|
1) We had several community developers join us for the first Great Falls Development Red Carpet Tour. Thank you to our co-hosts Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Great Falls Association of Realtors, City of Great Falls, Great Falls Montana Tourism, Montana Facility Finance Authority, and the Urban Land Institute. Huge thanks to presenters from Cushing Terell, Janicki Industries, Touro University, and others who helped paint the picture of opportunity for housing and commercial development in Great Falls. Ready to start your project in Great Falls? Reach out to Jake At 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
2) Applications are now being accepted for the Touro University FlexTime J.D. Program in Great Falls, MT! The hybrid program was designed to accommodate the schedules of students who need maximum flexibility to balance work, family, or other personal obligations. This innovative program is already being offered at Touro Law Center's Long Island campus and their Cross River Campus in the heart of Manhattan in Times Square. The inaugural class in Montana will start in August 2027.
3) USDA Rural Development and GFDA hosted federal and state agencies, community leaders, and partners from across Montana at the University of Providence for the Montana Rural Impact Forum. Representatives from USDA, VA, EDA, HUD, SBA, HHS, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Department of Commerce, and the LOR Foundation shared funding opportunities, programs, and resources available to rural communities. Sessions focused on housing, healthcare, meat processing, Opportunity Zones, business development, and community capacity, followed by tours of local projects that demonstrated these partnerships in action. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped connect Montana communities with resources and partners to move projects forward.
4) Having Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard in our community is something we cannot take for granted. Defense missions and investment are competitive, which is why the Central Montana Defense Coalition works to keep our region engaged, represented, and ready for future opportunities. Thank you to the investors who understand the importance of this work and are helping fund it. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to be part of the effort.
5) Touro University Hybrid PA Program - Montana has applied for Accreditation with the anticipated first class starting September 2027. Join the Founding Program Director, James Van Rhee for a virtual information session via Zoom on September 16, 2026 at 10 AM. Register here.
6) Benefis launched its first internal medicine residency program last year, welcoming its inaugural class of 10 physicians who have just completed medical school. The program is now 32 residents. Click here for full KRTV article.
7) GFDA continues to move business attraction projects forward across our region by connecting prospects with the local, state, and federal resources that can help make an expansion or relocation successful. We have a robust toolbox of financing, site selection assistance, workforce resources, and other support to help companies evaluate opportunities and invest in the Great Falls region. If you know of a company considering an expansion or new location, connect with us so we can put these resources to work. Reach out to Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org to 1-406-836-0136.
8) September’s SBA 504 rates are here, providing another option for businesses looking to finance owner-occupied commercial real estate or major equipment. This month’s rates are 6.541% for 25 years, 6.534% for 20 years, and 6.600% for 10 years. For refinancing, rates are 6.544% for 25 years and 6.537% for 20 years. SBA 504 financing offers long-term, fixed-rate financing that can help businesses preserve cash for operations and growth. Have a project in mind? Contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn more.
9) Economic development takes resources, relationships, and people willing to invest in getting things done. Thank you to our investors and partners for giving GFDA the capacity to help businesses and communities turn opportunities into results. Learn more by viewing this video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—Benefis Health System, NorthWestern Energy; Leadership Division—Nelson Architects; Pacesetter Division—Mitchell Development & Investments, LLC. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how you can get involved.
10) We joined Vision Net and NorthWestern Energy for the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce Knowledge Drop focused on Data Centers. This was a follow up discussion to the Chamber luncheon from last week.
11) We helped welcome the newest Great Falls College MSU Goldman Sach's 10,000 Small Business Montana cohort. The 30+ business owners were in town for their inauguration into the program. We were able to discuss the many small business resources available. For more information click here.
Jolene
Jolene Schalper
Great Falls Development Alliance
JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-4481
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Subscribe to the Grow Great Falls Montana YouTube channel!
"They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." Andy Warhol
Edition 754
| 
