1) GFDA closed a loan to Midvale Properties LLC, in the amount of $350,000 that will help expand tourism in East Glacier. Currently the business is operating Rising Wolf Outfitters LLC and is expanding to include dining options as well. We were able to help the client secure the necessary funds while utilizing the State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate funding. If your business needs assistance with financing to start, grow or innovate please contact Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org
2) Congratulations to Bob Quinn on opening the Quinn Institute in Big Sandy! Anna attended the ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of this new research facility dedicated to promoting more sustainable ways to farm, cook, and live and to network with other producers and processors dedicated to this vision. See KRTV.
3) The State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program announced another round of funding. If you have a project that could move forward with the benefit of low interest rate funding, start talking to GFDA now as these funds are very limited. State priorities this round are Native American owned businesses, Veteran owned businesses, and businesses located in rural areas. If you have a business that can benefit from these funds contact Jill at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.
4) Have you registered for the Northrop Grumman virtual session 'What’s the Flow & Where Does it Go?' taking place on Wednesday, July 24th, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. Join our Great Falls Regional APEX and Tracy Jerman from Northrop Grumman’s Space Sector Strategic Deterrent Systems to learn what happens after Northrop Grumman receives your capability statement. Other topics will include Northrop Grumman Portal and Doing Business with Large Federal Contractors. To Register CLICK HERE! For assistance with creating an impactful capability statement or updating an existing one, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184.
5) Cushing Terrell has acquired Eclipse Engineering, a structural engineering firm, with offices in Colorado, Oregon, Montana and Washington. See TheElectric's Business Bites. Congratulations to Karen Schaefer on opening a Sign Gypsies franchise in Cascade County.
6) We assisted an entrepreneur looking to buy an existing business in gaining a better understanding of the industry as a whole. Using two sources, BizMiner and Vertical IQ, we provided the client with industry financial benchmarks and trends. Our Small Business Development Center has access to these tools and other resources free of charge for our clients. If you're interested in gaining industry insight, contact Rich or Christian at our Small Business Development Center, or contact Rich directly at 1-406-836-2087 or RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org
7) We approved providing a Phase I on the Union Bethel A M E Church. This environmental assessment will assist in the renovation of the church including external masonry repair and making the church ADA accessible, including disabled bathrooms and a ramp into the church. If you’re looking to redevelop a current facility or purchase a commercial building for a new business, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385 prior to redevelopment or purchase to ensure there are no contaminates.
8) Touro University of Osteopathic Medicine is planning a Vendor Fair for students on Tuesday, July 30 from 3:30-6:00 PM on the Great Falls campus. The idea of the event is to have tables with businesses/organizations in the local area that may be of interest to the students. For example: gyms, voter registration, Medicaid/SNAP Benefits, cell phone companies, insurance companies, salons, spas, mental health resources, internet companies, shopping, the list goes on! Reach out to Alaina Ingram, Assistant Registrar/Student Account Representative at 1-406-401-8103 or aingram3@touro.edu if your business would like to join the fair.
9) SBA 504 financing is a great tool that an entrepreneur may be available to use to help start, innovate, or expand by providing fixed, low interest rate financing for up to 25 years. We secured approval from the SBA for an SBA 504 loan for a small manufacturer that is looking to expand. The loan was in the amount of $3,877,600 and will leverage an additional $6,134,000. Does your project have a financing gap? Please reach out to Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your options.
10) 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org for assistance.
11) Congratulations to Bradley Lopez of Calumet Montana Refining and Montana Renewables and Tina Nolevanko of Pacific Steel and Recycling on being selected to take part in the sixth class of Montana State University Extension's REAL Montana program offering in-depth education and training in the agriculture and natural resource industries. Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership (REAL) Montana is a comprehensive two-year program featuring eight in-state seminars, a weeklong national study tour in Washington, D.C., and a 12-day international trip.
12) Feddes Family Meats in Manhattan and Glacier Processing Cooperative in Kalispell won $250,000 each from the USDA's Local Meat Capacity Grant to purchase new equipment and better serve their local economies. If you are considering starting a meat processing facility or looking to upgrade or expand your current one but would like assistance in navigating the process, reach out to GFDA's Food and Ag specialist, Anna Flies. You can reach her at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
13) 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
14) Congratulations to GFDA team member Christian Leinhauser for completing the JobsEQ FIT certification program through Chmura Economics! This achievement enhances his ability to leverage JobsEQ analytics effectively, enabling him to craft data-driven strategies for promoting economic development, fostering regional talent, designing educational programs, and maximizing the use of JobsEQ.
15) We are preparing to welcome the next class of Touro COM students into our community and we need your help! Last year, businesses and community members supported the students by hosting small groups for dinners, sponsoring white coats and more. See KRTV. If you’d like to join us in welcoming this new class, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Click here to sponsor a white coat for an incoming student.
16) We participated in the kickoff of the City of Great Falls Growth Policy steering committee as well as the new cohort of Equitable Lending Leaders, focused on improving lending to Native-owned businesses. We also filed a subdivision in the Great Falls AgriTech Park that creates lots for three local businesses looking to expand.
17) We are excited to announce the addition of five outstanding community leaders to our board. Welcome to the GFDA Board of Directors: Heather Hoyer of Great Falls Public Schools, Kyle Herda of First Interstate Bank, Dale Nelson of Nelson Architects, Brett Harris of Farmers Insurance, and Jayson Olthoff of First Call Computer Solutions. They bring a wealth of diverse expertise and a shared commitment to our mission, which will help us continue to grow and serve our community. We look forward to their contributions and are excited about the fresh perspectives they will bring to our organization. Welcome to the team!
18) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team. Download a description of openings for Director Regional Small Business Development Center, Lending Solutions Specialist, and Business Advisor -- APEX Accelerator. Contact Tracy for more info at Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Stay cool and have a great week!
Brett
Brett Doney
Great Falls Development Alliance
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org
1-406-750-2119
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"Forget not on every occasion to ask thyself, is this not one of the unnecessary things?"
Marcus Aurelius
Edition 641
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