Sara visited a Native woman-owned meat processing business, C+C Meat Processing in Babb. Owner Christina Flammond provides vital services to local ranchers and hunters, and serves as a teacher and cultural knowledge keeper. She is one example of an outstanding female entrepreneur who is making a difference in the community and local economy. If you know an exceptional female business owner who deserves recognition, nominate them for a GFDA Fire Within award by March 31! Reach out to Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org or call 1-406-590-1301 to learn more about our celebration of female entrepreneurs.
1) Congratulations to Benefis Health System on their new Cardiovascular Clinic. The remodeled space allows the Benefis’ Heart and Vascular Institute to serve more patients and meet growing demand. This investment strengthens access to care for residents, supports high skill healthcare jobs, and reinforces Great Falls as a medical hub. This expansion is a positive step for both our community and our regional economy!
2) APEX Accelerators from Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado, along with businesses from across those states and Montana, joined the Great Falls Regional APEX for a multi-state webinar on Understanding Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) in Federal Contracting. Participants learned that if a foreign company or individual has the ability to influence business decisions or gain access to sensitive information, that relationship may need to be disclosed. In some cases, even routine business arrangements such as renting or leasing equipment from a foreign-owned entity can trigger reporting requirements. This presentation provided a clear understanding of what qualifies as FOCI and how to identify and address potential concerns before pursuing federal contracting opportunities. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
3) Buffalo Noir wine bar opened in West Bank Landing, the 19th business in the Great Falls riverfront redevelopment! See KRTV. Panera Bread opened in Great falls on 10th Avenue South, see KRTV. Rocky Mountain Kartel, a new streetwear and lifestyle boutique, opened in Great Falls; Wingstop plans to open a restaurant in the Great Falls Marketplace and Haunted Scoops plans to open in Great Falls see more info about these and other local business news in TheElectric’s Business Bites. There is a new Indian and Nepali restaurant, Annapurna Indian Restaurant, coming soon to Great Falls! The official opening date has not been announced, but you can follow them on Facebook for updates. The Prairie Peddler has re-opened in Shelby; see Shelby Promoter.
4) Seven small business owners and entrepreneurs joined us for Senior Business Advisor Rich Gannon’s presentation on Small Moves, Big Results: How Marginal Gains Improve Cash Flow and Profit. This program is a part of the Boost Your Business monthly training partnership with GFDA and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. If your business is struggling with cash flow even if you’re seeing gross profit, reach out to one of our Business Advisors who can assist you in breaking down your financials to help you make smarter decisions for better results. Our Business Advising services are provided at no cost to you. Please contact Deb McGregor at Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-3141, Rich Gannon at RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078, or Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385.
5) We hosted Congressman Troy Downing who toured the new BHE Montana operations center in Great Falls and enjoyed lunch at Clark & Lewie’s with GFDA, Great Falls Tourism and several local business owners during which we discussed business opportunities and challenges.
6) Did you know we are already a proud data center community? Perhaps family and friends of yours have worked at Vision Net. These innovators are a collective of telecom co-ops that have been investing in our communication technologies since 1995. They continue to invest in our community, thank you Vision Net!
7) GFDA is hosting a community Data Center Task Force Meeting this Monday, February 23rd from 5:00 – 6:30 PM at Great Falls College MSU. This is a community discussion regarding data centers. We will discuss questions to ask potential projects, what would make for an exciting and positive project our region could be proud of, as well as what we want to avoid. All are welcome to attend and participate. Please register so we may know how many are planning to attend.
8) Shauni met with three prospective businesses in the recreation and hospitality sectors, providing early-stage guidance and support to entrepreneurs in our region. Each engagement stemmed from referrals within a growing network of connections, highlighting how relationship-building across industries strengthens our regional ecosystem and expands opportunities for new business development. Anyone interested in starting or expanding a business in tourism, recreation, or entertainment can contact Shauni at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org
9) The City of Great Falls is developing the Strategic Capital Investment Reserve (SCIR) program a new way to plan, fund, and improve our water, sewer, and stormwater systems. They want to hear your thoughts before the program is finalized! Join us at the SCIR Open House on Wednesday, February 25, from Noon–2:00 PM at the Civic Center (Gibson Room – second floor), or share your comments anytime by emailing SCIR@greatfallsmt.gov. Learn more and see the draft policy on the City website.
