Grow Great Falls Montana

Boost Your Business: Getting Ready for the Bank
2026-09-17 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls Association of Realtors, 401 13th Avenue S, Great Falls, MT, 59405, United States
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries. Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
September: Getting Ready for the Bank
You have a business idea and need to get a loan to get started-where do you go and what do you need to have ready? Join us for this interactive training and conversation around what you need to be “bank ready”.
Brought to you by Great Falls Development Alliance and the Great Falls Area Chamber of CommerceClick Here for all 2026 Boost Your Business Workshops.

Federal Forum
2026-09-09 00:00 - 23:59 (America/Denver) | MT

What happens after SAM? - Unlock New Business Opportunities!
2026-07-15 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Zoom
Register Here: https://mtapex.ecenterdirect.com/events?
Please join the Montana APEX Accelerator for a strategic VIRTUAL training on how YOU can sell your company’s products/services to federal and state agencies.
Topics include:
– Federal and State of MT purchasing thresholds– Conducting market research– Federal purchasing vehicles (methods)– Where to find opportunities and how to get automatic notices– Marketing your business to government agencies– Tips on finding subcontracting opportunities– Q & A session
Who should attend? Any business in any industry that is interested in developing a focused market strategy for the government segment. It is not a requirement to already be registered in SAM or eMACS to attend the training. However, we will not be going over the registration process in this training.

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2026-07-15 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-06-17 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-05-29 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | AE2S Conference Room, 405 3rd St NW, Suite 205, Great Falls, MT, 59404, United States
Click HERE for Minutes
AE2S CONFERENCE ROOMWest Bank Landing, Portage Bldg (behind The Peak)405 3rd St NW, Suite 205; Great Falls, MT 59404
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:https://zoom.us/j/97551413941?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 975 5141 3941Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile+16699009128,,97551413941#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)+12532158782,,97551413941#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acHlCWKIWF

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2026-07-09 08:00 - 09:30, 2026-06-04 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls College: Heritage Hall, 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, United States
Click HERE for Minutes
Great Falls College: Heritage Hall2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94014829623?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 1482 9623Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile+12532158782,,94014829623#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Tacoma)+13462487799,,94014829623#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Houston)
Dial by your location+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adzGlXYsfN

JULY 4th HOLIDAY
2026-07-03 09:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls Development Alliance (405 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 59404, United States)
Office closed for the holiday.

Boost Your Business: Using AI to Generate Your Marketing Campaign
2026-06-18 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls Association of Realtors, 401 13th Avenue S, Great Falls, MT, 59405, United States
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries. Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
June: Using AI to Generate Your Marketing Campaign
Join us as we explore some of the basic tools for AI and how you can use them to generate marketing campaigns. Please bring your laptop, tablet or phone as you will begin creating a campaign during this interactive workshop.
Brought to you by Great Falls Development Alliance and the Great Falls Area Chamber of CommerceClick Here for all 2026 Boost Your Business Workshops.

GFDA Annual Meeting
2026-06-02 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver) | The Newberry, 420 Central Avenue, Great Falls, 59405, United States
You’re invited to the Great Falls Development Alliance’s Annual Meeting!
Join us as we reflect on the past year’s achievements, share updates on significant ongoing projects, and outline our strategic priorities for the upcoming year. This also marks our 4th Annual Ally Awards, recognizing individuals who have shown exceptional commitment and support to our mission. It’s an excellent opportunity to hear directly from the GFDA team, connect with partners and investors, and learn how we’re working to strengthen the regional economy.
View Past Meetings, Ally Award Winners and Photos Here: GFDA Annual Meeting
More Information to Come!
For more information, contact Jenn Gallmeier:
Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org
406-781-9499

OFFICE CLOSED: Memorial Day
2026-05-25 | MT

Boost Your Business: Understanding Financial Ratios & Why They Matter
2026-05-20 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | AE2S Conference Room, 405 3rd St NW, Suite 205, Great Falls, MT, 59404, United States
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries. Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
May: Understanding Financial Ratios & Why They Matter in Your Business
Would your business benefit from understanding how well your company can meet debt obligations, generate profits, and use resources effectively? Join us as we learn how to do financial ratios and why they matter in your business. We will use real examples and demonstrate why integrating this practice into your forecasting and profit/loss analysis can make all the difference in running an efficient and effective high performing, profitable business.
Brought to you by Great Falls Development Alliance and the Great Falls Area Chamber of CommerceClick Here for all 2026 Boost Your Business Workshops.

