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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!

Navigate Government Contracting

Join Shannon Clancy and Mariah Liebing of the Great Falls Development Alliance APEX Accelerator team on Thursday, October 16^th at 2:00 PM for a 30-minute overview of how APEX advisors can help your business navigate the world of government contracting. Shannon and Mariah will explain the fundamentals of selling to local, state, and federal agencies—and how your business can get started. Whether you're curious about government work or ready to pursue contracts, this webinar will provide helpful guidance and resources to support your next steps. Register here or email Mariah for more information, Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org

• Thursday, October 16, 2025
• 2:00 PM (MDT)
• Zoom
• Free

Indian Equity Fund Grant Training - 
In Person

Thursday, October 9^th: Indian Equity Fund Training-Browning: Blackfeet Community College Room #138: 9:00 AM-1:00 PM Lunch will be provided by NACDC

Join us to learn about the Indian Equity Fund Grant, designed to help Native American entrepreneurs in Montana start or grow their businesses.

We’ll cover:

• Grant eligibility and guidelines

• Step-by-step application process

• Hands-on help with your business plan and financial projections using LivePlan, an easy-to-use business planning tool

Additional Information and Registration: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6112

• Thursday, October 9th, 2025
• 9 AM to 1 PM (MDT)
• Blackfeet Community College

Indian Equity Fund Grant Training - 

Online

Join us to learn about the Indian Equity Fund Grant, designed to help Native American entrepreneurs in Montana start or grow their businesses.Monday, October 13^th: Indian Equity Fund Training-ONLINE: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

We’ll cover:

• Grant eligibility and guidelines

• Step-by-step application process

• Hands-on help with your business plan and financial projections using LivePlan, an easy-to-use business planning tool

Additional Information and Registration: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6124

• Monday, October 13, 2025
• 11:30 AM - 1 PM (MDT)
• Zoom
• Free

Digital Marketing Essentials for

Small Business

Tuesday, October 21^st: Digital Marketing Essentials for Small Business-Great Falls-University of Providence (Providence Forum): 9:00-11:00 AM

Level up your digital presence—on social media, search platforms, and more—while building meaningful connections with fellow entrepreneurs and small businesses in your community.

What you will learn:

• Optimizing Your Google Business Profile
• Low-Cost Website Development Tools
• Basic SEO Techniques
• Social Media Best Practices

Additional Information and Registration: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6115

• Tuesday, October 21st, 2025
• 9:00 - 11:00 AM (MDT)
• University of Providence Forum
• Free

Discover How AI Can Strengthen Your Government Proposals

This free live webinar, hosted by Montana APEX Accelerator and Unanet, shows Montana businesses how to harness today’s most common AI tools to streamline proposal writing and improve the quality of submissions for government contracts. What You’ll Learn Explore practical ways to incorporate AI into your proposal process, from drafting to final polish, and see how these tools can help you compete more effectively for federal, state, and local opportunities.

Meet the Presenter Alexander (Sasha) Jackson, Senior AI Solutions Engineer at Unanet Proposal AI, brings a unique perspective from his work with GovPro AI, Hebbia AI, and GovCompete, as well as his experience as a senior policy official at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Register here: https://mtapex.ecenterdirect.com/events/41666

• Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025
• 12 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

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