GFDA has earned the 2026 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, our seventh consecutive year earning the highest level of transparency for American non-profit organizations. Transparency is one of our core values.
1) Congratulations to Tammy Dusterhoff of JT Creations in Shelby on your official ribbon cutting ceremony!
2) A major advanced manufacturing company completed a high-impact site visit to Great Falls as it evaluates expansion opportunities, giving the region a strong platform to demonstrate its readiness and advantages. GFDA coordinated meetings with city, county, state, business, and military leaders and facilitated engagement with nearly 100 community members who voiced support for new investment. The visit showcased Great Falls’ collaborative culture, strategic assets, and alignment across public, private, and military partners. Opportunities of this scale are uncommon, and the response reflected the community’s ability to mobilize quickly and effectively. If you know about a company interested in North Central Montana, call Christian Leinhauser at +1-406-836-0136 or CLeinhauser@GrowGreatFalls.org.
3) The City of Great Falls Malmstrom Resilience and Compatibility Study will be unveiled to the public at the City Commission’s Work Session this Tuesday, January 20, 5:30 PM at the Civic Center. Here is a link to the agenda packet.
4) We closed a gap loan for $132,000 to JMAC LLC for the purchase of Swains Spring Service located in Cascade County. Under new ownership, Swain’s will continue to offer its one-of-a kind service, specializing in trailer repair and maintenance, suspension work and springs, as well as custom fabrication. A special thank you to our bank partner, Joe Stulc of Independence Bank, for their invaluable support in making this high-impact project possible. If you or your organization are exploring gap or bridge financing to keep moving ahead with your project, please reach out to Shandi Gebhardt Jones directly at 1-406-590-9037 or Shandi@GrowGreatFalls.org
5) Jake was in Bozeman networking with housing developers and partners at the Urban Land Institute/City of Bozeman’s Emerging Trends in Real Estate Report event. Recent data suggests that the housing development environment is cooling in some parts of Montana, but Great Falls still presents strong demand and market conditions for thousands of new housing units of all types. Interested in digging into some data, reach out to Jake 1-406-403-4937 or Jake@GrowGreatFalls.org.
6) We loved assisting eleven entrepreneurs and small business owners with their Google Pages and Website SEO at our first Boost Your Business 2026 training. Our monthly training series is a collaboration in partnership with the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to join us next month for learning how small changes can improve cash flow and profit. Information and registration info here.
7) NorthWestern Energy released a draft of its most recent Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The IRP presents an evaluation of different potential generation resource portfolios that would meet the needs of Montana electric customers over a 20 year time horizon. There will be a community meeting with opportunity for public comments regarding the IRP in Great Falls on Tuesday, January 27th, 5:30 PM at the Great Falls Public Library. Brett and Kristen networked at the Energy and Technology Interim Committee in Helena. Brett testified in favor of expanding natural gas transmission in the state and described how lack of available energy capacity translates into lost economic opportunity. Kristen wants to talk to you about energy opportunities in North Central Montana! Kristen@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-4989.
8) Downtown Great Falls Business Owners! Please join the Downtown Great Falls Association on Wednesday, January 21st at 10:00 AM at The Wild Hare for a round table discussion about how the Downtown Association is here to help you in 2026. There will be fun updates on how DGFA is helping market your business, as well as an overview of its marketing campaign with Townsquare Media.
9) We held our second public outreach meeting for the Catalyst Redevelopment Project, during which nine participants collaboratively brainstormed additional potential catalyst redevelopment properties and discussed future redevelopment possibilities for the City Half Block Parking Lot site at 600 1st Ave N in Downtown Great Falls. We are still seeking three additional properties in Cascade County that may be suitable for this project, and once those sites are identified, we will host further public outreach meetings. If you are aware of potential properties or have questions, please contact Christian Nichols at CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385.
10) Great Falls Regional APEX helped multiple businesses prepare for the Small Business Administration (SBA) Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) certifications by providing one-on-one guidance and hands-on assistance through the application and submission process. These certifications expand your access to federal set-aside contracting opportunities, increase your business visibility with government buyers, and strengthen your competitiveness in the federal marketplace. To get started, contact Shannon Clancy at SClancy@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-590-1184.
