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!
Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable (STAR) - Northrop Grumman
Join us on September 15, 2022, at 8:00 a.m. for the third in a series of STAR roundtables designed to assist small businesses with navigating and benefiting from doing business with the federal government and large federal contractors (often referred to as Primes)Connect with panelists from a variety of large and small businesses currently successfully performing as prime and subcontractors. Learn helpful tips to assist your company in achieving its government contracting goals. Register here.
Does your business use email marketing?
If not, your business might be missing out on a powerful and cost effective form of marketing. We are offering a virtual session in September and an in-person session in October.

Introduction to Email Marketing
In the September 21 Introduction to Email Marketing workshop Business Advisor Rich Gannon will discuss how to effectively use email marketing as a tool for attracting new customers and bringing previous customers back. Register here for the virtual session on September 21.

Email Marketing Bootcamp
During the in-person, hands on bootcamp on October 12 participants will create an email marketing campaign from scratch. Space is limited and spots are already booking quickly. Reserve your seat here.
Boots to Business
This is a pre-business workshop on September 22 & 23 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. Please inquire about eligibility prior to registering at [email protected].
Website Bootcamp - Valier and Great Falls
Does your business need a website?  Are you intimidated or confused by the process?  Would you like to learn how to create and manage your own business website? 
 
Join us for an in-depth, one day training course, the Website Bootcamp - Website in a Day taught at the Valier Public Library on September 29 and at the Great Falls Development Authority on October 13.

This one day course, taught by Business Advisor Rich Gannon will teach participants how to create, build and maintain a business website from start to finish including the creation of an online store using the Wix platform. Register here for the Valier course. Register for the Great Falls course here.
Accelerate: Your Startup

Did you know two out of 10 businesses fail within one year of opening? What would you say about the data that 50% close within five years? How about the 70% that don’t make it a decade?

Accelerate Your Startup is a four-session, 12 hour in-depth learning opportunity for pre-venture and early stage startups designed to shorten the learning curve while teaching you where the pitfalls are along the path. The structure of Accelerate Your Startup will empower well-informed decision making and inform the power of planning, all with the intent of helping your startup find success faster.

For more about the course, contact Jason at [email protected] or reserve your seat here.
PeerSpectives Roundtable
If your company is growing and experiencing the pains of growth, perhaps the insights of others who are going through the same thing could be beneficial. The PeerSpectives Roundtable for second stage companies will meet 10 times per year, share experiences, and work problems in real time. Contact Jason at [email protected] for more information.
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.