Events Search and Views Navigation
August 2021
The LaunchPoint: A Pre-Business Workshop
Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies workshop that will walk through the key structures, available tools and why money is important before,…
Find out more »GFDA Board Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Board of Directors Page.
Find out more »Webinar – Financing and Grants
Presenter: Brigitta Miranda-Freer, UM/MT World Trade Center This training event will be presented online at:  https://www.msucommunitydevelopment.org/smallbusiness.html Hear experts provide an overview of small business development topics and phone in or type/chat questions or comments. We will follow-up with requests for additional information. All webinars are free and open the public at 11 a.m. and will be recorded and archived. Learn more and register here - https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/4821
Find out more »Development Coffee
Developers, investors and business professionals throughout the Golden Triangle: join us Friday, August 6th at 7 AM as we we migrate to a hybrid model Investor Development Coffee at NeighborWorks Great Falls, as well as via Zoom. Come share and learn from other members with questions, concerns and updates about projects throughout the region. Now more than ever, keeping in touch and discussing how we find opportunities in the trade area is crucial. If you would like to attend the…
Find out more »Downtown TIF Q&A
We will be hosting In-Person Q&A sessions on the three new downtown redevelopment Tax Increment Financing (TIF) programs: Environmental Safety, Facade Improvement, and Life-Safety Code Compliance. Tuesday, August 10, from 7:30-8:30 AM at Al Banco, 202 2nd Ave S. Register here - https://conta.cc/3zCcfIi
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Executive Committee Page.
Find out more »September 2021
GFDA Board Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Board of Directors Page.
Find out more »Webinar – Business Model Canvas/Value Proposition Design
Presenter:Â Jennifer Stephens, SBDC Hear experts provide an overview of small business development topics and phone in or type/chat questions or comments. We will follow-up with requests for additional information. All webinars are free and open the public at 11 a.m. and will be recorded and archived. The Small Business Development Webinar Series is presented in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Montana Small Business Development Centers, Montana State University Extension, Montana Economic Developers Association, the Montana Department of…
Find out more »Development Coffee
Developers, investors and business professionals throughout the Golden Triangle: join us Friday, September 3rd at 7 AM as we we migrate to a hybrid model Investor Development Coffee at NeighborWorks Great Falls as well as via Zoom. Come share and learn from other members with questions, concerns and updates about projects throughout the region. Now more than ever, keeping in touch and discussing how we find opportunities in the trade area is crucial. If you would like to attend the…
Find out more »Boots to Business
Modules 1-4 9/9/21 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (MDT) Modules 5-8 9/10/21 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (MDT) This is a pre-business workshop for transitioning military service members at Malmstrom Air Force Base as part of the Transition Assistance Program. Active duty military, veterans, and military families are welcome. Please inquire about eligibility prior to registering at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org. Register here - https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/4851
Find out more »The LaunchPoint: A Pre-Business Workshop
Have you been thinking about an idea and always wondered if you could make it a business? Are you a business owner but not a business school graduate? Are you passionate about the thing you do and don't know how to turn that passion into profit? Join GFDA and the Great Falls Small Business Development Center for The LaunchPoint, a business planning and strategies workshop that will walk through the key structures, available tools and why money is important before,…
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Executive Committee Page.
Find out more »Strategic Planning Public Meeting
Share your knowledge and ideas to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy. The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is developing a new regional economic development strategy. The first step in the process is to gather information about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Great Falls economy. We invite the community to come share your knowledge and ideas on Wednesday, September 15th from 5:30-7:00PM at Great Falls College MSU, Room B101 (South entrance, door 7).
Find out more »Website Bootcamp: Website in a Day – Lewistown
Website Boot Camp, creating an E-commerce enabled website. Does your business need a website?  Are you intimidated or confused by the process?  Would you like to learn how to create and manage your own business website? Then join us for an in depth online training course we are calling our Website Bootcamp. This three session course will teach participants how to create, build and maintain a business website from start to finish including the creation of an online store. In…
Find out more »October 2021
GFDA Board Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Board of Directors Page.
Find out more »Webinar: Two Action Items to Improve Your Cybersecurity
Hear experts provide an overview of small business development topics and phone in or type/chat questions or comments. We will follow-up with requests for additional information. All webinars are free and open the public at 11 a.m. and will be recorded and archived. The Small Business Development Webinar Series is presented in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Montana Small Business Development Centers, Montana State University Extension, Montana Economic Developers Association, the Montana Department of Commerce with additional…
Find out more »Strategic Planning Community Meeting
Share your knowledge and ideas to grow and strengthen the Great Falls regional economy. The Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) is developing a new regional economic development strategy. The first step in the process is to gather information about the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Great Falls economy. We invite the community to come share your knowledge and ideas on Tuesday, October 12th, 7:00 – 8:30 PM at the Gibson Room inside the Great Falls Civic Center.
