| 1) Construction season is ramping up for 2026 to be a historic year for housing production in Great Falls. 4 sites are already preparing or beginning construction with 4 more in predevelopment eyeing 2026 construction starts. Lets get your project to the next stage, reach out to Jake Clark 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org 2) The GFDA Loan Committee approved a $200,000 gap loan in partnership with a local lender to help a business purchase the building it operates in, creating stability and long-term equity. Projects like this strengthen our local economy by supporting small business sustainability and reinvestment in Great Falls. If you think renting may be costing more than owning, it’s time to explore your options, contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org 3) Population in the Great Falls MSA (Cascade County) grew by 361 in the last year (July 1, 2024-July 1, 2025), according to the U.S. Census. Our net migration was an increase of 433. Over five years, net migration was a positive 1,109. 4) We executed a purchase agreement with Ponderosa Solutions for lot 7 in the Great Falls AgriTech Park for the company’s future growth. We submitted a tax increment financing application to the City of Great Falls to enable the construction of road, water and sewer infrastructure that will open up lots 7-10 in the industrial park. 5) March 31 is last chance to nominate a female entrepreneur for the Fire Within. Click here to nominate a woman business owner. While you’re at it you should get registered to attend the event that is on April 16 from 5-8 PM. 6) Three new businesses have recently opened in the region—two in Cut Bank and one in Conrad. Front and Main, a clothing boutique, is now open in Conrad see Pioneer Press News article here. In Cut Bank, Arkaidy’s Fresh Kitchen and MT IV have both opened at the Marketplace on Main. Congratulations to these entrepreneurs for investing in their communities and contributing to local economic growth. 7) GFDA has two great career opportunities — Downtown Great Falls Business Development Officer and Small Business Advisor. Downland description and how to apply. Please forward to great candidates! 8) Congratulations to Tribal Legends Healthcare LLC on successfully obtaining their Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set-aside certification from the Small Business Administration (SBA) on their first submission. This is an impressive achievement that strengthens their competitive position and expands access to federal contracting opportunities. Building on this success, the company has already secured its first contract with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, marking an important step forward in their growth and momentum in the government marketplace. Fonda Redfox shared, “I sincerely appreciate Great Falls APEX for their invaluable support and guidance throughout my certification journey. Their assistance in helping me obtain my Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) certification has been instrumental for my business, and I am truly grateful for their expertise and dedication. Their continued support has provided me with the tools and confidence needed to grow and strengthen my business.” This accomplishment reflects both the impact of certification and the power of continued support in helping businesses turn opportunity into contract wins. To learn if your business is eligible for SBA set-aside certifications, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184. 9) GFDA celebrates the successful payoff of a $712,900 loan to 46th Street LLC (Upslope Group LLC), supporting the development of Meadowview Village, a single-family home community in Great Falls. This project represents a significant step forward in addressing our housing shortage and expanding homeownership opportunities. Developments like this are creating more opportunities for workforce housing, helping families build equity, benefit from home appreciation, and gain long-term control of their housing costs. As these funds are repaid, they are reinvested into new projects, allowing GFDA to continue advancing housing solutions in our community. If you are working on a housing project and need gap or bridge financing, contact Jake Clark at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org. 10) The City of Great Falls released Draft 2.0 of the new growth policy. 11) GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center supported the Governor’s office preparing for the 3rd Summit on Local Food and Agriculture. Trade organizations, political officials, producers, and business owners gathered to discuss current barriers and successes that affect Montana’s ability to access food grown in-state. Montana produces world-class wheat, pulse, and animal products that are primarily exported out of state. GFDA’s Food, Ag, and Bio Processing Business Development Officer is networking with regional food processors making Montana-grown products – reach out to Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1301 to discuss opportunities for developing your business. 12) USAF is hosting Sentinel Town Halls this week: March 31st in Lewistown, April 1st in Conrad, and April 2 in Great Falls. 13) Our second Data Center Task Force meeting is on Monday, March 30th from 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. 14) The Montana Dinosaur Center in Bynum has expanded with new exhibits; see KRTV. Northern Montana Health Care broke ground on expansion of their emergency room and intensive care facilities in Havre; see Havre Daily News. River & Range Bistro plans to open in Great Falls May 1st; see KRTV and TheElectric’s Business Bites. 15) Kristen furthered progress with three companies this week interested in energy projects in North Central Montana. Businesses seek clear regulatory and permitting processes for new energy investment, and the Montana Energy and Technology Interim Committee is addressing what Montana’s energy policies may look like moving forward. Energy opportunities are moving at the speed of light right now. To connect on energy initiatives, generation, storage, transmission, or distribution, contact Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989. 