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Faculty & students from both classes of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine danced the night away at the 2nd Annual Touro Hootenanny, hosted by Ron & Becky Nelson.

1) Hosted an international manufacturing company looking for their US Headquarter location. Great Falls Montana made the cut because of our numerous industrial sites, low cost of doing business, lowest cost of living among Montana cities, and strong connection with education for workforce development. This lead came through the Montana Department of Commerce and the annual Select USA Summit. If your company is looking to leverage our low cost of doing business and living, reach out to Christian Leinhauser, CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-0136.

2) Congratulations to The Tool Box on their ribbon cutting ceremony! This milestone highlights the significant benefits of leveraging many of the resources we can provide free of charge such as the Great Falls Regional Small Business Development Center (SBDC) that offers support in starting or expanding your business, and the Great Falls Regional APEX for assistance with achieving your government contracting goals. Jill Tranmer of The Tool Box expresses her gratitude by stating, “We are so thankful for GFDA.”  GFDA provides the support, tools, and resources to help businesses reach their goals. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy, Great Falls Regional APEX at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

3) The final competitive round of the Montana State Small Business Credit Initiative 2.0 (SSBCI 2.0) low interest rate program opened. 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. If you have a business that can benefit from these funds contact Jill at JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.

4) Congratulations to The Newberry in Downtown Great Falls which celebrated their 200th show! We're proud to have helped finance this impactful addition to our community!

5) Jake testified and the Cascade County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of designating NeighborWorks Great Falls as the Community Reinvestment Organization (CRO)for Cascade County. This designation allows for funds identified in the House Bill 819 to be allocated through a 1:1 match for down payment assistance for home buyers in Cascade County. Read more in TheElectric.

6) Faculty, community members & students from both classes of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine celebrated at their 2nd Annual Hootenanny, hosted by Ron & Becky Nelson. The students blew off steam as they danced to live music from the Trent Brooks Band. Special thanks to Great Falls High School Cheerleaders for leading line dancing, Gusto Distributing and Admiral Beverage/Pepsi for providing the beverages, Touro COM and the Nelsons for providing the food, Blacked Out 406 for providing everyone with a safe ride home and especially Ron & Becky Nelson for opening up their home. We are proud to be a part of such a welcoming and vibrant community. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org if you would like to be included in future Touro events.

7) Consumers, restaurants, and institutions have limited opportunities to purchase local foods while local producers and processors have limited local markets to sell their products. The Montana Food Hub aims to change this. This week GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center hosted a webinar to promote the Montana Food Hub’s mission and make connections between the Food Hub and local producers and processors. The second and fourth Tuesday of each month at noon we host webinars on Food and Ag projects and resources. To learn more, sign up for our newsletter here.

8) The US Department of Defense committed to invest $7 million to improve 11 bridges serving the MAFB missile fields in preparation for the Sentinel missile replacement project; see KRTV.

9) Did you relocate or come back home to the Great Falls area for a job or know someone who did? We want to talk to you. Sharing experiences and stories helps us increase our successful recruitment of workforce. Please email or call Madysan at Madysan@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1539. 

10) Great Falls College is creating a Floor Installation training program working with local industry; see KRTV.

11) Our small business advisors answered a variety of startup questions—from business licenses and legal entity types to independent contractor rules. These are just a few of the common concerns new entrepreneurs face. If you're navigating the startup process and need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with our Small Business Development Center. Rich and Christian are here to offer free, personalized assistance to help you get your business off the ground. Contact Rich at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

12) Congratulations to Robert Neilson, aka Bob the Butcher, on opening the Ono Grinds Hawaiian Grill food truck in Wolf Creek! See KRTV.

13) Host a group of Touro students to dinner! Last year, over 40 community members stepped up and hosted small groups of students from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine to dinners at various restaurants around the community. This year, we are putting together another fun evening of dinners. We are seeking hosts to take a group of 2-5 students out to dinner on Wednesday, September 25th, 2024, at a restaurant of your choice. Deadline to sign up is Monday, September 16th. If you’d like to sign up as a host, register here. If you’d like to find out other ways you can support these new students in our community, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

14) 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, contact Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org

15) Three of our team visited White Sulpher Springs to learn about and tour the site of the Black Butte Copper Project and to discuss housing development with business and community leaders. GFDA seeks to diversify and support the economy of the thirteen county region of North Central Montana. Connect with Jake Clark to learn more about available tools and resources, Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 

16) Our Great Falls Regional APEX attended the NAPEX National APEX Accelerator Alliance 2024 Virtual Symposium, a key professional development opportunity designed to elevate the skills and effectiveness of APEX advisors nationwide. The event provided in-depth training on strategy, government policies, the latest Department of Defense (DoD) metrics, payment platforms, and updates to APEX databases. This enhanced knowledge significantly improves our APEX advisors’ ability to support local businesses, drive growth, and navigate the complexities of government contracting with greater expertise. To learn how your business fits into the government marketplace, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.

17) Join Northwestern Energy for a special celebration of Hydro! Ten years ago, they purchased the Dams and are celebrating with a community event at Ryan Dam Island Park, Wednesday, August 21 from 3:00-7:00 PM. At this event, you can learn more about their hydroelectric facilities with Energy Dam Experts on site to answer your questions and share exclusive information. Enjoy complimentary ice cream, popsicles, and trivia as you explore and discover how we contribute to clean energy in Montana.

18) Partnerships in economic development are essential for creating jobs, attracting talent, and enhancing community well-being. We are proud to have such a large and diverse team of investors and public partners supporting our work and guiding us along the way. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—McDonald’s; Community Division—Arvon Block, LLC and First Call Computer Solutions. Through their continued support, they help build a stronger, more resilient community. If you’d like to learn about our economic development strategy and how you can support our work, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

19) We Are Growing Our Awesome Staff Team and have excellent career opportunities. Download a description of openings for Loan Officer, Lending Solutions Specialist, and Government Contracting Advisor -- APEX Accelerator. Contact Tracy for more info at Tracy@GrowGreatFalls.org.

Brett

Brett Doney

Great Falls Development Alliance

BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org

1-406-750-2119

Connect with me on  LinkedIn to network with the Great Falls Montana region.

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"That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well."

Abraham Lincoln



Edition 646

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 6.041%; 20-year at 6.110%; 10-year equipment loan at 6.476%; and, 20-year refinance 6.140%; 25-year refinance 6.070%. 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.

Great Falls Public Schools is holding a Job Fair on Wednesday, August 21st, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Paris Gibson Education Center.

We released the Great Falls Region Freight Market Assessment.This comprehensive study offers valuable insights into the logistics industry and its potential in our region and will be followed by an Economic Development Strategy identifying market opportunities for GFDA to pursue in the next three-to-five years. For questions related to this market assessment, contact Tyler Menzales at 1-406-217-7862, or TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org

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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org. 

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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 patsy.rasch2@mt.gov 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 Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org 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 Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.

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. 

We released a Population Economic Impact Report that 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 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.

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 Nicki at 1-406-750-2099 or Nicki@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. 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.

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