Top Ten 12/17/23
1) Third week in a row for site visits to Great Falls with successful developers and companies looking to do business in our market. Once again, thank you to all of our partners, wait staff, and local entrepreneurs for rolling out the red carpet and helping to put an exclamation point on opportunities in Great Falls. If your company is ready to put down roots in the Great Falls market please reach out to Jake Clark 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org Networked with two dozen leading site selection consultants at the Area Development Winter Forum.
2) Did you know there are $3.25B in goods and services crossing the border between US and Canada each day? We are working to increase our regional trading and cross border business relationships. This week we attended Select USA Canada to meet with Canadian companies looking to locate businesses here. If your company is interested in exploring Canadian markets, reach out to Anna, Anna@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
3) Great Falls native Dr. Tiffany Hensley-McBain is a scientist at the McLaughlin Research Institute. After working in Seattle, she decided that the high cost of daycare and the challenges of big city living weren’t ideal for raising a family. Now Tiffany has the best of both worlds, living in a community with a small-town feel, plenty of amenities and the ability to practice world-class science. In this video, we feature a day in the life of Dr. Hensley-McBain and why returning to her hometown has been a great decision for her family.
4) Tony met with bankers and commercial brokers discussing the benefits of the SBA 504 loans and the eligibility requirements. SBA 504 loans can be processed through our CDC known as High Plains Financial. If you would like to know more about financing options for your business please reach out to Tony at Tony@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-2099.
5) Registration is open for Ignite 2024, which will be held at the Meadow Lark County Club in Great Falls on Friday, January 12 from 8-10 AM. This in-person and online event format is simple and quick – three-minute presentations on business startups, business expansions, real estate developments and capital projects that will either start or open in 2024. If you have a project starting or a business opening in 2024 that you would like to announce at Ignite please contact Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
6) 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.
7) 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.
8) Do you know that you can direct your state taxes directly to Great Falls Public Schools rather than to the state? We’re trying to put together the maximum $1 million allowed by the Innovative Education Tax Credit created by the Montana Legislature. Download info here or visit GFPS Website.
9) The deadline to submit a response for our Logistics Assessment Strategy and Energy Production Opportunity Assessment and Economic Development Strategy is this Wednesday, December 20th at 5:00PM MST. Electronic submissions and any questions regarding the RFPs can be directed to Tyler Menzales at TMenzales@GrowGreatFalls.org
10) Thank you to our GFDA investors and public partners. Their contributions directly fuel our community-driven efforts, enabling impactful work that generates positive change within our region. Learn more about them here. Recent investments include: Leadership Division—Scheels; Pacesetter Division—United Materials; Community Division—PowerGas Corporation. Their commitment influences the growth and opportunities we create for those we serve. To learn about our economic development strategy and how you could help us achieve our goals, reach out to Investment Director Jenn Gallmeier at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
We’re busy scheduling visits to prospects in January and February, helping clients close more deals, and getting ready for a great 2024.
Thanks!
Brett Doney
President & CEO
1-406-750-2119
BDoney@GrowGreatFalls.org