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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!

Tuesday Training: How to Make a Food Label

Are you thinking of selling a new product, like a tea or cookie, but aren’t sure what’s required to put on the label? Does staring at a blank screen wondering what your label needs to include overwhelm you? Have you ever been curious about why food labels contain the information they do?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, join the Great Falls Development Alliance’s Food and Ag Development Center and Sadie Overlie from the MT Department of Public Health and Human Services to answer all your label related questions.

Who is this webinar for?

• Start- up food or value-added Ag businesses making the labels for their new products
• Existing food or value-added ag businesses who want to update old product labels
• Anyone interested in knowing what goes into a label

• Tuesday, April 1, 2025
• 12:00 - 12:30 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

Idea to Income

Join us for our live one hour training designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of launching a successful small business. We'll cover essential topics such as defining your target customers, understanding costs, and building a solid foundation for your business. Whether you're in the idea stage or have just started, this class will provide the tools and insights you need to confidently move forward and bring your business vision to life. There is no fee to attend the session. 

• Monday, April 7, 2025
• 5:30 - 6:30 PM (MDT)
• GFDA Office: 405 3rd Street NW Suite 203 
• Free

Boost Your Digital Presence: Essential Skills for Small Businesses

Boost Your Digital Presence: Essential Skills for Small Businesses

Is your business struggling to stand out online? Join us for a hands-on training designed to equip you with the tools and strategies needed to enhance your digital presence and attract more customers.

Topics include:

Branding Basics, Canva for Content Creation, Google Business Profile Optimization, SEO Success Tips, Facebook for Business, AI Marketing Basics.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to improve your existing digital strategy, this training will provide practical insights to help your business grow online.

Co-sponored by Glacier County Extension, Great Falls Development and Montana Small Business Development Center

Instructions: 

Lunch provided. Registration required. 

• Tuesday, April 15, 2025
• 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (MDT)
•  Glacier County Annex Conference Room, Cut Bank, MT
• 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.

• Wednesday, April 16, 2025
• 11:30 - 1:00 PM (MDT)
• Virtual
• Free

Business Blitz 2.0

Business Blitz 2.0 is a comprehensive, action-oriented training program that runs from 8:00AM to 12:30PM . The event is structured around four focused modules designed to address critical aspects of business success:

• Building Time and Boundaries for Business Owners: Learn how to optimize your schedule, set clear work-life boundaries, and maximize productivity through effective time management.
• Creating Your Digital Marketing Footprint: Discover the tools and strategies needed to establish and enhance your online presence, including optimizing your Google Business listing, developing a robust website, leveraging social media, and using AI to amplify your marketing efforts.
• Understanding Business Financial Statements: Gain a clear understanding of key financial documents such as the Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement, empowering you to make informed, strategic decisions.
• Building a Storyboard for Business Branding: Uncover the art of storytelling in branding. Learn how to create a visual and verbal narrative that captures the essence of your brand and resonates with your target audience.

A brief Entrepreneur Presentation provides real-world insights and inspiration from a seasoned entrepreneur. 

Registration starts opens at 8AM. Class starts promptly at 8:30AM! 

• Thursday, May 8, 2025
• 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM (MDT)
• Spring Hill Suites - 421 3rd St NW 
• Free

April 6-8: Shared Kitchen Workshop (Link)

April 16: Prospera: Power Up (Link)

April 25: Prospera: Managing with a Coach Approach (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