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Want to Entice New Residents to Rural Communities? Offer Cash, for a Start.
“Why put all our focus on businesses when we can just recruit people, go after families?” Ms. Gourley said. “They’ll bring their jobs with them, which means income that is coming in from everywhere else into our county.”
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Bobcat Ventures – Investment Fund
Bobcat Ventures is a Montana State University student-led venture fund that leverages its unique position within the Montana entrepreneurial ecosystem to source and support early-stage startups across the 406.
Montana State to present research at Red Lodge community event Oct. 6
“This is an inaugural event to bring research happening on campus and in our research facilities around the state to communities throughout Montana,” Veselik said. “We look forward to engaging with cities, towns and communities around the state to have conversations about MSU research and how we are impacting the lives of Montanans.”
Cryogenics boot camp at Montana State’s QCORE provides students with intensive training
The camp was developed in response to a growing need for professionals experienced in operating, maintaining and troubleshooting the ultra-low temperature, low-noise environments in which quantum technologies operate.
Montana Tech has named its first chief artificial intelligence officer
Professor Chad Okrusch will lead Montana Tech’s approach to artificial intelligence, from classroom guidance to preparing students for careers increasingly shaped by AI. “AI is a unique disruption to both the social and technological system,” Okrusch said. “It’s changing everything we do in higher education.”
High Plains Financial
“High Plains Financial (HPF) is a Montana-based Certified Development Company and SBA 504 lender affiliated with the Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA). HPF provides SBA 504 loans statewide, helping businesses access long-term, fixed-rate financing for…
Grand Valley State Unveils $166 Million Tech Hub Amid Controversy
The Blue Dot Lab project aims to transform tech education and boost regional jobs but faces criticism over cost and transparency. Groundbreaking is planned for fall 2026 despite concerns from faculty and students.
University of Montana Office of Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter
UM’s research community has faced substantial upheaval and uncertainty over the past few years. Despite this, we continue to meet the challenges and excel. This fiscal year, new grant awards and proposal volume demonstrate the resilience and drive of our faculty, staff, and students.
How To Choose A College In The Age Of AI
It still comes down to academic fit, cost and career payoff. But as artificial intelligence reshapes classrooms and jobs, families should also consider how colleges are responding and preparing students for the future.
The $1 Million Startup World Cup Montana Regional – Come join the biggest entrepreneurial challenge in Montana’s history. – 10/21 – University of Montana
One startup from that room wins a $1 million investment prize. Why not you, o’ glorious Montana startup? You have to be in it to win it. Applications close September 25th
ADROIT Employer Resources
ADROIT Employer Resources is a Montana-based workforce and talent solutions partner that helps employers solve complex hiring challenges through recruiting, workforce strategy, and employment consulting. We specialize in supporting organizations including deep tech, advanced technology,…
The Value of Higher Education by Dr. Jeremiah Shinn, President University of Montana and Dr. Brock Tessman, President Montana State University
You place a high level of trust in us to help Montana’s students achieve these goals and more. And in the spirit of this season of beginnings, we want reaffirm to our students, their families and our fellow citizens that our unique, dynamic and innovative campuses will continue working to ensure that you, your employers, your communities, and this incredible state we call home realize the dividends of the time, talent, and resources invested in Montana’s public colleges and universities.
Montana Tech launches new nuclear energy programs
“Montana is at an energy crossroads,” Lance Energy Chair Bob Morris said in a press release. “We’ve been a net energy exporter for 50 years, but as coal comes offline, we risk no longer producing enough energy for ourselves.”
City Club Missoula – AI Under the Big Sky Issues and Opportunities Surrounding Montana Data Centers – 9/14
Register Now
ADROIT Employer Resources
ADROIT Employer Resources is a Montana-based workforce and talent solutions partner that helps employers solve complex hiring challenges through recruiting, workforce strategy, and employment consulting. We specialize in supporting organizations including deep tech, advanced technology,…
University of Montana Office of Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter
Events, News and Updates, Research & Creative Scholarship Stories, and Funding Opportunities
Montana State University Would Like Your Input On The Strategic Plan – 9/9 – Bozeman
Feedback can be shared at a community event in Bozeman in September or through an online survey.
