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Do you know of any commercial properties with the potential to drive catalyst redevelopment in our community? We are actively seeking properties that could serve as a spark for broader revitalization—such as a conference hotel, sports complex, or market-rate housing development—that could inspire additional investment in both our local and rural areas. If you're aware of a property that fits this vision, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385. Let’s work together to unlock transformational opportunities for our region.

1) Congratulations to Fort Benton on being accepted into the Montana Main Street Program at the Montana Department of Commerce!

2) Are you a Veteran interested in pursuing business ownership? Boots to Business is a comprehensive two-day business startup course offered quarterly to all Veterans at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Christian Nichols, Small Business Advisor with the Great Falls Development Alliance, and Justin Rigby of the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) co-facilitated the training to 15 Veterans exploring the path of entrepreneurship. The next Boots to Business course will be held on Malmstrom AFB September 18-19. If you’re interested in starting a business, Veteran or not, reach out to Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-385.

3) Congratulations to KellerGeist on opening their expanded space in Downtown Great Falls! Congratulations to Jourdyn Schmidt on opening Rare Salon in Great Falls. See TheElectric's Business Bites. Congratulations to The Gibson boutique hotel in Downtown Great Falls on winning a Best in Choice award from Choice Hotels International! Congratulations to Habitat for Humanity Great Falls on its 46th house!

4) It’s almost here! GFDA’s Annual Meeting is this Tuesday, June 17, from 8:00 to 9:30 AM at The Newberry. We’re celebrating a year of big wins, sharing what’s next for our region, honoring our Ally Award recipients, and unveiling an exciting new announcement you won’t want to miss. Register here. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org for more information. 

5) Central Montana Medical Center celebrated the grand opening of its new Cancer Center in Lewistown; see Lewistown News.

6) Jake met with Great Falls City Planning staff and City Staff from Missoula to discuss reimbursing workforce housing inside our downtown Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district. Missoula has the only current project making use of TIF funds in this way and has taken a very different approach than how Great Falls City Planning initially presented the draft program for Great Falls. It is great to have a network of colleagues all trying to make use of the same tools for housing production in Montana. Thank you Annie Gorski for your time and input!

7) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low-interest loan program closes June 30th. This program is designed to support businesses and projects that can benefit from affordable, low-interest financing. The application portal will close at the end of June 2025, and funding is extremely limited, with demand expected to be high. If your business or project could benefit from this opportunity, we strongly encourage you to begin discussions with the Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA) as soon as possible. For more information or to explore your eligibility, please contact Jill Kohles at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.

8) We’re pleased to share that GFDA has been awarded a $30,000 Opportunities in Rural Economies (ORE) planning grant from the State of Montana to conduct a market assessment that will identify opportunities to grow the Montana defense industry. This project aligns with our economic development strategy to support defense as a primary-sector economic base of our region. Thank you to the Montana Department of Commerce for supporting this effort to strengthen and diversify Montana’s economy.

9) Great Falls Regional APEX advised 12 businesses within our region as they prepared to compete in the government marketplace. From navigating solicitation requirements to crafting responsive bids, we helped clients understand what it takes to succeed in local, state, and federal contracting. We worked one-on-one to help highlight their core strengths and equip them with the tools needed to effectively connect with government buyers and prime contractors at the upcoming Montana APEX GovMatch event. By preparing businesses of all sizes and industries to compete for and win government contracts, Great Falls Regional APEX is strengthening our region’s voice and visibility in the government marketplace. To learn how we can help your business take the next step, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-590-1184.

10) Congratulations to Backpacker's Ferry, Iron Shield Creative, Sacred Trails Guides and Outfitters, and Lone Pine Cabin in Browning, Bluebird Enterprize in Hays, Buckaroo Brews in Cut Bank, Johnson's of St. Mary, Leaning Tree Camp and Cabins in Babb on winning $10,000 grants from the Montana Department of Commerce's Tribal Tourism Small Business Program; see Havre Daily News.

11) Jake supported a predevelopment meeting for an exciting housing project updating feasibility for Great Falls. We have 5 active housing projects working towards construction in Great Falls but need MORE to meet our goal of closing the demand gap identified in our 2024 Housing Market Demand Assessment. Let's get your project moving, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.

12) The Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA) and its Executive Committee have approved a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment for a 62-unit multi-family property located in Downtown Great Falls within the Historic and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. This property is slated for a comprehensive renovation that will significantly enhance housing conditions for many vulnerable residents in our community. If you are planning to redevelop an existing facility or purchase a commercial property for a new or expanding business, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385 before proceeding. We can help ensure there are no recognized environmental concerns that could impact your project.

