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January 2020
Development Coffee
Join GFDA as we chat with fellow and potential investors for monthly Development Coffee.
Find out more »Webinar: Quick Cybersecurity Tips to Keep Your Company Safe
This webinar will give actionable tips to better protect your business from cyberattack. This is a 30-minute webinar from 11-11:30am Mountain Time. Presenter: Justin Jones, AVP, IT Risk Manager
Find out more »Ignite 2020
Ignite 2020 Presented by PayneWest Insurance is an excellent opportunity to gain insight on the year ahead! The format is simple and quick - five minute presentations on business startups, business expansions, real estate developments and institutional capital projects that will either start or open in 2020.
Find out more »Livability Launch
Join us as we launch the Great Falls talent attraction effort with our Livability Magazine Launch.
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 »February 2020
Development Coffee
Join GFDA at Skyline, the GFPS Preschool as we chat with fellow and potential investors for monthly Development Coffee.
Find out more »Business Transition Readiness Workshop
The Great Falls MMEC Business Adviser, Doug Roberts, assisted by Montana’s first and only certified exit planning adviser, Alistair Stewart, will help owners identify action steps to begin “de-risking” their businesses, increase value, and improve their transition outcomes. Transition readiness is “just” good business, and owners who commit to becoming more transition ready will enjoy greater financial success, better legacy outcomes, and increased personal fulfillment. Business owners will learn what transition readiness is, why it matters, and how to improve…
Find out more »Triangle Pitch Night – Missouri River Urban Corridor
We are looking for business ideas that utilize our Urban Missouri River Corridor! Want to do a party boat? Dinner cruise? Paddle board rentals? Food truck court? Bring your ideas! The Missouri River Corridor Pitch Fest is an evening sharing, discussing, and supporting business on and along the Missouri River. What do you want to open? How do you want to help? What is missing? We want to connect ideas with people who can make them happen. We'll bring business…
Find out more »Introduction to Government Contracting
Did you know that over $9.2 billion in government contracts were awarded in Montana over the last 12 months (80,775 prime awards)? That doesn't include State and Local contracts. Governmental agencies buy everything from nuts (the nutritional kind) to bolts and any type of service you can name. If you want to check into how your business can get a "piece of the pie", join Lillian Sunwall, Vice President, Business Strategist, and Certified Procurement Professional at Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA)…
Find out more »March 2020
Profit Mastery
In our hands-on Profit Mastery workshops you'll learn to understand your financials, learn how to manage your business to increase profitability, and strengthen your relationship with your lender. Discover how to actively manage YOUR business and accomplish YOUR goals. Alongside other business owners and managers, you will analyze real-world business problems and uncover how to: Overcome common business problems Understand your financial position Use tools to take active control of your finances Make effective pricing decisions Evaluate and manage cost…
Find out more »Recruitment Roundtable
This Recruitment Roundtable is open to all private sector recruiters and HR personnel who are trying to attract talent from out of town to live and work in Great Falls. If you want to join in a peer-to-peer conversation about best practices, perfecting corporate culture and recruiting out-of-town professionals, please RSVP!
Find out more »Early Stage MT – Tech Startup Presentation
Looking for opportunities that help Golden Triangle area entrepreneurs and tech start-ups succeed? Join us for an introduction to Early Stage MT. Learn how Early Stage MT helps accelerate the growth of Montana-based tech startups by providing master-level training, extensive mentoring by MT's leading business executives, and access to capital investment that drive success, create jobs, and benefit the statewide economy. March 4 at Great Falls College MSU starting with a short presentation at 3 PM followed by opportunities for…
Find out more »Introduction to Government Contracting
id you know that over $9.2 billion in government contracts were awarded in Montana over the last 12 months (80,775 prime awards)? That doesn't include State and Local contracts. Governmental agencies buy everything from nuts (the nutritional kind) to bolts and any type of service you can name. If you want to check into how your business can get a "piece of the pie", join Lillian Sunwall, Vice President, Business Strategist, and Certified Procurement Professional at Great Falls Development Authority…
Find out more »Webinar: 3 Steps to Get Your Business on a Path to Profitable Growth
Entrepreneurs can get trapped in the endless cycle of sell-deliver-sell-deliver, without getting ahead. The urgent need to stay afloat financially leads to ‘strategic moves’ that are a waste of energy, focus, money, and time. Get your business out of the Survival Trap, headed toward its Sweet Spot and on a path toward profitable growth.
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 »Development Coffee
Join GFDA at Skyline, the GFPS Preschool as we chat with fellow and potential investors for monthly Development Coffee
Find out more »Boots to Business
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.
