Grow Great Falls Montana

OFFICE CLOSED: Staff Holiday
2024-12-25, 2024-12-24, 2024-11-29, 2024-11-28

Take Action! Move Beyond SAM! (Virtual Training)
2024-12-18 11:30 - 13:00 UTC
To Register CLICK HERE!
Please join the Montana APEX for a high-level VIRTUAL training on how the federal government and State of Montana purchases products and services.
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
2024-12-18 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 12-18-24 REVISED
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

Tuesday Training: It's in the Bag - Business & Ag Together
2024-12-10 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Denver)
Farms are businesses and can benefit from the same business planning, financial projecting, and market analysis as any other small business.
Join GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) as Regional Director, Deb McGregor discusses the “BAG” of resources and assistance available to farmers and value-added ag processors.
To Register, CLICK HERE!

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing: Guiding Behavior Change
2024-12-09 - 2024-12-10
Motivational Interviewing is the #1 researched and most effective method for helping people make changes. Nicotine Cessation, medical, social services, education, probation, counseling, and even dental fields all use Motivational Interviewing. This event will teach you what Motivational Interviewing is and how you can effectively use it in your workplace or practice.
CEU certificate available if attending both days.
To Learn More or Register, CLICK HERE!

Small Business Webinar Series: How to successfully navigate the business loan process.
2024-12-05 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
Join Erin Townsend, Bravera Business Banking Officer, for an engaging webinar on how to successfully navigate the business loan process. Erin will walk you through the essential steps to become a strong loan candidate and find the right lender.
Whether you’re a startup or an established business looking to expand, this session will provide practical tips on building strong lender relationships and addressing potential challenges. Take advantage of this opportunity to streamline your journey to securing the financing your business needs!
CLICK HERE to Register!

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2024-12-05 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 12-5-24
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

Let's Get Prepped: VAPG Webinar
2024-12-04 11:30 - 12:00 (America/Denver)
Interested in applying for funding for value-added agriculture? Join us as we discuss how to get ready for 2025 cycle.

SAM Registration
eAuthentication Requirements
Application Cycle Overview

CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

Tuesday Training: How to License Your New Meat Processing Business
2024-11-26 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Denver)
Have you been thinking about starting your own meat processing business? Are you an existing custom-exempt meat processor wanting to expand your market? Have you ever been curious about the difference between different levels of meat processing licensing?
If so, join GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center and Alicia Love, Bureau Chief of the Meat, Milk, and Egg Inspection Bureau of the Montana Department of Livestock as she explains the different types of licenses for meat processors.
To Register or Learn More, CLICK HERE!

1st Annual Entrepreneur Celebration
2024-11-20 17:00 - 18:00 (America/Denver)
GFDAEntrepreneurCelebrationInvite
Have you started a business in the Great Falls region? We want to celebrate YOU!
Starting a business is not easy. Join us for GFDA’s first annual Entrepreneur Celebration at the Newberry on November 20th from 5-6PM and be recognized for your awesome achievement.
This first celebration is for anyone who has ever started a business in our 13-county trade area: Blaine, Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Meagher, Pondera, Teton or Toole County.
Please REGISTER HERE if you can join us.
RECOGNIZE an Entrepreneur in North Central Montana HERE!

MT APEX Virtual - Take Action! Move Beyond SAM!
2024-11-20 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Please join the Montana APEX for a high-level VIRTUAL training on how the federal government and State of Montana purchases products and services.
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

Join us if you are interested in developing a focused market strategy for the government segment.
To Register or Learn More, CLICK HERE!

GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2024-11-20 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Exec Agenda 11-20-24
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

ADU Public Information Forum with Brock Cherry
2024-11-14 09:00 - 10:15 (America/Denver)
The Great Falls Association of Realtors, in partnership with the Great Falls Development Alliance and the City of Great Falls, will host this public forum to provide essential information about Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and the implementation of Montana Code Annotated 76-2-345. Whether you’re a realtor, homeowner, builder, developer, or curious community member, this event is designed to offer valuable insights on ADU regulations, financing, and practical steps for moving forward.
To Register or Learn More, CLICK HERE!

Elevate and Manage Your Business Digital Footprint
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Is your business struggling with its digital presence? Join the Small Business Development Center as we share how to navigate the digital landscape effectively and basic AI (Artificial Intelligence) skills that can help:

Google Business Skills
SEO Success Tips
Facebook for Business
AI marketing Basics

To Register or Learn More, CLICK HERE!

Selling Homemade Food 101: MT Local Food Choice Act
2024-11-13 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
An overview of how to sell homemade food items under the MT Local Food Choice Act- aka SB199- its purpose, regulations, and exemptions.
This session will be led by Associate Professor and MSU Extension Food & Family Extension Specialist, Dr. Brianna Routh.
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

Downtown Great Falls Market Analysis Presentation
2024-11-13 08:30 - 10:30 (America/Denver)
Chris Zahas and Jennifer Shuch with Leland Consulting Group will be presenting the Downtown Great Falls Market Analysis, recommendations and a Q&A. Coffee and networking will start at 8:30am with the presentation from Leland Consulting Group starting at 9am.
Downtown Great Falls has seen significant investment in recent years, cultivating a thriving retail and entertainment scene supported by year-round programming highlighting local artists, craftspeople, and businesses. As Downtown Great Falls continues attracting investment and development, it is not immune from the national trends that are impacting downtown businesses, including increases in remote work and high interest rates and construction costs. Recognizing these challenges, the Great Falls Development Alliance and the Downtown Development Partnership engaged Leland Consulting Group to provide a detailed, data-driven market analysis to quantify underlying market conditions and to identify feasible strategies to keep the momentum of investment going.
We are pleased to release the Downtown Great Falls Market Analysis and Downtown Great Falls Economic Vitality Transformation Strategy.
Thank you to the businesses, property owners, developers and partners who helped with the analysis. A big thank you to the City of Great Falls, Montana Department of Commerce Main Street Program, NeighborWorks Great Falls, and GFDA investors for funding this project.
Click here to register!

