Congratulations to Berkshire Hathaway Energy Montana (BHE Montana) on the successful energization of the Glacier Battery System, a major investment in Montana’s energy infrastructure. Located near Cut Bank, the Glacier Battery System represents a $100 million investment in advanced energy storage technology. With a capacity of 75 megawatts for two hours, the system will provide critical grid support, enhance reliability across the region and support BHE Montana’s participation in the Western Energy Imbalance Market. See BHE Montana and Daily Energy Insider.
1) Congratulations to James Nichols on his successful acquisition of Fleet RV and Truck Repair. Through a strong business plan, detailed financial forecasting, and notable perseverance, James was able to complete the purchase and take this next step as a business owner. If you are interested in purchasing an existing business or starting your own, the GFDA Small Business Development Center is available to assist. Our services are provided at no cost to you. For support, please contact Deb McGregor at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-750-3141, Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-836-2078, or Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 406-788-9385.
2) Lots of great local business news! Jeremiah Johnson Brewing announced plans to build a new brewery and tasting room with the Great Falls International Airport; see KRTV. Little Light Coffee Co. and Mini Donuts opened in Downtown Great Falls; see KRTV. Town Square Market has opened in Great Falls featuring a number of local businesses with unique locally made good; see KRTV.
3) Congratulations to the two Code Girls United teams from our region on winning the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for both of Montana’s Congressional Districts! Both of the winning teams created apps during Code Girls United’s students afterschool program. In Montana’s First District, Rep. Ryan Zinke named the following winners: Aiyahna Green, Kalani Sun Rhodes and Keesha Guerrero-Gobert from Browning. The winners developed their app “Sspommo” which was developed to provide awareness and resources for people facing mental health challenges such as depression. In Montana’s Second District, Rep. Troy Downing named Lily Kirkaldie, Charlie Kotthoff and Danica Sabo of East Middle School Great Falls, STARBASE as winners. Their app ‘Cursive Create’ helps to teach cursive writing. The Congressional App Challenge is a prestigious event that allows middle and high school students to showcase their skills nationwide by creating and exhibiting their software application in student computer science.Winning teams’ get to display their apps in the U.S. Capitol Building during the National Science Fair’s ‘House of Code’. This year’s event will be held April 21 and 22 in Washington, DC. Both Montana teams are hopeful to attend to represent our state. An anonymous donor has generously sponsored the Browning team’s trip to Washington DC while the Great Falls team are fundraising for their trip. Donations can be made at: https://www.codegirlsunited.org
4) More great community news! Toby’s House held a groundbreaking for the new facility made possible with wonderful support from businesses and the community; see TheElectric, KRTV and KFBB. KRTV ran a cool story about the new Benefis Health System Residency Program. Great Falls Public Schools is launching summer learning programs with funds from the innovative tax credit; see TheElectric. GFPS was able to secure over $1 million in these funds this month because of strong community support! — see TheElectric. GFPS is also gearing up to launch baseball teams this spring with community fundraising support; see TheElectric.
5) Sara Niccum hosted a meeting with the Western Wool Growers Association as they prepare for a feasibility study assessing construction of a wool mill in the Great Falls region; see KRTV. GFDA’s Food, Ag + Bio Processing Business Development Officer will support throughout drafting and soliciting the call for project bids. The vast majority of wool growers across western states are holding a backlog of raw fleece due to complex supply chain and global economic issues. Investing in a wool mill in Montana could provide significant opportunity for western producers, and create redundancy that protects domestic wool processing capacity. GFDA is here to support producers and value added ag projects! Reach out to Sara Niccum at 1-406-590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org.
6) Economic results for 2025Q3 was published by the national JobsEQ system we utilize to track employment, wages, occupation and industry data. The average annual wage in the Great Falls MSA (Cascade County) grew by 6.3% in the 12 months ending in 2025Q3 reaching $56,955. That was higher growth than the Montana average at 5.5% or the national average at 4.1%. In 12 months, the local average annual wage increased by $3,381. In the same 12 month period, total annual wages earned in the Great Falls MSA increased by $124 million.
7) Brett traveled to DC to participate in the Nuclear Deterrence Summit and the Association of Defense Communities’ Installation Energy & Water event and to meet with Sen. Daines and Montana Congressional staff to discuss Montana national defense missions and key economic development projects and efforts in the region.
8) Businesses from across the state joined the Great Falls Regional APEX for a statewide webinar on Understanding Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in Federal Contracting. We helped businesses understand how foreign ties can affect their ability to compete for federal opportunities. Participants learned that if a foreign company or individual can influence decisions or access sensitive information, it may need to be reported. Even something as simple as renting or leasing equipment from a foreign-owned business can trigger these reporting requirements. We can help you recognize foreign interests that may require disclosure and strengthen your readiness for federal contracting. To learn if FOCI applies to your business, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
9) Great Falls College MSU has been celebrated for their work with career pathways and training opportunities as part of the 406 Job Initiative. The Governor visited on Wednesday meeting with faculty and staff and toured the college to view career-focused programs that support Montana’s workforce needs. For the full article, click here.
10) Work continued this week across GFDA’s active pipeline of business attraction projects, with several initiatives advancing meaningfully toward key decision points. Efforts focused on clarifying project requirements, confirming community capacity, and resolving final due-diligence items as prospects moved closer to the finish line. This steady progress reflects both the strength of our regional assets and the value of sustained coordination with local and state partners. If you are aware of a company that has shown interest in North Central Montana, reach out to Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or +1-406-836-0136.
