Ponderosa Solutions set a new weekly record at its Great Falls AgriTech Park facility. It’s been almost ten years since we celebrated the first locomotive run on the AgriTech Park’s rail line. Eight companies have purchased sites in the Park and we have more under agreement.
| 1) Play ‘N’ Learn Academy in Great Falls was recognized for its apprenticeship program by Governor Gianforte during National Apprenticeship Week; see KRTV. Montana’s apprenticeship efforts keep growing; see NBC Montana. 2) Great Falls College has been awarded a $637,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to support and expand its veterinary technician program, with a focus on increasing access to training and preparing students for in-demand careers in animal care. Read more on KRTV and KFBB. 3) Cascade County Commissioners approved the final plat of Southland Acres, a 100-acre light industrial subdivision located on the South Vaughn Frontage Road that creates five 20-acre parcels zoned I-1 Light Industrial. This marks a significant step forward in expanding site readiness for business growth in the region. The project adds much-needed inventory for companies seeking larger industrial lots, helping address a key barrier for both new and expanding businesses evaluating North Central Montana. GFDA supported the subdivision as part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the region’s competitiveness and ensure that growth-ready sites are available to meet market demand. To learn more about available sites and development opportunities or share your business expansion needs, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136 4) We are proud to sponsor the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) Big Sky Post Sentinel Industry Day on May 7 in Great Falls. This event brings together military, government, and industry leaders to share updates on the Sentinel project and future defense infrastructure opportunities. If you’re interested in preparing to compete for Sentinel contracts, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or at 1-406-590-1184. 5) Our River Activation Task Force kicked off with an engaging first meeting, with nearly 60 ideas shared, 11 specific businesses and targets identified, and 6 direct contacts and connections gathered. This work is positioning us to catalyze new activity and attract private investment along the river. Shauni is reaching out to each lead and target identified and moving action items forward. If you were unable to attend, we have created a simple three question online survey here and welcome your input. With questions, contact Shauni Seccombe at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org. 6) The Board of High Plains Financial, our SBA 504 loan affiliate, approved a $400,000 loan to help a local business owner purchase the building they currently lease, turning a tenant into an owner. Through the SBA 504 loan program, the client is able to secure a lower down payment, preserving working capital for their daily operations. This financing option also provides the added benefit of low interest rates that are fixed for up to 25 years. If your business is ready to grow and explore expansion opportunities, please contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your options. 7) Two new housing project leads ths week targeting Great Falls locations! We are getting more players on the field! Time for you to get in the game with your project? Reach out to Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 8) Congratulations to Great Falls College on their partnership with the Berkshire Hathaway Energy Foundation to create a Grid Operator Training Program. This is a workforce aligned, industry driven training initiative designed to prepare individuals for high demand careers in electric grid operations. The program is being developed in alignment with standards established by the North American Reliability Corporation (NERC), ensuring graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required for reliability focused roles within the bulk power system. The curriculum is being designed in collaboration with utility partners and industry experts to ensure alignment with current operational practices and workforce needs. The first cohort will begin in January 2027. For anyone interested who wants to be placed on the prospective student list, contact Jordan at cet@gfcmsu.edu or +1-406-268-3734. 9) The City of Great Falls GIS/Mapping team has been awarded the inaugural 2026 WRITA Data, GIS & Insights Excellence Award. This recognition highlights the innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact the team delivers every day in support of City operations, decision-making, and service to our community. Congratulations to Aaron Vaughn and Nathaniel Williams on this well-deserved recognition. 10) Our Great Falls SBDC and Great Falls APEX teamed up this week to deliver a webinar on cybersecurity. We covered core fundamentals and took a deeper look at cybersecurity issues specific to government contracting. If you’d like to better understand the cybersecurity risks facing your organization, reach out to the GFDA SBDC team. If you’re working in or considering government contracting and want clarity on upcoming cybersecurity requirements, connect with our APEX advisors. 11) Our third community data center task force meeting will be on Monday, May 18th at Great Falls College in Heritage Hall from 5:00-6:30 PM. Alan Bronec, Director of Infrastructure for Cushing Terrell, will speak on data center design, trends, challenges, evolving technologies, and regulations. Mr. Bronec is a licensed professional engineer in 21 states and has extensive experience designing complex electrical systems both domestically and internationally. Please register here so we may have an accurate head count. For any questions, please contact Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-788-4989. 