Ignite 2026 was a great event to kick-off the year! In case you missed it, we sent out our Ignite recap in a two-part series. Click here for part one. Click here for part two. And If you’d like to look at the event photos and the full slide deck, click here.
1) Travel & Leisure named Great Falls of the 50 Best Places to Retire in the U.S. The magazine said, “Named for five waterfalls on the Missouri River, Great Falls has a population of 60,414, making it the largest city in Cascade County. A popular tourist destination, Great Falls is located east of the Rocky Mountains, about halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone national parks. Outdoor activities include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and swimming in the summer, and skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing during the winter. Downtown, there’s public art, restaurants, shops, and a lively schedule of events.”
2) Christian Leinhauser and Jake Clark represented the Great Falls trade area in partnership with the Montana Department of Commerce at the SHOT Show, the world’s largest shooting, hunting, and outdoor trade show covering more than 800,000 square feet of exhibit space. They connected directly with key decision-makers and shared the region’s competitive advantages, available sites, and workforce strengths, resulting in more than a dozen strong company leads. Conversations focused on expansion and relocation opportunities tied to Montana’s business climate and outdoor-driven quality of life, with several companies expressing interest in continued discussions. Follow-up outreach is now underway to advance these conversations toward site visits and next steps.
3) The Bins are now accepting bookings for their one-of-a-kind events venue and destination lodging experience! Owners Casey and Sarah Shaw have thoughtfully renovated a 105-year-old barn in Conrad, MT into a beautiful space for weddings, reunions, and retreats. With two adjoining bins, guests can enjoy convenient on-site lodging, making it a true destination experience. Free farm tours are also available by appointment only, giving visitors a chance to connect with the land and local agricultural heritage. By attracting overnight guests and special events to Pondera County, The Bins are helping strengthen the regional tourism economy and support local businesses.
4) 29 businesses registered to take their government contracting efforts to the next level as Great Falls Regional APEX hosted What Happens After SAM, a virtual training designed to help businesses move forward with confidence. The session delivered practical value by covering purchasing thresholds, procurement methods, effective market research strategies, and how to use SAM.gov saved searches to streamline the search for contract opportunities. Participants also gained insight into building strong relationships and better understanding how government buyers operate. This training equipped businesses with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the government marketplace with greater clarity and purpose. To take your government contracting efforts to the next level and capitalize on your capabilities, contact Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.
5) Team GFDA supported an entrepreneur in exploring marketing, expansion, lending, and workforce development opportunities in Great Falls. Through coordinated, efficient support, the team demonstrated exactly what it means to be Everything Business!
6) Kristen connected with a new energy company evaluating opportunities in Great Falls, and the company is exploring a site visit in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates. Kristen also networked at the Governor’s Energy Task Force meetings in Helena, engaging directly with companies regarding generation potential in North Central Montana as well as advocating for expanded natural gas transmission and capacity. Energy development is critical to support long term reliability and growth across the region and Montana. Reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 to be part of the energy solution.
7) Xochitl Cocina & Tequila restaurant opened in Downtown Great Falls, see KRTV. See more local business news in The Electric’s Business Bites.
8) Our next major event is The Fire Within a celebration of female entrepreneurs across North Central Montana. Save the Date for April 16, 5:00 PM and if you have an entrepreneur in mind we should celebrate, email Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.
9) Our Business Advisors met with a prospective business buyer to better understand the true financial picture of a business for sale. By digging into the company’s financials, we helped the client see beyond surface-level numbers and gain a clearer understanding of how the business actually performs. Taking the time to understand a business’s real financial position before buying leads to better, more informed decisions. If you’re considering purchasing a business, our Small Business Development Center team is here to help you evaluate the opportunity. Please reach out to any of our advisors: Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314. Our services are provided at no cost to you.
10) The 2026 Montana Agriculture Industrial Exhibit, the MAGIE, was held in Great Falls last week, Montana’s largest annual industrial ag show. Businesses from local sourdough bakers to weed control lasers were showcasing products and services to attendees from across Montana. Sara Niccum spoke with a livestock equipment vendor from Canada who is considering moving some assets to Montana to bypass tariffs as well as several builders who construct meat processing and warehouse facilities. GFDA’s network of resources make transitioning to or starting a project in the Great Falls region much easier! If you have a project idea, reach out to our Food, Ag, and Bio Processing Business Development Officer at Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301.
11) Great Falls Public Schools is hosting its annual High Voltage Weekend, a remarkable teacher recruitment effort designed to attract future educators to Great Falls. This year’s event will take place February 20–22 and will welcome approximately 20 college juniors and seniors studying Education for a weekend of community connection, career exploration, and local experiences. As part of High Voltage Weekend, they are assembling welcome bags for approximately 20 future educators visiting Great Falls, and we invite your business to participate. Your business can help with SWAG items from your business (pens, stickers, keychains, treats, etc.) and/or Coupons or Vouchers to encourage attendees to visit your business while they’re in town. Businesses interested in contributing items should contact Beth Leatham at bethleatham@gmail.com or 1-406-788-9285 to arrange pickup by February 14th.
12) Shauni met with a new GFDA client this week in the entertainment and destination hospitality sectors, a business scheduled to open this spring with multiple service offerings. As a result of the meeting, the client was connected to three GFDA team members providing targeted support in government contracting, business advising, and food and agriculture development. This coordinated approach demonstrates GFDA’s ability to deliver multi-disciplinary technical assistance that is streamlined, well-coordinated, and comprehensive. Anyone interested in starting or expanding a business in tourism, recreation, or entertainment can contact Shauni at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org
13) Are you looking to sell to the government? The 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker connects businesses with federal, state, and prime contractor buyers to explore procurement opportunities and build relationships that can lead to contracts. One of the largest virtual procurement events in the region, this event brings businesses and government buyers together in a focused, online setting. Great Falls Regional APEX invites you to participate in the 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker: Connecting Businesses with Government Buyers, a free, two-day virtual matchmaking event taking place February 11–12, 2026. Join APEX Accelerators from across the Midwest to schedule one-on-one meetings with government buyers, prime contractors, and resource partners. To learn more or prepare for this event, contact Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.
14) There’s still time to register for our upcoming training event, featuring a live-streamed presentation from IRS liaison Phylis Garnter on essential IRS tools for your business, plus local accountants sharing strategies to start 2026 on the right foot. Join us Thursday morning (January 29th) from 9–11 AM in Great Falls or Shelby. Register for the Great Falls training click here or for Shelby click here
15) We’re hosting a business and developer meeting to walk through the draft Great Falls Growth Policy in partnership with the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Great Falls Montana Tourism, Great Falls Association of Realtors, Great Falls Business Improvement District, Home Builders Association of Great Falls Downtown Great Falls Association, and Cascade County Tavern Association. Join us on Wednesday, February 4th, 8:00-9:30 AM in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College.
16) Behind the scenes of every win are investors and partners who make the work possible. Their support allows GFDA to act, respond, and keep projects moving. Learn more by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Leadership Division—McGough Construction; Community Division—River Drive Properties, LLC. We are grateful for their commitment to this region and its future. To explore ways to engage and invest in the region, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
It’s going to be a productive week for the Great Falls trade area as we gear up to get more projects under construction this season!
