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We had the honor of gathering together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of 31 female entrepreneurs at the annual Fire Within Awards. This event shines a spotlight on the extraordinary women who embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. Since its inception 14 years ago, the Fire Within Award program has celebrated the remarkable achievements of over 100 outstanding women business owners. To each and every nominee and recipient, your passion, drive, and innovation are shaping the future of your communities and beyond. See TheElectric and KRTV.

1) The Great Falls City Commission unanimously approved the Conditional Use Permit for Ponderosa Solutions LLC, a transload facility, in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. We’ve been working towards a transload facility since 2014 and specifically with Ponderosa since 2018. Welcome to the AgriTech! Click here for The Electric article.  

2) We released the 2024 updated Housing Market Demand Assessment for Great Falls prepared by the Concord Group at our 2024 Great Falls housing summit; see KRTV, TheElectric and KFBB. The assessment validates an unmet market demand of over 600 units of housing per year through 2034. It's time to get moving on that housing project you have been considering! Call Jake at 1-406-403-4937 or email Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org to get the ball rolling.

3) We reached record 4th quarter employment in 2023Q4 according to data released by JobsEQ. In the Great Falls labor market there are 3,031 distinct job postings active in the last 30 days.

4) Congratulations to MVD Express on their grand opening in West Bank Landing; see KRTV. Offering convenient walk-in licensing and vehicle title services, owner and founder Janice Lucero expressed her enthusiasm about expanding to Great Falls after being in Montana since 2018. Welcome to Great Falls and thank you for investing in our community.

5) Coming up on Wednesday April 24, The Great Falls Civic Center will host a Hiring Fair & Career Exploration event from 11am until 6pm. Whether you're a seasoned professional, recent graduate, aspiring entrepreneur, or currently unemployed this event is your gateway to success. For more information, call Job Service Great Falls at 1-406-791-5800. 

6) Congratulations to Grady Costello who is now the new owner of Fire Artisan Pizza in Downtown Great Falls. Grady has been running the Great Falls location for the past few years as the location Manager and has worked towards owning the location. Congratulations Grady! 

7) Have you registered for the Malmstrom Industry Day yet?  Come join APEX at Great Falls College in Heritage Hall on Wednesday, April 24th from 10:00 AM -1:00 PM to engage with the 341st Contract Squadron Construction flight and Services from Malmstrom AFB. This is an in-person event only! Discover valuable insights on conducting business with the U.S. Air Force followed by an interactive Question and Answer Session. Bring your capability statement to share with contracting officers and potential partners. To Register, CLICK HERE!  For assistance with creating a capability statement or updating an existing one, contact Lillian Sunwall at1-406-750-1253 or LSunwall@GrowGreatFalls.org or Shannon Clancy at 1-406-590-1184 or SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org

8) Community leaders celebrated completion of the Civic Center renovations in Downtown Great Falls; see KRTV.

9) Attention Great Falls employers and recruiters; GFDA is hosting a Talent Attraction & Livability Launch Reception on Wednesday, May 15th from 4:00-5:00 PM at the Arc Apartment Homes clubhouse. Register here. This event aims to introduce and discuss various tools that can support your workforce needs. Pick up your copies of the 2024 Livability Great Falls magazine, learn about our many talent attraction resources available to employers, and visit with GFDA staff to answer questions. Recruiters, HR directors, and individuals responsible for hiring within organizations; this event can offer valuable insights and strategies to enhance your recruitment efforts. Contact Tracy Heggem at 1-406-788-1192 or Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org for more information. 

10) This week marked the launch of The Great Falls APEX Government Contracting Strategic Series! Participants gained insight on how to register as a vendor with Northrop Grumman and given the tools to create an impactful capability statement using six key elements. Approval as a vendor with Northrup Grumman for the upcoming Sentinel Project can take up to two years. Take this opportunity to start early. If you would like details on initiating the vendor registration process and prepare your capability statement for upload to the Northrop Grumman vendor portal, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

11) We have scheduled our first Angel Investor Networking event for May! The purpose of the event is to connect those seeking investment capital to those looking to invest capital in the region. If your project is seeking equity, OR if you are an investor looking to diversify your portfolio by investing in the Great Falls region, we want to hear from you. For more information, please contact Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-217-7862.

12) We responded to two new requests for information from companies considering bases of operation and manufacturing in Great Falls in partnership with the Montana Department of Commerce.  

13) GFDA utilized Brownfields funds to pay for a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment for Robyn’s Nest Daycare. This will add an additional 50 daycare spots and more jobs to the Great Falls community. The Assessment was critical for this building housing future childcare services. Ensuring the building is clear of recognized environmental contaminants, including petroleum, lead-based paint and asbestos is essential for the safety of the children and staff. If you’re looking to purchase a commercial property for your business, prior to signing, please reach out to Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385, or schedule a meeting CLICK HERE!!

