Announcing the new owners of Montana River Outfitters, Matt Turner and Sasja Fenimore! Founded in 1977, Montana River Outfitters continues its legacy of offering float trips, fishing trips, rental gear and delivery, as well as guided tours of the White Cliffs, to locals and visitors alike.
This was international Economic Development Week and wow did we have busy days!
1) We are excited to announce the new owners of Montana River Outfitters: Matt Turner and Sasja Fenimore! Founded in 1977 by Craig Madsen, Montana River Outfitters continues its legacy under their leadership with a newly launched website and easy online booking system. Guests can reserve single-day and multi-day scenic floats and fishing trips on the Blackfoot, Clark Fork, and Missouri Rivers, including guided tours of the White Cliffs. They also offer boat and gear rentals with delivery service in Great Falls and surrounding areas, including for Smith River floaters. Book your next adventure at www.montanariveroutfitters.com or email reservations@montanariveroutfitters.com.
2) Jolene, Jake, and Cascade County Commissioner Joe Briggs partnered with the Montana Department of Commerce, local economic developers from Montana, and the Montana World Trade Center to network and meet with international businesses looking to invest in the United States at the Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, DC. This year we connected with leads in advanced manufacturing, food processing, and more. Advantages of the Great Falls region that businesses highlighted include cost of living, outdoor recreation opportunities for employees, opportunity in food, ag, and bio processing, energy, manufacturing, and business friendly environment.
3) GFDA is excited to announce $58,305 in funding through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund, in partnership with Stockman Bank. This investment will support our work to increase rental and homeownership production at all price levels to provide adequate housing to meet market demand and keep our housing market affordable. Thank you to FHLB and Stockman Bank for your support!
4) Cottonwood Health care plans to invest $6 million to redevelop the former Ivy nursing home into Sun River Health and Rehab; see TheElectric’s Business Bites. The Electric’s intrepid founder also reports that Discount Tire has opened its Great Falls store on 10th Avenue South. A dozen businesses in our region won Tribal Tourism Small Business Grants from the Montana Department of Commerce. Congratulations!
5) I serve on the Montana Infrastructure Board of Directors, and I wanted to make sure you were aware of the Infrastructure Summit taking place May 20-21st in Billings. This summit will cover Montana infrastructure wins, the federal infrastructure funding landscape, a review of Montana’s infrastructure needs, and how the state could invest in the future to close the gaps. I have attached the full agenda, and you can register here: https://mtinfrastructure.org/events/.
6) Annie Olson, owner of Badger Track Customs in Choteau, reports that she increased her revenue by 47% after participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program; see Choteau Acantha. The deadline to apply for the next free cohort is May 18th. Locally, the program is hosted by Great Falls College. Jill is one of the advisors and would be happy to answer any questions you may have about the program JKohles@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1056.
7) Christian Leinhauser, and Ed Brown, President of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, represented the Central Montana Defense Coalition at the Strategic Deterrent Coalition symposium in Washington, D.C., where discussions with defense industry leaders and senior military officials centered on nuclear deterrence modernization, national security priorities, and emerging opportunities across the defense sector. The event provided valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships, exchange insights with top military and industry professionals, and elevate awareness of Central Montana’s workforce, strategic assets, and long-term potential for defense-related investment and collaboration. To learn more about the efforts related to the Central Montana Defense Coalition, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136.
8) We sponsored the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post Sentinel Industry Day, bringing together military, government, and industry leaders that shared updates on the Sentinel project and future defense infrastructure opportunities. Our Great Falls Regional APEX connected with businesses and community partners to expand awareness of government contracting and strengthen engagement with the defense sector. If you’re looking to position your business for upcoming Sentinel contracting opportunities, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184.
9) The Great Falls City Commission unanimously approved the Downtown Development Partnership’s request for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds that support the Downtown Business Development Officer position and other projects in Downtown Great Falls. The Downtown Business Development Officer is a GFDA team member funded in partnership with the City of Great Falls, the Downtown Development Partnership, the Business Improvement District, and GFDA. We are currently hiring for this key position for Downtown Great Falls revitalization, apply today!
10) The Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) invites you to attend an upcoming open house for the Central Montana Transportation Study. This study is being developed to help create a long-term management plan addressing anticipated impacts from planned development and military activities in the region. The study focuses on infrastructure resiliency in the Great Falls and Lewistown areas, as well as MDT routes within nine counties: Cascade, Chouteau, Fergus, Judith Basin, Lewis and Clark, Pondera, Teton, Toole, and Wheatland. Lewistown Civic Center, May 19th 4:00-6:00 PM. Great Falls Civic Center, May 20th 4:00-6:00 PM. If you are unable to attend in person, MDT is offering a virtual open house option.
11) Brett participated in the National Security Forum at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB along with 86 other civilian community leaders from across the country. Thank you to Col. Dan Voorhies, Commander of the 341st Missile at Malmstrom AFB, for nominating me to be part of this amazing event.