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2026-05-15 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver) | Great Falls College: Heritage Hall, 2100 16th Ave South, Great Falls, MT, 59405, United States
Click HERE for Minutes
Strategic Planning SessionIN PERSON ONLY, NO Zoom Option
Great Falls College: Heritage Hall2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405

What happens after SAM? - Unlock New Business Opportunities!
2026-05-13 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Zoom

Meadowview Village Groundbreaking
2026-05-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Denver) | 4600 Central Ave, Great Falls, MT, United States

Do Business with Malmstrom Air Force Base
2026-05-12 08:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave S, Great Falls, Montana, 59405, United States

Blazing New Trails into the Future: How Civic, Community Engagement, and Branding Strengthen Rural Communities
2026-05-07 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver) | Virtual – Online Only
MSU and SBDC Small Business monthly webinar.Bridging Tradition and Transformation: Women Leading Rural ChangeMore information and registration here –https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6216

SAME Big Sky Post-Sentinel Industry Day In-Person Event
2026-05-07 09:00 - 17:30 (America/Denver) | University of Providence (1301 20th St S, Great Falls, MT 59405, United States)
SAME Big Sky Post-Sentinel Industry Day In-Person Event· Thursday, May 7, 2026· 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (MDT)· University of Providence, 1301 20th St S, Great Falls, MT

The Great Falls Development Alliance is proud to serve as a sponsor of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post Sentinel Industry Day, with the Great Falls APEX Accelerator team in attendance and hosting a table at the event. This event will provide updates on the Sentinel Program, featuring insights from the United States Air Force (USAF), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and industry leaders.

The Sentinel Industry Day is an essential gathering for professionals in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction sector interested in the Sentinel Program. The day will focus on providing comprehensive updates on the Sentinel Program, featuring key presentations from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District and Northwestern Division. Learn about the current status of the program, explore upcoming projects, and gain insights into future planning initiatives for the largest Defense Infrastructure investment in recent history.

To Register for this event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/same-big-sky-post- sentinel-industry-day-tickets-1983087356667

To sponsor this event contact Nicole Rediske at Nicole.Rediske@tdhengineering.com

Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post for a Pre–Industry Day Social Gathering
2026-05-06 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | The Station District Bar and Eatery (119 River Dr, Great Falls, MT, United States)
Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post Pre–Industry Day Social Gathering· Thursday, May 6, 2026· 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM (MDT)· Station District Bar and Eatery, 119 River Dr N, Great Falls, MT
The Great Falls Development Alliance is proud to serve as a sponsor of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post for a pre–Industry Day social gathering at The Station District Bar and Eatery in Great Falls, Montana.
This informal networking event takes place the evening before the Sentinel Industry Day and offers a valuable opportunity to connect with representatives from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Omaha District and Northwestern Division, along with other industry professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors.
Participation in the social event is available through the Industry Day registration; be sure to RSVP for this social event when securing your ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/same-big-sky-post-sentinel-industry-day-tickets-1983087356667
To sponsor this event contact Nicole Rediske at Nicole.Rediske@tdhengineering.com

Cybersecurity Readiness
2026-04-29 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Denver) | Virtual/Zoom
Great Falls Regional SBDC and Great Falls Regional APEX will be presenting Cybersecurity Readiness: Basics + Government Contracting Requirements
Register: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6244
Date: 4/29/2026Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MDT)Registration Deadline: 4/28/2026 5:00 PM (MDT)Fee: No Fee
Point of Contact = Rich Gannon: rgannon@growgreatfalls.org or (406) 836-2078
Program Format: Webinar – Live Online MeetingTraining Topics: Government Contracting
Description:
Join the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Great Falls APEX Advisors for a one-hour webinar focused on cybersecurity for small businesses. This session will be divided into two parts.
In Part One, the SBDC team will cover cybersecurity basics and provide a brief overview of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, helping businesses understand key steps to protect their operations.
In Part Two, the Great Falls APEX team will discuss the importance of cybersecurity in government contracting and outline practical ways to assess your organization’s cyber readiness when pursuing government contracts.
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River Activation Task Force Meeting
2026-04-23 17:00 - 18:30 UTC | Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, 4201 Giant Springs Road, Great Falls, Montana, 59405, United States
Join us for the launch of the River Activation Task Force on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00–6:30 PM at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. This kick-off meeting is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Together, we’ll begin brainstorming ways to activate the Missouri and Sun Rivers through private investment, commercial development, and river-oriented businesses that grow tourism, recreation, and entertainment opportunities in Great Falls.Admission is free, but please register if you plan to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

For more information, contact:

Using AI in Your Business: Shelby
2026-04-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | Shelby Comfort Inn, 455 McKinley Ave., Shelby, Montana, 59474, United States
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for big companies with big budgets. This session breaks down how small businesses can use AI right now to save time, reduce workload, and improve everyday operations—without needing technical skills.

Participants will leave with: Clear examples of AI tools small businesses can use today Simple prompts and workflows to improve efficiency Guidance on risks, limitations, and ethical use Ideas they can implement the same week, not “someday” This training is part of a statewide initiative with Small Business Development Centers across Montana.

You’ll attend in your local community, and your room will be connected with other cities across the state. This workshop is not designed for at-home individual participation—we’re creating an interactive, collaborative learning environment.

