GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2025-02-06 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver)
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 2-6-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Great Falls College: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94014829623?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 1482 9623
Passcode: [REDACTED]
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,94014829623#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Tacoma)
+13462487799,,94014829623#,,,,*[REDACTED]# US (Houston)
Dial by your location
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+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adzGlXYsfN

The Small Business Webinar Series - Montana Manufacturing Extension Center
2025-02-06 11:00 - 11:30 UTC
The Montana Manufacturing Extension Center is a statewide manufacturing outreach and assistance center staffed by full-time professionals with extensive experience in manufacturing and business in a variety of industries. Our mission is to grow Montana’s economy by helping manufacturers succeed.

Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable (STAR)
2025-02-06 13:00 - 14:00 UTC
Join Montana APEX Accelerator and Northrop Grumman for the first-quarter update of the Strategic Teaming Alliance Roundtable (STAR) series. Representatives from Northrop Grumman will share valuable tips and proven strategies to help businesses across all industries on building successful partnerships with Northrop Grumman, their subcontractors, and first-tier primes. This is a series of events, and new panelists will provide unique insights at each roundtable!
To learn more or register, CLICK HERE!

Business Blitz
2025-02-11 08:30 - 15:30 (America/Denver)
This full-day workshop covers everything you need to start or grow your business. Each session is designed to run independently, so join us for one session—or stay for the whole day!
Sessions include:

Legal Entity Formation: Learn about business structures, their pros and cons, and compliance requirements.
Business Planning: Dive into the Business Model Canvas, plan essentials, and SWOT analysis.
Financial Basics: Understand key financial concepts, break-even points, and practice with a hands-on exercise.
Identifying Your Target Audience: Discover strategies to define and reach your ideal customer.
Business Tools and Resources: Explore free and affordable tools for managing and marketing your business.
Marketing Essentials: Create a marketing plan to effectively promote your business.

Please REGISTER here. Lunch is included, and you’ll leave with practical tools and resources to help your business succeed!

OFFICE CLOSED: President's Day
2025-02-17

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-02-19 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 2-19-25 REVISED
Click HERE for Agenda/Minutes

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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

Selling Homemade Food 101: Food Law and Liability
2025-02-19 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Limited regulations does not mean limited liability under SB199. This webinar will provide an overview of what legal and liability considerations you need to keep in mind as a home-food producer. This session will be led by Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Montana, Cort Jensen.

What happens after SAM? - Unlock New Business Opportunities!
2025-02-19 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
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.

Special GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2025-02-21 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver)
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 2-21-25
Click HERE for Minutes

**NOTE LOCATION CHANGE**
Meadowlark Country Club
300 Country Club Blvd, Great Falls, MT 59404
Main Dining Room
Special joint GFDA Board & Council meeting with the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce and Great Falls Montana Tourism Boards.
Brock Cherry and City of Great Falls Planning staff will give a Growth Policy update, then take us through activities and discussion to provide input for the community survey.
Attendance is IN PERSON ONLY.

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2025-03-06 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 3-6-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Great Falls College: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94014829623?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 1482 9623
Passcode: [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

The Fire Within
2025-03-06 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Denver)
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.
Help us celebrate the power, resilience, and innovation of female entrepreneurs in our region.
Agenda:
Doors Open/Networking 5:00 PM
Celebration Begins at 6:00PM
Click HERE to learn more.
RSVP now—seats are filling fast!
For questions, contact Katie Carvell at 406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-03-19 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 3-19-25
Click HERE for Minutes.

