Thank you again for everyone who worked hard to enable the groundbreaking of the Baatz Permanent Supportive Housing development. Great community and state partnering spurred by NeighborWorks Great Falls’ leadership!

2) “Butcher’s Crossing” premiered at Glacier Cinemas in Cut Bank. The movie, based on the novel by John Williams, was filmed on the Blackfeet Reservation and involved many Blackfeet crew members. It features Nicholas Cage and Paul Raci. See Cut Bank Pioneer Press.

3) “Great Falls is our number one priority for our next project,” says a site selector planning site visits in Great Falls, one of two site visits we are hosting this week for projects in two different industry sectors. Want to know why Great Falls is might be the best place for your next project? Reach out to Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

4) GFDA’s Loan Committee approved a $100,000 permanent working capital loan to assist expansion of a high mission primary sector manufacturing company. This funding will allow the business to expand their business to include another nationwide retail store contract. GFDA will submit this loan to participate with the Montana State Small Business Initiative (SSBCI 2.0) program. If you have a new or existing Montana business that wants to start, stabilized, pivot, expand or re-start, please reach out to Jill Kohles at 406-590-1056 or [email protected] to discuss your options.

5) Show your support for the Great Falls Public Safety Levy & Bond by attending a rally in Great Falls on November 1. There are two locations for the rally. We urge you to support the city’s public safety levy and bond. You can pick up signs at the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce or at GFDA. Follow the Electric City Citizens for Public Safety Facebook’s page for updates and don’t forget to vote!

6) It is widely agreed upon that we are facing a childcare is in crisis across the US and our communities across North Central Montana are no different. Jolene was a presenter on a national panel through the International Economic Development Council discussing economic development strategies to aid in this crisis. We are working as business advisors to help existing home care providers and centers to expand their business models. We are also working with partners to expand non-traditional options for care. On the panel it was clear that employers are also presenting unique solutions that include childcare in their benefits packages. We cannot grow the workforce without child care. To join the discussion call Jolene at 1-406-750-4481.

7) Congratulations to the Great Falls Public Schools Board of Trustees on winning the Golden Gavel Award at the Montana Conference of Education Leadership. This week the Trustees approved applying for creation of an exciting new public charter school; see TheElectric. We were excited to submit a letter of support for the District’s application to the Montana Board of Education.

8) Christian and Lillian met with a business looking to expand and purchase a former gas station building with potential contamination issues. We shared our site research findings that the petroleum-related concerns had been successfully addressed, while also discussing how we can assist with any potential building-related issues. Jill also addressed their inquiries regarding the SBA 504 program and discussed various tools and resources available to support their project. Are you considering a property for expansion or redevelopment but uncertain if it’s a possibility? Reach out to Christian Nichols at [email protected].

9) Great Falls Hospital has completed the first two phases of its $65 million expansion. The expansion includes completing the north hospital tower featuring a 10-bed ICU unit, an 18-bed inpatient medical and surgical suite, and more. Great Falls Hospital is hosting an open house on October 30. Learn more about Great Falls Hospital in our Announcement of the Week.

10) The Growth Through Agriculture grant pre-application window closed on Monday. Congratulations to all the food & ag businesses who worked with Anna to submit those pre-applications. If you would like to be kept abreast of food, ag and bio processing industry news, events, or resources, or for technical assistance for the USDA Rural Energy for America (REAP) applications or other grant and loan opportunities, connect with Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

11) Full Circle Health opened in Great Falls; see KRTV. The Rib and Chop House opened and it’s delicious! See KRTV. Signage is up at the second Crooked Tree Coffee location at 4117 2nd Ave. N. The east-end location will feature drive-thru service and inside seating. We can’t wait for a second location to enjoy Crooked Tree pastries and coffees.

12) Our Great Falls Regional APEX Accelerator helped a local small business register in the Montana State Vendor marketplace and they won a contract! These contracts can be a great avenue for business growth, and they provide a steady source of revenue for many companies. If you would like more information on how you can find opportunities to showcase your products and services to all state agencies, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected].

13) Fairfield welcomes a brand new childcare center. Congratulations to Theresa Burgmaier on the opening of this new daycare. The Eagles Nest Daycare fills a large childcare void in this community. Childcare is a much needed resource across our region. If you have a childcare idea for your community and need assistance in starting that business please reach out to Tony at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2099.

