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GFDA Top 10 for 9-4-17

GFDA Top 10

Here is our Top 16 for last week, celebrating work and successes to grow and strengthen our regional Great Falls economy.

1) Great Falls has 903 job openings listed with the Great Falls Job Service, 638 on SimplyHired.com and 636 on Indeed.com.

2) Memorial Stadium opened with its new turf, another step forward in Great Falls Public Schools facility improvements.

3) The Cascade County Commission has unanimously voted to place an economic development mill levy on the November 7th ballot. The proposal would authorize the Commission to levy up to 3 mills each year to be used for economic development, focused on creating higher wage primary sector jobs and building our tax base. Three mills would generate approximately $463,488 annually, just about matching what GFDA investors have been contributing each year. The investment by property owners would be about $4.05/year for every $100,000 of home value. All uses of the funds would be approved on a case-by-case basis by County Commissioners. GFDA believes this is a critical investment to increase our competitiveness in winning future private investment in Cascade County. GFDA’s Board of Directors has unanimously endorsed the ballot measure, as has the Board of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Here is a copy of the County resolution and ballot language http://files.constantcontact.com/3e765937001/75b272f6-7f62-4b23-8605-0e35012b19ce.pdf We ask for your support! Let’s keep winning more deals, creating great jobs and growing our tax base!

5) HUD 2018 Fair Market Rents for the Great Falls MSA (Cascade County) went up 4.9% for one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, 5.4% for three-bedroom units, and 7.2% for four-bedroom units over 2017 rates. Even with the new apartments constructed, in the last 3 years HUD FMR rates have increased 12.5% for one-bedroom units, 16.5% for two-bedroom units, 12.9% for three-bedroom units, and 36.5% for four-bedroom units.

6) Issued our GFDA Quarterly Investor Letter http://files.constantcontact.com/3e765937001/10e244cd-085e-452f-b3e6-b805aee174e0.pdf . Watch for our updated Great Falls Growth Highlights later this week. If you have been traveling, here are copies of our GFDA 2nd Quarter 2017 Index, draft new Strategic Plan, and Great Falls MSA Labor Supply Report.

7) The SBA is revising its rules to allow businesses incorporated as cooperatives to take advantage of the SBA 504 loan program. If you run a cooperative that needs help financing commercial real estate or equipment with down payments as low as 10% and fixed interest rates for 20 years please contact Mike Archer at [email protected] or 406-284-1789 .
8) We have a new job opening: Food & Ag Development Center Director. Dynamic, self-motivated professional sought to join our passionate, creative, fast-paced, results-driven economic development team. Help businesses and entrepreneurs to start, grow and attract food and agricultural processing operations, develop new products, and break into new markets. Involves market research, cold-calling, networking, relationship building, project advocacy and client business development services. Looking for a star with demonstrated achievement in food/ag processing, business development, and/or economic development. Requires excellent writing, computer, and communication skills. Live on the Missouri River along the Rocky Mountain Front and work with a great team! Salary range $45,000-55,000 with excellent benefits, professional development, growth opportunities, and flexible work environment. Help us grow this important Montana industry sector. EOE. Cover letter and resume to Brett Doney, President, [email protected]. Open until we find a great candidate.

9) Montana Eggs and Wilcox Farms invite you to celebrate the grand opening of their new Montana Eggs processing plant! The BBQ will be on September 11. Lunch will be served at 1:30 followed by speakers and tours. They need a head count for lunch so please RSVP here https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eein9jnb75146f50&oseq=&c=&ch= – Guests are welcome.

10) Cost of housing is the most important non-work factor amongst high-wage professionals deciding where to locate, followed by weather, parks and open space, access to culture, and outdoor recreation, according to a national survey by the Center for Demographics and Policy at Chapman University.

11) Registration is open for the Montana Downtown Conference https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-montana-downtown-conference-downtownriverfront-opportunity-showcase-tickets-36917428021?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI1MDY0NDkvYmRvbmV5QGdmZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQub3JnLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend and the Great Falls Downtown/Riverfront Development Opportunity Showcase, October 18-20. The focus of the 10th Annual Montana Downtown Conference will be "Attracting Private Investment to Your Downtown." More info and registration here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-montana-downtown-conference-downtownriverfront-opportunity-showcase-tickets-36917428021?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI1MDY0NDkvYmRvbmV5QGdmZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQub3JnLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend . We’re looking for successful downtown developers and entrepreneurs to speak at the conference. They don’t have to be from Montana, but they do have to be the best! We want to hear from and bring the best developers and businesses here to look at our downtown. Please contact Jolene with your ideas, [email protected] or 406.750.4481.

12) Montana has the highest percentage of female business owners of any state at 9.87%, according to an analysis by Zippia.

13) Join us Tuesday, September 12th for the next Downtown Business Watch to learn more about safety in your community. Business Watch is brought to you by the Downtown Safety Alliance, a committee of the Downtown Development Partnership. The meeting will be held in the NeighborWorks Learning Center at 509 1st Ave South, beginning at 5:30 PM.

14) I’ve been invited by the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to testify at a hearing titled, "Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Economic Developers Stakeholders’ Perspectives" on September 13th. The International Economic Development Council has asked me to participated the following day in a special disaster recovery and economic development briefing on the Hill.

