Fourteen people joined us this week for our monthly Boost Your Business training, led by Jolene Schalper. She shared practical ways to use the StoryBrand framework to clarify and strengthen your business message. The training series continues in April with a session focused on how to start building your succession plan. Click here more information and to register. Thank you to the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce for their partnership in planning and hosting the
Boost Your Business training series!
| 1) GFDA closed a bridge loan for $347,780 to the Stadium Club Apartments for their brand new 12-plex apartment complex located at 2501 8th Ave North in Great Falls. The property includes 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom energy-efficient units that are now available for occupancy. A special thank you to our bank partner, Jon Boutilier of Stockman Bank, for their invaluable support in making this high-impact project possible. If you have a project that could benefit from the right financing to move forward, please connect with Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your options. 2) The Montana Department of Commerce announced that GFDA has been awarded $65,000 in grant funding through the ORE Economic Development Organization Capacity Building Grant Program. GFDA will use the funds for marketing to rural businesses, destination workshops and hosting economic development events, strengthening our ability to reach under-served rural businesses, facilitating loan applications, and delivering technical assistance that advances economic development in our region. 3) The Upslope Group just released updated details and a new video preview of Meadowview Village, a 163-home community planned within Great Falls. Along with that, they have officially opened the interest list for prospective buyers. With a groundbreaking coming up next month, this is the most complete look at the project so far and the first opportunity for local residents to get early access. 4) Congratulations to Showdown – you’re looking good for 90! Montana’s Oldest continuously operating ski hill that keeps us all outside all winter long celebrates it’s 90th anniversary. Click here to read the story. 5) We’re proud to celebrate Native Life’s successful payoff of their GFDA loan, marking a major milestone in their business journey. GFDA financing supported the startup of this retail store, which offers specialized products tailored to their Native community, helping bring a unique and needed business to our region. Their full repayment allows those funds to be reinvested into new projects that continue to strengthen our regional economy. If your business is ready to grow with flexible, gap financing solutions, contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org. 6) Get ready for an energetic evening in the Electric City! Join the Great Falls Development Alliance and the Montana Energy Business Alliance on Monday, April 13th at the Newberry from 5:00 – 8:00 pm for an event focused on energy issues and opportunities in Montana. Expert keynote speakers and panelists will share thoughts on challenges and ideas required to keep Montana attractive for energy investment. Advance registration is required, please reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 for more information. 7) The second Data Center Task Force meeting will be on Monday, March 30thfrom 5: 00 – 6:30 pm at the Springhill Suites in Great Falls, registration is available here. We will hear from Rob Worden, President and CEO of Vision Net. Vision Net delivers innovative and reliable communications technology solutions that enable their customers to securely access, store, process, and back up vital information. Hear about Vision Net’s existing data centers and learn about their ideas for the future of data centers. 8) The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP)applications open April 1, 2026. The AELRP provides low interest loans to increase investments in alternative energy systems and energy conservation measures in Montana. Business entities in North Central Montana receive application scoring advantages. For more information or help with the application, contact Meranda Bass at msikes@mt.gov or 1-406-444-6586. 9) The Montana Trails, Recreation & Parks Association Annual Conference will be held March 30–April 2, 2026 in Missoula and will offer valuable opportunities for businesses connected to tourism and recreation. Centered on the theme “Celebrate the Treasure State,” the conference will deliver cutting-edge insights on adapting to evolving trends in Montana while strengthening assets that drive visitor experiences and support local economies. Attendees will gain practical strategies to enhance outdoor spaces and programs, including tools to improve visitor experience through customer software, surveys, and data management. To register and learn more, visit https://mtrpa.info/annual-conference/. 10) Great Falls Regional APEX is helping businesses prepare for wild land fire contracting opportunities through the U.S. Forest Service’s Virtual Incident Procurement (VIPR) system. With fire season approaching, now is the time to take action. Businesses providing equipment, supplies, and services such as trucking, heavy equipment, catering, and sanitation have the opportunity to support fire response efforts while growing their business but must be registered and prepared to compete when solicitations are released. Great Falls Regional APEX can help you navigate VIPR and prepare to compete for upcoming opportunities. To get started, contact Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174. 11) GFDA advanced another business attraction opportunity this week by submitting a detailed Request for Information (RFI) response for a company exploring expansion into Montana, building on connections initiated through SHOT Show outreach. The project reflects continued momentum from national engagement efforts, with tailored information provided to highlight regional assets, workforce strengths, and site readiness aligned with the company’s needs. Each RFI strengthens Great Falls’ visibility as a competitive location and reinforces relationships that can lead to future investment and job creation. Learn more about current attraction efforts or share potential leads by connecting with Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136. 12) The Montana Food Hub held its annual meeting at its new headquarters, the Fresh Rescue Kitchen in Great Falls. They are seeking fresh food and value added producer members to sell retail and wholesale products through the co-op. Learn more about the Montana Food Hub and becoming a member by contacting MontanaFoodHub@gmail.com or joining the Facebook group. 13) The Montana Department of Agriculture convened its selection committee to name the 2026 Growth Through Agriculture fund recipients. GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center director Sara Niccum attended the meeting in Helena to support applicants from the Great Falls region and to network with Department of Ag staff and committee members. This flagship program of the Department offers grants up to $50,000 and loans up to $100,000 to projects that boost development in under-served areas, have a broad impact on Montana’s ag economy, or need financial support to reach the next phase of business. The next round of pre-application is expected to open this fall. Reach out to Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-590-1301 to discuss an application for your agriculture project. 14) The Central Montana Defense Coalition supports the missions that drive our regional economy. Sustaining them and securing future investment requires coordination and local commitment. Defense funding is competitive, and communities that are organized and engaged are more likely to succeed. The Coalition brings business and community leaders together to support mission needs and keep our region competitive. We thank the following founding members who stepped up to fund and support this effort for their recent investment: Minuteman Division—Cascade County; Titan Division—Brett Harris Insurance Agency. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how you can become a founding member. 15) When companies grow, they expand employment, increase income, and deepen supply chains. The added activity supports new restaurants, recreation, and cultural venues that improve quality of life and help retain talent. This doesn’t happen on its own. Our ability to support business growth comes from the investors and partners who back this work. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Community Division—Brett Harris Insurance Agency and Geranios Enterprises, Inc. If you’d like to learn how you can support our communities’ progress, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 16) Renters in Great Falls saw apartment listing prices increase 6% from February 2025’s median while rental rates are still 15% below the Montana state median and 25% below the national median rental prices. Check out the article in the Great Falls Tribune. This data shows strong rental rates for developers and the continued affordability of the Great Falls housing market versus peer markets in Montana and nationwide. Time to get your project to the next stage, reach out to Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org. Thank you for working with us to build an amazing future here in the Great Falls region of North Central Montana! “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (unless you’re in the wilderness then – leave no trace) Edition 729 |
