We believe that one of the most effective ways for GFDA to achieve its mission is to work in partnership with other local and regional organizations and agencies to tackle longstanding challenges and pursue new opportunities. Everything we do involves partnerships, whether it involves a small business client and her bank or credit union, or a local developer and a commercial real estate broker.
Some pursuits require more formal partnerships. We have helped create and support several of these key community partnerships:
Montana Defense Alliance (MTDA)
The Montana Defense Alliance works to sustain and enhance existing military missions and pursue future missions. As home to Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard, defense missions are an important part of the Great Falls regional economy. GFDA helped form the Alliance and continues to be a key partner and financial supporter. Key partners also include Cascade County, City of Great Falls, Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and Great Falls International Airport. Visit MontanaDefenseAlliance.org.
Downtown Development Partnership of Great Falls
The Downtown Development Partnership works to revitalize and promote downtown Great Falls. It has earned designation as a fully accredited National Main Street program. Partners work together to implement the Downtown Master Plan. GFDA helped form the partnership and continues to be a key partner and financial supporter. Key partners also include the Great Falls Business Improvement District, City of Great Falls, NeighborWorks Great Falls, Downtown Great Falls Association, Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Great Falls Public Schools, Neighborhood Council 7, and Cascade County. Visit ExploreDowntownGF.com.
Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce
The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce advocates, promotes, networks, and supports businesses in the Greater Great Falls area to enable their growth and prosperity. The Chamber leverages the collective influence of its membership to create and support a business climate that encourages job growth and workforce development, economic diversification, and improved quality of life. Visit GreatFallsChamber.org.
Great Falls Montana Tourism
Great Falls Tourism works to promote the community and surrounding region to visitors to grow our tourism industry, develop Great Falls as a destination, and advocate for tourism businesses. It is a partnership of the Great Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tourism Business Improvement District, with support from GFDA and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Great Falls Tourism works in partnership with Central Montana Tourism and statewide tourism efforts. Visit VisitGreatFallsMontana.org.
Kids Education Yes (KEY)
Kids Education Yes (KEY) advocates for public school funding in Great Falls by educating the community about the positive impact of high-quality education. It is formed as a community-led, non-partisan Political Action Committee (PAC). GFDA is proud to be an active supporter and financial contributor to KEY. Visit KidsEducationYes.com.
Great Falls Discount Airline Initiative
The Air Initiative works to retain and pursue new commercial airline flights to Great Falls International Airport (GTF) to expand air service and lower average flight cost. The Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce leads this effort, working in coordination with GTF. GFDA helps to financially support the effort. Visit GreatFallsChamber.org/low-cost-airfare-initiative.
Montana Housing Coalition (MHC)
The Montana Housing Coalition (MHC) advocates for state housing policies that create homes that working families, seniors, veterans, and Montanans with disabilities can afford to rent or buy. Visit MTHousingCoalition.org.
Montana Infrastructure Coalition
The Montana Infrastructure Coalition consists of over 100 public and private sector associations and entities representing thousands of individual Montanans who design, build, finance, own and operate public infrastructure. Visit MTInfrastructureCoalition-Facebook.