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GFDA Top Ten for 1-25-26

GFDA

Ignite 2026 was a great event to kick-off the year! In case you missed it, we sent out our Ignite recap in a two-part series. Click here for part one. Click here for part two. And If you’d like to look at the event photos and the full slide deck, click here.

1) Travel & Leisure named Great Falls of the 50 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. The magazine said, “Named for five waterfalls on the Missouri River, Great Falls has a population of 60,414, making it the largest city in Cascade County. A popular tourist destination, Great Falls is located east of the Rocky Mountains, about halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and swimming in the summer, and skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing during the winter. Downtown, there’s public art, restaurants, shops, and a lively schedule of events.”

2) Christian Leinhauser and Jake Clark represented the Great Falls trade area in partnership with the Montana Department of Commerce at the SHOT Show, the world’s largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor trade show covering more than 800,000 square feet of exhibit space. They connected directly with key decision-makers and shared the region’s competitive advantages, available sites, and workforce strengths, resulting in more than a dozen strong company leads. Conversations focused on expansion and relocation opportunities tied to Montana’s business climate and outdoor-driven quality of life, with several companies expressing interest in continued discussions. Follow-up outreach is now underway to advance these conversations toward site visits and next steps.

3) The Bins are now accepting bookings for their one-of-a-kind events venue and destination lodging experience! Owners Casey and Sarah Shaw have thoughtfully renovated a 105-year-old barn in Conrad, MT into a beautiful space for weddings, reunions, and retreats. With two adjoining bins, guests can enjoy convenient on-site lodging, making it a true destination experience. Free farm tours are also available by appointment only, giving visitors a chance to connect with the land and local agricultural heritage. By attracting overnight guests and special events to Pondera County, The Bins are helping strengthen the regional tourism economy and support local businesses.

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