Our GFDA Small Business Development Team facilitated Business Blitz 2.0 for 20 participants. Topics covered included Brand Story Brand scripts, Digital Marketing Footprints, Time Management/Boundary Setting for Business Owners and Marginal Improvements-Big Gains. In addition, we had a special presentation from Cakes by Carr.

2) Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Great Falls held their inaugural graduation for 16 students completing the Master of Science (MS) Program. See KRTV.

3) Congratulations to the Item Shop in Shelby on their ribbon cutting on Saturday! The Item Shop is a collectibles store that also carries games, toys and board games. See more new businesses on KRTV’s Eye on Great Falls and TheElectric’s Business Bites.

4) We hosted site visits from two different housing developers. One group has been a high priority target for more than two years! Both groups found more opportunity in our market than what they were originally pursuing and were blown away by the access to City Staff and the support for new housing projects in Great Falls. It’s time to get your project moving or to get that land you’ve been hanging onto into play, reach out to Jake Clark at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

5) Calumet announced that engineers at the Montana Renewables refinery in Great Falls have found a way to increase production capacity to 120-150 million gallons of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) earlier than expected — now by the first quarter of 2026. Montana ingenuity!

6) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low-interest loan program will open on May 20, 2025. This program offers a valuable opportunity for eligible businesses and projects that can benefit from affordable, low-interest financing. Funds are extremely limited, and demand is expected to be high. If your project or business could benefit, we strongly encourage you to begin discussions with GFDA as soon as possible. For more information or to explore your eligibility, please contact Jill at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1056.

7) We celebrated National Small Business Week with special spotlights featuring some of our small business owners. Check them out on our Great Falls Development Alliance Facebook page or our Linked In page. Small Business Owners inspire all of us with their perseverance, creativity and tenacity. Are you thinking about starting a business? Do you have a business but want to look at expansion, cash flow or marketing strategies? Reach out to one of our Business Advisors: 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. Our services are provided at no cost to you!

8) Congratulations to the Charlie Russell Chew-Choo on winning the Montana Tourism Destination of the Year at the Governor’s Tourism Conference!. See Lewistown News.

9) Christian Leinhauser and Kristen Blue hosted a productive site visit with a company interested in a renewable energy project. Renewable energy sources are projected to account for approximately 35% of U.S. electricity generation by 2035. This growth is primarily driven by significant expansions in wind and solar power capacity, and North Central Montana has excellent resources for both wind and solar development. If you know of companies exploring new locations, contact Christian Leinhauser at [email protected] or 1-406-836-0136. For energy related projects or initiatives, contact Kristen Blue at [email protected] or 1-406-788-4989.

10) Are you a Montana resident who has considered law school but can’t commit to a full-time program? We’d like your input. We are conducting a quick anonymous survey to assess interest in a part-time law school option for Montana. Click here to take the survey. If you have additional questions email or call Jolene, [email protected], 1-406-750-4481.

11) Get registered by May 15 th for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Rural Retreat to get the early bird registration. The first ever IEDC Rural Retreat will be in North Central Montana June 23-25. Also, members of the Montana Economic Developer Association get a special discounted rate.  Click here to register and learn more about the retreat. If you have additional questions email or call Jolene, [email protected], 1-406-750-4481. Immediately following the IEDC Rural Retreat, RMI is hosting an Energy Bootcamp for Economic Developers in Great Falls on June 26th. Click for more information.

12) MSU Extension and the Montana Food & Ag Development Center Network hosted the third webinar in their series on Selling Homemade Food 101: Food Safety. Dr. Brianna Routh of MSU Extension explained common health hazards in the home kitchen and how to avoid them to sell healthy foods under the Local Food Choice Act in Montana. If you are a home cook looking to sell your product at a farmers market or under this act and would like access to resources and food safety technical assistance, please reach out to Anna at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1301.

13) Christian Leinhauser networked at the Montana World Trade Center’s World Trade & Investment Day in Billings. The event brought together Montana businesses and trade experts for tactical sessions on international business strategy and global investment trends. The insights gained are helping shape our preparations for the upcoming SelectUSA Investment Summit, where we’ll highlight North Central Montana’s advantages to international investors. To learn more about our international outreach efforts, contact Christian Leinhauser at [email protected] or 1-406-836-0136.

14) The Thursday, May 15 the Green Drinks monthly speaker series will feature information on the Montana Clean Energy Fair coming to Great Falls in August.

15) The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.393%; 20-year at 6.410%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.204%; and, 25-year refinance 6.421%; 20-year refinance 6.440%. 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].