14) Why Employee Retention Matters for Small Businesses. In today's competitive business landscape, employee retention is a critical factor that can make or break a company's success, especially for small businesses. High employee turnover rates can be a significant drain on resources, impacting productivity, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Low employee turnover offers many benefits for small businesses. It ensures continuity in operations, reducing the time and costs associated with recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.

Experienced employees possess valuable knowledge about the business, its products, and services, enabling them to make informed decisions and provide better customer service. Losing them due to turnover would deplete the company assets over and over.

Creating a positive work environment is key to retaining valuable employees. This can be achieved by offering competitive compensation and benefits packages, providing opportunities for professional development and career growth, and fostering a culture of open communication and recognition.

Small businesses can make effective use of technology to gather data on employee turnover and identify patterns or areas that require attention. By analyzing this data, managers can develop targeted strategies to address issues, streamline processes, and increase employee engagement.

Encouraging team building and fostering strong relationships among colleagues can also contribute to a positive work culture. When employees feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to stay with the company for the long term.

While larger companies may have more resources to invest in employee retention, small businesses can still create a positive work environment by closely mentoring employees, providing opportunities for increased responsibilities through delegation and group leadership, and promoting an inclusive culture that values job satisfaction.

Reducing employee turnover should be a priority for businesses of all sizes. The rewards of improved retention include increased productivity, better customer service, and a stronger competitive edge. By investing in employee retention strategies, small businesses can create a loyal and engaged workforce, positioning themselves for long-term growth and success.

Want to learn more about employee retention? Have questions in general? please reach out to Alan Gohary at AGohary@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314. For a no-cost business consulting from GFDA Small Business Development Center, please click here to sign up.

15) We are pleased to announce that the contract to conduct an Energy Market Demand Assessment has been awarded to the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI). Over the next several months, RMI will be conducting a region-wide energy market demand assessment to produce an economic development strategy that will allow GFDA to pursue market-driven opportunities to attract more energy investment to the region. If you have questions regarding this initiative, please reach out to Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-217-7862.

16) Anna completed her Rural Grocery Transition Specialist certification through Kansas State University. She is now the only one to hold this certification in the state, Congratulations Anna! 

17) Our three small business advisors, Christian Nichols, Al Gohary, and Rich Gannon attended a statewide meeting of small business advisors in Helena this week. This gathering brought together business advisors from across Montana who specialize in providing guidance and support to entrepreneurs and small business owners. The advisors shared tips and insights specific to the Montana business landscape, addressing the unique opportunities and obstacles faced by local entrepreneurs. Have questions regarding your business or thinking of starting a business and need a road map? please reach out to Alan Gohary at AGohary@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.

18) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team. Download a description of openings for Loan Officer and Communications & Marketing Specialist.

19) Economic development thrives on the support and engagement of the community. We are thankful for such a large and diverse team of investors and public partners that understand the importance of our work and continue to support our efforts. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division-First Interstate Bank; Leadership Division-Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Montana; Community Division-Montana Milling, Inc; and Tim & Johnna Lightbourne. Their continued support enables us to drive positive change, unlock potential, and build a brighter future for all who call our region home. If you’d like to learn about our economic development strategy and how you can support or efforts, contact Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

We're making progress!

Brett

Brett Doney

President & CEO

1-406-750-2119

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

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!

"Celebrate your successes. Find some humor in your failures."

Sam Walton

Edition 629

If your company needs a rail-served, BNSF-Certified, shovel-ready site with all municipal services at your door, we have lots available for immediate construction in the Great Falls AgriTech Park. Contact Jolene Schalper at 1-406-750-4481 or JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org

The 25-year loan effective rate (including all fees) is 6.690%; 20-year at 6.760%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.587%; and, 20-year refinance 6.790%; 25-year refinance 6.719%. 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 JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org.

A second round of Ag Infrastructure funding opened on April 1st. If you are an ag or food manufacturing business looking to purchase equipment, to upgrade your facility, or hire consulting services and have a clear project in mind, please reach out to Anna Flies. She can go over the funding guidelines and discuss eligibility. Reach her at 1-406-590-1301 or Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org  

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 JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056 or Brett at BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-2119.

The Montana Department of Commerce has extended the deadline for businesses to apply for a cybersecurity grant up to $8,000. Apply by April 30th. More info here.

We need your help! We are looking for accredited investors to join us at Great Falls Development Alliance’s inaugural Angel Investor Networking Event. The purpose of this event is to connect those who are looking for strategic investment opportunities within the Great Falls region with real estate developers, start-up entrepreneurs, and expanding businesses who are seeking equity. If you are an accredited investor looking to put your money to use in the Great Falls region, contact Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-217-7862

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. Check out MMEC's February Newsletter.

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 Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org 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! RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org. 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 Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 through June 30th. For for help applying, contact Anna Flies: Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org. 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 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.

Our Mission is to Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.

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.

Great Falls Development Alliance | GrowGreatFallsMontana.org