liberty Federal Credit Union, and Independence Bank. These, and many more, are the reason we can continue driving solutions to meet housing demand, attract skilled talent, and spur development that creates high-wage jobs across our region. You can learn more about them here. To learn how you can support this work, reach out to Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
24) 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.
Thinking of our fallen heroes this Memorial Day weekend. We owe you our freedom.
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!
"The only way you survive is you continuously transform into something else. It’s the idea of continuous transformation that makes you an innovation company."
Ginni Rometty
Edition 686
| 
