GFDA Top Ten for 7-6-25

1) Benefis Health System’s Sanavita Estates Independent Living development, a 64-unit apartment building and 28-single family villas received unanimous approval for an adjustment to PUD zoning by the Great Falls City Commission. Brett spoke in favor of the project and there was no opposition during the public hearing. We have a great track record of municipal approvals by our elected commissioners in Great Falls. Let’s get your project up and rolling as well, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or [email protected].

2) The Great Falls Montana trade area has strong potential for

new recreation and entertainment investment in the 13-county Great Falls Montana trade area, according to Market Findings we released this week. Hunden Partners, a leading global advisor in place strategy, conducted an in-depth market supply and demand analysis to determine market support for recreation, entertainment, sports and adventure-style business expansion opportunities in the region. GFDA commissioned the assessment to explore market drivers to grow the region’s tourism industry and increase recreation and entertainment offerings that improve quality of life — critical to retaining and recruiting workforce talent. Great Falls Tourism and Central Montana Tourism provided valuable partnership support to help make the assessment possible. The strongest market opportunities include hotels and hospitality, guided outfitters and tours, and recreation and natural environment. The findings identified three pillars of investment to pursue in the region: destination and experiential hospitality, family-centric activities, and adventure-oriented tours/guide services. View or Download the Market Findings on GFDA’s website.

3) The GFDA Small Business Development Center Business Advisors met with eleven new clients this week. Our range of services to clients included putting together financial projections, learning how to understand a profit/loss statement, starting a business basics, preparing financial forecasts to purchase a building and two business expansions. Our Business Advisors love serving clients and we enjoy the variety of work we have an opportunity to do. You are not alone as an entrepreneur and small business owner. You have services and resources available to you. Our Small Business Development Services are provided at no cost to you. Please reach out to one of our Business Advisors if we can be of service to you: 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.

4) The Montana Department of Commerce is reopening the third tranche of the State Small Business Credit Inititiave (SSBCI) loan paarticipation program to fund a few more low interest loan participations. This is a great one-time opportunity for businesses and GFDA. If you know of a business looking to start or expand who has a financing need, please contact Jill at 1-406-590-1056 or [email protected].

5) We joined the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) as part of our effort to strengthen defense efforts in the Great Falls trade area. NDIA is the nation’s largest defense industry association. NDIA drives strategic dialogue in national security by identifying key issues and leveraging the knowledge and experience of its military, government, industry, and academic members to overmatch capabilities to threats.

6) The new German high tech manufacturing company in Lewistown, Vacom, is celebrating its first year in Montana; read more in the Lewistown News Argus.

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