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Students & faculty of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine enjoyed the end of summer with a night out at the Voyagers.

1) Congratulations to Normans Sport and Western in Cut Bank on celebrating 45 years in business. The family-owned store has been a fixture on the Hi-line since 1979. Read the full article in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press.

2) We sold a 2 acre lot in the Great Falls AgriTech Park to Best Oil to enable the local business to expand.

3) GFDA's Loan Committee approved a $350,000 loan that will help a startup business get funding to finish construction and purchase equipment. This project was at a standstill and needed this capital injection to push it to the finish line. If you have a new or existing business that wants to start, stabilized, pivot, expand or re-start please reach out to Jill Kohles at 1-406-590-1056 or JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your options.

4) Great Falls is getting a new fish restaurant, Ocean Star Seafood Co. See this and more local business news in TheElectric's Business Bites.

5) Our freight logistics consultants, Moffat & Nichols, presented key findings of the Great Falls Region Freight Market Assessment and Economic Development Strategy Recommendations during the GFDA Board and Council meeting. 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.

6) One of our small business advisors provided high value and made “immediate” impact when a client walked through the doors with an urgent need to set up her business, complete her legal entity forms and identify resources to get her business started. There was an imminent deadline for getting this done due to the start of a contract the client could be awarded if she was able to have all of this completed by the last day of the month. Fortunately, one of our small business advisors was in the office and able to assist this client. The client was extremely grateful and we look forward to providing additional assistance with financials and profit/loss statements in the near future. If you're navigating the startup process or have started your business and need some assistance with your cash flow statements, don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with our Small Business Development Center. We have three team members ready to assist you: Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; and Deb McGregor at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314.

7) EK Giles Electric, an electrical contractor business recently opened in the Fairfield area, read the full story in the Choteau Acantha.

8) Montana is one of the top pulse producers in the United States, but lacks the same scale of advanced pulse processing as its neighbors which could be a huge opportunity to the right company. To help identify those opportunities, GFDA received and contracted a grant from the Montana Pulse Crop Committee to conduct a market assessment on Opportunities in Pulse Processing for the State of Montana. If you are interested in learning more about this market assessment when completed, please reach out to Anna at Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301 to be added to an email list.

9) The Town of Conrad broke ground on a new splash pad; see KRTV. And Conrad High School has new bleachers; see KRTV.

10) Finding the Montana Veterans Memorial in Great Falls just got easier! We recently helped enhance the wayfinding signage by adding three signs to guide visitors to the Memorial. A big thank you to our partners at the City of Great Falls, Montana Department of Transportation, Cushing Terrell, and Montana Lines for their invaluable contributions to the design, location planning, and installation. We couldn't have done it without everyone's help. Stop by the Memorial and show your appreciation for those who served.

11) Three members of Economic Development Lethbridge visited Great Falls this week to tour our city and value added ag processing businesses, meet prominent members of our community, and plan the next steps for our Cross Border Partnership. This partnership will allow us to promote our shared region on an international market and create a soft landing for businesses interested in expanding both North and South of the Border. A big thanks to our community for opening their doors and welcoming our guests!

12) GFDA hosted a small business webinar hosted through MSU Small Business Webinar Series and the Small Business Development Center, focusing on Brownfields Phase I environmental site assessments in commercial real estate. The presentation covered the qualifications required for these assessments, their impact on the purchasing process, and their importance in commercial property transactions. This information is crucial for small business owners considering property purchases, as it helps them understand potential environmental liabilities that could affect property value and use. The recording of the presentation can be found here. If you are interested in starting a small business or purchasing a commercial building for your business, please reach out to Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-3985. We can help.

13) We continue working on deals for what we expect will be 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.

14) Participated in a Montana Infrastructure Coalition board strategic planning session in Helena as we prepare for the upcoming Montana legislative session. There continue to be critical infrastructure needs in the Great Falls trade area and throughout the state, needs that stand in the way of much-needed new private sector investment that will create higher paying jobs and tax base in our region.

15) The Montana Indian Equity Fund Grant deadline has been extended to September 30th. If you are an enrolled member in a Montana based tribe and are interested in applying for the business grant, please contact Rich Gannon for more information and assistance at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078.

16) Participated in the Montana Housing Coalition's annual meeting. Housing production continues to be a top GFDA priority. We need housing in Great Falls and practically every community in our trade area.

17) 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.

18) Public comment is being sought for the Great Falls Long-Range Transportation Plan. Please submit comments by September 23rd.

19) Great Falls Area Community Foundation, The History Museum, and TDS Fiber proudly present the Nonprofit Board Excellence Fall 2024 Series: Elevate Your Impact. $20 Online Registration is Required. Spaces are Limited. Monday October 21st. Board Basics Morning Session: 9 - 11 AM Evening Session: 6 - 8 PM Tuesday, October 22nd Communication & Teamwork Morning Session: 9 - 11 AM. Register here. For Nonprofit Professionals (Executive Director, CEO, Marketing, Development, Operations). Monday October 21st. Executive Toolkit. Lunch Session: Noon to 2 PM. Cost is $60, includes lunch. Register here.

20) Economic Development is a team sport. We can’t do it alone. We rely on our team of investors and public partners for their financial support, collaboration, & industry expertise. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—D.A. Davidson; Community Division—Great Falls BID. They’re part of the team that is working to bring more opportunities to our region. If you’d like to learn about the work we are doing to drive growth in and around Great Falls and how you can be a part of it, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.

21) 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.

22) The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is seeking a Business Advisor based in Great Falls to support manufacturers in the region. See description on Facebook.

Apologies for not getting this Top 10 out until Wednesday morning. I flew to DC on Sunday with Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs and Great Falls Area Chamber President Ed Brown for defense-related meetings -- more about those in the next Top 10. It is surreal to wake up in DC on 9/11. Brings back vivid memories of that morning. And is a reminder of how appreciative we are of the men and women who work tirelessly to keep us safe. THANK YOU!

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.

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!

"One of the best pieces of advice I ever got was from a horse master. He told me to go slow to go fast. I think this applies to everything in life. We live as though there aren't enough hours in the day but if we do each thing calmly and carefully we will get it done quicker and with much less stress."

Viggo Mortensen



Edition 649

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 5.762%; 20-year at 5.829%; 10-year equipment loan at 5.865%; and, 20-year refinance 5.859%; 25-year refinance 5.791%. 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.

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.

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.

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. 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 share their resumes (with their permission) on the Trailing Partner Email Group. Contact Madysan for more info at 1-406-590-1539 or Madysan@GrowGreatFalls.org

The Great Falls Population Economic Impact Report 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 Madysan@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.

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