Tuesday Training - Beyond Loans & Grants: Tap into Venture Capital for Your Food or Ag Business
2024-11-12 12:00 - 12:30 (America/Denver)
Are you a food or agriculture entrepreneur seeing fresh capital to fuel your growth? Looking for funding other than traditional bank loans and grants? Venture capital might be the answer you’ve been searching for.
Join the Great Falls Development Alliance and Judy Cornell, owner of Conservation Grains, for an exclusive webinar. As a newcomer to the world of investing, Judy recently attended the prestigious Regenerative Food System Investment Forum (RFSI-Forum) in Denver, where she gained invaluable insights into attracting investors and building a resilient business.
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

Small Business Webinar Series: Navigating Stress for Business Owners
2024-11-07 11:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
We all have stress in our lives and business owners often experience unique challenges that increase stress levels. While some stress may be good, too much stress can lead to overwhelm, brain fog, inability to make decisions, irritability and extra frustration. Whether you are just getting started in your business or you are a seasoned professional, join us to understand the impact of stress, identify the “just right” amount of stress and learn practical tips and strategies for navigating stress.
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

GFDA Board & Council Meeting
2024-11-07 08:00 - 10:00 UTC
GFDA Board & Council Agenda 11-7-24
Click HERE for Minutes

SpringHill Suites Meeting Room
421 3rd Street NW; Great Falls, MT 59404
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

Idea to Income: Small Business Start Up Essentials
2024-11-04 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Denver)
Join us for our live, 90-minute 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.
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

Playing Your Bigger Business Game
2024-11-01 15:30 - 17:00 UTC
Deb McGregor, GFDA Small Business Development Center Regional Director, is the guest speaker at Downtown Chicks + Richard on November 1st!
Where are you in your business today and where do you want to be? Inspired by the book, Play Your Bigger Game by Rick Tamlyn, Deb will facilitate working with an interactive game board. Reminiscent of a simple tic-tac-toe, we will explore comfort zones, bold actions, compelling purpose, sustainability and more! Fortune 100 companies, non-profits, churches, organizations and individuals around the world use the Bigger Game philosophy and methodology to find and release the full expression of their purpose and talents.
Why not play YOUR Bigger Game? Join us!
Objectives:

Help business owners identify where they are in their business and where they want to be.
Assist business owners in moving past “stuck”.
Assist business owners in identifying their next “move”.
Help business owners identify and reinforce their skills and talents.
Help business owners identify where they may need to bring on other resources or find collaborations to move forward.

There is no need to register. You just show up.

Special GFDA Executive Committee Meeting
2024-11-01 08:00 - 09:00 (America/Denver)
GFDA Exec Agenda 11-1-24 Special Meeting
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

DOD SkillBridge – Industry Partner Information Session
2024-10-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Each year approximately 200,000 members of the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed in over 140 military installations in the U.S. and overseas, will leave active duty and re-enter the civilian work force or pursue higher education.
Through the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) SkillBridge program, service members have an opportunity to gain necessary employment skills, knowledge, and abilities to hit the ground running as they look for civilian employment. And industry partners benefit from gaining early access to this talented, skilled, and dedicated workforce
Employers craft programs to meet their specific workforce needs, matching those needs to the skills and abilities of highly motivated Service members – all at no cost. The DOD continues to pay the service member’s salary and benefits, for up to 180 days, while they participate in SkillBridge.
Join this New Partner Application Process Information Webinar to learn more about becoming a DOD SkillBridge Authorized Organization!

Buying a Business - Choteau
2024-10-29 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Denver)
Join Small Business Development Center Regional Director Deb McGregor for Buying a Business training in Choteau.
Topics will include:

What are the pros of buying an existing business instead of starting from scratch?
What information do I need from an existing business owner before I should consider moving forward with a purchase?
What are the most important decision drivers in purchasing a business?
How do I know if purchasing a business is the right decision?

To Register or Learn More, CLICK HERE!

MT APEX-Project Spectrum-CMMC and Cybersecurity Resources for DoD Contractors
2024-10-23 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Denver)
Please join the Montana APEX Accelerator and Project Spectrum for a VIRTUAL webinar to learn more about Cybersecurity requirements for Federal Contracting. Project Spectrum is a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) recognized cybersecurity awareness initiative offering resources, training, and tools toward increasing cybersecurity awareness for businesses. The webinar will be an overview of Project Spectrum support and resources & overview cybersecurity requirements.
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More!

Tuesday Training: NCAT's Farmer Market Success Program
2024-10-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver)
Do you want to improve sales at your local Farmer’s Market? Are you inspired to become a vendor at a farmers market? Do you want to learn how to make next year’s Farmer’s Market even better?
If you answered yes, join this Farmer’s Market Vendor Success Webinar presented by GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
If you have any desire to not only sell at next year’s market but also thrive, RSVP today!

Downtown Great Falls Walking Tour
2024-10-16 13:30 - 15:30 (America/Denver)
Join us for a unique walking tour of Downtown Great Falls – see downtown through fresh eyes, identify opportunities for improvement, and brainstorm ways to enhance our appeal.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute your ideas and help shape a more vibrant and welcoming downtown. We believe that even small changes can make a big difference!
CLICK HERE to Register or Learn More.
