At GFDA’s Annual Meeting, we had the privilege of recognizing individuals and organizations who went above and beyond over the past year to help advance projects, solve challenges, build partnerships, and move our region forward.
Our success is only possible together!
| 1) In case you missed it, after many months of searching Janicki Industries is expanding to Great Falls, Montana! Our neighbors, friends, and family will make up the next generation of this incredible family and employed owned aerospace company. Janicki Industries builds one-of-a-kind parts for aerospace and will hire all levels of employees. Because they are so specialized, most of their team will be trained on site, providing incredibly rewarding positions for many years to come. We are working with the team to create a project page with frequently asked questions. In the meantime, reach out to me with questions JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org. 2) GFDA closed two loans this week. The first was a $600,000 working capital loan to local entrepreneur Colter Falls to help address cost overruns at the newly opened TownePlace Suites by Marriot, which is now welcoming travelers to our region. The second was a gap loan for $400,000 to Rebuild Great Falls to support upgrades and renovations at the Leland Apartments in Downtown Great Falls, helping preserve and improve much needed housing in our community. Do you have a project that could benefit from gap financing or needs capital for that final boost across the finish line? Contact Shandi Gebhardt Jones at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org to start a conversation on how GFDA may be able to help. 3) Sara Niccum and Jake Clark visited The Farmer’s Daughter Fibers to discuss their expansion plans and the Business Enhancement Program (BEP) from the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA). The business has seen significant growth over their 10 years in business, and BEP supports hiring consultants to map the supply chain and optimize their production layout for further expansion. GFDA’s Food and Ag Development Center provides no-cost advising and access to MDA programs like BEP. Is your food or ag business ready for expansion? Reach out to Sara Niccum at 1(406) 590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss opportunities for support! 4) Housing continues to be one of the biggest opportunities and challenges facing our region. Thanks to Opportunity Bank and First Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, GFDA received $8,574 through the Member Impact Fund to help move housing projects forward. Their support helps us pursue new housing solutions, from workforce rentals and home ownership to student housing, senior living, mobile home parks, and campgrounds. Thank you for helping create more places for people to live and supporting the continued growth of our region. 5) We are pleased to announce the election of four incumbent board members who will continue serving on the GFDA Board of Directors. Congratulations to Mark Cappis of Cappis Consulting, Nate Weisenburger of AE2S, Reed Bassett of Bravera Bank, and Johnna Lightbourne of Cogswell Insurance Agency on their reelection. We appreciate their continued leadership and commitment to advancing economic opportunity across our region. 6) We are also excited to welcome three new members to the Board of Directors. Amanda Thompson of Mitchell Development, Jamie Marshall of Marshall Orthodontics, and Samantha Decker of Clearwater Credit Union bring valuable experience, perspectives, and community connections that will help guide GFDA’s work in the years ahead. In addition, we welcomed two new board members representing our Advance Investor level. Cliff Garness of Sletten Construction and Terri Anderson of First Interstate Bank have joined the board through their organizations’ investment and engagement with GFDA. We are grateful for their support and look forward to their contributions as we continue working together. 7) Defense missions have a lasting impact on the Great Falls region, supporting jobs, local spending, and business growth. The Central Montana Defense Coalition was created to ensure our region remains engaged, competitive, and prepared for future opportunities involving Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard. Thank you to the investors who have stepped up to support this work. If you would like to help strengthen this important economic driver, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 8) The Janicki opportunity did not happen by accident. We were able to compete for and land a project of this magnitude because our investors and partners gave us the resources to do the work. Their support allowed us to build relationships, respond quickly, solve challenges, and stay engaged throughout the process. This win belongs to the team. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include Advance level: NorthWestern Energy; Leadership Division—Pepsi Great Falls; Pacesetter Division—Dustin Young & Company. The future of our region is being shaped right now. Make sure you have a seat at the table. Contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. 9) Kristen networked at the CLEANPOWER conference in Houston. The conference featured over 9,000 attendees, 500 exhibitors, and nearly 200 expert speakers. Conversations centered on solutions to meet rising demand and the criticality of policy and permitting certainty for energy infrastructure projects. They key takeaway is that in all the above, regionally cooperative approach is necessary to build required generation and transmission to meet rising demand affordably and reliably. Kristen shared North Central Montana’s resource capabilities with developers and highlighted Montana’s initiatives with the Governor’s Energy Task Force, the Energy and Interim Technology Committee, and the Montana Energy Business Alliance. To discuss opportunities in North Central Montana, reach out to Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4989 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org. 10) Jake met with developers looking to move new projects forward including housing projects, light industrial development and a new restaurant concept for Great Falls. Time to get your project to the next stage, reach out to Jake at 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org. 11) Renewable Energy Farmers of America (REFA) is an association for landowners interested in hosting renewable energy projects. REFA combines landowner to landowner experiences with education opportunities, lease reviews, group negotiations, as well as business and tax advice. For more information, check out REFA’s website, or contact Kristen Blue at 1-406-788-4949 or Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss renewable energy project potential on your farm or ranch land. 12) This week the GFDA SBDC and MSU Economic Extension hosted a webinar featuring Zach Florent of the EEOC’s Seattle Field Office, the federal agency responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit employment discrimination. The EEOC offers free outreach programs for businesses, and if your organization wants to go deeper, they also provide more comprehensive training for a fee. Whether you are looking for a general overview or something tailored to your team, it is worth exploring what they have available. Learn more at eeoc.gov/no-cost-outreach-programs. 13) As we wrap up our fiscal year, we want to extend our sincere thanks to several outgoing members of the GFDA Board of Directors for their leadership, service, and commitment to our organization. Board service requires thoughtful leadership, valuable perspective, and a willingness to help tackle opportunities and challenges facing our region. We are grateful to Raymond Porter of TDS for 3 years of service, Rob Haney of Rocky Mountain Carriers for 5 years, Shannon Hoiland of Bravera Bank for 4 years, Dr. Stephanie Erdmann of Great Falls College for 5 years, Mike Mills of Sweetgrass Development for 3 years, and Johnna Lightbourne of Cogswell Insurance for 2 years of dedicated service as our Board Chair. Thank you for sharing your time, expertise, and passion for our community. We are grateful for the impact each of you has made. 14) Congratulations to the 2026 Ally Award Recipients: Colonel Daniel Voorhies — Malmstrom Air Force Base; Mitchell Development Team — Mitchell Development; John Boughton — Montana Historical Society; Joe Stulc — Independence Bank; Josh Bennett — Montana Department of Commerce; Kasey Watson — USDA; Mark Magee — Siyeh Development Corporation; Major Dylan Bender — Malmstrom Air Force Base; Major Samuel Trujillo — Malmstrom Air Force Base; Cooper Thomas — City Motor Company; Scott Blumfield — Catalyst Commercial Real Estate; Governor Greg Gianforte — State of Montana; Hailey Vine — Montana Department of Agriculture; Ben Brouwer — Montana Department of Environmental Quality; Ani Chopra — Berkshire Hathaway Energy Canada; Jim Morin — PowerGas Corporation; Lanni Klasner — Calumet / Montana Renewables; Zac Griffin — Great Falls Association of Realtors; Sheila Rice — Montana Community Foundation. Thank you for your partnership, support, and willingness to step up when it matters most. “To be good, and to do good, is all we have to do.” John Adams Edition 740 |