11) Our Small Business Development Center participated in a state-wide training featuring Phyllis Gartner, Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS, presenting on Leveraging IRS Resources for Small Businesses. Following Ms. Gartner’s presentation, there was a Q & A with Accountants. We had 10 in attendance at our Great Falls site and 15 in attendance at our Shelby site. Thank you to Melissa Sullivan & Sara Benjamin from RMW Accounting and Ryan Tangedal from Wipfli for being a part of our accountant panel. Thank you to Shane Adams of the Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce for coordinating the Shelby location for this state-wide training event.
12) GFDA welcomed Marta Bertoglio, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, to Great Falls for a firsthand look at the momentum underway across the community. The visit included a tour of recent investments, projects currently under construction, and several upcoming developments that are helping position the region for continued growth. These on-the-ground conversations reinforced the importance of strong state–local partnerships in advancing economic development priorities around the Great Falls Trade Area.
13) Jake was invited to speak about Great Falls housing production at the Malmstrom Air Force Base Housing Cohort meeting. Our military families share the challenge we all see with access to adequate housing and highlighted the demand for more production in Great Falls.
14) The Great Falls Area Community Foundation, in partnership with The Newberry, TDS Fiber, Montana Nonprofit Association, and the Montana Community Foundation is proud to present Nonprofit Board Excellence Winter 2026 Training Series. The classes are on February 23rd and 24th at The Newberry in Downtown Great Falls. Cost for each session is $20 and preregistration on Eventbrite is required. Our community foundation exists to serve local nonprofits with education, grants, and support. All proceeds go to our endowment fund which funds our annual granting each summer. Link to Register on Eventbrite: GFACF Eventbrite
15) GFDA Small Business Development Center Senior Advisor Rich Gannon provided business financial management training for managers at Siyeh Development Corporation, a tribally owned entity in Browning. The session supported leaders from a range of enterprises, including retail, grocery, hospitality, and tourism-related businesses. Topics included understanding financial statements, using break-even analysis as a management tool, and improving cash flow. Building on the success of this training, we look forward to continuing this work and supporting future capacity-building efforts with Siyeh Development Corporation.
16) The City of Great Falls released a draft Special Improvement District policy update and held a public meeting for input and discussion. City staff received lots of feedback and are working to bring a tool to developments that could be used to increase housing production on undeveloped land.
17) We attended a celebration event for the new Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Over 600 Montanans participated in the first RHTP Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting. DPHHS is working with rural providers, hospitals, community organizations, and other health care stakeholders to deliver five core initiatives: workforce development, sustainable access, innovative care models, community health and prevention, and technology innovation. To learn more, click here.
18) Cybersecurity continues to be at the forefront of business owners. Did you know that 92% of IT professionals believe remote work has increased cybersecruity threats? Our GFDA Small Business Development Center completed the Cyber Safe from Any Space: Securing Remote and Hybrid Work training. Rich, Christian Nichols and Deb learned best practices for protecting yourself and your organization while working remotely. The monthly cyber security trainings are provided by CyberMontana/University of Montana Missoula College.
19) Did you know that First Lady of Montana Susan Gianforte has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library? Enroll your children online – simple form. Every month from birth to five years old each child will get a free book mailed to them. You don’t just have to sign them up then they are born, you can sign up any child under five. The reading outcomes as students start kindergarten after being enrolled in this program are phenomenal. Sign up the kids in your life.
20) GFDA was awarded a $30,000 planning grant through the Opportunities in Rural Economies program from the MT Department of Commerce. These funds will be used to assess the feasibility of creating a Community Impact Investment Fund, which supports GFDA’s strategy to strengthen capacity so we can deliver more mission driven results.
21) Three cities in our region won Montana Main Street grants from the Montana Department of Commerce. Congratulations to Fort Benton, Havre and Lewistown! See more details here.
22) Great Falls Public Schools is hosting its annual High Voltage Weekend, a remarkable teacher recruitment effort designed to attract future educators to Great Falls. This year’s event will take place February 20–22 and will welcome approximately 20 college juniors and seniors studying Education for a weekend of community connection, career exploration, and local experiences. As part of High Voltage Weekend, they are assembling welcome bags for approximately 20 future educators visiting Great Falls, and we invite your business to participate. Your business can help with SWAG items from your business (pens, stickers, keychains, treats, etc.) and/or Coupons or Vouchers to encourage attendees to visit your business while they’re in town. Businesses interested in contributing items should contact Beth Leatham at bethleatham@gmail.com or 1-406-788-9285 to arrange pickup by February 14th.
23) Are you looking to sell to the government? The 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker connects businesses with federal, state, and prime contractor buyers to explore procurement opportunities and build relationships that can lead to contracts. One of the largest virtual procurement events in the region, this event brings businesses and government buyers together in a focused, online setting. Great Falls Regional APEX invites you to participate in the 2026 Midwest Virtual Matchmaker: Connecting Businesses with Government Buyers, a free, two-day virtual matchmaking event taking place February 11–12. Join APEX Accelerators from across the Midwest to schedule one-on-one meetings with government buyers, prime contractors, and resource partners. To learn more or prepare for this event, contact Mariah Liebing at Mariah@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-217-2174.
24) We’re hosting a business and developer meeting to walk through the draft Great Falls Growth Policy in partnership with the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Great Falls Montana Tourism, Great Falls Association of Realtors, Great Falls Business Improvement District, Home Builders Association of Great Falls Downtown Great Falls Association, and Cascade County Tavern Association. Join us on Wednesday, February 4th, 8:00-9:30 AM in Heritage Hall at Great Falls College.
25) We are grateful to our investors and partners for recognizing the value of economic development. This work is important because it lays the groundwork for business success, workforce stability, and community growth. Their support allows us to address challenges, respond to opportunity, and keep the regional economy moving forward. Learn more about the team behind our work by viewing this short video. Learn how you can get involved, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Another great week!