Find out more »Executive Committee Meeting
Our GFDA Executive Committee meeting this Wednesday, March 18, 8:00 AM will be by conference call. Please call 1-605-475-4300, passcode 217793#.
Find out more »POSTPONED – Digital Marketing Strategies Workshop
This has event has been postponed due to COVID-19. Join us for a day with KRose Marketing & Consulting where we will be talking about design, content crea-tion, digital marketing, and social media management for Facebook, Instagram, e-mail marketing and web-sites. To check out more of the services they offer please visit https://krosemarketing.com/. Karoline Rose is passionate about helping small business owners define and achieve their individual version of success. This looks different for each person, but for Karoline, success…
Find out more »Virtual Meetup: Downtown Great Falls
Presented in partnership with the Downtown Great Falls Association and the Business Improvement District, this virtual meetup is a peer-to-peer discussion on adaptations downtown businesses have made in response to COVID-19, and how your downtown resource partners can continue to support you. Registration required for Zoom meeting information.
Find out more »GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
Our GFDA Executive Committee will hold a special meeting this Thursday, March 26, 9:00 AM will be by ZOOM video or call in. Here are the Zoom instructions: Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/607562208?pwd=Rm1HdzV1ZDVhMklRdDh1QS9zWTExQT09 Meeting ID: 607 562 208 Password: 089859 One tap mobile +13462487799,,607562208# US (Houston) +16699009128,,607562208# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US +1…
Find out more »Virtual Meetup: Resource Partners
A peer-to-peer discussion designed for partners who provide assistance to entrepreneurs across the Golden Triangle. We will discuss what you're hearing are the needs of local businesses, and how we can work together to respond appropriately and successfully to the COVID-19 crisis. Registration required for Zoom meeting information.
Find out more »POSTPONED – The Fire Within
This has event has been postponed due to COVID-19. Read the announcement here. Each year Embark Credit Union and the Great Falls Development Authority honor exemplary women in business.
Find out more »Webinar: Marketing, Communication & Sales During the COVID-19 Crisis
In this brief, 30-minute webinar we are hoping to give business owners some guidance on marketing, communcation and sales during the COVID-19 crisis. Evaluating a companies human and fixed assets and then being creative in how to utilize them in an alternative way will be discussed. Focus will be given to innovating by solving customer-facing problems
Find out more »Virtual Meetup – Supply Chain Disruption
Concerns about Supply Chain Disruption? Join other businesses for a Supply Chain Disruption Virtual Meet Up, Tuesday, March 31, 2 PM; register here. We want to hear from businesses across the Golden Triangle whose supply chain has been disrupted and what you're doing about it. We'd like to hear from you in advance. Contact Barnett at Barnett@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Find out more »Department of Labor & Industry Call regarding employers and CARES ACT
Today, there will be an informative call for employers regarding COVID-19 questions about the CARES Act, Unemployment Insurance and Wage & Hour Law. The call is TODAY, Tuesday, March 31st from 2pm – 3pm. Join the ZOOM meeting at https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/556962694 Meeting ID: 556 962 694 OR Dial by Telephone at 1-406-444-9999 or 1-646-558-8656 Meeting ID: 556 962 694
Find out more »April 2020
GFDA Board Meeting
In observance of social distancing guidelines, this board meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Topic: GFDA Board Meeting Time: Apr 2, 2020 08:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/661173242?pwd=VzhNT2UyNjhoN1hIWjZxeTBXUlo3UT09 Meeting ID: 661 173 242 Password: 069789 One tap mobile +13462487799,,661173242# US (Houston) +16699009128,,661173242# US (San Jose) Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646…
Find out more »Webinar: Using Opportunity Zones to Start or Grow Your Business
In this webinar, Special Assistant to the President, Ben Hobbs will discuss what Opportunity Zones are, how simple it is for investors and entrepreneurs to create funds, and the tax incentives of investing in businesses in qualifying zones. Opportunity Zones were created as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to help stimulate long-term, private sector investment into economic activity in all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Governor Steve Bullock designated 25 Opportunity Zones in metropolitan and…
Find out more »Virtual Meetup – Resource Partners
Do you provide technical assistance to entrepreneurs across the Golden Triangle? We're holding another Resource Partner Meet Up on Thursday, April 2, 2 PM; register here. This Zoom meet up is for our resource partners across the Golden Triangle who provide assistance to entrepreneurs to share knowledge and best practices.
