Students from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine participated in the “Docs and Tots” event, where they helped kids explore medical tools and procedures in a fun, interactive environment. See: KRTV. The event aimed to reduce children’s fear of doctor visits by using toy medical devices and engaging activities while helping medical students gain experience working with young kids.

2) Congratulations to Scott Vaughan of D C Repair on securing a contract with Malmstrom Air Force Base! Are you a subcontractor eager to take the next step and become a prime contractor? Great Falls Regional APEX is here to empower you with the tools and resources you need to position your business for success. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

3) GFDA purchased an additional 38 acres for the Great Falls AgriTech Park, a rail-served heavy industrial park certified by BNSF as one of North America’s Premier Sites for businesses that need rail services. We have multiple lots available. Contact Brett Doney at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2119.

4) There’s still time to register for our upcoming GFDA SBDC workshop on planning the sale of your business. Join us in Shelby Tuesday evening, October 8th, from 6:30-8 PM as we discuss key considerations for a successful business sale. For more details and to register, click here.

5) RMI will present the findings and recommendations of the Great Falls Trade Area Energy Market Assessment in five sessions next week. On Monday, October 14th

we will hold three Deep-dive Sessions at the SpringHill Suites:

10:00-11:30 AM: Overall Energy Opportunity & Obstacle Landscape Assessment

1:00-2:30 PM: Transmission Opportunities, Obstacles & Strategy Recommendations

3:00-4:30 PM: Sustainable Fuels Opportunities & Strategy Recommendations

On Tuesday, October 15th, we will hold two sessions at Great Falls College in Heritage Hall:

8:00-9:30 AM: Overall Findings & Recommendations — this will be a special GFDA Board & Council meeting which is always open to all interested parties.

12:00-1:30 PM: Deep-dive on Energy Efficient Buildings: Lunch Provided for free. Please REGISTER for the lunch by OCT 10th so we have a good count.

6) The exciting new food hall concept in The Station District development went public in The Electric and on KRTV. The food hall features four distinct culinary concepts: an Italian deli, Mexican, Pan-Asian, and American. Adding to the appeal, the food hall will utilize locally sourced meat from Willo Ranch. The space includes a games area with old-school arcade games, shuffleboard, ski ball and televisions. The main dining area opens to a spacious patio overlooking city parkland and the Missouri River. If you want to discuss a concept for downtown, contact Nicki Dallison at [email protected] or 1-406-750-2099.

7) We had a site visit from a housing developer seeking sites in Great Falls, a call with a venture capital group interested in funding Great Falls housing projects, and an exciting housing project took a huge step forward thanks to the City of Great Falls Staff working together to find solutions to ongoing challenges. It’s time to get your 2025 housing project ready, reach out to Jake today at 1-406-403-4937 or [email protected].

8) If you haven’t registered for “Operational Federal Contracting: A Blueprint to Managing Federal Contracts” now is the time! Join Great Falls Regional APEX and Ms. Colleen Goad, the 341st Contracting Section Supervisor for the Construction/Architect and Engineer Flight at Malmstrom AFB, on Wednesday, October 16th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Great Falls College Heritage Hall for an informative in-person event. Businesses will gain valuable insights into roles and responsibilities, regulations, contract types, and payment methods essential for managing federal contracts. Don’t forget to bring your capability statement! After the presentation, take advantage of our networking session, where you can connect directly with contracting officers from the 341st Contracting Squadron and potential partners. To Register, CLICK HERE! If you need to create a new capability statement or just update an existing one, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184. We look forward to seeing you there!

9) Congratulations to the seven Montana Businesses and Farms who were awarded with a Rural Energy for America Program grant from USDA’s Rural Development. These projects spanned the range from replacing windows in a small rural business to installing solar panels to lower the cost of irrigating a farmer’s fields. If you are a small business or an agricultural producer interested in reducing your energy bills, reach out to Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301 to discuss possible options.

10) The first Sips, Skills & Solutions Downtown Fall Cohort for Downtown Small Business Owners starts on October 10th from 6:00-7:30 PM. This cohort combines six in-person group sessions (October 10th, 17th; November 7th, 14th; December 5th, 19th) and up to six 1/1 sessions with our Great Falls Development Alliance Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor. The cohort meeting locations will move each session to one of the businesses that is a part of the cohort. During each group session, cohort members will connect, learn new skills and have a group think tank for solving business challenges and struggles. The cohort will have a max of 10 small business owners so each participant will have their needs met throughout the 12-week time period. We will have a Winter Cohort for those who are unable to do the Fall Cohort. The Winter Cohort will be every other Tuesday from 8:30 AM-10:00 AM beginning January 28th. If you are a downtown business and would like more information or you are interested in joining one of these cohorts, please reach out to Deb McGregor at 1-406-750-0314 or [email protected]. We only have TWO more openings for the Fall and Winter Cohorts. We are also in the process of setting up other cohorts throughout the Great Falls Trade Region. Stay tuned as more information will be released soon.