15) Preservation Cascade has mounted an effort to complete a trail across the historic 10th Street bridge by 2020, the bridge’s 100th anniversary. A $250 gift buys one-yard length of railing, not 4250 as my typo said last week! Visit http://www.montanas-archbridge.org or call 406-452-5492.

16) Great Falls Tourism is offering a free workshop on Preparing Your Business for International Visitors, September 20, 9-11 AM at the C.M. Russell Museum. Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/great-falls-seminar-sponsored-by-great-falls-cvb-central-montana-motbd-registration-36931534213 , password "international."

Happy Labor Day!

Hungry to Grow the Great Falls region!

Brett

Brett Doney
President/CEO
Connect with me on LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls region.
Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list HERE https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=0016gbbKsaiGSq74CQ4kaaKRxcjLLNecgN6wHgSWvEMX0SSWpd0E4m-32CJBv5bsES-pMIg02qkMdppKg31TEhtaa2FtyawDlJJDhaRFrOnoVw%3D or text GFDA to 22828.

"Without labor nothing prospers."
Sophocles

Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager opening. Exceptional professional sought to support the growth of GFDA’s business and real estate lending and overall economic development efforts. Join our dedicated, passionate, fun, fast-paced, results-driven economic development CDFI team. Help us grow and diversify the Great Falls regional economy and support the creation of higher wage jobs. Duties include loan portfolio risk rating and financial analysis, loan documentation and servicing, reporting to a variety of public and private funding sources, maintaining our loan portfolio management system and other specialized software databases, responding to client and partner inquiries, and business development. Requires the ability to maintain accurate records, timely submission of reports, and strong computer and written/oral communication skills. Must be detail oriented, self-directed, and organized with the ability to be flexible to help achieve our overall team mission. Lending, finance, government grant management and/or accounting experience preferred. BA/BS or equivalent relevant experience. Salary range $40,000-45,000 with excellent benefits, professional development, growth opportunities, and flexible work environment. Work with a great team, help us move Great Falls Forward, and make a difference in people’s lives! EOE. Cover letter and resume to Lillian Sunwall at [email protected]. Open until we find a great candidate.

Cost-Effective Industrial Sites Available
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 Brett Doney at 1-406-750-2119 or [email protected]

Upcoming Business Events & Training

Profit Mastery workshops assist entrepreneurs to more efficiently manage the cash flow of their businesses. Our next Profit Mastery workshop is scheduled for September 13-14 at Great Falls College MSU. The two-day course is $125, which includes materials and lunch. Click for more info https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/3782 . We are also offering a QuickBooks basics workshop for $79 on October 11. Click for details: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/3863.

Import 101 offered by Montana World Trade Center, September 21st, 2:00-5:00 PM in Missoula. More info at http://www.mwtc.org or [email protected]

Montana Downtown Conference, "Attracting Private Investment to Your Downtown," October 19-20 right here in Great Falls. Sponsorship opportunities available, contact Sheila Rice at [email protected]. Come a day early on October 18th for a special Great Falls Downtown & Riverfront Showcase. Register here https://www.eventbrite.com/e/10th-annual-montana-downtown-conference-downtownriverfront-opportunity-showcase-tickets-36917428021?ref=enivtefor001&invite=MTI1MDY0NDkvYmRvbmV5QGdmZGV2ZWxvcG1lbnQub3JnLzA%3D&utm_source=eb_email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=inviteformalv2&ref=enivtefor001&utm_term=attend or email [email protected]

Senator Daines will be hosting the second biannual Montana High Tech Jobs Summit in Missoula, October 8-9th. To register or for more information, please visit the website at http://www.montanatechsummit.com.

Join us for the first annual Montana Food Show! This tradeshow will provide opportunities for food buyers and food producers to connect and find ways to get more Montana foods on Montana plates. Over 50 Montana fresh produce, meat, food and spirit companies will be showcasing their products in Bozeman on Tuesday October, 10, 2017. We invite food purchasers from schools, restaurants, hospitals, grocery stores, catering businesses, and other organizations to attend a private buying event from 10am-4pm. Doors are open to the general public from 4 to 7pm. Buyers can register and learn more at http://www.foodshow.mt.gov Questions? Contact Steph Hystad with the Montana Department of Agriculture at 406.444.5425 or [email protected]

Employee Recruitment & Retention workshop in Billings on October 10th, 7:30 AM to Noon at the Big Horn Conference Center. Register here.
Vision
Hungry to Grow the Great Falls region

Mission
Grow and diversify the Great Falls regional economy.
Create higher wage career opportunities.
Improve market competitiveness.

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

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 Lenders.

GFDA is proud to host a Montana Small Business Development Center
and a Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

For more info, click to our website.

Great Falls Development Authority, Inc., 300 Central Avenue, Suite 406, Great Falls, MT 59401, Mailing Address: PO Box 949, Great Falls, MT 59403

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Great Falls trade area. Competitive for food, ag, bioprocessing, energy, and support. Closest U.S. metro area to Calgary. Untame Your Entrepreneurial Spirit!

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