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Whether you're just getting started, looking for new customers,

wanting to grow sales through e-commerce, or focusing on workforce.

We're here to help.

Check out the upcoming trainings below!

Inaugural Montana Cooperative Academy

Participants will:

• Build cross-sector networks with fellow cooperative professionals
• Engage in peer-to-peer learning and real-world problem-solving
• Develop a deeper understanding of how co-ops can expand their impact
• Take part in a one-of-a-kind leadership experience tailored to Montana’s cooperative landscape

This is more than just a training—it’s an opportunity to grow the cooperative movement from the inside out. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this exciting initiative!

• Monday, May 12- Thursday May 14, 2025
• 5/12 12:00PM - 5/14 12:00 PM (MDT)
• Great Falls College Montana State University
• $99 - $199

Tuesday Training: Food Manufacturing 101: get your manufacturing questions answered with Claude Smith of MMEC



Are you a food or value-added ag manufacturer in Montana who has specific, nit-picky questions about how to best set up your manufacturing process? Are you a food hub or commercial kitchen and want to know what equipment you need? Do you have burning questions about what a HACCP plan is and if you need one?

If so, join the Great Falls Development Alliance and Claude Smith of Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) to learn how the MMEC can support your manufacturing business and help you grow.

• Tuesday, May 20, 2025
• 12:00 AM - 1:00 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

What happens after SAM? -

Unlock New Business Opportunities!

Please join the Montana APEX Accelerator for a strategic VIRTUAL training on how YOU can sell your company's products/services to federal and state agencies. Topics include: - Federal and State of MT purchasing thresholds - Conducting market research - Federal purchasing vehicles (methods) - Where to find opportunities and how to get automatic notices - Marketing your business to government agencies - Tips on finding subcontracting opportunities - Q & A session Who should attend? Any business in any industry that is interested in developing a focused market strategy for the government segment. It is not a requirement to already be registered in SAM or eMACS to attend the training. However, we will not be going over the registration process in this training.

Instructions: Zoom link will be sent via email after registration is completed.

• Wednesday, May 21, 2025
• 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

Tuesday Training: Abundant Montana & Local Food Resources

Are you a food or farm business looking to grow your market channels and reach more Montanans? Are you an eater interested in sourcing more local food and supporting MT businesses? Want to learn what resources are available toward these goals?

To find the answers to these questions and more, join GFDA’s Food & AG Development Center and Abundant Montana’s Erin Austin and Olivia Wood for an engaging conversation. We will also celebrate the release of the 4th annual Local Food Guide and learn how to get involved as a grower, business owner, or eater!

In this webinar you will learn:

How to get your business included in Abundant Montana’s digital and print directories

Where to find local food and tools to help

Other media, marketing, and value chain coordination services available!

Sign up today!

• Tuesday, May 27, 2025
• 12:00 AM - 12:30 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

2025 HACCP Training and Basic Meat Microbiology

The Basic Meat Microbiology course and HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) certification class meets USDA Final Rule mandatory requirements but is also offered to meat and poultry processors interested in voluntary implementation.

This course is developed for meat processors seeking to comply with state or federal inspection. The course is developed to focus on meat and USDA requirements for inspection, but food processors and regulatory personnel seeking information about HACCP basics may also participate. 

REGISTER BY TUESDAY, MAY 1. CLASS IS FULL AT 20 PARTICIPANTS.

• May 27 - May 29, 2025
• Montana State University | Animal Bioscience Building
• $125.00

Field to Food: Basics in Extrusion Processing

Join us for the first-ever Extrusion Workshop at Montana State University, designed specifically for startups, small-scale producers, and Montana industry professionals looking to explore value-added processing through extrusion. Field to Food: Basics in Extrusion Processing will provide hands-on training in extrusion fundamentals, ingredient functionality, and product development, with practical sessions in both the lab and kitchen. Led by industry experts, participants will gain experience operating extruders, configuring screw elements, and developing extruded food products using Montana-grown ingredients. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your skills, connect with experts, and explore new opportunities in food processing.

• Tuesday, June 3 - Wednesday, June 4, 2025
• Bozeman, MT
• Varies

 Think Like An Inventor

Join us as we explore how thinking like an inventor can support you in running a more effective and efficient business. Special guest, Arnold Volker is a lifelong inventor and manufacturing entrepreneur who has fostered innovation in others for over three decades. As owner of Next Innovations, Arnold has transformed the American manufacturing company from generic consumer décor to an industry leader in metal art and specialty coating. Under his leadership, Next Innovations serves clients from local businesses to The Walt Disney Company. The company originally sat alone on a 54-acre plot, but Arnold’s passion for collaboration and innovation has inspired other companies to settle down nearby. Arnold transformed the space into a multi-revenue property with other manufacturers, co-working spaces, and even a U-Haul dealership.

• Thursday, June 5, 2025
• 11:00 - 11:30 AM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

Montana Apex GovMatch 2025

This in-person premier matchmaking event is where businesses meet with government agencies to build relationships and explore opportunities to secure contracts. This event Is designed to facilitate introductions and connect agencies with quality leads while fostering impactful partnerships that benefit communities and drive economic growth. Click HERE for more information.

• Wednesday, August 13, 2025
• 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (MDT)
• University of Providence University Center
• Free

May 14: MME | Lean 101 Workshop (Link)

May 27-29: HACCP Training & Basic Meat Microbiology (Link)

June 3-4: MMEC & MSU | Field to Food (Link)

November 20-21: Montana Agritourism Conference (Link)

Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

Our Mission

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