| NorthWestern Energy’s Great Falls hydroelectric system has earned OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program Star certification, the highest workplace safety recognition in the nation. See: MTN News. The designation was awarded to the Black Eagle, Rainbow, Ryan, Cochrane, Morony, and Rainbow maintenance facilities after demonstrating an exceptional, employee led commitment to safety that goes far beyond regulatory requirements. Fewer than a dozen worksites in Montana have earned this distinction. Congratulations to the entire NorthWestern Energy team for earning one of the nation’s most respected workplace safety honors. |
| 1) Janicki Montana is hosting their first community forum to share project details and answer questions on July 9 from 5:30 – 7 PM. Please RSVP so we have enough seats. 2) We had a site visit from a firearms manufacturer that we met at SHOT Show which we attended with the Governor and his team in January. The company is touring sites throughout Montana and highlighted land prices, labor, and outdoor recreation opportunities as benefits that interest them in the Great Falls area. 3) Jake and Jill completed the Advanced Housing Finance Course from the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) so that we can continue to serve housing projects with creative finance solutions. Jake also met with three housing developers considering projects in the region, and financing came up in each meeting. Ready to firm up that capital stack? Reach out to Jake for your housing project, Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937. 4) Congratulations to Montana Renewables on recently completing an 85 day planned critical maintenance project. The effort included 50 days of active work and engaged approximately 280 additional contractors, about 90% from out of town, bringing a boost to local hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. Crews logged roughly 49,000 hours and completed the project with zero injuries. The turnaround prioritized local vendors, with 95% of rented equipment sourced locally and 322,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen supplied by a regional provider, reinforcing Montana Renewables’ role as both a safe operator and economic driver for Great Falls. 5) We’re getting ready to welcome a new class of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science students and need your help filling 175 welcome bags. These bags are one of the first ways we show students that Great Falls is a community that is excited to have them here. That support has made a real difference. Touro has consistently shared how welcomed they feel and has continued expanding its commitment to Great Falls, recently announcing plans to add both a nursing school and a law school. See: KRTV. If your business would like to donate an item, please contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. Donations are needed by July 20. Thank you for helping us give these students a warm Great Falls welcome. 6) Please join GFDA for our fourth Data Center Task Force Meeting on Monday, July 6th from 5:00-6:30 pm at Great Falls College MSU or via zoom. We will hear from Betsey Hale, CEO of the Cheynne, Wyoming economic development organization Cheyenne LEADS. Betsey will share Cheynne’s experience with over a decade of data center development. Please register here, zoom link will be provided after registration. Please reach out to Kristen Blue at Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989 with any questions. 7) Boots to Business is a comprehensive two-day business startup course offered to veterans at Malmstrom Air Force Base, designed to equip participants with the tools and knowledge needed to pursue entrepreneurship. Christian Nichols, Small Business Advisor with the Great Falls Development Alliance facilitated the program for 11 veterans exploring business ownership and the path of entrepreneurship. The next class is September 24th and 25th. Whether you’re a veteran or not, if you’re interested in starting your business, please reach out to the Small Business Development Center – Christian at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-788-9385 or Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-836-2078 8) Sara Niccum and Jake Clark caught up with Pasta Montana to discuss future plans and current events in the dry pasta industry. Pasta Montana is one of few companies using 100% durum semolina, contracting 50,000 farm acres in the Golden Triangle for durum wheat to make their internationally respected products. They are just one great example of a value-added food/bioprocessing business creating opportunities in Montana agriculture! Is your food, ag, or bioprocessing business looking at expansion in Central Montana? Reach out to Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or (406) 590-1301 to get things moving! 9) Congratulations to Great Falls native Travis Kavulla, a former Montana Public Service Commissioner, on his appointment to serve as Administrator and CEO of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA markets power from major federal hydropower projects to nonprofit consumer owned utilities across the Pacific Northwest, in addition to owning about 75% of the region’s high voltage transmission system. Nearly 1 in 4 electric consumers in Montana are served by electric cooperatives that rely on reliable power from BPA. 10) We’re excited to announce the Grand Opening of Bound To Be Good Books, Great Falls’ first romance bookstore! Join the celebration on July 3 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. and July 4 from immediately after the parade until 6:00 p.m. at 413 Central Ave., Suite A for prizes, giveaways, sweet treats, and more. Browse nearly 1,500 romance titles, discover Blind Date with a Book selections, shop unique 3D printed book accessories, and relax with complimentary coffee or tea in the cozy reading area. The store will also host book clubs, with a featured monthly book club selection beginning in September. Following the grand opening, regular business hours will be Wednesday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 11) Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard are two of the region’s largest economic drivers, supporting thousands of jobs, local businesses, and long term economic stability. The Central Montana Defense Coalition was created to help ensure our community remains a strong partner and advocate for these critical missions. Thank you to the investors helping lead this effort. If you would like to help strengthen and support our defense community, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 12) The excitement we are seeing across the region today is happening because people chose to invest in it. They saw potential, believed in the future of this community, and stepped up to be part of the process. Learn more about our investors and partners by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Advance Division—Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana and City Motor Company; Flagship Division—Great Falls Public Schools; Pacesetter Division—Pinion Global; Community Division—A&E + SME Design and The Wendt Agency. If you are passionate about the future of the Great Falls region, now is the perfect time to get involved. Reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org to learn how you can join the team helping shape what comes next. “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Maya Angelou Edition 743 |