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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
2025-04-03 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 4-3-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Great Falls College: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94014829623?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 1482 9623
Passcode: [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

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-04-16 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 4-16-25
Click HERE for Minutes

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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
2025-05-09 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 5-9-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Strategic Planning Session
IN-PERSON ONLY – No Zoom Option this Meeting

**NOTE LOCATION CHANGE**
Meadowlark Country Club
300 Country Club Blvd, Great Falls, MT 59404
Back 1/2 of Main Dining Room

OFFICE CLOSED: Staff Holiday
2025-05-16

Tuesday Training: Food Manufacturing 101: get your manufacturing questions answered with Claude Smith of MMEC
2025-05-20 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
Tuesday Training: Food Manufacturing 101: get your manufacturing questions answered with Claude Smith of MMEC
Are you a food or value-added ag manufacturer in Montana who has specific, nit-picky questions about how to best set up your manufacturing process? Are you a food hub or commercial kitchen and want to know what equipment you need? Do you have burning questions about what a HACCP plan is and if you need one?
If so, join the Great Falls Development Alliance and Claude Smith of Montana Manufacturing Extension Center (MMEC) to learn how the MMEC can support your manufacturing business and help you grow.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (MDT)
Virtual
Free

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-05-21 08:00 - 09:30 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 5-21-25
Click HERE for Minutes

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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

What happens after SAM? -Unlock New Business Opportunities!
2025-05-21 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
What happens after SAM? -Unlock New Business Opportunities!
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.
Instructions: Zoom link will be sent via email after registration is completed.

Wednesday, May 21, 2025
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM (MDT)
Virtual
Free

OFFICE CLOSED: Memorial Day
2025-05-26

Tuesday Training: Abundant Montana & Local Food Resources
2025-05-27 12:00 - 12:30 UTC
Tuesday Training: Abundant Montana & Local Food Resources
Are you a food or farm business looking to grow your market channels and reach more Montanans? Are you an eater interested in sourcing more local food and supporting MT businesses? Want to learn what resources are available toward these goals?
To find the answers to these questions and more, join GFDA’s Food & AG Development Center and Abundant Montana’s Erin Austin and Olivia Wood for an engaging conversation. We will also celebrate the release of the 4th annual Local Food Guide and learn how to get involved as a grower, business owner, or eater!
In this webinar you will learn:

How to get your business included in Abundant Montana’s digital and print directories
Where to find local food and tools to help
Other media, marketing, and value chain coordination services available!

Great Falls Region SBDC : Think Like an Inventor
2025-06-05 11:00 - 11:30 UTC
Think Like An Inventor
Join us as we explore how thinking like an inventor can support you in running a more effective and efficient business. Special guest, Arnold Volker is a lifelong inventor and manufacturing entrepreneur who has fostered innovation in others for over three decades. As owner of Next Innovations, Arnold has transformed the American manufacturing company from generic consumer décor to an industry leader in metal art and specialty coating. Under his leadership, Next Innovations serves clients from local businesses to The Walt Disney Company. The company originally sat alone on a 54-acre plot, but Arnold’s passion for collaboration and innovation has inspired other companies to settle down nearby. Arnold transformed the space into a multi-revenue property with other manufacturers, co-working spaces, and even a U-Haul dealership.

Thursday, June 5, 2025
11:00 – 11:30 AM (MDT)
Virtual
Free

GFDA Annual Meeting
2025-06-17 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver)
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 3rd 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.
REGISTER HERE!

View Past Meetings, Ally Award Winners and Photos Here: GFDA Annual Meeting

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-06-18 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver)
GFDA Exec Agenda 6-18-25
Click HERE for Minutes

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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

JUNE-What Happens After SAM!
2025-06-18 11:30 - 13:00 UTC

OFFICE CLOSED: Independence Day
2025-07-04

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2025-07-10 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Denver)
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 7-10-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Great Falls College: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405

Strategic Planning Session
IN-PERSON ONLY – No Zoom Option this Meeting

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2025-07-16 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver)
GFDA Exec Agenda 7-16-25
Click HERE for Minutes

AE2S CONFERENCE ROOM
West 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 3941
Passcode: [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

JULY-What Happens After SAM
2025-07-16 11:30 - 13:00 UTC

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2025-08-07 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Denver)
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 8-7-25
Click HERE for Minutes

Great Falls College: Heritage Hall
2100 16th Ave South; Great Falls, MT 59405
OR
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/94014829623?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 940 1482 9623
Passcode: [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