16) We geared up for the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C., where Brett, Jolene, Commissioner Joe Briggs, and Christian Leinhauser will be promoting North Central Montana as a prime location for international business expansion. Our team is preparing to engage with global companies, site selectors, and trade officials to highlight the region’s strengths—including shovel-ready sites, low operating costs, access to Canadian markets, and a skilled workforce. For more information on how we’re connecting with international prospects and showcasing investment opportunities, contact Christian Leinhauser at [email protected] or 1-406-836-0136.

17) The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is offering an upcoming energy auditor training pilot program. DEQ is covering the costs for lodging, pre-requisites, class, and testing. For more information contact Sam Hall at 406-444-4960 or [email protected]

18) Jake heads to Chicago for the annual meeting for the Transload Distribution Association of North America, where he will meet with companies that can provide greater access to rail transport for Great Falls companies and interest them in our market. Would your company be able to take advantage of rail if transloading were more available in Great Falls? Send Jake a note to about how much and what type of freight you’d like to move to share with target companies, [email protected].

19) We’re now preparing to welcome the third class of Touro University students and are looking for businesses willing to donate 155 items to help greet the new students and make them feel at home in our community. If you’d like to contribute this year, please reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected] to coordinate the details.

20) Congratulations to GFDA Small Business Development Center Business Advisor Rich Gannon who has been awarded the Montana SBDC Star Award for the Montana Small Business Development Center network! The Montana SBDC Star Award is given to someone within the Montana SBDC Network who exhibits exemplary performance, leadership, collaboration and competency in work performance. Rich certainly represents all of these things. Rich has helped hundreds of small business owners with financial projections, cash flow, profit/loss statements, digital footprints and more. If you are getting ready to start a business or you’ve already started and would like some assistance understanding your financial statements and projections or even considering expansion, reach out to Montana SBDC State Star Rich Gannon at [email protected] or 1-406-836-2078.

21) Our Great Falls Regional APEX Team attended the National NAPEX Spring Conference. This event provided a unique platform for networking with APEX Accelerators from across the United States. We learned valuable insights that will greatly benefit small businesses in our region as they position themselves for government contracting opportunities. Key sessions provided valuable insight into the challenges and opportunities currently shaping the government contracting landscape. We explored the growing impact of cybersecurity assessments on small businesses, examined the implications of termination for convenience, and the stop work orders affecting contractors today. We reviewed strategies for balancing national security with the promotion of foreign investment. To learn more about enhancing your contract readiness and optimizing your success in government contracting, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

22) Steve Grooms and I represented the Montana Defense Alliance at the Strategic Deterrent Coalition summit in DC, networking with military, industry and civilian leaders involved in supporting and facilitating our nation’s critical nuclear triad.

23) We are pleased to share that we have received the funds from the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation to support the update of the Childcare Demand Assessment. We couldn’t have won this grant without the support of our investors and public partners. Learn more about them here. Because of them, we were able to leverage investor dollars to use towards the required match, essentially doubling their contribution. Recent investments include: Champion Division—US Bank; Advance Division—Central Plumbing, Heating, Excavating and First Interstate Bank. We will continue to put their dollars to work so we can make an even bigger impact. If you’d like learn more about our impact and how you can support the growth of our region, contact Vice President of Investment Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].

24) Join GFDA’s investment committee! Help us secure the resources that power business expansion, job creation, and community transformation across North Central Montana. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or [email protected].

25) We’re growing our GFDA Staff Team with a new Accounting Assistant position and a new Business Development Officer – Defense position, and we have an opening for a Business Development Officer – Downtown Great Falls. Download our Career Opportunities and please forward it to great candidates.

26) GFDA’s Board and Council held the first of two annual strategic planning meetings to consider updates to our regional Economic Development Strategy.

27) Save the date for GFDA’s Annual Meeting to be held on Tuesday, June 17th, 8:00-10:00 AM at The Newberry in Downtown Great Falls.

A great week!

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

[email protected]

1-406-750-2119

Connect with me on LinkedIn.

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!

“Simplicity boils down to two steps: Identify the essential. Eliminate the rest.”

Leo Babauta

Edition 684

Upcoming business training, May 13th, 8:00-9:45 AM: GFDA AE2S: Buying and Selling a Business: Key Considerations for a Successful Transition. Register by clicking here.  If you’re interested in starting a business, please reach out to Christian at 1-406-788-9385 or [email protected].

The Montana Cooperative Development Center and the Montana Council of Cooperatives are hosting the inaugural Montana Cooperative Academy in Great Falls May 12-14. Designed specifically for the Montana Cooperative Community, the academy will focus on building cross-sector connections, learning how cooperatives of all shapes and sizes shape Montana’s economy, lessons in cooperative leadership, and leaving with a stronger cooperative network and tangible items you can implement at home. Learn more and register here.