11) When considering the Great Falls region for your manufacturing project, you’re not just investing in a location—you’re tapping into a powerful network of partners dedicated to your success. As interest in our region continues to grow, workforce development naturally becomes a key focus. Partners like Great Falls College play a pivotal role in addressing workforce needs. For example, ADF International successfully collaborated with the College to ensure their workforce was ready. Read more about it at KRTV. Imagine the same support and solutions for your company as you expand or relocate to the Great Falls area. Let us help you pave the way for success. If you have a manufacturing project and are looking at starting or expanding in north central Montana, call Christian Leinhauser at 406-836-0136 or email [email protected].

12) The Montana Cooperative Development Center won a $20,000 grant for development of the Montana Food Hub that will be in Great Falls; see KRTV. Murals brighten Downtown Great Falls according to a great KRTV story. We will be presenting the Downtown Market Assessment and strategies at a special event in November. Stay tuned.

13) The GFDA SBDC Team met with Brent Donnelly, District Director and Brian Buch, Deputy District Director from the Montana District/Office of Field Operations, U.S. Small Business Administration. The Montana SBA office provides help with SBA services including funding programs, counseling, federal contracting certifications, and disaster recovery. They can also connect you to their partner organizations, lenders, and other community groups that help small businesses succeed. The GFDA Small Business Development Center was exploring increased opportunities to have the Montana SBA office more involved at trainings and small business events in addition to increasing referrals for the services we offer through our GFDA Small Business Development Center. Whether your business is just getting started or you’ve been in business awhile and would like assistance with your business plan, profit/loss statements, financial projections, marketing strategy or even overall brainstorming solutions and ideas, please reach out to a member of our GFDA Small Business Development Center: Christian Nichols, [email protected] or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, [email protected] or 1-406-750-0314.

14) If you are a food manufacturing facility regulated by the FDA you are required to have at least one Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) oversee the development and implementation of your food safety plan(s), unless you qualify for an exemption as detailed in 21 CFR 117.5. To assist food manufacturers throughout Montana, GFDA partnered with Claude Smith of Montana Manufacturing Extension Center to host a three day, 20 hour PCQI certification class. Twelve students from six organizations successfully completed this class. If you need a PCQI training or a HACCP class, please reach out to [email protected] or at 1-406-590-1301.

15) Have you opened a business in the Great Falls region of North Central Montana? Come celebrate with us! On the evening of November 20 at the Newberry. We will recognize those brave entrepreneurs who’ve created businesses in our region! Want to be recognized or recognize a business owner? Let us know here: Nomination Form

16) GFDA welcomes Terri Clark, a fantastic new team member that joined our staff in September. Terri comes from a banking background and will focus her efforts on compliance and will help manage our current GFDA loan portfolio as our new Lending Associate.

17) The GFDA SBDC Team had a visit from Lori Gilliland, the Montana Small Business Development Center Assistant State Director. The site visit involves visiting the GFDA office to ensure that all contract requirements are being implemented, visit with several staff members, check in on milestones to date and discuss strategic plans and conferences for 2025. We are happy to report that our GFDA Small Business Development Center successfully passed the on-site visit. We are also happy to report that going into 4th Quarter, the GFDA SBDC has already met over 86% of our 2024 metrics based on milestone categories.

18) We want to thank all our investors and public partners for their ongoing support. They make it possible for us to keep pushing toward big goals like making housing more affordable and bringing in high-wage jobs in areas like bioscience and renewable energy. Check out this short video to learn more. Their dedication is helping keep the cost of living manageable while improving the quality of life for everyone. Together, we’re building a region that’s not only a great place to live but also full of opportunities and good jobs. To learn more about what we’re working on and how you can help, contact Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].

19) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team and have excellent career opportunities. Download a description of openings for Marketing & Communications Officer, Loan Officer, and Government Contracting Advisor — APEX Accelerator. Contact Tracy for more info at [email protected].

20) The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is seeking a Business Advisor based in Great Falls to support manufacturers in the region. See description on Facebook.

Thank you, thank you to our staff, volunteers leaders, partners, investors and clients who work so hard and smart to make things happen that otherwise would not.

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

[email protected]

1-406-750-2119

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!

“Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven’t half the strength you think they have.”

Norman Vincent Peale

Edition 653

Great Falls Area Community Foundation, The History Museum, and TDS Fiber proudly present the Nonprofit Board Excellence Fall 2024 Series: Elevate Your Impact. $20 Online Registration is Required. Spaces are Limited. Monday October 21st. Board Basics Morning Session: 9 – 11 AM Evening Session: 6 – 8 PM Tuesday, October 22nd Communication & Teamwork Morning Session: 9 – 11 AM. Register here. For Nonprofit Professionals (Executive Director, CEO, Marketing, Development, Operations). Monday October 21st. Executive Toolkit. Lunch Session: Noon to 2 PM. Cost is $60, includes lunch. Register here.

