Fourteen people joined us this week for our monthly Boost Your Business training, which shared practical ways to use the StoryBrand framework to clarify and strengthen your business message. Join us in April for a session focused on how to start building your succession plan.
Congratulations to the newest downtown addition - the Atomic Underground Lounge, located in the basement of the O'Haire Inn!
Great progress on construction of Clearwater Credit Union's new branch on a very visible corner entrance to Downtown Great Falls!
Thank you to the dozens of business and community leaders who came together on no notice to brainstorm how we can support a company. That's how Team Great Falls rolls!
We are pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Great Falls Childcare Feasibility Study. This report provides current data on childcare capacity, workforce needs, and gaps that impact employers and working families across our region.
Sara visited a Native woman-owned meat processing business, C+C Meat Processing in Babb. Owner Christina Flammond provides vital services to local ranchers and hunters, and serves as a teacher and cultural knowledge keeper. She is one example of an outstanding female entrepreneur who is making a difference in the community and local economy. If you know an exceptional female business owner who deserves recognition, nominate them for a GFDA Fire Within award by March 31!
We've started to strategize for the Opportunity Zone 2.0 designations. Here is a screen shot of four census zones in Great Falls that will likely qualify to be designated. We also have several likely eligible rural census tracts in the region. Watch your email for our upcoming OZ task force meetings.
Congratulations to Jolene Schalper, GFDA's Executive Vice President, on being chosen for the 2025 Athena Leadership Award! The Athena Leadership Award is given to a female community leader who has acheived the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community, and actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential. Well deserved!! Thank you to the Athena leadership of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.
Congratulations to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana (BHE Montana) on the successful energization of the Glacier Battery System, a major investment in Montana’s energy infrastructure. Located near Cut Bank, the Glacier Battery System represents a $100 million investment in advanced energy storage technology. With a capacity of 75 megawatts for two hours, the system will provide critical grid support, enhance reliability across the region and support BHE Montana’s participation in the Western Energy Imbalance Market.
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.