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!
Becoming a Franchisee: An Alternate Path to Business Ownership
Are you an entrepreneur at heart, but have yet to come up with that million dollar idea and are looking for another way to get into business ownership? Of the three ways to get into owning a business, franchising might be the most well known but least utilized. Register here for the in-person July 29 session. Register here for the virtual Part 1 session on August 11. Register here for the virtual Part 2 session on August 18.
The Small Business Webinar Series: Customer Service Automations that Save: Business owners must do all the things all the time to keep their businesses running. Given our labor economy’s current staffing-shortages, particularly in service roles, business owners must be as efficient with their (and their employees’) time as possible. There are multiple ways busy business owners can implement user-friendly software solutions to save them time and money. In this webinar on August 4 we’ll discuss some simple ways business owners can use software for customer service. Register here.
Small Business Webinar Series: Managing the Human Side of Change:
This 30 minute webinar on September 1 at 11 am will explore how to manage the human side of change. Participants will learn about what happens to an employee’s discretionary energy during times of change, and what they can do to help get the employee reengaged and committed to working through the change. Register here.

PeerSpectives Roundtable is a facilitated cohort of business leaders like you who want to learn through experiences, reduce stress, improve decision making, and enhance accountability. Visit the PeerSpectives section on our website and contact Jason Nitschke at 406-750-0314 to discuss if this is the right group for you.
Micro Online Business Courses
Nine new online courses have been launched by our partners at the new Women’s Business Center (WBC) at the Women’s Entrepreneurship and Leadership Lab (W.E.L.L.) in Missoula.

Check out the nine new offerings here or contact WBC Business Advisor Marguerite Thordarson at [email protected]. 
Questions about our training and programs?
Connect with Jason Nitschke

Jason Nitschke
Vice President/Small Business Development Center Regional Director
(406) 750-0314
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.