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Touro COM students kicked up their heels at the 3rd Annual Hootenanny, put on by GFDA and hosted by Ron & Becky Nelson. The night was filled with great food, live music, line and square dancing, and tons of fun. Thank you to Admiral Beverage/Pepsi for keeping everyone refreshed & hydrated, Ron and Becky Nelson for opening their home, and 406 Blacked Out Taxi for making sure everyone got home safely. Special thanks to Howard Gross and his wife Patti for traveling from New York, preparing an incredible meal, and ensuring no one left hungry.  We’re so grateful to our investors and everyone else who made this evening possible.

1) Montana APEX GovMatch 2025, hosted by our Great Falls Regional APEX, was a HUGE success! The event facilitated an impressive 661 one-on-one meetings between government agencies, prime contractors, and businesses of all sizes and industries, each carefully scheduled to maximize relevant connections and procurement opportunities. This was the first time the statewide Gov Match Event was held outside of Billings and we've had tremendous feedback from participants. Thank you to everyone who helped make this so successful. In addition to one-on-one meetings, participants engaged in agency Spotlight sessions, where agency buyers shared upcoming needs and procurement tips, helping business suppliers better understand how to compete and win contracts with their agencies. By creating direct pathways to contract awards, the event opened the door to substantial new government contracting opportunities that have the potential to drive job creation, fuel business growth, and strengthen Montana’s economy. See KRTV story. To learn how you can grow your business through government contracts, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

2) Downtown Great Falls hosted the seventh year of its signature mural festival, Great Walls: Great Falls. Sponsored by the Downtown Business Improvement District, the weeklong event brought ten new large-scale murals to the city’s alleyways, painted by a mix of local, national, and international artists. The vibrant art not only adds beauty but also fosters safety and community pride, with proven benefits like reducing graffiti and drawing more people into underused spaces. The celebration wrapped up with an artist reception in the mural alley, where guests enjoyed live canvas painting, music, and an auction of one-of-a-kind artworks created during the festival. See KRTV.

3) We received great news from one of the international companies exploring expansion in our region as they’ve taken a key step forward in their decision-making process. We continue to assist them with information, local connections, and site details to support their evaluation, and we’re hopeful that a formal announcement will follow soon. Momentum is strong as North Central Montana remains a top contender for international investment. If you know of global companies considering a U.S. location, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

4) KRTV ran a great story about new restuaramnts and businesses coming to Great Falls.

5) The GFDA Small Business Development Center Team met with 32 unique clients this week. These clients had a variety of needs including business start-up questions, legal entity set up, financial forecasting, reading a profit/loss statement, expansion, comparison of different scenarios for business development, creative problem solving and more. Our Business Advisors are trained and equipped to assist you on multiple levels of owning and operating a business. Our services are provided at no cost to you. Please reach out to 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. We look forward to being a part of your entrepreneurial journey.

6) If you missed the Housing Production Update event we held last week you can watch the video on the GFDA YouTube page. You will hear about a riverside development making moves, a new single-family development currently raising capital, and you'll get a teaser for a newly announced project on the East end of Great Falls. Let's get your housing project moving, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatfalls.org

7) We can still do low interest loan participations for businesses but there are limited funds. The Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) 2.0 Loan Participation Program remains open 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 Shandi at Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-9037.

8) We’re making final preparations for the Transatlantic Business & Investment Council (TBIC) Conference and our upcoming Site Selector event in Chicago. We’ve already confirmed six top-tier national Site Selectors, with more expected to join us. These events provide invaluable opportunities to highlight North Central Montana’s business-ready sites, strong infrastructure, workforce availability, and strategic location to key influencers who help companies choose where to grow and invest. By showing up in these high-level spaces, we ensure our region stays on the radar of those driving major development decisions.

9) Katie Carvell, our new Downtown Business Development Officer, is focused on driving growth and revitalization in the heart of Great Falls. Her priorities include attracting high-priority business prospects, activating underused properties, and encouraging strategic investment into downtown. If you are a business or property owner looking to grow, relocate, or invest, now is the perfect time to explore the opportunities our downtown has to offer. For questions, contact Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.

