Montana Rural Impact Forum
Federal programs, partnerships, and pathways for thriving rural communities.
September 9th & 10th, 2026
September 9th = University of Providence, Great Falls
September 10th = Three Project Tour Locations
Tour 1: Self Help Housing Program
Tour 2: Permanent Supportive Housing
Tour 3: Downtown Butcher Shop & Meat Processing Facility
GFDA and the US Department of Agriculture are teaming up to host the 2026 Montana Rural Impact Forum, September 9th and 10th in Great Falls. We’re excited to welcome partners from across Montana and the Mountain West to showcase the federal, state, and local tools powering vibrant rural communities.
If you have a project, an idea, or are looking for resources to move your community forward, don’t miss this opportunity to connect directly with federal and state agency leaders and learn about funding and tools available for projects. Sessions will cover Opportunity Zones 2.0, more than $1 billion in potential rural healthcare funding, meat processing, and other development opportunities, plus project tours and one on one time with agency representatives.
There is no cost to attend, but space is limited.
Please REGISTER HERE: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/uthdnvd/lp/98d02ccb-c9ac-4f1e-b945-674180a788a0
For more information, contact:
Tash Wisemiller at Tash.Wisemiller@usda.gov
Jolene Schalper at JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls or 1-406-750-4481
View the Agenda and Event Booklet:
https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USDARD/2026/08/04/file_attachments/3736171/FINAL%20MT%20Rural%20Impact%20Forum%202026%20Attendee%20Booklet%20Condensed.pdf
September 9th: 8:30 AM -6:30 PM
Presentations, Q&A, resource fair, success stories, networking lunch and reception, and tour of The Station District & Lofts
September 10th: 8:45 AM -11:45 AM
Local project tours focused on housing, downtown redevelopment, and meat processing.
Presented by USDA Rural Development (https://www.usda.gov) and Great Falls Development Alliance.
Sponsored by the LOR Foundation.