14) Downtown leaders reviewed the eight proposals we received for the Downtown Great Falls Market Assessment and Transformation Strategy. We plan to select finalists and schedule video interviews. We anticipate the project will provide us with valuable data to attract more private sector investment downtown and a blueprint for our downtown economic development work.

15) GFDA participates in the Montana State Small Business Initiative (SSBCI 2.0) program that helped provide a lower interest rate on 50% of the funding. We’ve been partnering with local banks and credit unions to put together some creative financing packages for business startups and expansions, but this low-interest money is vrey limited and first come, first serve so contact us today if you have a business startup or expansion planned that could benefit from a SSBCI 2.0 loan participation. Contact Jill at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056 or Brett at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2119.

16) Jolene spoke with the Leadership Great Falls class about our new Great Falls Economic Strategy. We completed the strategy early this year and want to chat about it with as many community groups as possible.. Call, text, or email Jolene to schedule with your group, 1-406-750-4481 or [email protected].

17) Tyler Menzales started work back on Team GFDA as our new Vice President Strategic Initiatives. Tyler is leading our efforts on seven of the actions in our Economic Development Strategy. Welcome Tyler! You can reach him at 1-406-217-7862 or [email protected].

18) We were recognized with three Impact Awards from the Montana Economic Developers Association for the cumulative impact of our Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), now rebranded by DOD as an APEX Accelerator, that has helped hundreds of local companies compete for and win government contracts, our Brownfields Program that has helped assess and redevelop dozens of commercial properties, and The Fire Within celebrations and encouragement of outstanding female entrepreneurs.

19) GFDA actively pursues our mission to promote economic growth in North Central Montana through fostering connectivity, community development, business attraction, retention, and outreach efforts. The accountability and support from our investors and public partners are the cornerstones of our work. You can discover who these key stakeholders are and understand the motivations driving their support here. Recent investments include: Advance Division—North 40 Outfitters, Supporter Division—NewFields. These investments contribute to the strengthening of our local economy. To explore our initiatives and support the economic development of our region, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].

I’m back on the road this morning flying to Los Angeles to network with housing and commercial developers at the Urban Land Institute fall summit. We’re hungry for more high quality real estate investment in Great Falls and the entire trade area.

Have a prosperous week!

Brett

Brett Doney

President & CEO

1-406-750-2119

[email protected]

Connect with me on  LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region. Forward the GFDA Top 10 to friends and colleagues. You can join our distribution list HERE or text GFDA to 22828.

Subscribe to the Grow Great Falls Montana YouTube channel!

“Let freedom reign. The sun never set on so glorious a human achievement.”

Nelson Mandela

Edition 605

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 7.129%; 20-year at 7.180%; 10-year equipment loan at 7.052%; and, 20-year refinance 7.210%; 25-year refinance 7.158%. 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 [email protected].

The Montana Department of Commerce has reopened applications for the Montana Manufacturing Automation Loan Program offering 0.0% interest loans for up to 50% of the purchase price of automation equipment. If you are short of cash, we may be able to finance the other half as well as installation expenses. These are one-time funds so apply today. Let me know if you need help.

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2024? 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! [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.

The exhibitor application for the 2024 Made in Montana tradeshow has opened. All applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM on October 26. The no-fee application is open to current Made in Montana members who want to grow their business through the wholesale market. The online application will be available on their tradeshow webpage. All applications will be reviewed by a committee after October 26. The show will take place March 8 – 9, 2024 at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena.

USDA opened another round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). If you are a meat or poultry processor considering expansion, but missed the first round of funding, please reach out to Anna Flies at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

The Montana Indian Equity Fund began accepting applications for their small business grant on September 1st; the application deadline is October 31st. The grant can be used to assist start up or existing Native American owned businesses in Montana. If you need help with the process, contact small business advisor Rich Gannon at 1-406-836-2078 or via email at [email protected].

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 [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

The Great Falls Housing Market Assessment shows a need for over 450 new housing units per year in the immediate Great Falls area. For assistance with housing development, contact Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

USDA has launched a new online tool to assist small businesses in identifying procurement opportunities; see USDA’s Procurement Forecast.

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 [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.

One of the many tools we have for renovating your building in Downtown Great Falls is the City’s Downtown Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Grant. This 50% match grant can help with Façade, Building Code Compliance, and Safety & Security. One of the biggest uses of this grant is Fire Suppression and updating the face of your building. To find out more about this grant, call Christian at 1-406-836-0136 or email [email protected]. Let’s discuss how TIF and other tools can help you change the face of Downtown Great Falls.