12) SBA 504 rates remain an excellent option for businesses looking for long-term, fixed-rate financing. May 2026 effective rates are approximately 5.952% fixed for 25 years, 6.013% fixed for 20 years, and 5.876% fixed for 10 years, including program fees. Refinance projects are also eligible with effective rates of approximately 5.955% fixed for 25 years and 6.016% fixed for 20 years. SBA 504 loans offer fixed-for-life rates with as little as 10% down, helping businesses preserve working capital while investing in commercial real estate, construction, or equipment. Contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 406-590-1056 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn more.
13) Our Great Falls Regional APEX and the 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base (MAFB) have teamed up to host the “Do Business with Malmstrom AFB” Half-Industry Day event on May 12, connecting regional businesses directly with Malmstrom contracting teams and contracting officers. The event will highlight opportunities across infrastructure, services, and Government Purchase Card (GPC) flights while helping businesses learn how to compete for upcoming work and navigate the federal contracting process. To prepare your business for opportunities at Malmstrom AFB, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184. Register here.
14) The GFDA SBDC team traveled to Browning this week to deliver a leadership workshop for Siyeh Corporation, which manages and operates several tribally owned business entities on the Blackfeet Reservation. The workshop focused on leadership communication, team development, and goal setting, providing practical tools to help participants strengthen workplace leadership.
15) The Upslope Group is officially breaking ground on Meadowview Village, and we’d like you there! The event will be held at the project site: 1 46th Street S in Great Falls at 1:00PM Tuesday, May 12th. Meadowview Village is a 163-home community designed to bring new, attainable, single-family homeownership to Great Falls. The groundbreaking will be a short (30 minutes), focused event with project partners, community leaders, and local stakeholders. Interested in following the project or exploring a future home in the community? Join the interest list, or register to attend the groundbreaking!
16) Congratulations to BHE Montana on joining the Western Energy Imbalance (WEIM) market. WEIM is a proven tool to help bring affordable and reliable energy to Montana and the region. Since 2021, WEIM has saved Montana energy customers over $200 million. Participating in WEIM provides BHE Montana with the ability to coordinate and operate its assets and services for the benefit of its customers and to support the continued economic growth of Montana and the greater Rocky Mountain region.
17) Kristen worked with a regional energy generator to discuss options for expansion. Energy projects take time to develop, today is the best day to start discussing generation, transmission, and storage project potential in the region. With abundant natural resources and $11.5 billion in wind development potential, North Central Montana is the place to start projects spinning. Contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn more.
18) Our third data center task force meeting will feature an expert engineering speaker from Cushing Terrell. Please RSVP, we look forward to seeing you on Monday, May 18th from 5 – 6:30 PM at Great Falls College MSU. Reach out to Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org with any questions.
19) Central Montana Tourism has officially launched Exploration: Central Montana, a free, self-paced online ambassador training program designed to equip front-line staff and community members to better welcome and guide visitors throughout the region by answering questions like, “What should we do here?” With Central Montana welcoming approximately 2.8 million visitors in 2025 and generating an estimated $370 million in non-resident spending, these everyday interactions play a vital role in shaping how travelers experience our communities and inspiring them to return. Enroll for free here.
20) Jenn attended the Association of Fundraising Professionals Annual Conference as part of GFDA’s investment in professional development and fundraising capacity. The conference provided training, peer networking, and national best practices. Information gained through the conference will help strengthen GFDA’s long term resource development efforts.
21) Join GFDA Board and Council members, partners, clients, and investors for our Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 2 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM at The Newberry. We will share updates from across the region, talk about projects moving forward, and recognize this year’s Ally Award recipients for the role they played in helping make progress happen. To register or learn more, follow this link or contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
22) MSU Extension is hosting a Montana Rural Summit on June 10th in Townsend. The event is a celebration of rural Montana and an opportunity to explore innovative and effective ways to support the success of our small towns.
23) Keeping defense missions active requires more than location, it requires coordination and advocacy. That is why the Central Montana Defense Coalition was formed. The missions at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard support jobs and drive economic activity across the region. Competing for future investment means staying organized and engaged. This work depends on investor support. Thank you to those who are part of it. If you want to join, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
24) GFDA has three great career opportunities — Downtown Great Falls Business Development Officer, Small Business Advisor and Government Contracting Advisor. Download description and how to apply. Please forward to great candidates!
25) Business growth impacts the whole community. Jobs increase, local businesses see more customers, and communities gain more restaurants, recreation, and entertainment options. GFDA works to support that momentum by helping businesses access resources, solve challenges, and continue growing in North Central Montana. We are able to make this happen because of our investors and public partners. Learn more in this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—Stockman Bank; Leadership Division—Montana Credit Union; Pacesetter Division—Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana. If you’d like to support our work, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
Chris Grosser
Edition 736
