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!
Government Contracting
If you’re a small business owner, chances are you may have heard about government contracts and are wondering if that is something worth exploring or even attempting. Join us for a 101-level introduction to the National Institute of Standards (NIST) & Cybersecurity. 


National Institute of Standards & Cybersecurity
March 14
11 am - 11:30
Small businesses are the backbone of the US economy and play a vital role in job creation, innovation, and community development. They also make up 99% of all employers and employ nearly half of the country's private-sector workforce. Join us for a 101-level introduction to what the government buys and if they are buying the products and services your business provides. 


Does the Government Buy Your Product/Service?
March 22
11 am-11:30
Boots to Business
Boots to Business
Join us for a two-day Boots to Business workshop on March 23-24. This is a pre-business workshop for transitioning military service members at Malmstrom Air Force Base as part of the Transition Assistance Program. Active duty military, veterans, and military families are welcome. 


Boots to Business
March 23-24
8:30 am -4:00 pm
Innovation Proposal Lab
Apply to the Spring cohort!
Want to increase your chances of winning Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding?
If you have already been invited or are planning to submit your Project Pitch soon, apply today to join our upcoming NSF SBIR Proposal Lab that starts March 23 to get guided instruction and hear from NSF program directors and successful startups! This cohort will be limited to investigators and small businesses located in or affiliated with Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.


SBIR/STTR Cohort/Proposal Lab
March 23
Concept to Consumer
Concept to Consumer is a seminar designed exclusively for new food businesses and value-added production enterprises to equip them with the necessary tools to take their fledgling business concept to all the way to the consumer with the highest chance of success.

Jan Tusick, Center Director of the Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center, will guide you through the numerous aspects of developing a food business and use her well distinguished years of experience as an industry expert to show you how to develop your food product for market.


Concept to Consumer
March 23
9 am - 2 pm
Food Formulation
Turning a recipe into a successful food product can be incredibly intimidating to take on by yourself. Come meet with product development food scientists from Oregon State University’s Food Innovation Center for a food formulation workshop concerning a diverse range of food product categories. Product categories covered will include sauces, beverages, bars, baked products, and more. The workshop will include turning a recipe into a formulation, scaling up production, cost of goods sold, developing a process outline, tips for different processing methods, important food safety metrics to consider, and working with Excel.

(Sponsored by Mission West Community Development Partners)


Food Formulation Workshop
April 5
9 am-4:30 pm
Questions about our training and programs?
Connect with Tony Peres

Tony Peres
Small Business Navigator
(406) 750-2099
Our Mission
Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

Great Falls Region Community Vision
The Great Falls Region will be a proud, positive, and vibrant community, which welcomes new people, new investments, and innovative opportunities while celebrating its authentic and diverse Montana culture. Our community will be a safe and inclusive place to raise families and will offer opportunities for individual growth and quality of life, which retains and grows our population.

GFDA Organizational Vision
Great Falls Development Authority will be a change agent, catalyst, and facilitator in the Great Falls region, fostering collaboration and partnerships to support diverse economic opportunities, innovation, and growth. Our economic development organization will be a high performing leader in attracting new investment and talent. Our work providing access to capital, consulting, training and resources for entrepreneurs, businesses, developers, and nonprofits will transform Great Falls and the surrounding 13-county trade area into a thriving regional economy that enhances the standard of living for our people.    

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 and Lenders.

GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center, a Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and a Montana Food & Ag Development Center. We are also proud to provide office space for MSU's Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and an SBA Women's Business Center in partnership with the University of Montana and the Montana Native Growth Fund.

GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council.

For more info, click to our website.