13) If you are a small business considering investment in alternative energy systems and energy conservation measures, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has a program for you! The Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Fund offers fixed rate, low interest loans for qualifying projects and improvements. The interest rate for 2025 is 3.5 percent. Loans are awarded through a ranked application process; small business applicants located in Great Falls and North Central Montana have scoring advantages. To learn more and apply, contact Montana DEQ. The application window opens July 1st. To discuss energy projects or ideas, reach out to Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org.

14) Are you ready to take your business to the next level in government contracting? Great Falls Regional APEX is presenting What Happens After SAM!  a dynamic virtual training designed to equip YOU with the knowledge and resources needed to sell your products and services to federal and state agencies. This focused learning experience offers a clear overview of the government contracting landscape, including key insights into purchasing thresholds, federal buying methods, and smart market research techniques. You’ll also learn how to simplify the process of finding contract opportunities that align with your business, create efficient saved searches in SAM.gov to easily track relevant solicitations, enhance your capability statement, and refine your business introduction to market effectively to government agencies and prime contractors. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the tools and confidence you need to grow your business in the government marketplace. To Register: CLICK HERE! or contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

15) Thank you to the local businesses that have already contributed to the welcome bags for Touro University! We are still looking for businesses willing to donate 155 items for this incoming class. We’re putting these together to help new students feel at home and encourage them to explore the local businesses, services, and experiences Great Falls has to offer. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Deadline is June 30th. 

16) GFDA Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Rich Gannon met with staff from Zero to Five Montana to brainstorm ways to bring AI-focused training to childcare providers across the state. The discussion centered on how artificial intelligence can help improve operations, reduce administrative burdens, and support long-term sustainability in the childcare sector. Zero to Five is currently developing a training series to launch this Fall, aimed at helping childcare businesses better understand and implement AI tools. Stay tuned for more details.

17) I met with new loan capital sources, learned new best practices, and networked with CDFI peers at the Opportunity Finance Network's Small Business Finance Forum in Austin.

18) We're growing our GFDA Staff Team with a new Accounting Assistant position and a new Business Development Officer - Defense position, and we have an opening for a Business Development Officer - Downtown Great Falls. Download our Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

19) Every project we take on depends on trusted partnerships. The collaboration between public agencies, private investors, and community institutions is what enables real progress. These relationships turn plans into action and help us respond to challenges with practical solutions. Check out the team making our work possible by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—North 40 Outfitters; Community Division—Great West Engineering. Their combined support allows us to expand capacity, leverage resources, and deliver results that matter. If you’d like to learn more about our work and how you can support it, reach out to Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Hope to see you at our Annual Meeting on Tuesday. The project announcement is going to blow you away!

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-2119

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list here or text GFDA to 22828.

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"Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth."

Peter Drucker

Edition 689

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Jolene Schalper at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.373%; 20-year at 6.390%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.204%; and, 25-year refinance 6.401%; 20-year refinance 6.420%. These rates are FIXED for the life of the loan and are inclusive of all fees. If you would like to find out how to get financing for commercial real estate and equipment at potentially lower rates than you're paying for your home mortgage, please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

The 2025 Livability Great Falls magazines are here! This is a great tool for employers to use to recruit talent to relocate to the Great Falls region. Hard copies will be distributed this week -- the digital version is now live—with interactive links perfect for showcasing all that Great Falls has to offer. Last year’s digital magazine saw 24.3K views and over 200.3K social impressions—proof that people are looking at Great Falls and liking what they see. Help us spread the word about the lifestyle, opportunities, and energy of Great Falls. Contact Katie Carvell for support and ideas on how to make the most of this resource at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering an upcoming energy auditor training pilot program. DEQ is covering the costs for lodging, pre-requisites, class, and testing. For more information contact Sam Hall at 406-444-4960 or Sam.Hall@mt.gov

JOIN US FOR THE MONTANA APEX GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING MATCHMAKING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Great Falls Regional APEX is proud to host the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 event at the University of Providence on Wednesday, August 13th. This event is designed to connect suppliers with federal, state, and local government buyers, as well as prime contractors, fostering relationships and creating opportunities for government contracting success. Whether you're a supplier showcasing your capabilities or a buyer seeking qualified suppliers to meet contracting needs, this GovMatch event is for you!  Registration is now open to both buyers and suppliers: CLICK HERE! For more details or to prepare for this event, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

Starting and Owning a Business includes a lot of moving parts. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the day-to-day tasks and not take a step back to pause, evaluate, make adjustments and gain new perspective. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center Advisors are ready and equipped to help entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the many stages of owning a business. If you are ready to evaluate where you are at and where you want to be, set some business goals, get a snapshot of your current financial situation or review your marketing strategy, please reach out to one of our Business Advisors: Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) has a new advisor in our region. Carolyn Kelman joins the staff as a business advisor for the Great Falls Region and Northeastern Montana. She has a broad skill set in manufacturing operations with particular expertise in continuous improvement, supply chain optimization, logistics, and warehouse management. Learn more about her experience reading the MMEC newsletter, here. Welcome to the team Carolyn! You can reach her at Carolyn.Kelman@Montana.edu.