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.

Jake’s webinar focused on housing development opportunities in Great Falls in partnership with Urban Land Institute is now available online with the access code: E#aZ48D2. Additionally, Jake’s interview with David Saslav on “Voices & Views V2.0” is also available to stream online.

Great Falls Regional APEX is assisting multiple businesses in preparing for the Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and 8(a) Program certification processes. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will temporarily pause certification applications from August 1st to early September for necessary system upgrades. This presents an excellent opportunity to verify your Eligibility for certifications such as WOSB, 8(a), HUBZone, and SDVOSB. To ensure you’re prepared to apply for the certification that best suits your business when the portal reopens in September, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

Did you know that the SBA 504 rates have been dropping the last few months? Jill had a meeting with a banker and his client this last week who needed a solution for being short on the bank required down payment to start and construct their new business. We discussed the SBA 504 option that partners with the bank to allow the client to bring in as little as 10% equity and has the extra benefit of low interest rates that are fixed for up to 25 years. The client and banker are excited about this opportunity and the SBA 504 loan will also help the client preserve additional cash for working capital. If you have a project that needs a creative solution, please reach out to Jill Kohles at [email protected] or 1-406-750-4481.

The Preventative Control Qualified Individuals (PCQI) certification is required for Food companies reregister under section 415 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) barring any exemptions or modified requirements that might apply. If you are a local food business who needs a certified PCQI on staff, please reach out to Anna. We are putting together a list for an upcoming training. You can reach Anna at 1-406-590-1301 or [email protected].

Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD). Great Falls Regional APEX is helping small businesses by providing consultation and guidance on the new cybersecurity standards that will be mandated for federal government contracting. If your company handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI) not intended for public use, you must meet specific security standards. As a basic requirement, you need a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1, which demonstrates that your business has security measures in place to protect sensitive data. CMMC 2.0 is expected to start in 2025, with full integration into all Department of Defense (DoD) contracts by 2028. Get ahead of the game! Contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

The Montana Department of Commerce’s Automation Loan Program is designed to extend financial assistance to Montana-based manufacturing enterprises seeking to upgrade, replace or expand their equipment. The program has extended the timeline for obligating funds through an executed commitment letter in this funding cycle to December 31st. Applicants are encouraged to work closely with participating lenders and program staff to ensure this deadline is feasible with the proposed project. Businesses, or lenders on behalf of a business, can apply on Commerce’s website. Questions? Contact Patsy Rasch at Commerce at [email protected] or 1-406-841-2748.

Registration opened for the first annual Montana Food & Beverage Manufacturing Summit being held in Missoula on October 15th. The summit is a one-day educational forum focused on essential topics to grow or improve your business, hosted by Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and the Montana Department of Agriculture. It will take place in conjunction with the Montana Food and Beverage Show on October 14. You will learn directly from industry experts and government officials about key steps in developing a successful food business. The program of workshops and speakers will cover the most frequently asked questions on packaging, labeling, fill control, process control, food safety, distribution, manufacturing efficiency, and more. Learn more and sign up on the Summit webpage.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Services has partnered with Cornell’s Small Farms Program to offer 6 months of free introductory course for beginning urban farmers. If you are interested in beginning your own small farm in North Central Montana or would like to know how to sell your produce at your local Farmers Market, please reach out to Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

Is your SAM.gov registration due to renew in the next few months? 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 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has recently announced that it will temporarily pause accepting applications for federal small business certifications beginning August 1st through September as it performs system upgrades to its certifications portal. If you’ve been working on your certification application, we recommend completing your submission before August 1st. If you aren’t in a rush to certify (or re-certify) your business, the SBA plans to re-open its certification portal and continue accepting applications in early September. Contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

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 [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

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.

Great Falls Recruiters and HR professionals! Here is a link to our Talent Attraction Toolkit and the 2024 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. “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 share their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group.

The Great Falls Population Economic Impact Report documents an $88 million positive impact on the local economy from population growth in the last five years, and estimates economic impact of population growth over the next 10 years.

Manufacturers, if you don’t get the monthly newsletter from the Montana Manufacturing Extension Center you are missing out on great training and other resources.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is partnering with the USDA and the Agricultural Marketing Services to help strengthen the resiliency of Montana food systems. Is your food company focused on middle-of-the-supply-chain activities such as processing, aggregation, or distribution of targeted agricultural products? If so, there is a new funding opportunity for your projects. Discuss this new opportunity and check your eligibility with Anna by reaching out at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

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.

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.

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 Nicki at 1-406-750-2099 or [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 Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937 to be connected with a JobsEQ-trained Business Advisor today. To learn more about GFDA’s other talent attraction tools, visit our website.

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.

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. For 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.

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 Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or [email protected]. We also have some small business or nonprofit startup/expansion loan funds available for Glacier and Blaine counties.

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.

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.