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Ponderosa Solutions held the grand opening of their Transload Facility in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. This project advances one of GFDA’s core strategic priorities by enhancing regional transportation and logistics capacity, reducing freight costs, and improving supply chain efficiency for local businesses. Thank you for your investment in the future of our region.

1) We successfully supported the Great Falls City Commission that approved annexation and zoning for Meadowview Village, a 163-unit homeownership subdivision, the largest homeownership project approved in Great Falls since our first Housing Market Demand Assessment. GFDA has financed the predevelopment work for this exciting development. See The Electric.

2) We supported the aggressive city investment in utility infrastructure, which will not only accelerate the replacement of existing services but provide funds for strategic investment in infrastructure that can support new development. We also supported the use of TIF funds for tree and trash can improvements downtown. 

3) Registration is open for GFDA’s Annual Meeting. Tuesday, June 17th, 8:00-9:30 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.

4) Eleven participants joined this month’s GFDA Small Business Development Center/MSUExtension Small Business Webinar Series focused on Thinking Like an Inventor.  Our special guest, Arnold Volker, CEO of Next Innovations joined us for an interactive presentation that captured bringing passion, focus, creativity, strong support networks, adaptability, determination and belief to any business. Arnold also walked us through some of the strategies he uses for distribution management and trademarks/patents for the number of products he and his family have invented as well as other inventions sold through their business. A recording of the webinar can be found here. Our Small Business Webinar Series will begin again in September with new topics, presenters and inspiration for entrepreneurs, small business owners and businesses who support their endeavors.

5) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low-interest loan program opened on May 20th and closes soon. 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.

6) Jake met with Downtown Great Falls building owners considering ambitious redevelopment projects. We are still working to fill our Downtown Business Development Officer position, but in the meantime reach out to Jake to get your project started in Downtown Great Falls 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.

7) Several exciting announcements this week. The Spark Children's Museum has chosen a new location in Downtown Great Falls, see The Electric and KRTV. Windy City Liquidations opened in Downtown Great Falls, see KRTV. Local author Ken Robison's new book, Lost Great Falls, has been published, see KRTV; Bella Vita Wellness opened in Downtown Great Falls, see KRTV. And see more business news in TheElectric's updated Business Bites.

8) We held productive interim meetings with our pulse processing market assessment consultant studying the opportunities for business growth in pulse crop processing in Montana. Thank you to all the business and community leaders that have made time to participate in the study. 

9) We also reviewed preliminary findings with the consultants who are conducting a market assessment to expand and diversify indoor and outdoor recreation and entertainment business in the region. We expect to wrap up both of these market assessments this summer, then commission a childcare market demand assessment.

10) Thank you to the local businesses that have already contributed to the welcome bags for Touro University! We are still looking for businesses willing to donate 155 items for this incoming class. We’re putting these together to help new students feel at home and encourage them to explore the local businesses, services, and experiences Great Falls has to offer. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Deadline is June 30th.

11) Montana has one of the highest rates of small business ownership per capita in the United States, according to the Small Business Administration. The state’s leading small business sectors include hospitality, skilled trades, retail, and health services. These diverse industries share a common need: affordable, reliable energy to power their operations. Are you a small business owner exploring energy incentives, efficiencies, or renewable options? Contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org to start an energetic conversation.

12) The Montana Department of Commerce announced $23.7 million in Montana Coal Endowment grants for infrastructure improvements, including $750,000 to Dutton, $500,000 to Fairfield, $520,891 to Judith Basin County, $750,000 to Lewis & Clark County for the Augusta Clemons Road Bridge, $375,000 to Shelby, $500,000 to Sun Prairie, $625,000 to White Sulphur Springs; and $625,000 to Wolf Point; see press release.

13) As AI continues to become more mainstream, the GFDA Small Business Development Center continues to find ways to integrate this technology not only in the work we do on a day-to-day basis but also with our clients. This week, we were very excited to work with a client on her Storybrand Brandscript using a combination of brain power, ChatGPT and Storybrand AI. What emerged for this client is not only a logo and headline messaging but a detailed plan for moving her brand and marketing forward as she prepares to launch full scale this month. This work emerged after this business owner attended the Business Blitz 2.0 where GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor facilitated an interactive session using the Storybrand Brandscript concept. If you are curious about how AI can assist you in getting a strategy set for branding and marketing, 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.

14) We concluded filming for our Food Safety 101 video series thanks to Claude Smith at the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) and Paris Bread of Fresh Bread Productions for their support of this project. These videos will be available statewide to support food processing businesses.

15) Are you ready to take your business to the next level in government contracting? Great Falls Regional APEX is presenting What Happens After SAM!  a dynamic virtual training designed to equip YOU with the knowledge and resources needed to sell your products and services to federal and state agencies. This focused learning experience offers a clear overview of the government contracting landscape, including key insights into purchasing thresholds, federal buying methods, and smart market research techniques. You’ll also learn how to simplify the process of finding contract opportunities that align with your business, create efficient saved searches in SAM.gov to easily track relevant solicitations, enhance your capability statement, and refine your business introduction to market effectively to government agencies and prime contractors. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the tools and confidence you need to grow your business in the government marketplace. To Register: CLICK HERE! or contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

16) The SBA 504 25-year loan effective rate this month (including all fees) is 6.373%; 20-year at 6.390%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.204%; and, 25-year refinance 6.401%; 20-year refinance 6.420%. 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.

17) We were awarded continued funding for our Food and Ag Development Center for the two-year biennium that starts on July 1st with a $13,000 increase from our current award. In the current biennium, our regional Food & Ag Development Center, led by Anna Flies, has helped clients secure $4.7 million of investment into their businesses in our region. 

18) I participated in the annual Board retreat of the National Association of Development Organizations and toured the very successful urban waterfront redevelopments in Providence, Rhode Island.

19) Thank you to our investors and public partners for believing in the long game. Economic development is not instant. It takes years of persistence, coordination, and shared effort to see results. Your continued support allows us to lay the groundwork for future growth. Learn more about our team of supporters here. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—Republic Services; Community Division—Rocky Mountain Carriers, LLC. We are grateful to have you with us as we build a stronger region together. To learn about our economic development strategy and how you can help us achieve our mission, reach out to 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.

You do not want to miss our Annual Meeting on June 17th. We have a very exciting announcement on the agenda!

Have a great week!

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-2119

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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"Success breeds success."

Mia Hamm

Edition 688

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 6.373%; 20-year at 6.390%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.204%; and, 25-year refinance 6.401%; 20-year refinance 6.420%. 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.

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.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering an upcoming energy auditor training pilot program. DEQ is covering the costs for lodging, pre-requisites, class, and testing. For more information contact Sam Hall at 406-444-4960 or Sam.Hall@mt.gov

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 2025 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