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University of Montana to Host First-of-its-Kind Montana AI Summit – 9/1-3 – Missoula
Designed for the AI curious and the skeptical alike, the summit will gather workers, business owners, educators and community members from across Montana to ask the questions that matter most: What is AI actually doing to jobs, industries and communities, and what should be done about it?
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
The purpose of regional rail authorities in Montana is to preserve and improve abandoned rail services for agriculture, industry, or passenger traffic and to preserve the abandoned railroad right-of-way for future transportation uses, when determined…
“For Montana” – University of Montana Launches Renewable Scholarship Initiative
The For Montana Scholarship Initiative aims to reduce financial barriers by funding scholarships that support students from enrollment through graduation. This coordinated effort involves alumni, local businesses, and athletic programs to strengthen Montana’s workforce and economy.
University of Montana Office of Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter
ORCS supports the UM research community to accelerate discovery and deliver impact.
Is an AI minor now required in college to be successful? Colleges are listening
Students are pursuing AI minors because every field they’re already in is being reshaped by the same tech transformation.
Headwaters Tech Hub August Newsletter
This year we’re highlighting how the technologies we build bring benefits across industry sectors. We’ll kick off the summit with a tech demo day at Lubrecht Forest. Our conference will feature an industry panel building innovative solutions to “wicked” problems, and breakout sessions focused on resiliency in entrepreneurship and expanding onramps into the tech workforce.
Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority
The purpose of regional rail authorities in Montana is to preserve and improve abandoned rail services for agriculture, industry, or passenger traffic and to preserve the abandoned railroad right-of-way for future transportation uses, when determined…
University of Montana Office of Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter
Traditionally, Vision has included a “Student Spotlight” section which highlights great work by our undergraduate and graduate researchers. If you know of such students, please send us your ideas.
University of Montana Opens Thrift Store – The Loop @ Lommasson – to Cut Student Costs During Dorm Move-In
The Loop @ Lommasson offers affordable used dorm essentials during move-in week, helping students save money and reduce waste. This initiative encourages reuse and sustainability within the campus community.
GFDA Top Ten for 8/11/26
Our Great Falls Regional APEX assisted 16 clients this week as they pursued government contracting opportunities. For businesses looking to streamline the search process, a customized Bid Match profile may be the right solution.
The University of Montana is now accepting applications for our next Regional I-Corps Cohort, running September 1 through September 30, 2026.
If you are a researcher, faculty member, student, entrepreneur, startup founder, or innovator trying to understand whether your idea has real market potential, this program is designed to help you figure that out.
Great Falls Development Alliance
“Anything Business – Think GFDA. The Great Falls trade area offers a strategic location, competitive operating costs, and strong industry advantages in food and agriculture, value-added processing, bioprocessing, energy, and advanced support services. As the…
Harmen Steele is halfway through his second week as Director of Technology Transfer at the University of Montana and he’d like to talk with you.
I’d like to talk with you if you’re a researcher with an idea, an entrepreneur looking for help, a company interested in working with the University, or someone who simply isn’t sure where to start.
University of Montana Office of Research and Creative Scholarship Newsletter – Special Edition Limited Submissions – Call for Proposals
When a program announcement limits the number of proposals that we may submit, we have an internal process to ensure that we do not exceed that limit. If you’re interested in one of the following opportunities, follow the instructions to submit a concept by the internal deadline indicated below. PIs must confirm eligibility prior to submission.
Stanford University has a class called: “How To Rule The World”. What’s “Pre-Idea” Funding?
Fareed Zakaria spoke with Stanford University recent graduate and award-winning journalist Theo Baker about his new memoir, “How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University,” in which he documents what he sees as the worrying influence of Silicon Valley on his school.
GFDA Quarter Index 2026Q2 Numbers to Celebrate
Our Mission
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.