Inside each monthly edition of our new newsletter, Investing in Downtown Great Falls you’ll find a curated mix of news, updates, and resources designed to celebrate and support our downtown Great Falls businesses and building owners. If you are ready to invest in Downtown Great Falls, contact Jake at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

The Great Falls Business Improvement District has grants available for businesses and property owners located in the BID. Contact Kellie Pierce at 1-406-727-5430 or kellie@downtowngreatfalls.net. Stay ahead of the curve in Downtown Great Falls!

Are you hiring? Our Hot Jobs Program is the perfect platform for employers to share their job openings! By sending us your listings, your opportunities could be featured on our Hot Jobs blog and shared across our social media channels for maximum visibility. Relocating with a partner or family member? Our Trailing Partner Program ensures no one gets left behind. Many times, for someone to accept a position, their partner also needs a job secure – and we’re here to help! Send us their resume (with permission), and we’ll share it within our network. You never know who’s hiring! Let’s work together to make Great Falls the perfect place for new opportunities. For more information contact our Marketing and Communications Officer Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

Are you interested in exploring government contract opportunities but unsure where to start?  Great Falls Regional APEX provides the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the government marketplace. We simplify the key steps of registration, research, and response, streamlining the process to ensure your business is prepared for contract opportunities. Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to expand your reach, we can help you identify opportunities, build valuable connections, and achieve your goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174. 

If you’re looking to expand or start your business through purchasing a commercial building for your future location, make sure to talk to Christian Nichols, Brownfields Project Manager, so we can see if you qualify for an Environmental Site Assessment paid for by EPA. You don’t know what environmental conditions or possible contaminates exist until you have an assessment completed. With our help you could save thousands of dollars and have confidence in your purchase knowing all contaminates are identified and assessed. For more information, please call Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or email at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Do you know the benefits of C-PACE financing for your multifamily housing project? Last Best PACE, Montana's program, brings value to Montana commercial building owners by improving their bottom line. Last Best PACE can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs and payments are repaid through a special property tax assessment with terms of 20+ years. Reach out to Jake to find out how this tool can help your project move forward Jake@GrowGreatalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2025? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) run by the Export Montana team at the Montana Department of Commerce has a host of export support services and federal grants available for businesses up to $12,000. They're awesome to work with! Our Small Business Advisor, Rich Gannon, can help too and he is also awesome! RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD)! Is your business prepared for the new cybersecurity standards in federal contracting? If your company manages Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), you must comply with specific standards. For contractors working with the federal government, the minimum requirement is Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1. This self-certification verifies that your organization has implemented fundamental security measures to safeguard FCI. To begin your self-assessment journey, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174

Our freight logistics consultants, Moffat & Nichols, completed key findings of the Great Falls Region Freight Market Assessment and Economic Development Strategy Recommendations. This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the logistics industry and its potential in our region. We have already begujn work implementing some of the recommendations. Others will need to wait until we work with our partners to secure more resources. Logistics are a key consideration for existing manufacturers in our region, and in attracting new investment in manufacturing operations.

The 2024 Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for 650 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

Great Falls Recruiters and HR professionals! Here is a link to our Talent Attraction Toolkit and the 2025 Great Falls Livability Magazine, part of our effort to help local businesses attract the talent they need for key positions. Join our Trailing Partner Email Group specifically for local employers to share resumes of trailing spouses/partners across the Great Falls region with other employers looking to hire. Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. JobsEQ for Workforce is a software tool that provides timely data on our local workforce and employers—including demographics, occupations, wages, certifications, and more. Contact Katie Carvell at Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-7635.

Cybersecurity challenges for businesses continue to grow. The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) is offering an array of useful resources to help Montana businesses to protect themselves. MMEC has launched the Certified Manufacturing Associate Apprenticeship program. This one-year program combines on-the-job training with online technical classes on safety, math and measurements, manufacturing processes, and quality control.

Have you created or updated your Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile? A strong profile can significantly boost your contracting success by increasing your visibility to local, state, and federal agencies seeking goods and services. If you would like more information on how to create or update your DSBS profile, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

Zero to 5 has launched the Montana Child Care Business Connect website to help support the startup and expansion of early childcare businesses. The Great Falls Childcare Demand Assessment shows a need for additional childcare facilities to serve 580 children in Great Falls. For assistance with childcare facility business planning, contact Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

The Montana Innovation Partnership is offering a number of trainings and an accelerator program for companies interested in pursuing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) or Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants.

The best resource we scan daily to stay abreast of business and community innovation is MATR.net (Montana Associated Technology Roundtables), which we are proud to help sponsor. Sign up for their free newsletter.

Our Mission is to 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