Find out more »Website Bootcamp: Get Ready for Holiday Shopping Online
Is your business ready for the holiday shopping season? Within the next 3 years it is estimated that 20% of ALL retail sales will be done online.  If your business is not selling its products online you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity to grow and reach new customers. If you’d like to learn how to create an ecommerce enabled website, join us for our 3 part training series – the Website Bootcamp. We will teach participants to create a…
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Executive Committee Page.
Find out more »Invest Downtown Great Falls 2021
Join us Thursday, October 28th from 10:00AM-12:00PM at The Newberry for Invest Downtown Great Falls 2021, sponsored by NorthWestern Energy. Hear about successes, opportunities, tools and resources available to business owners and potential developers interested in Downtown Great Falls. Learn more and register here - https://conta.cc/3CMMgQV
Find out more »November 2021
GFDA Board Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Board of Directors Page.
Find out more »Webinar: Creating a Basic Branding Package using Canva
Learn to create custom, branded graphics for your business quickly utilizing the powerful platform Canva. Presenter:Â Â KJ Kahnle Register here - https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/4824
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Executive Committee Page.
Find out more »QuickBooks Online
For those new to bookkeeping and experienced folks alike! This one-day course covering the QuickBooks Online platform is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage money. QuickBooks Pro Advisor Wendy Weissman, owner of Wendy J Weissman, CPA PC in Great Falls, will take you through the foundational elements of the QuickBooks Online program so you're more efficient in entering revenue and expenses, and better able to communicate with your accountant come tax time. She'll also…
Find out more »December 2021
GFDA Board Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Board of Directors Page.
Find out more »Webinar: Communication that Fosters Cooperation
Many blocks can occur in group interaction, competition, misunderstandings, resentment. In most cases, the origin of these blocks resides in a lack of clear communication. By learning how to express your ideas and being clear on purpose, you can create an atmosphere of growth and cooperation. During this course, participants will learn: The internal factors that block communication Opening channels of communication in team environments How to share and invite others into a project or idea Register here - https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/4825
Find out more »QuickBooks Desktop
For those new to bookkeeping and experienced folks alike! This one-day course covering the QuickBooks Desktop platform is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage money. QuickBooks Pro Advisor Wendy Weissman, owner of Wendy J Weissman, CPA PC in Great Falls, will take you through the foundational elements of the QuickBooks Desktop program so you're more efficient in entering revenue and expenses, and better able to communicate with your accountant come tax time. She'll also…
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Links to the agenda and Zoom meeting information can be found on our Executive Committee Page.
Find out more »Boots to Business
Modules 1-4 12/16/21 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (MDT) Modules 5-8 12/17/21 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (MDT) This is a pre-business workshop for transitioning military service members at Malmstrom Air Force Base as part of the Transition Assistance Program. Active duty military, veterans, and military families are welcome. Please inquire about eligibility prior to registering at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org. Register here - https://mtsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/4852
Find out more »March 2022
Creating Responsive Proposals: Part 1 of 4 Part Webinar Series
We want you to secure Government Contracts! Join the Great Falls Montana PTAC for this unique 4 Part Series where you will learn to identify contract opportunities that are realistic to you. Understand how the government defines what it needs. Begin preparing responsive and effective proposals that will improve your chances at achieving government contracts. THIS WEEK! Preparation begins Wednesday, March 2nd. Get ready to write a proposal. Register Here
Find out more »Boots to Business
Boots to Business Date/Time:Â Modules 1-4 3/17/22 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Modules 5-8 3/18/22 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Location: In-person at Malmstrom Air Force Base. Attendees will need to have or request base access. Status: Open - 37 places remaining Registration Deadline:Â 3/17/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Location: Airman and Family Readiness Center Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls MT 59405 Program Format:Â Multi-session Course Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing,…
Find out more »April 2022
Webinar: Structuring Effective & Efficient Meetings
Program Format:Â Online Meeting (Live) Training Topics:Â Human Resources, Managing a Business Description: Topic: For some, office meetings can be a productive way to achieve a company's objectives. For others, a business' internal meetings make employees feel like their time is not valued and their productivity is diminished by meeting with leadership and teammates. This month, we'll visit this human resource management problem to ensure that your company's staff meetings are effective, efficient, and - ultimately - move the company forward. This…
Find out more »Website Bootcamp – Website in a Day – Browning!