Employers, are you looking for timely data on our local workforce? 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 Lyndsay Bruno at [email protected] or 1-406-590 – 1539 to be connected with a JobsEQ-trained Business Advisor today. To learn more about GFDA’s other talent attraction tools, visit our website.

We launched the new Livability Great Falls Magazine. Find and share Livability Great Falls online, or contact Lyndsay Bruno for hard copies of the magazine: [email protected] or 1-406-590-1539.

Recruiters, are you hiring for a job position that is:

• High level
• High salary
• Out-of-the-box/unique/creative?

Help us attract workforce to move to Great Falls – send a one-sentence description of the job, 3-5 of your company’s top employee benefits, salary (if listed), and a link to apply for your job to [email protected] to be included in the Hot Jobs in Great Falls blog post.

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.

The Montana Department of Commerce has extended the application deadline to December 31st for the Montana Cybersecurity Program, which will provide up to $8,000 reimbursement for your cybersecurity expenses. And don’t forget about funds available for your workforce through the Incumbent Worker Training Program and the Primary Workforce Training Grant. We can help you access these programs if you run into snags.

USDA opened a new round of Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants and loans. Rural small businesses and agricultural producers can use the funds to make energy-efficiency improvements, lower operating costs, or install renewable energy systems. Quarterly competitions will be held through September 30th. See MATR.net for more info. Or for help applying, contact Anna Flies: [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center 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.

Are you in the planning and development phase of expanding your agricultural product or adding value to Montana agriculture by expanding your product into new markets? Montana’s Growth Through Agriculture (GTA) Business Acceleration Program (BAP) and Market Development Program (MDP) grants could help! Funds are available; click here for more information or contact Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

The 341st Contracting Squadron, Malmstrom Air Force Base (AFB), is contemplating a solicitation for a multiple award contract (MAC) and is looking for responses to this Sources Sought Notification. Awarded MAC indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts would be for the construction of structures and facilities, repair, maintenance, and alteration of real property assets within the confines of Malmstrom AFB, Weapons Storage Area (WSA), Missile Alert Facility (MAF) and Launch Facility (LF) sites located within the Missile Complex throughout Montana. This is a great opportunity to Introduce your company to the Contracting Wing at Malmstrom AFB. Do you have a Capability Statement prepared to provide with your Sources Sought reply? If not, contact Lillian Sunwall at 1-406-750-1253 or [email protected]. For more information on the Notice, click here.

If you are trying to redevelop a property that involves an environmental cleanup (including lead paint and asbestos) and you have a gap in your financing, your project may qualify for our low-interest brownfield redevelopment loan funds. We can make loans anywhere in Cascade County or within 100 miles from the borders of Cascade County, which covers much of the region. We’re eager to help make your project move forward. Contact Tony Peres at 1-406-750-2099 or [email protected]. We also have some small business or nonprofit startup/expansion loan funds available for Glacier and Blaine counties.

Do you have open government contracts? Is your SAM.gov registration due to renew in the next few months? SAM.gov continues to have issues with the transition of the new validation process. It is recommended that businesses start early to renew their registration to keep from going inactive. If you are having trouble getting through the process, contact Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or [email protected] for assistance.

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 Montana TechLink Center at MSU is offering a new round of workshops on how to win Small Business Innovation Research funding.

We have migrated our pre-business workshop for early stage and pre-venture startups to a self-paced, video-facilitated, online format called Business Basics for Startups. If you’d like to check out the content and provide feedback, we’d appreciate it. We also provide monthly Business Strategy Webinars, which are recorded and available for viewing online at any time. Looking to start, innovate or grow your business? We offer a variety of training options to ensure your success. Click here to check out all of GFDA’s training resources. For more information or to give feedback about these programs, please contact Rich at 1-406-836-2078 or [email protected].

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.

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. “Your (Live in Great Falls) website is very impressive and helpful! Great Falls looks amazing, and we love what we’ve seen real estate-wise, and business-wise.” This quote was from an email sent to us from a couple considering relocation to Great Falls. We will be sharing their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group.

Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. This website was the #1 request we got from local recruiters and HR professionals for aiding in attracting talented workers to Great Falls. The Great Falls At-A-Glance two-pager is a great complementary resource that highlights Great Falls for people unfamiliar with our community.

Of our online business planning tool, LivePlan, one said: “LivePlan is Awesome!” The LivePlan tool is helping streamline her strategy in preparation for presenting to bank partners. We offer LivePlan licenses for FREE to active clients. Learn more about LivePlan on our website.

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 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.

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