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The Station District riverfront development created a cool outdoor dining and drink multi-level deck with beautiful views of the Missouri River. Check out the Station Bar and District Eatery on the Great Falls waterfront!

1) Congratulations to Great Falls International Airport on achieving a record number of passengers for FY2025! See KRTV.

2) Networked with energy leaders at the BHE Canada stampede party. Looking forward to implementation of the next step of BHE Montana’s energy project near Cut Bank.

3) Housing production remains a top priority for keeping Great Falls affordable. Did you know that we still have over 650 units per year of demand above our current production? As we pass the halfway point of the summer and building season, now is the time to get your project moving forward. Reach out to Jake ASAP to get your project he support it needs 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org

4) The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2.0 Loan Participation Program will reopen its application portal for tranche three funds on July 14, 2025, with a firm deadline to apply by August 1, 2025. This limited window offers small businesses a final opportunity to access the low-interest rate funding. Businesses interested in applying should begin conversations with GFDA immediately as this may be the last chance to secure financing under the current tranche. If you know of a business looking to start or expand who has a financing need, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

5) Do you know of a commercial property that could spark bold, community-wide transformation? We’re on the lookout for high-impact sites—ideal for a conference hotel, sports complex, or market-rate housing—that could serve as powerful catalysts for redevelopment in Great Falls and surrounding rural areas. The right property has the potential to inspire new investment, attract talent, and energize entire neighborhoods. If a location comes to mind, don’t wait. Contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385. Let’s seize this opportunity to shape the future of our region—starting with one game-changing property.

6) Montana APEX GovMatch Matchmaking Portal is Now Open! To help participants prepare, Great Falls Regional APEX recently held a series of virtual GovMatch prep sessions tailored for agencies, prime contractors, and businesses of all sizes and industries. These sessions focused on what to expect during the event, how the registration process works, completing their GovMatch profiles effectively, and best practices to help maximize their GovMatch experience. Seize the opportunity to pursue real contract opportunities with key decision makers and start making connections that can drive your future success. This event will be held at the University of Providence located at 1301 20th Street South in Great Falls, on Wednesday, August 13th from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. To Register: CLICK HERE! For more information or help preparing for GovMatch, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org  or 1-406-590-1184.

7) Help us welcome the TouroCOM Montana Class of 2029 by sponsoring a white coat for an incoming medical student. A $50 tax-deductible gift provides a personalized, embroidered white coat and helps fund student scholarships. Sponsors can include a personal note of encouragement, which will be placed in the student’s coat pocket before the ceremony. To support, select “Montana student scholarship” from the dropdown menu when giving through the White Coat Campaign website. Let’s show these future physicians that Great Falls is behind them from day one. Questions? Email: lbruno2@touro.edu

8) Downtown Great Falls is experiencing exciting momentum with so many great investments revitalizing a once sleepy district. Be part of the new Downtown Great Falls as it continues to take shape and help keep our momentum going. We are looking for a team member whose enthusiasm for Downtown Great Falls is contagious, who can help drive deals forward that fill vacant spaces downtown, and who can work well with our dynamic partners serving alongside GFDA in this effort. If you know this person, please urge them to apply and find more information about our open positions on the GFDA Website.

9) Energy is more than power. Energy is the electromagnetic pulse of prosperity, driving every job, industry, and innovation that fuels economic growth. North Central Montana presents unique opportunities for energy businesses. The region has a strong history of energy development and offers growing momentum around clean power. With access to both U.S. and Canadian grids, developers benefit from strategic cross-border infrastructure and export potential. For energy companies looking to scale, innovate, and lead, North Central Montana is the place to get your project spinning, shining, or otherwise fired up. Contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

10) Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine is hosting a Community Vendor Fair on Thursday, July 31, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM on its Great Falls campus.This event will help kick off the new academic year and is a great opportunity to introduce your business, organization, or services to over 100 medical students, as well as faculty and staff. Whether you’re a local shop, restaurant, nonprofit, healthcare provider, or service-based business, Touro would love to connect you with its campus community. There is no cost to participate, and they will provide a table and chairs for your setup. You’re welcome to bring promotional materials, coupons, giveaways, or samples to share. Here is the RSVP link for interested businesses.

11) Project momentum continues to build across North Central Montana. We’re advancing several active opportunities and hosted a site visit from a new Canadian company exploring expansion into Great Falls. International interest in our region remains strong, and we’re staying focused on helping companies find the right fit to grow here. If you know of a business considering expansion, let’s connect! Contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

12) The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.37%; 20-year at 6.39%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.17%; and, 25-year refinance 6.40%; 20-year refinance 6.42%. 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.