10) Our Great Falls Regional APEX joined the Malmstrom Air Force Base 341st Contracting Squadron and the Native American Development Corporation (NADC) APEX Accelerator for an NADC-led presentation supporting Native-owned businesses in navigating federal, state, and local procurement. Following the presentation, NADC and Great Falls Regional APEX co-hosted a joint Q&A session, engaging directly with contracting officers and clarifying how our services differ in audience and geographic focus while working in partnership to strengthen statewide support for businesses. To learn more, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184
11) GFDA continues advancing multiple Requests for Information (RFI’s) from the Montana Department of Commerce generated through connections made at the SHOT Show, reinforcing Montana’s visibility as a competitive location for firearms and outdoor product manufacturers. These RFI’s represent companies actively evaluating expansion or relocation opportunities, and our team is coordinating detailed site data, workforce information, infrastructure specifics, and incentive options to position Great Falls and North Central Montana as strong contenders. Each response builds on relationships initiated at SHOT Show and demonstrates our region’s readiness to support advanced manufacturing growth. If you have and industrial land or existing buildings available, contact Christian Leinhauser at CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org or call +1-406-836-0136.
12) We made staff assignments to support the new Central Montana Defense Coalition. Christian Leinhauser, a USAF veteran and Red Horse Guard member, will lead coordination of developments near MAFB. Kristen Blue will lead coordination of energy development in the region. Jake Clark will lead efforts to produce housing needed by Airmen and their families. Shannon Clancy will lead efforts to connect businesses in the region with military procurement needs. Christian Nichols, a USAF veteran, will lead support of veteran and active duty entrepreneurial endeavors. Jamie Rapley will lead Coalition website, events and communications. Brett will lead coordination with state, federal and military leaders. Ed Brown, President & CEO of the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, will lead coordination with the Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee that works to welcome and support Airmen, Guard members, and their families. We’re holding a planning meeting with key stakeholders this coming week to map out more work with Cascade County, the City of Great Falls, the Great Falls Airport Authority, and our many other partners. See KRTV story about the new regional Defense support and advocacy effort.
13) The Secretary of the Air Force’s office released an update on the upcoming Sentinel program; see the Fairfield Sun Times.
14) National defense missions at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Montana Air National Guard are a key economic driver for Great Falls and North Central Montana. Supporting and modernizing these missions protects jobs and sustains regional economic activity. The launch of the Central Montana Defense Coalition creates a unified effort to advocate for current and future missions and ensures our region remains competitive and mission ready. Financial support is critical to carry out the Coalition’s advocacy, engagement, and strategic efforts. Investment allows the Coalition to represent our region, strengthen relationships with military leadership and decision makers, and position Great Falls for continued defense investment. Recent investment includes: Atlas Division – Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED). To invest in and support the Coalition, reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
15) Jake met with our funding partners for the Downtown Great Falls Business Developer position to look at how we can align our collective efforts to inspire more investment in Downtown Great Falls. We are rehiring for this position with great timing coinciding with the new City of Great Falls Growth Policy and forward momentum in downtown Great Falls. Until we post and rehire, please direct your inquiries to Jake Clark at Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-403-4937.
16) Restaurants and retail do not lead growth, they follow it. Businesses look for strong workforce numbers, steady population growth, and rising incomes before they invest. GFDA focuses on building that base through housing development, business financing, and industry recruitment. None of that happens without our team of investors and partners. Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Community Division—Buchanan Enterprises, Inc.; Citizen’s Alliance Bank; Enbar; Great Falls Voyagers; Supporter Division—Morrison-Mairele, Inc. If you’d like to invest in the future of our community, contact Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org.
Another solid week working with a wide array of clients and partners to move deals through the pipeline. Please refer colleagues to us who are working on business start-ups, profitability or expansions and commercial real estate and housing developments. We can probably connect them with resources and services that can help. Have a great week!
