|
1) Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana announced a major 100 MW solar farm and energy storage system investment in the Great Falls trade area at the Montana Chamber's Big Sky, Bright Future Economic Summit on Thursday. Nancy Murray, BHE Montana President, joined Governor Greg Gianforte to announce the project that will include about 200,000 solar panels spread over 1,000 acres. This project will bring BHE Montana's investment in the Great Falls region to just under $1 billion. BHE previously purchased the MATL Tie Line that runs between Great Falls and Lethbridge, Alberta and the two large Glacier Wind and Rim Rock wind farms on the Hi-Line. As part of the project, the company plans to open an office and operations center in Great Falls with 20 employees. Project construction will involve hundreds of construction workers in the Cut Bank and Shelby area, and an ongoing need for skilled technicians.
We have been working with Nancy's team on this project for quite some time and are very excited for the project and to welcome such a fantastic company to Great Falls. Jolene has taken the lead on this project for GFDA and has done an outstanding job! I had the opportunity to network with numerous companies and state leaders at the Summit along with Ed Brown, new President of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and a number of our investors and area business leaders. Congratulations to the Montana Chamber for an exceptional event!
2) We celebrated and honored 15 outstanding individuals at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday. See KRTV. The Ally Award is given to those that have shown exceptional dedication and have gone above and beyond for our team over the last year. We owe much of our success to their collaboration, hard work, and support. Congratulations to the 2024 Ally Award Winners:
Once again, congratulations and thank you for your contribution to the region's growth!
3) Sustainable Oils won a 30 million dollar grant from the USDA from the Partnerships Climate Smart Commodities program to measure and validate the advantages of camelina as an ultra-low carbon renewable fuel feedstock. They will be completing an evaluation of camelina as a biofuel feedstock crop in cropping systems across five (5) agroclimatic regions in the US for its role in biofuel production, carbon sequestration, carbon intensity, regenerative agriculture, and economic viability.
4) Construction started on the new Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing campus in Great Falls! The Great Falls campus joins 4 other new buildings to make up the major expansion of Montana State University's Bachelor of Nursing program statewide.
5) Christian Leinhauser and Anna worked with a primary sector company from out of state that visited the Great Falls region this week to explore future development sites. It would be their first in Montana. If you are interested in building in Great Falls or North Central Montana, reach out to Christian Leinhauser at 1-406-836-0136 or at Cleinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org.
6) GFDA was awarded a $530,000 loan capital grant from the Montana Department of Commerce under the new Big Sky Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund program. Great Falls Tourism was awarded a $50,000 grant from the Montana Department of Commerce to support attraction of more air service to the Great Falls International Airport.
7) Congratulations to Mmkay Cleaning Services LLLC on their contract award with the Walsh Group. Building past performance is vital in government contracting. It is one of the primary factors for securing contracts, establishing credibility, and expanding business opportunities. If you're a small business seeking to enhance your performance portfolio, elevate your competitive edge, and gain a strategic advantage over the competition, contact Shannon Clancy with Great Falls Regional APEX at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
8) Ziply Fiber is installing a broad band fiber bnetwork in Great Falls that can serve over 10,000 locations. The new network will offer 50 gig symmetrical fiber connection. See KRTV.
9) GFDA partnered with the City of Great Falls to host a visit by an out of state investment group interested in investing in local housing production. Contact Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
10) We are preparing to welcome the next class of Touro COM students into our community and we need your help! Last year, businesses and community members supported the students by donating items for gift bags, hosting small groups for dinners, sponsoring white coats and more. See KRTV. If you’d like to join us in welcoming this new class, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Click here to sponsor a white coat for an incoming student.
11) The downtown night market kicks off June 28th from 5:00 to 9:00 PM In Great Falls! There will be two more markets this summer, July 19th and August 9th. Each market will take place on different blocks of downtown Great Falls with the June market kicking off on the 300 & 400 blocks. Central Ave will be closed starting at 3:00 PM for set up.
12) Karlee May, Executive Director for the Urban Land Institute (ULI)- Idaho and Montana was in Great Falls to receive her GFDA Ally Award and to tour local housing projects. Jake has been working with Karlee to access the ULI network and resources to attract housing development in our region. More in the works, keep an eye out for a ULI webinar focused on Great Falls coming soon!
13) The second annual Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit will be held August 7-8 in Helena.
14) The Fairfield Sun Times recently announced that it will change its name to "Times-Leader" on July 4, 2024, and expand its coverage to include Great Falls. This expansion involves adding staff, increasing local news coverage, and potentially developing into a twice-weekly publication, aiming to fill the void left by declining newspaper coverage in the region. Read the full story and announcement here.
15) Jolene was in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta reviewing the South Grow organization for accreditation through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). As part of the accreditation team she is able to forge new partnerships, gain new ideas, and share what’s working with us and others. It’s a great program and professional development tool as both she and Brett are able to review a couple of high performing organizations a year.
16) Madysan Foltz started work as GFDA's new Communications and Marketing Director. Madysan relocated from Pennsylvania and brings nine years of marketing and storytelling experience to our team. She earned a B.S. in Magazine Journalism and International Relations from Syracuse University. Join us in welcoming Madysan to Great Falls! Madysan@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1539.
17) GFDA has been selected to participate in a 10-month Equitable Lending Leaders cohort training organized by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The cohort involves economic development lenders interested in expanding and improving lending to Indigenous communities and Tribal members.
18) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team. Download a description of openings for Director Regional Small Business Development Center and Lending Solutions Specialist. Contact Tracy for more info at Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org.
19) Our work is deeply reliant on the continued support of our investors and public partners. They help us achieve significant milestones and make a positive impact on the region’s economic landscape. Learn more about these champions of our community by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—NorthWestern Energy; Pacesetter Division—Northern Directory Publishing, Inc.; TC Glass, Inc.; Community Division—Nelson Architects. We could not do what we do without them and our entire team of investors. If you’d like to learn more about our work and how you can support our initiatives, contact Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Jake, Jolene, Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs, and I flew out to DC yesterday to network with companies across the globe who are interested in investing in the United States at the 10th annual SelectUSA Investment Summit. I have enjoyed the honor of representing the Great falls Montana region at every SelectUSA Annual Summit. Wish us luck in bringing back some great leads!
Have a profitable week!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region.
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!
"... skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been."
Wayne Gretzky
Edition 638
| 