13) The University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) is holding it's "Mid Year Economic Update: Taxes, Tariffs and Trade Wars -- What's Ahead for the Montana Economy" in Great Falls on Tuesday, July 29th, Noon - 1:30 PM. Register here.

14) The GFDA Small Business Development Center has been working on a state-wide training initiative with all the SBDC Centers throughout the state of Montana. This week we made significant progress by getting the first two trainings and presenters scheduled for October 21st and January 29th. Trainings will take place quarterly and have live “training centers” throughout the state hosted by either a SBDC regional center or partner. This provides the participants an opportunity to have live interaction and community within each site location. The lead facilitator will provide directive to each of the site hosts and specific intervals throughout the training to optimize the experience. We are also thrilled that Zero to Five is interested in collaborating on this project and will be a key contributor for site hosting, facilitating and promoting. We have so many great trainings and experiences to offer small businesses and entrepreneurs in Montana. If your organization provides direct service and resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs at no cost to them and you would like to explore collaborating with this project, please reach out to GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.

15) We are proud to announce the newly elected officers to the GFDA Board of Directors for Fiscal Year 2026. Johnna Lightbourne, Cogswell Insurance, will serve as Chair. Toby Malsam, Culligan Water System, has been elected Vice Chair. Andreas Geranios, Geranios Enterprise, will serve as Treasurer, and Nate Weisenburger, AE2S, will serve as Secretary. Mark Cappis, Cappis Consulting & Tax, will continue to support the organization as Immediate Past Chair. We appreciate their leadership and dedication to driving economic development in our region.

16) In addition to the officers elected for Fiscal Year 2026, we’re pleased to announce the appointed members of GFDA’s Executive Committee. The committee will include Reed Bassett of US Bank, Joe Briggs of Cascade County, Rebecca Engum of Great Falls Tourism, Dr. Stephanie Erdmann of Great Falls College, Dani Grebe of LPW Architecture, Brett Harris of Farmers Insurance, Kaci Husted of Benefis Health System, Dave Smith of Sletten Construction, and Len Watkins of Gusto Distributing. We’re fortunate to have their support and leadership as we work to grow and diversify our regional economy.

17) We are pleased to announce the GFDA Loan Committee for Fiscal Year 2026. Rebecca Engum, Great Falls Tourism, will serve as Chair. Members include Teri Anderson, First Interstate Bank; Scott Blumfield, Catalyst Commercial; Martin Byrnes, Cushing Terrell; Sheila Rice, Retired; Chad Simonson, Independence Bank; Tausha Stoll, Guy Tabacco Construction; and Erin Townsend, Bravera Bank. We thank them for lending their expertise to support projects across the region.

18) Thank you to our investors and partners for enabling us to move forward on key priorities like supporting housing development, redeveloping underutilized sites, and attracting new industry to the region. Their support also helps us respond to employer needs, attract new capital investment, and advance strategic goals in sectors like food and ag processing, defense, bioscience, and energy. Learn more about our investors and why they support us by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—Pinion Global; Community Division—Falls Mechanical Services, LLC, Great Falls BID, and Independence Bank. Thank you for helping us turn strategy into action and goals into results. To learn more about our work and how you can join the team that supports it, contact Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

19) Congratulations to Christian Leinhauser on his promotion to Business Attraction Director at the Great Falls Development Alliance! Christian has been instrumental in leading efforts to attract new companies to North Central Montana, building strong relationships with site selectors, developers, and businesses across the U.S. and internationally. His leadership has already helped bring numerous opportunities to the region—and now, in this new role, he’ll continue driving growth and investment throughout our 13-county trade area. Reach out to Christian at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136 to explore opportunities in our region!

20) We are looking for two great new GFDA Staff Team members, an Accounting Assistant and a Downtown Business Development Officer. Download our Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

Great progress on some of our key client projects this week!

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.

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"The key to success is action, and the essential in action is perseverance."

Sun Yat-sen

Edition 693

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 6.37%; 20-year at 6.39%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.17%; and, 25-year refinance 6.4%; 20-year refinance 6.42%. 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.

Applications are open until July 25th for Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Fund. The funding available offers fixed rate, low interest loans for qualifying projects and improvements. The interest rate for 2025 is 3.5 percent. Loans are awarded through a ranked application process; small business applicants located in Great Falls and North Central Montana have scoring advantages. If you are a small business considering investment in alternative energy systems and energy conservation measures, this may be a great opportunity to get your project going! To learn more and apply, contact Montana DEQ or Meranda Bass at 1-406-444-6586. To discuss your energy project or energy related opportunities in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Data helps drive decisions in business. Our Small Business Development Center assists clients dig into real numbers using powerful tools like Profit Cents, Vertical IQ, and Bizminer for industry financial benchmarks. We help 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.

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 1-406-590-1184 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 1-406-590-1184 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