16) Jake was invited to join a housing experts panel for a community conversation in White Sulphur Springs, Montana. The small, rural communities in our region are challenged to recruit new housing production to meet workforce demand. What projects are your community trying to recruit? Reach out to Jake Clark 1-406-403-4937. 17) Power is building for an energetic event 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. Keynote speakers and an industry panel will tackle the real challenges facing Montana while outlining the strategies and investments needed to keep the state competitive, resilient, and ready for growth. The evening includes networking, a buffet dinner, and information from businesses actively driving energy development. Advance registration is required, please reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 for more information. 18) The Central Montana Defense Coalition is a coordinated effort led by business and community partners to support and advance the defense missions in our region. Thank you to the members for your commitment to this work. Your investment allows us to advocate for mission needs, strengthen relationships, and stay positioned for future opportunities. Recent investments include: Minuteman Division—Northrop Grumman; Peacekeeper Division—Central Plumbing, Heating & Excavation. This support helps sustain jobs, support businesses, and strengthen our regional economy. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to become a founding member and join the Coalition. 19) Our first River Activation Task Force meeting has been re-scheduled! The meeting will now be held on Thursday, April 23 from 5:00-6:30 PM at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center’s large conference room. Together, we’ll begin brainstorming ways to activate the Missouri and Sun Rivers through private investment, commercial development, and river-oriented businesses that grow tourism, recreation, and entertainment opportunities in Great Falls. Light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free. If you plan to attend, please register here. With any questions, contact Shauni Seccombe at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org. 20) Are you visible to the government customer and positioned to compete in the government marketplace? Great Falls Regional APEX is working with businesses across the region to increase their visibility and strengthen their competitiveness where it matters most. The State of Montana purchases millions of dollars in goods and services each year, creating real opportunities for businesses ready to pursue state contracts. Registering as a vendor with the State of Montana ensures your business is visible to key decision-makers and streamlines your search for contracts by delivering relevant opportunities directly to your inbox. If you’re ready to increase your visibility, better align your capabilities with government customers, and compete more strategically for contracts, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184. 21) The Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Alternative Energy Revolving Loan Program (AERLP) applications open April 1. 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. 22) The Montana Department of Commerce has awarded $100,000 in Tribal Tourism Grant funding to support and strengthen tourism-driven economic development for two tribal partners in our region. The Blackfeet Nation will receive $50,000 to enhance tribally owned campgrounds across multiple sites, while the Fort Belknap Indian Community will receive $50,000 to improve accessibility, repairs, and upgrades at the Milk River Indian Days arbor. Congratulations! 23) GFDA Senior Lending Associate Lisa Andis earned her Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification, a nationally recognized credential demonstrating expertise in business financing and economic development tools. This achievement strengthens GFDA’s ability to structure creative financing solutions, support local businesses, and partner effectively with lenders across our region. If you’re working on a project and need flexible, expert financing support, contact our GFDA team to get started. 24) Lucid Economics has asked Jolene Schalper to present two sessions in a seminar series for Economic Development Australia (EDA) and Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA). The two virtual training sessions will be on Business Retention and Expansion in Regional Areas and the second on Encouraging Entrepreneurship in Regional Areas. 25) Brett networked with possible new loan capital sources at the National Community Investment Conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Board. Conference sessions included creative methods to finance housing production and small business start-up and growth, catalyzing investment in rural and tribal areas, municipal initiatives to attract community investment, leveraging Opportunity Zones to attract investment, and CDFI/bank partnering. 26) Do you want to make a real difference in your community and see the results? You will fit right in with our investors and partners. Their support allows us to keep projects advancing, take on new opportunities, and deliver services that drive growth across the region. This team focuses on action and results you can point to. They are shaping a place people want to live, work, and play. Watch this short video to see who is making it happen, then join them! Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn more. Things are heating up on the business front for a great spring! “Long term success is a direct result of what you achieve every day. Goals provide your daily routine.” Rick Pitino Edition 730 |