12) GFDA and the Montana Pulse Crop Committee partnered to commission the study Opportunities in Pulse Processing in the State of Montana, currently being promoted on the summer conference circuit to solicit new business in the pulse industry. Sara Niccum drafted a one page overview that the Pulse Crop Committee will use to start conversations with producers, manufacturers, and businesses interested in expanding in Montana. Is your project in food, ag, or bio processing targeting investment from outside of Montana? Reach out to Sara Niccum at 1-406-590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss how GFDA can support your business attraction efforts! 13) GFDA is proud to be a recipient of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund Award through partnership with Belt Valley Bank. This $17,148 investment will support housing work including predevelopment activities and technical assistance to help move projects forward. Thank you FHLB and Belt Valley Bank for your support! 14) We are continuing to advance the Brownfields Catalyst Redevelopment Project, with two sites currently selected: the Downtown Half Block and the Falls Construction Site. To be eligible, property owners must be both willing and able to redevelop the site themselves or be open to selling the property to a developer. We are still actively seeking transformational properties throughout Cascade County—including Great Falls, Belt, Ulm, Black Eagle and Cascade—that have the potential to drive significant investment and community revitalization. If you’re aware of any properties that align with this vision, please contact Christian Nichols at 1-406-788-9385 or CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org. 15) GFDA is excited to announce $17,148 in funding through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines Member Impact Fund, in partnership with Clearwater Credit Union. This investment will support an update to the region’s housing market demand assessment, providing current data to guide developer outreach, project planning, and investment decisions. Thank you to FHLB and Clearwater Credit Union for your support! 16) Communities across the country are competing for defense missions and funding, so staying engaged matters. We launched the Central Montana Defense Coalition to make sure our region stays in that conversation and remains competitive. The missions at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard support businesses across the region. This work takes consistent investment. Thank you to the founding members and investors already backing it. Recent investments include: Minuteman Division—Loenbro; Atlas Division–Woolly Bugger Solutions, LLC. To join the coalition, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 17) GFDA’s sponsorship with the Great Falls Voyagers during their 2026 season will spotlight local businesses in the tourism, recreation, and entertainment sectors. These businesses help drive our local economy, enhance quality of life, support talent attraction, and create memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike. Throughout the season, participating businesses will host in-person activities during home games, offering a chance to connect with the community while expanding awareness of their services. We hope to see you at the ballpark! 18) Growing the economy takes strong partner support. Our team of investors are crucial to ensuring our team can continue working toward bringing in more high wage jobs to our region. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Leadership Division—Belt Valley Bank; Clearwater Credit Union; Community Division—Arvon Block, LLC. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how you can help support our mission. 19) A new housing project in Great Falls you may have been following is breaking ground! Save the Date: May 12 at 1:00 PM 1 46th St., Great Falls. Meadowview Village is a 163-home community designed to bring new, attainable homeownership to Great Falls. Each home sits on its own lot and is built with a focus on efficient design, long-term durability, and predictable costs. The groundbreaking will be a short, focused event with project partners, community leaders, and local stakeholders. If you, or someone you know, are interested in following the project or exploring a future home in the community, join the interest list. We will send more details as the event gets closer. 20) Join GFDA Board & council members, partners, clients, and investors at GFDA’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday June 2nd, 8:00-10:00 AM at The Newberry. We will share updates across the region, highlight key projects, and celebrate the Ally Award recipients who helped move this work forward. See familiar faces, add new connections, and strengthen your network. Walk out with a clear picture of where things are headed and how you can be part of it. No cost to attend. Bring a guest! Register here and see you there. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org for more information. 21) I travelled to conduct an accreditation visit of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians economic development department for the International Economic Development Council and visited with leaders of their very successful casino resort operations. The tribal enterprises employ 2,955 and have generated an estimated $1 billion impact on the state economy. 22) GFDA has three great career opportunities — Downtown Great Falls Business Development Officer, Small Business Advisor and Government Contracting Advisor. Downland description and how to apply. Please forward to great candidates! We made good progress on key client projects this week due to the great work of our partners and our staff. Thank you all! “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.” Steve Jobs Edition 735 |
