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1) GFDA’s Loan Committee approved a $250,000 gap loan to help a local small business purchase the commercial property it has leased for years. This tenant-to-owner transition will allow the business to remain at its long-time location while also supporting and retaining the property’s other small business tenants. Contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how GFDA’s bridge and gap financing can help take your project from planning to reality.
2) 30 years of lending, growth, and working together to fill capital gaps alongside our bank and credit union partners! We celebrated this milestone with the investors and partners who helped make it all possible. Thank you for 30 years of believing in GFDA, investing in our region, and giving us the resources to help businesses and communities grow. Curious? Download our list of loans closed. We cannot wait to see what we accomplish together next!
3) A new game lounge, Grizzly Grove Games, is opening in Choteau, bringing a new entertainment option to the community. The center will feature board games, table sports, trading card games, group gaming and other activities. It will also include a “tavern” offering non alcoholic drinks and snacks. See Choteau Acantha.
4) We released our FY2026 Annual Report, download here. GFDA's Board appointed Tausha Stoll of Guy Tabacco Construction to the GFDA Council.
5) LAST CALL! GFDA and USDA Rural Development are teaming up to host the 2026 Montana Rural Impact Forum, September 9th and 10th in Great Falls. If you have a project, an idea, or are looking for resources to move your community forward, don't miss this opportunity to connect directly with federal and state agency leaders and learn about funding and tools available for projects. Sessions will cover Opportunity Zones 2.0, more than $1 billion in potential rural healthcare funding, meat processing, and other development opportunities, plus project tours and one on one time with agency representatives. There is no cost to attend, but space is limited. Register here today! Contact Jolene at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org for more information.
6) The Great Falls City Commission approved the final plat for the first phase of the Meadowview Village homes development. Construction has started on Boot Barn coming to Great Falls; see TheElectric's Business Bites.
7) Host Touro Students for Dinner! For the past three years, community members have welcomed Touro students by hosting small groups for dinner at local restaurants. We're excited to continue the tradition on Thursday, September 17th. We're looking for hosts to take 2 to 5 students to dinner at a restaurant of your choice. To sign up, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Responses no later than September 10th.
8) We sold the 11.6 acre lot 7 in the Great Falls AgriTech Park to Ponderosa Solutions for expansion of their rail transload operations which is important for the continued expansion of Montana Renewables.
9) Businesses from across Montana joined our Great Falls Regional APEX for a statewide webinar on Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in federal contracting. Participants learned how foreign ties may trigger reporting requirements and impact federal contracting opportunities. To learn if FOCI may apply to your business, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
10) Special thanks to Bryan Singer with the Office of Indian Country Economic Development at the Montana Department of Commerce for presenting on our monthly Small Business Webinar. Bryan provided an overview of the Montana Indian Equity Fund grant program, which supports business development and economic opportunities in tribal communities across Montana.
11) Jake was on the road working with stakeholders in Dutton interested in housing production and developing some industrial, rail-served sites in their area. Jake was also on the road meeting with a successful business looking to sell their business and needing some support to make that happen. In Great Falls Jake helped connect an ag processing business with City of Great Falls Staff as they pursue an exciting new expansion. We have tools for everything business, from concept to construction and startup to succession, reach out to Jake for help 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org
12) There are still spots available for the Destination Creation Workshop! Business owners and association leaders across Montana are invited to join nationally recognized business expert Jon Schallert for a free Destination Creation Workshop on October 6 in Shelby or October 7 in Great Falls. Learn practical strategies to help your business or organization stand out, attract more customers, and become a destination in its own right. One-on-one business conversations with Jon will also be available. This workshop is made possible (and FREE) with funding from the Montana Department of Commerce. Register today and reserve your spot! Contact Jamie with any questions: Jamie@GrowGreatFalls.org 1-406-217-9210. REGISTER HERE FOR SHELBY, OCT 6. REGISTER HERE FOR GREAT FALLS, OCT 7.
13) Great Falls businesses are invited to participate in the Montana College & Career Exploration Fair at Great Falls High School on September 24.
Businesses can attend the local fair free of charge and connect directly with Montana students exploring college and career opportunities.
Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served. Register here.
14) Both Jolene and Brett are members of the Accreditation Review Board of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This week Jolene was able to travel to Garden Grove, California, to conduct their accreditation site visit. She learned about new ways to train team members and different approaches to growing small businesses.
15) GFDA hosted two economic developers Keith Norden from Daytona, FL, and Trevor Johnson from Northern Virginia for our own IEDC re-accreditation. Thank you to each community partner who took time to visit with our accreditors. This was a wonderful visit! We hope to be re-accredited within the next two months.
16) 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.
17) Rural energy projects have a new financing opportunity opening September 8. USDA Rural Development’s $410 million Powering Affordable Reliable Technology Program will provide partially forgivable loans ranging from $1 million to $100 million for eligible projects that expand rural power supply and strengthen grid reliability. Montana applicants interested in submitting projects can contact Daniel Layton with USDA Rural Development at Daniel.Layton@usda.gov or 1- 406-585-2545.
18) Considering an alternative energy or energy efficiency project for your business? The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program is opening its next application window October 1. The program offers financing for qualifying projects at a fixed 3.5% interest rate. For details on the program and application assistance, reach out to Meranda Bass at 1-406-444-6586 or msikes@mt.gov.
19) Curious about data centers? Join the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce for a live Knowledge Drop: Data Centers & Great Falls: What You Need to Know on Tuesday, September 8 from 10:00 AM to Noon on Facebook Live. NorthWestern Energy and Vision Net will build on the recent data center luncheon with a closer look at power, technology, infrastructure, and the opportunities associated with this rapidly growing industry.
20) The energy development pipeline in North Central Montana is active and key partnerships are strengthening. The GFDA team supported three potential energy projects this week, working with developers, utilities, property owners, and public agencies to align resources. Large energy projects take time, persistence, coordination, and a lot of work behind the scenes. Each conversation and connection positively progresses opportunity for critical energy infrastructure development and expansion. To discuss project possibilities in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org
21) Business growth creates jobs, local spending, and new opportunities across the region. GFDA helps make that growth possible, but we need continued funding to keep these resources available. Thank you to our investors and partners who make this work possible. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Pioneer Division—Culligan Water of Great Falls; Flagship Division—Arc Apartment Homes. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how you can join the team.
22) Two great new team members will be joining us this fall. We're excited to welcome Megan Clayton to our team as a Government Contracting Business Advisor and Andrew Burr to our team as a Small Business Advisor. These professionals bring outstanding leadership skills and experience to Team GFDA!
23) We have career openings for two Business Development Officers, one focusing on growing and diversifying the region's food, ag, and bio processing industries and one focused on Downtown Great Falls. Download our Career Opportunities. Please pass along to great candidates.
Happy Labor Day!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
Connect with me on LinkedIn.
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"Move fast. Speed is one of your main advantages over large competitors."
Sam Altman
Edition 753
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