Location:Comfort Inn455 McKinley Ave.Shelby, MT 59474

Learn More/Register: https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6251

Using AI in Your Business: Great Falls
2026-04-21 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Denver) | AE2S Conference Room, 405 3rd St NW, Suite 205, Great Falls, MT, 59404, United States
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for big companies with big budgets. This session breaks down how small businesses can use AI right now to save time, reduce workload, and improve everyday operations—without needing technical skills.Participants will leave with: Clear examples of AI tools small businesses can use today. Simple prompts and workflows to improve efficiency. Guidance on risks, limitations, and ethical use Ideas they can implement the same week, not “someday”. This training is part of a statewide initiative with Small Business Development Centers across Montana.
You’ll attend in your local community, and your room will be connected with other cities across the state. This workshop is not designed for at-home individual participation—we’re creating an interactive, collaborative learning environment.
Location:Great Falls Development Alliance OfficeAE2S Conference Room405 3rd Street NW, Suite 203Great Falls, MT 59404
Learn More/Register:https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6246

The Fire Within
2026-04-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver) | The Newberry, 420 Central Avenue, Great Falls, 59405, United States
Each year the Great Falls Development Alliance and community partners honor exemplary women in business through the Fire Within award program.
The program is comprised of two awards, the Inspire Award (for established business owners) and the Aspire Award (for new business owners). We welcome nominations from the 13-county region GFDA serves: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Meagher, Pondera, Teton or Toole County. Help us celebrate the power, resilience, and innovation of female entrepreneurs in our region.
Agenda:Doors Open/Networking 5:00 PMCelebration Begins at 6:00PM
Register to Attend!

View Past Celebrations & Winners Here: The Fire Within
For more information, contact Sara Niccum:Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org406-590-1301

Boost Your Business: Succession Planning
2026-04-16 08:30 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls Association of Realtors, 401 13th Avenue S, Great Falls, MT, 59405, United States
Level up your business skills and stay ahead of the curve with Boost Your Business, a FREE in-person training series designed for entrepreneurs, small business owners, and professionals across all industries. Each month, we dive into a new topic—marketing, leadership, finance, operations, technology, and more—to give you practical tools you can use right away.
April: Succession Planning for Your Business
Succession planning isn’t just about having a plan for when you want to sell your business or pass it on to a family member. It’s also about planning for the unexpected-a car accident, debilitating illness or anything that would potentially take you away from your business. Having a succession plan is part of owning a successful business. The plan provides a map and framework to follow. Join us to learn about what you should include in succession planning and how to get started today.
Brought to you by Great Falls Development Alliance and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
Click Here for all 2026 Boost Your Business Workshops.

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2026-04-15 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver) | AE2S Conference Room, 405 3rd St NW, Suite 205, Great Falls, MT, 59404, United States
See Agenda BelowClick HERE for Minutes
AE2S CONFERENCE ROOMWest Bank Landing, Portage Bldg (behind The Peak)405 3rd St NW, Suite 205; Great Falls, MT 59404
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:https://zoom.us/j/97551413941?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 975 5141 3941Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile+16699009128,,97551413941#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (San Jose)+12532158782,,97551413941#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Tacoma)
Dial by your location+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acHlCWKIWF

GFDA Exec Agenda 4-15-26Download

Montana Energy Business Alliance
2026-04-13 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Newberry, 420 Central Avenue, Great Falls, 59405, United States
The Great Falls Development Alliance is hosting an event in conjunction with the Montana Energy Business Alliance on Monday, April 13th, 2026 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Newberry in downtown Great Falls. Energy experts will address the challenges Montana faces, as well as remedies required to keep Montana among the most attractive states for business investment. The event format is networking, buffet dinner, keynote speakers, and an industry panel. Registration is required.Participants include Berkshire Hathaway EnergyMontana, PowerGas Corporation, Grid United, Montana Electrical Cooperative Association, NorthWestern Energy, Vision Net and more.Please join us to connect on critical energy topics with Montana’s leaders in business, politics, and economic development in the Electric City!

For questions or more information, please contact:

Idea to Income Workshop
2026-04-07 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Denver) | Great Falls Development Alliance, 405 3rd St NW, Suite 203, Great Falls, MT, 59404, United States
Join us for our live one-hour training designed to guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the fundamentals of launching a successful small business.
We’ll cover essential topics such as defining your target customers, understanding costs, and building a solid foundation for your business. Whether you’re in the idea stage or have just started, this class will provide the tools and insights you need to confidently move forward and bring your business vision to life. There is no fee to attend the session.
Great Falls Development Conference Room:
The Portage Building at West Bank Landing
405 3rd Street NW Suite 203
Great Falls MT 59404
To Register, Visit:
https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/6094

Food, Financials, Freedom and Fun Webinar
2026-04-02 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver) | Virtual-Online Only
MSU and SBDC Monthly Small Business Webinar: Food, Financials, Freedom and Fun
Information and registration here – https://www.montana.edu/extensionecon/smallbusiness/
Join special guests Lauren Storeby and Tiffany Helton, two female hospitality leaders and community advocates dedicated to strengthening food businesses through people-first leadership, real career experience and thoughtful service. These inspirational entrepreneurs will share their journey of starting, owning and scaling their restaurant businesses.
• April 2
• 11 – 11:30 AM
• Online
• Free but registration is required