JOIN US FOR THE MONTANA APEX GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING MATCHMAKING EVENT OF THE YEAR! Great Falls Regional APEX is proud to host the Montana APEX GovMatch 2025 event at the University of Providence on Wednesday, August 13th. This event is designed to connect suppliers with federal, state, and local government buyers, as well as prime contractors, fostering relationships and creating opportunities for government contracting success. Whether you’re a supplier showcasing your capabilities or a buyer seeking qualified suppliers to meet contracting needs, this GovMatch event is for you!  Registration is now open to both buyers and suppliers: CLICK HERE! For more details or to prepare for this event, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-590-1184.

Starting and Owning a Business includes a lot of moving parts. It’s easy to get caught up in all of the day-to-day tasks and not take a step back to pause, evaluate, make adjustments and gain new perspective. Our GFDA Small Business Development Center Advisors are ready and equipped to help entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the many stages of owning a business. If you are ready to evaluate where you are at and where you want to be, set some business goals, get a snapshot of your current financial situation or review your marketing strategy, please reach out to one of our Business Advisors: 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.

The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) has a new advisor in our region. Carolyn Kelman joins the staff as a business advisor for the Great Falls Region and Northeastern Montana. She has a broad skill set in manufacturing operations with particular expertise in continuous improvement, supply chain optimization, logistics, and warehouse management. Learn more about her experience reading the MMEC newsletter, here. Welcome to the team Carolyn! You can reach her at [email protected].

Inside each monthly edition of our new newsletter, Investing in Downtown Great Falls you’ll find a curated mix of news, updates, and resources designed to celebrate and support our downtown Great Falls businesses and building owners. If you are ready to invest in Downtown Great Falls, contact Jake at [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

The Great Falls Business Improvement District has grants available for businesses and property owners located in the BID. Contact Kellie Pierce at 1-406-727-5430 or [email protected]. Stay ahead of the curve in Downtown Great Falls!

Are you hiring? Our Hot Jobs Program is the perfect platform for employers to share their job openings! By sending us your listings, your opportunities could be featured on our Hot Jobs blog and shared across our social media channels for maximum visibility. Relocating with a partner or family member? Our Trailing Partner Program ensures no one gets left behind. Many times, for someone to accept a position, their partner also needs a job secure – and we’re here to help! Send us their resume (with permission), and we’ll share it within our network. You never know who’s hiring! Let’s work together to make Great Falls the perfect place for new opportunities. For more information contact our Marketing and Communications Officer Katie Carvell at 1-406-217-7635 or [email protected].

Are you interested in exploring government contract opportunities but unsure where to start?  Great Falls Regional APEX provides the tools, knowledge, and guidance needed to navigate the government marketplace. We simplify the key steps of registration, research, and response, streamlining the process to ensure your business is prepared for contract opportunities. Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to expand your reach, we can help you identify opportunities, build valuable connections, and achieve your goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at [email protected] or 1-406-217-2174.

If you’re looking to expand or start your business through purchasing a commercial building for your future location, make sure to talk to Christian Nichols, Brownfields Project Manager, so we can see if you qualify for an Environmental Site Assessment paid for by EPA. You don’t know what environmental conditions or possible contaminates exist until you have an assessment completed. With our help you could save thousands of dollars and have confidence in your purchase knowing all contaminates are identified and assessed. For more information, please call Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or email at [email protected].

Do you know the benefits of C-PACE financing for your multifamily housing project? Last Best PACE, Montana’s program, brings value to Montana commercial building owners by improving their bottom line. Last Best PACE can cover up to 100% of eligible project costs and payments are repaid through a special property tax assessment with terms of 20+ years. Reach out to Jake to find out how this tool can help your project move forward [email protected] or 1-406-403-4937.

Are you planning any international marketing activities in 2025? 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.

Cybersecurity is a top priority for the Department of Defense (DoD)! Is your business prepared for the new cybersecurity standards in federal contracting? If your company manages Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), you must comply with specific standards. For contractors working with the federal government, the minimum requirement is Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1. This self-certification verifies that your organization has implemented fundamental security measures to safeguard FCI. To begin your self-assessment journey, contact Shannon Clancy at [email protected] or 1-406-868-8343 and Mariah Liebing at [email protected] or 1-406-217-2174

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.

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.

Great Falls Recruiters and HR professionals! Here is a link to our Talent Attraction Toolkit and the 2025 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. Visit our relocation website LiveInGreatFalls.com. 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 Katie Carvell at [email protected] or 1-406-217-7635.

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. MMEC 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.

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.

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.

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.