About Us
The Great Falls Development Authority, Inc., dba Great Falls Development Alliance (GFDA), is a community economic development partnership and certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). We are organized as a Montana non-profit 501(c)3 charitable corporation. GFDA is a public/private partnership that serves the Great Falls Montana Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the surrounding 13-county rural and tribal trade area of north central Montana.
As a CDFI, GFDA provides gap and bridge financing focused on the Great Falls trade area. In addition to lending, our core operations include business development (business startup, business retention/expansion, and business attraction) and business advising and training. GFDA operates a regional Small Business Development Center, a regional APEX Accelerator, a regional Montana Food & Ag Development Center, and a Brownfields Redevelopment Program. GFDA is a founding partner of the Downtown Development Partnership of Great Falls. GFDA is the developer of the Great Falls AgriTech Park, a rail-served heavy industrial park. GFDA manages High Plains Financial (HPF), a certified Community Development Corporation we formed to offer SBA 504 loans throughout Montana. GFDA is accredited by the International Economic Development Council and has earned Candid/GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency. GFDA is a certified Montana MicroBusiness Development Corporation, and an approved lender of the Montana Board of Investments and U.S. Small Business Administration. GFDA and HPF are proud to be Equal Opportunity Employers, Lenders, and Providers.
Mission
Grow diverse economic opportunities that enhance quality of life.
We seek to transform Great Falls, Montana and the surrounding rural and tribal region into a thriving economy that raises the standard of living, particularly for underserved populations and economically distressed areas, and creates greater economic opportunity for people, entrepreneurs, and businesses.
Vision for great falls regional community
The Great Falls, Montana Region will be a proud, positive, and vibrant community, which welcomes new people, new investments, and innovative opportunities while celebrating its authentic and diverse Montana culture. Our community will be a safe and inclusive place to raise families and will offer opportunities for individual growth and a quality of life which retains and grows our population.
Vision for great falls development alliance
Great Falls Development Alliance will be a change agent, catalyst, and facilitator in the Great Falls region, fostering collaboration and partnerships to support diverse economic opportunities, innovation, and growth. Our economic development organization will be a high-performing leader in attracting new investment and talent. Our work providing access to capital, consulting, training, and resources for entrepreneurs, businesses, developers, and nonprofits will transform Great Falls and the surrounding 13-county trade area into a thriving regional economy that enhances the standard of living for our people.
Values
Great Falls Development Alliance is a value-driven organization.
Integrity
We hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards. We uphold the Codes of Ethics of the International Economic Development Council, the American Institute of Certified Planners, and the Montana Economic Developers Association.
Transparency
We operate in an open manner while respecting our clients’ confidentiality.
Collaboration
We value our partners and use community resources as effectively as possible.
Fiscal Prudence
We operate as efficiently as possible to maximize return on investment.
Performance Driven
We strive to achieve meaningful, long-lasting results that benefit our investors and community.
Communication
We widely communicate what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.
Tenacity
We do not give up on accomplishing our strategic priorities.
Continuous Improvement
We are always working to improve our organization.
Diversity
We celebrate diversity and continually strive to become more inclusive, both in our organization and in our regional community.
Core Values
Access to Capital
Gap and bridge financing provides access to capital that conventional lenders cannot or will not provide. We partner with banks and credit unions to finance entrepreneurial startups, business expansions, business attractions, commercial real estate and housing developments, and non-profit community services.
Business Development
Business development identifies target companies; generates new leads; cultivates leads to convert them into deals; responds to requests for proposals and information; and develops relationships with partners, referral sources, and site selection consultants. We assist a wide variety of businesses, developers, non-profits, and public agencies with concierge services customized to help make things happen that otherwise would not. We also work on efforts to make our trade area more competitive in attracting investment, entrepreneurs, and workforce talent, and to improve quality of life.
Business Advising
Business advising and training services help entrepreneurs to start new ventures and existing businesses to thrive and grow.
Our regional Small Business Development Center assists startups and existing businesses with a wide array of business skills delivered through one-on-one advising, group trainings, and entrepreneur cohorts.
Our regional APEX Accelerator assists existing businesses in earning government and industry certifications, getting started in government contracting, or expanding and diversifying government contracting.
Our regional Food & Ag Development Center assists startups and existing businesses to expand and diversify food and ag production and processing operations.
Operations
Our operations group includes financial management, resources and administration. Our resource team members raise funds from local businesses, non-profits, public agencies, and community leaders to support our operations, and work with public agencies, foundations, banks and impact investment funds to secure grants and loan capital.
Business Advising and Training
Our business advising and training services help entrepreneurs to start new ventures and help existing businesses to thrive and grow.
GFDA was the first economic development organization in the Rocky Mountain West to earn accreditation from the International Economic Development Council. We have proudly displayed Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency since 2020.
We are a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that provides gap and bridge financing to businesses, start-up entrepreneurs, real estate developers, and non-profits.
We have an affiliate SBA-certified Community Development Corporation, High Plains Financial, that we created to offer SBA 504 loans statewide.