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1) Amazon cut the ribbon on its new 35,000 square foot distribution facility in Great Falls. See KFBB. Amazon has created 800 full and part-time jobs in Montana with six distribution facilities. See KFBB and KRTV.
2) GFDA's Loan Committee approved a $2 million gap loan to support a local housing development project, Meadowview Village. This high-impact investment will help expand housing options in our community and support continued growth. If you or your organization are exploring gap or bridge financing to help move your project forward, contact Shandi at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org.
3) Congratulations to Studio 89 on the opening of a new salon in Choteau. The new space features six shared women-owned businesses offering nails, hair, massage, waxing, aesthetics, and custom design work. See Choteau Acantha.
4) Construction started on infrastructure improvements on 67th Street North in the Great Falls AgriTech Park that will open up lots 7, 8, 9, and 10. Three of the lots are under agreement. Lot 8 is available for immediate building offering 23 acres with full utilities and rail access in the BNSF Certified Premier Park. Contact Christian at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.
5) Congratulations to the Augusta Historical Society on the groundbreaking for the new history museum; see KRTV.
6) Thank you to the 68 engaged community members and Cheyenne LEADS for an informative fourth installation of our Data Center Task Force. Cheyenne LEADS presented on why data centers are choosing Cheyenne, Wyoming and what the benefits and impacts are to the community. Notes and slides from the meeting as well as details for the next meeting will be available soon, stay tuned! For questions regarding the Data Center Task Force, reach out to Jolene at JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-4481.
7) We submitted nominations to the Montana Department of Commerce for two Great Falls census tracts comprising Downtown Great Falls and the Broadwater area to be designated as Opportunity Zones. Thank you to the many partners and investors who helped prioritize eligible census tracts and write support letters.
8) Sara and Jolene visited the General Mills production facility in Great Falls to learn about their upcoming opportunities and business plans. The manufacturing plant in Great Falls purchases grain from Montana farmers to produce over 1 million pounds of flour per day, including certified organic products. Did you know that General Mills was the first commercial manufacturer to obtain organic certification in Montana, and is currently the largest natural and organic certified manufacturer in the country? This includes food for people and pets through its brands like Blue Buffalo. GFDA is proud to support General Mills and its continued innovation in the milling and baking industries.
9) Touro COM has launched its annual White Coat Campaign, and our community has an opportunity to welcome the next class of future physicians to Great Falls. For a $50 tax deductible donation, you can sponsor a personalized white coat and include a note of encouragement that will be placed in a student's coat pocket before the White Coat Ceremony. It's a meaningful way to support the students who are choosing Great Falls for their medical education and who will help strengthen Montana's healthcare workforce. Learn more and support the campaign here: TouroCOM White Coat Notes Campaign.
10) Another way to welcome Touro's newest class of students is by donating an item for our annual welcome bags. We need enough donations to fill 175 bags for incoming medical and Master of Science students. Community support like this has helped make Great Falls feel like home for these students and has contributed to the university's continued investment in our region, including plans for a nursing school and law school. To donate, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org by July 20.
11) The next government contracting opportunity may come from a product, service, or technology your business already offers. Some of today's most innovative defense solutions come from businesses that have never worked with the federal government. Great Falls Regional APEX can show you how to identify defense innovation opportunities and help you prepare your business to compete for government contracts. To learn how you can gain a competitive edge in the government marketplace, contact Shannon at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
12) Kristen networked at the Governor’s Energy Task Force in Helena. The task force has been meeting on markets, generation, transmission, and growing demand to make recommendations to the Governor for the next evolution of energy development and expansion in Montana. The task force draft recommendations and meeting recordings are available on the Department of Environmental Quality website. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, August 25 at 9:00 AM. Curious about energy development opportunities in North Central Montana? Kristen Blue is the one you want to talk to. 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.
13) The Western Triangle Ag Research Center hosted their annual field day in Conrad. MSU researchers, advocacy groups, farmers, and political leaders were on site to network and learn about the newest crop varieties and innovations that drive agricultural production in Montana. Presenters highlighted the great opportunities for value added expansion in pulse and barley crops, including advanced malting techniques and high-protein pulse manufacturing. GFDA has identified actionable opportunities for pulse processing that are ready for business! If you are ready to drive business with Montana’s superior ag commodities, reach out to Sara at 1-406-590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org.
14) Great communities don't just attract opportunity. They work to keep it. That's why our Central Montana Defense Coalition brings business and community leaders together to support Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard. Thank you to the investors helping lead this effort. Want to get involved? Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
15) New business opportunities are always emerging, and companies exploring new locations often need help navigating the process. Whether it's finding the right site, connecting with utilities, understanding the workforce, or building relationships with local partners, our team is here to help. We work with companies across all industries and can connect them with the right people, resources, and opportunities to make expansion or relocation as seamless as possible. If you know of a business looking to start, expand, or relocate, contact Christian at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.
16) Our investors and partners are helping create the opportunities, projects, and growth that strengthen the Great Falls region. Their support gives us the ability to keep moving forward and continue building a place where people want to live, work, and stay. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Community Division: Contract Flooring Carpet One. Join the people investing in the future of our region by contacting Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
17) GFDA is a founding member of the Montana Energy Business Alliance (MEBA). MEBA will present at the Montana Legislature Energy and Technology Interim Committee meeting in Helena on July 16th. MEBA continues to engage throughout the state and is working to recruit new membership and draft a policy platform to participate on energy and infrastructure topics in the 2027 legislative session. MEBA seeks to give Montana businesses a strong voice in advocating for the proper planning and investment required to realize a reliable and affordable energy supply. To learn more about MEBA, contact Kristen at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.
18) Registration is live for an overview of Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana. See how we serve as Montana's local front door to the Department of War. Attendees will learn about engagement pathways, available resources, and opportunities to connect commercial and dual-use technologies with Department of War needs. July 15, 2:30 – 4:00 PM at Great Falls Association of Realtors.
19) The Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) will release the results of their new analysis of the potential economic impact of hyperscale AI data centers in Montana on July 29 from 7:30 – 9:00 AM at the Meadowlark Country Club. The analysis looks at both short- and long-term employment effects and the impacts on property tax revenues and rates. In addition, Todd O’Hair, CEO of the Montana Chamber of Commerce, will share insights from a series of recent workshops the Chamber has hosted on community impacts of data centers. Register here.
20) Save the Date! September 10-11 we are hosting a developer tour of opportunities for new projects in Great Falls in conjunction with the Urban land Institute. This event is focused on developers interested in the Great Falls market for housing and commercial development. We will tour available sites, meet the local building and permitting staff, visit demand drivers in the market, and more! If you have a potential project that you would like represented reach out to Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.
Day 1 Great Falls. Let's go!!!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Subscribe to the Grow Great Falls Montana YouTube channel!
"Capital goes where it is welcome and stays where it is well treated."
Walter Wriston
Edition 745
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