| Congratulations to these amazing women business owners honored at our annual The Fire Within event! 1) Janicki Industries officially announced that Great Falls is in the top two for their site selection search. In our months of working through due diligence with the Janicki Industries Team, we have been impressed. Janicki Industries operates as a thoughtful, innovative, hardworking, family business that is striving to ensure their team members can all attain the American Dream. During this final due diligence, we are working to prove that Great Falls Montana is the best place for them long term. We are also preparing for their success should they choose Great Falls. While they are under construction, they will need temporary office space, training space, and key employee housing. If you have questions or ideas, please reach out to Jolene at JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-4481. Click here for the company announcement. See KRTV and The Electric. 2) The 15th Annual Fire Within honored 52 women business owners at The Newberry in Great Falls. GFDA’s annual celebration of female entrepreneurship drew over 230 guests this year for an upbeat event with food, photos, music, and excellent networking opportunities. A wide array of women-owned businesses were represented from construction, to pet grooming, to grain milling and many more – showcasing the incredible contributions women make in our regional economy. KRTV picked up the event to share interviews and video from the venue. Congratulations to these incredible women! Learn more about The Fire Within and past honorees on GFDA’s event webpage. 3) We are partnering with the Small Business Administration (SBA) to host business round tables this Tuesday, 4/21. Our SBA Rocky Mountain Regional Administrator, Justin Everett, will be in town to meet and listen to business needs. If you’re interested in participating, reach out to Sara Niccum at Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org. 4) More than 70 participants gathered in downtown Great Falls to engage in a focused discussion on energy topics including generation, transmission, and infrastructure planning. An expert panel explored the challenges and opportunities surrounding natural gas, electricity, and fiber networks in Montana, and how these critical systems influence economic growth. The event, cohosted by the Montana Energy Business Alliance and GFDA, reinforced a central conclusion: achieving an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy future for Montana requires coordinated collaboration and ongoing communication. To discuss energy initiatives, projects, and opportunities in North Central Montana, contact Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989. 5) Congratulations to the Town of Valier on earning statewide recognition for having the best-tasting municipal water in Montana. It’s a great example of the quality of life and infrastructure found in our rural communities. Read the full article from the Cut Bank Pioneer Press. A new aviation training resource is now available in the region. Certified flight instructor Ben Zeitzke is now based at the Choteau-Teton Airport, offering local access to flight instruction for aspiring pilots. Read full article in the Choteau Acantha. Congratulations 6) GFDA’s Loan Committee approved a $400,000 gap loan to support renovation of an affordable housing project, helping preserve and improve critical housing units in our community. As rising construction costs continue to challenge projects, GFDA remains committed to providing flexible financing solutions to keep developments moving forward. Reach out to Shandi Gebhardt Jones at Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-9037 to learn how we can support your project. 7) Sara Niccum attended the open house for Montana Safflower, a new cold-pressed oil production business based at Ag Processing Solutions in Great Falls. The company is currently selling its culinary oil to restaurants and direct to consumer via their website. The high-oleic safflower oil has a high smoke point and is prized for its healthy qualities and mild, nutty flavor. Amid grain market unpredictability, the company hopes that safflower could provide an alternative crop that contributes to Montana’s value-added ag production and drives revenue for farmers. See KRTV. 8) GFDA hosted a business training session on succession planning for four attendees at the Great Falls Association of Realtors. The session focused on preparing business owners for a successful sale, including key steps to enhance value and ensure a smooth transition. We will continue offering monthly training courses covering a wide range of business topics. Our next session, “Understanding Financial Ratios & Why They Matter,” will be held on May 20th at 8:30 AM. To register, please click here: Register Here. If you are interested in one-on-one business advising, please contact: Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078, or Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385 9) Are you ready to increase your revenue through government contracting? Great Falls APEX can help you navigate the process, identify opportunities, and help you position your business for success. We’re also hosting a free upcoming event on doing business with Malmstrom Air Force Base and learn how to win work. To get your business ready for new opportunities in the government market, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184. 10) GFDA’s Annual Meeting is right around the corner. Join us June 2nd at The Newberry from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. Make sure it is on your calendar. More to follow. 11) Jake was in Tulsa, Oklahoma with some of our Downtown Great Falls partners for the national Main Street Now 2026 conference networking with and learning from experts in Main Street redevelopment. If you are ready to join the rising tide in Downtown Great Falls with your project, reach out to Jake, Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 12) We published our GFDA Quarter Index 2026Q1. 13) TheElectric’s Business Bites reports that Boot Barn plans to open a store in Great Falls and that Dave’s Hot Chicken plans to open soon. 14) Applications remain open through April 30 for the Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AELRP), managed by the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. AELRP offers loans at a 3.5% interest rate on qualifying projects, and businesses in North Central Montana receive scoring advantages. For more information or help with the application, contact Meranda Bass at msikes@mt.gov or 1-406-444-6586. 15) The Big Sky Post of the Society of Military Engineers is hosting a Sentinel Industry Day, May 7 here in Great Falls. Download this flyer for more details and to register. 16) The Central Montana Defense Coalition focuses on advocacy and coordination to support the missions at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard. These missions are a key part of the regional economy. This effort is only possible with investor support. Thank you to those who have invested. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to join the coalition. 17) Jill Kohles, GFDA’s Senior Vice President of Lending, was selected for the CDFA Franzini Fellowship, a highly competitive national program that recognizes a small group of emerging women leaders in development finance each year. Through this opportunity, she will gain advanced training and collaborate with peers from across the country on innovative tools and strategies that support economic development. This experience strengthens GFDA’s ability to bring new financing solutions and expertise to our region. Congratulations Jill! 18) GFDA has two great career opportunities — Downtown Great Falls Business Development Officer and Small Business Advisor. Downland description and how to apply. Please forward to great candidates! 19) Growth takes support. Economic development relies on people who back the work and keep things moving. Our investors and partners make that possible. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Thank you for helping turn effort into progress and progress into results. If you want to be part of what comes next, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 20) I had the opportunity to invest two days meeting with the CEO’s of 44 Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI’s) at the first CEO Summit organized by the Opportunity Finance Network sharing strategies and ideas for continuing to grow the capacity and impact of our organizations. A great week! THANK YOU for your help and support, most importantly for your leadership in your businesses, organizations and agencies. “Energy begets energy.” Dolly Parton Edition 733 |
GFDA Top Ten 4-19-26
Congratulations to these amazing women business owners honored at GFDA's annual The Fire Within event!