11) GFDA continues to build practical expertise around Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing, with recent conversations with our C-PACE partner highlighting real-life project cases that make these tools easier to understand and apply. Reviewing actual examples helped clarify how upgrades, renovations, expansions, and new construction can be structured for long-term success while supporting energy-efficient improvements. These insights strengthen GFDA’s ability to help businesses compare scenarios and identify the best path forward. If you’re considering a project and want to explore how C-PACE or other tools could work for you, GFDA is ready to help guide the process. Learn more here or contact Katie at 1-406-217-7635 or Katie@GrowGreatFalls.org.
12) Our Mixed Downtown Great Falls Cohort met this week and was hosted by Carrie Hayes of Life In Bloom. We focused on what it takes to work ON our businesses not just IN the business. Each participant identified items that need attention in their business and how to bring intentional time, focus, energy and resources to those items. If you would like assistance identifying critical pieces that could assist your business operations, cash flow, marketing and overall vision for the business, please reach out to one of our Business Advisors: Christian Nichols, CNichols@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-788-9385; Rich Gannon, RGannon@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-836-2078; and Deb McGregor, Deb@GrowGreatFalls.org or 1-406-750-0314. Our services are provided at no cost to you.
13) Sara visited a client’s grain mill this week to talk about a possible expansion project using BEP funding. She got to participate in quality control testing and was featured on the client’s Instagram. Food, ag, and bio processing clients can apply for a Business Enhancement Program (BEP) grant through GFDA’s Food + Ag Development Center to support activities that will optimize or expand their business. Contact FADC Director and Business Development Officer Sara Niccum at 1-406-590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org to see if your project is a fit for BEP support.
14) We published our GFDA Quarter Index 2025Q4.
15) The City of Great Falls has released a draft update to its Special Improvement District (SID) Policy and is inviting public review and comment. Special Improvement Districts can be a useful tool for financing public infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, water, sewer, and stormwater improvements that directly benefit specific properties. The draft policy is intended to clarify how SIDs are evaluated and applied, particularly in the context of new development, while maintaining a predictable and transparent framework for applicants and the community. The draft policy public comment period is open through February 13th. The City is hosting an informational session on January 29 at 5:30 PM at the Great Falls Civic Center in the Gibson Room.
16) Shauni is actively advancing discussions around a new business concept in the entertainment and destination hospitality sectors, working with two clients targeting 2026 openings, facilitating a connection to our lending team, and finalizing plans for the launch of the Urban River Activation Task Force. Entrepreneurs interested in starting or expanding a business in tourism, recreation, or entertainment are encouraged to contact Shauni to explore opportunities and available resources at 1-406-788-6867 or Shauni@GrowGreatFalls.org
17) I participated in the first meeting of the Downtown Great Falls Parking Stakeholders organized by Deputy City Manager Jeremy Jones. Our goal is to develop a sustainable, balanced approach to managing downtown parking that supports a vibrant and accessible downtown for everyone. Not easy, but the discussions on Friday were a great start.
18) The USDA Value Added Producer Grant is open! Producers, cooperatives, and producer-controlled businesses are eligible to apply for up to $200,000. A dollar-for-dollar match is required, with in-kind contributions allowed. Be advised: applicants MUST be registered with SAM.gov and have a UEI number to be considered. GFDA’s Apex Advisors can help to complete the SAM registration, and the Food + Ag Business Development Center can support your application! Reach out to Sara Niccum at 1-406-590-1301 or Sara@GrowGreatFalls.org to discuss your project and get application assistance.
19) I had the pleasure of being interviewed for an hour on the Innovations in Capital monthly national webinar hosted by Recast City and the Institute for Local Self Reliance with funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce, discussing our success with economic development revolving loan funds.
20) We are excited to release our GFDA Annual Report for FY2025, detailing some of the successes and impact we helped make happen, recognizing clients and partners, and thanking the GFDA Investors who make it possible for us to do what we do!
21) Exciting things are happening in our region, many possible thanks to our investors and public partners. Because of their support we can continue providing the free services that help business start, grow, and succeed! Learn more about them by viewing this short video. Recent investments include: Pacesetter Division—A.T. Klemens; Community Division—Arvon Block, LLC. To learn how you can support our work reach out to Jenn at 1-406-781-9499 or Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org. See which businesses and community organizations support our mission on an updated GFDA Investor Honor Roll.
Very much appreciate the engagement of our investors and partners this week!