Find out more »Development Coffee
Join GFDA virtually as we chat with fellow and potential investors for monthly Development Coffee. Topic: GFDA Development Coffee Time: Apr 3, 2020 07:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/943572267?pwd=Q0JrUEVSaTF1dmNZSm9NK2tSU2FnZz09 Meeting ID: 943 572 267 Password: 033540 Use your computer audio or call one of these two numbers: Dial: 1-669-900-9128 Meeting ID: 943572267# OR Dial: 1-346-248-7799 Meeting ID: 943572267#
Find out more »QuickBooks
This is a 2-hour online workshop. The presentation will use slides from QuickBooks Desktop, but the concepts and menu options will also apply to the QuickBooks Online platform. For those new to bookkeeping and experienced folks alike! This QuickBooks 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? QuickBooks Pro Advisor Wendy Weissman, owner of Wendy J Weissman, CPA PC in Great Falls, will take…
Find out more »Webinar – Prepare for Government Contracting During COVID-19
In this brief, 30-minute webinar we are hoping to give business owners guidance on how to prepare to do business with government agencies during the COVID-19/coronavirus crisis. Topics will focus primarily on the federal government, but we'll also touch on state and local procedures and opportunities. Our goal is to get business not currently set up into the appropriate systems and then search for solicitations.
Find out more »Virtual Meetup – Small Businesses
Share with and learn from other small businesses at a Small Business Virtual Meet Up, Wednesday, April 1, 2 PM; register here.This is a peer to peer discussion for small businesses across the Golden Triangle. Our business situation is changing daily. What is of most concern to your business right now and for your continued operations. We'll have Coaches on the line and encourage you to submit questions in advance to Jolene at JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Find out more »The LaunchPoint: A Pre-Business Course
This month, The LaunchPoint will be offered digitally in response to COVID-19 guidelines for social distancing. 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…
Find out more »Webinar: Business Resiliency Guide
In this brief, 30-minute webinar we will provide business owners possible ways to make your business tougher and may enable it to recover more quickly, including: Staffing problems Incentives for customers to not cancel jobs, or services “Shoe leather” marketing Customer referral/loyalty programs Online freelancing options Strategic, and informal partnerships with your competitors Digital product creating Guerrilla marketing Selling non essential assets Beating your customer’s expectations
Find out more »Evolving Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements
If your company plans to do business with the government, cybersecurity plans are now required for compliance. This three hour workshop with nationally recognized presenter, Adam Austin, will step companies through the process of getting compliant with cybersecurity requirements. Description: Adam Austin, Cybersecurity Lead at Totem.Tech--a small business DoD prime contractor--will lead a workshop on the evolving cybersecurity requirements for Federal government contractors. The workshop will focus on the two "complimentary and concurrent" DoD cybersecurity compliance frameworks: the DoD 800-171…
Find out more »May 2020
Development Coffee
GFDA investors, developers and business people throughout the Golden Triangle, we want your experienced input. How can we recover as quickly as possible and get back to growth and diversification? Time: May 1, 2020 07:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81650354265?pwd=cFo5YWNsK0poRVQ5dit6SnJ0UFZwQT09 Meeting ID: 816 5035 4265 Password: 807700 TOPIC This Development Coffee will focus on: 1) What suggestions do you have for city and county officials to expedite projects that have been delayed by the COVID…
Find out more »Webinar: Reopening Best Practices During COVID-19
In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will provide some of the basics business owners will need to take into account as they reopen their business during the COVID-19 crisis.
Find out more »GFDA Board Meeting
In observance of social distancing guidelines, this board meeting will be conducted via Zoom. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88902131095?pwd=MVJSVXZkNEt0MCtQSzJPMWZhS3pKZz09 Meeting ID: 889 0213 1095 Password: 317117 For best audio, we recommend using your computer, but if you need to dial by phone: +16699009128,,88902131095#,,1#,317117# US
Find out more »Webinar: Reopening Best Practices During COVID-19
In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will provide some of the basics business owners will need to take into account as they reopen their business during the COVID-19 crisis.
Find out more »Investor Zoom with Sen. Tester to discuss COVID Economic Recovery
GFDA Investors are invited join Senator Tester for a Zoom call to discuss COVID-19 economic recovery.
Find out more »The LaunchPoint
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 »Investor Zoom with Sen. Daines to discuss COVID Economic Recovery
GFDA Investors are invited join Senator Daines for a Zoom call to discuss COVID-19 economic recovery.
Find out more »Webinar: Protecting Your Business From Liability During Reopening
In this brief 30-minute webinar, we will step business owners through the liability concerns when reopening following the COVID-19 shutdown. Employment and labor law attorney with Church, Harris, Johnson, Williams P.C. in Great Falls, Bobbi Berkhof, will inform entrepreneurs why following local, state, and federal recommendations may help protect the business from lawsuits potentially stemming from employees and customers.
Find out more »