10) For the past two years, community members have welcomed Touro students by hosting small group dinners at local restaurants. We’re excited to bring this tradition back again this year! We’re looking for volunteers to host a group of 2–5 students for dinner at a restaurant of your choice on the evening of September 11th. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org if you’d like to participate.

11) Current energy opportunities in North Central Montana are full of potential! We are excited about an upcoming site visit from an established renewable energy producer who owns and operates utility scale generation facilities in other markets. Kristen Blue is having conversations with utility scale generators and large load end users, and she is your go to connection in the region for all energy related projects and possibilities. Reach out at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org

12) We are actively seeking transformational properties throughout Cascade County—including Great Falls, Belt, and Cascade—that have the potential to drive significant investment and community revitalization. We are looking for sites that can spark economic growth, inspire redevelopment, and reshape neighborhoods. If you know of a property that aligns with this vision, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385. Together, we can fuel progress and strengthen our region’s future.

13) The Montana Renewable Energy Association 14th annual Montana Clean Energy Fair is only a week away. The fair will be in Great Falls on Saturday, August 23rd next to the Saturday Farmer’s Market at the Civic Center. Come check out an electric vehicle car show, kids’ activities, solar education and more. Admission is free. 

14) Lock in today’s low SBA 504 fixed rates and give your business long term savings. All in rates, including fees, are 6.233 percent for 25 years, 6.250 percent for 20 years, and 6.174 percent for a 10-year equipment loan. Refinance at 6.262 percent for 25 years or 6.280 percent for 20 years. These rates stay fixed for the life of your loan, providing stability and peace of mind while you invest in commercial real estate or equipment. Contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org to get started today.

15) The Montana Infrastructure Coalition, of which GFDA is a part, is holding its annual meeting in Shelby on September 11-12. The event will include a full day tour of the St. Mary water project. More info and registration here. See you there!

16) DARPA is holding a special one-day DARPA Connect pop-up event in Bozeman on September 24th.

17) Deb participated in a peer-to-peer conversation and strategic session on Metrics and KPI’s. The session was facilitated by the International Business Innovation Association (INBIA). Data drives decisions and the ability to equip clients with specific metrics and KPI’s is essential as our clients measure success, review profit/loss statements, analyze marketing efforts and adjust pricing strategy. As a GFDA Team, we use Metrics and KPI’s to measure not only the actions we are taking but also the impact we are having. We will continue integrating best practices. Deb has been selected by the INBIA to be an active participant in their inaugural New Member Circle Cohort. The cohort will meet 6 times over the next three months and in between sessions, cohort participants will also have 1/1 interactive calls with mentors and peers who are in the field of innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and economic development.

18) Thank you to our GFDA investors and public partners for your continued support. Together, we are growing the economy, bridging the gap between cost of living and wages, and creating a strong quality of life for residents across our region. Learn more about our investors and why they support us by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Community Division—Brett Harris Insurance Agency. Their support gives us the resources to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and keep our region moving forward. If you’d like learn more and get involved, contact Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

19) We are looking for three dynamic team members, an Accounting Assistant, a Business Development Officer focused on food, ag and bio processing industries, and a Business Development Officer focused on online lead generation. Download our updated Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

Have a great 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 function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers."

Ralph Nader

Edition 698

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 6.233%; 20-year at 6.250%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.174%; and, 25-year refinance 6.262%; 20-year refinance 6.280%. 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.

Zero to Five has grants available for employers to help their employees with childcare. See ABC Fox.

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.

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

USDA announced that the first grant application window for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) will open on October 1, 2025. USDA is using the remaining time in FY25 to implement the Secretary’s direction to disincentivize solar panels on productive farmland for future application windows. Read the full STAKEHOLDER ANNOUNCEMENT. We can help you prepare to apply. Contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

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 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 Assessments Director, 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