Date: 4/8/22 Time: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM (MDT) Status: Open - 9 places remaining Registration Deadline: 4/8/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Location: Blackfeet Community,  Beaver Painted Lodge 138. Point of Contact: Rich Gannon (406) 836-2078 Training Topics: COVID-19 General Support, eCommerce Description: Does your business need a website?  Are you intimidated or confused by the process?  Would you like to learn how to create and manage your own business website? Join us for an in-depth, one day training course, the Website…
Find out more »Business Pitch In
Registration Deadline: 4/28/22 6:00 PM (MDT) Fee: No FeePoint of Contact: Rich Gannon (406) 836-2078 Location: 315 East Rail Road Cut Bank Creek Brewery, Cut Bank MT 59427-3021 Training Topics: Business Start-up/Preplanning, Market Research, Marketing/Sales Description: Business Pitch In was developed to help spur innovation and entrepreneurship within the Golden Triangle of Montana by giving a space for dreamers, thinkers, makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to pitch and connect. It's a few hours on a Thursday night at Cut Bank Creek Brewery designed to give dreemers, thinkers,…
Find out more »May 2022
Great Falls Job Jamboree
Looking for a Job? Don't forget to mark May 4th on your calendar to attend our 2022 Great Falls Job Jamboree. The event will be from 3pm to 6pm with over 100 employers on-site and ready to hire.
Find out more »The Small Business Webinar Series: Mom-preneurs – You’re Legit!
Program Format:Â Online Meeting (Live) Training Topics:Â Managing a Business Description: Topic: As we lead into Mother's Day, we will take this opportunity to celebrate and mothers who operate businesses while also being moms. Whether you're a full-time founder or a home-based maker and side hustler, this webinar will celebrate your challenges and provide guidance on how to take your business to the next level. We will explore the research as to why parents make great entrepreneurs and tell share stories about…
Find out more »Accelerate: Your Startup Module 1
Accelerate: Your Startup This business workshop helps identify areas of focus, make decisions, and take action using the GrowthWheel platform. This four module cohort is for new businesses (0-3 years).The course is $50 per person and held in-person at the GFDA office. Contact Jason Nitschke at JNitschke@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 406-750-0314 or Click here for more information.
Find out more »Website Bootcamp – Website in a Day – Great Falls!
Training Topics: COVID-19 General Support, eCommerce Description: Date: 5/11/22 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Status: Open - 10 places remaining Registration Deadline: 5/10/22 4:00 PM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Rich Gannon (406) 836-2078 Location: Great Falls Development Authority 405 3rd St NW, Great Falls, MT 5940, Great Falls MT 59404 Training Topics: COVID-19 General Support, eCommerce Description: Does your business need a website?  Are you intimidated or confused by the process?  Would you like to learn how to…
Find out more »QuickBooks Desktop – Lewistown
Date:Â 5/19/22 Time:Â 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Status: Open - 20 places remaining Registration Deadline:Â 5/19/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: $50.00 Registration Policies Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Location: 507 W Main St, Lewistown MT 59457-2603 Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Cash Flow Management Description: For those new to bookkeeping and experienced folks alike! This QuickBooks Desktop course is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage their money. And isn't it all about maximizing your profit?…
Find out more »QuickBooks Desktop Payroll – Lewistown
Date:Â 5/20/22 Time:Â 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (MDT) Status: Open - 19 places remaining Registration Deadline:Â 5/20/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: $35.00 Registration Policies Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Location: 507 West Main Street Snowy Mountain Development Corporation, Lewistown MT 59457-2603 Training Topics: Accounting/Budget Description: This QuickBooks course will train users of the Desktop platform how the program's Payroll functions work. QuickBooks Pro Advisor Wendy Weissman, owner of Wendy J Weissman, CPA PC in Great Falls, will get into the…
Find out more »What’s Going on with SAM? Webinar
What's going on with SAM.gov? Updated Transition Overview Webinar Date: 5/25/22 Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM (MDT) Status: Open - 44 places remaining Registration Deadline: 5/25/22 10:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Shannon Clancy (406) 590-1184 Program Format: Online Meeting (Live) Training Topics: Government Contracting Description: Join Great Falls PTAC for an updated transition overview of what is going on with SAM.gov since April 4th. We will explore the validation process and how this affects registrations & renewals, types of documents required to validate entity…
Find out more »June 2022
Creating the Path for Business Transition Success
The Small Business Webinar Series: Creating the Path for Business Transition Success Date: 6/2/22 Time: 11:00 AM - 11:30 AM (MDT) Registration Deadline: 6/2/22 11:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Program Format: Online Meeting (Live) Training Topics: Managing a Business Description: Topic: For every business that starts, the founder has to begin that journey with a plan to exit. For some businesses, the plan is to simply close up shop and be done with it. For other founders, there is a…
Find out more »QuickBooks – Intermediate, Choteau
Intermediate Overview - QuickBooks Intermediate Alice Gleason Meeting Room How to generate QuickBooks Desktop reports How to use reports to assess your business Registration Information to come. Choteau Public Library Taught by Wendy Weisman Sweetgrass Development
Find out more »Assistance for Business Clinic-Great Falls
Assistance for Business Clinic-Great Falls The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to assist new and established employers, accountants, bookkeepers, human resource professionals and lawyers to proactively prevent unnecessary claims and/or charges by providing updated reporting of state withholding, UI Tax requirements, workers’ comp. coverage, tax incentives, minimum wage, overtime, new hire reporting, income withholding orders, USERRA laws and regulations. Presentations Include: Dept. of Labor & Industry Wage & Hour Unemployment Insurance Tax Unemployment Insurance Benefits Workers’ Compensation Safety &…
Find out more »Assistance for Business Clinic- Lewistown
Assistance for Business Clinic - Lewistown The Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, US Department of Labor, and Montana Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve in partnership with local Economic Development Corporations, Chamber of Commerce, Job Service Employer Committees (JSEC), and Montana State University will host the Assistance for Business Clinics (ABC) statewide. The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to assist new and established businesses, accountants,…
Find out more »Boots to Business – Module 1-4
Date/Time: Modules 1-4 6/23/22 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Modules 5-8 6/24/22 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM (MDT) Status: Open - 39 places remaining Registration Deadline: 6/23/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Location: Airman and Family Readiness Center Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls MT 59405 Program Format: Multi-session Course Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Buy/Sell Business, Franchising, Government Contracting, Intellectual Property, Legal Issues, Licensing, Managing a…
Find out more »QuickBooks – Browning
QuickBooks Browning, MT June 23,2022 Class 1 of 2 - second class is June 24. The same registration link can be used for both classes. This two-day QuickBooks course is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage money. The first day is oriented toward data entry and navigation and the second toward creating reports. With 1-on-1 sessions available in the afternoon on Thursday. DATE: Data Entry & Navigation -Thursday June 23rd, 2022 Reporting-Friday June 24th,…
Find out more »Boots to Business Modules 5-8
Boots to Business Date/Time: Status: Open - 39 places remaining Registration Deadline: 6/23/22 8:00 AM (MDT) Fee: No Fee Point of Contact: Jason Nitschke (406) 750-0314 Location: Airman and Family Readiness Center Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls MT 59405 Program Format: Multi-session Course Training Topics: Accounting/Budget, Business Financing, Business Plan, Business Start-up/Preplanning, Buy/Sell Business, Franchising, Government Contracting, Intellectual Property, Legal Issues, Licensing, Managing a Business, Market Research, Marketing/Sales, SBIR, Selling to Government, STTR Description: This is a pre-business workshop for transitioning military service members at Malmstrom Air Force…
Find out more »QuickBooks – Browning
QuickBooks - Browning, MT June 24, 2022 Day 2 of 2 This two-day QuickBooks course is designed to help entrepreneurs and business managers understand how to best manage money. The first day is oriented toward data entry and navigation and the second toward creating reports. With 1-on-1 sessions available in the afternoon on Thursday. Friday June 24th, 2022 TIME: 9:00am – Noon (both days) Half hour 1-on-1 sessions available 12:30PM to 4:30PM Thursday only PLACE: Four Winds Assembly of God…
Find out more »Accelerate: Your Startup Graduation Pitch Event
Great Falls Development Authority Small Business Development Center will be hosting a pitch event June 28th from 11am to 1pm downtown at The Wild Hare to celebrate the completion of our Accelerate: Your Startup class. Graduates of this class will each have four minutes to pitch  their startup idea or current business model. The audience will then have 4 minutes for Q&A,  advice, or insights. Hors d’oeuvres will be available. The Wild Hare offers a full lunch menu as well…
Find out more »
