Building 
Opportunity. 


Delivering Results.
FISCAL YEAR 2026 ANNUAL REPORT 



A 
MESSAGE TO OUR 
COMMUNITY 


Thank you for making our workpossible! 


To 
our 
investors, 
partners, 
clients, 
and 
neighbors: 


PHOTONEEDEDApprovedverticalboardportraitofJohnnaLightbourne,FY2026BoardChair.
LightbourneFY2026BoardChair
GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



IMPACT 
BY 
THE NUMBERS 


Results in motion. 


2.68M
acres
4182085913
1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



BIG 
WIN 
· ADVANCED 
MANUFACTURING 


Great Falls won the decision. 


After 
months 
of 
due 
diligence 
and 
community 
problem-solving, 
Janicki 
Industries 
announced 
that 
it 
would 
expand 
to 
Great 
Falls! 


TEAM WIN. 


The decision reflects fast response, site readiness, 
workforce alignment, and 
a community willing to 
solve hard problems together. 


InvestorimpactLocalinvestmentgaveGFDAthecapacitytostayengagedthroughoutanintensivenationalsite-selectionprocess.
GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



MOMENTUM CARRIED FORWARD 


A new aerospace campus takesflight. 


$800M1.6MSF2,000+

BIG 
WINS ACROSS 
THE 
REGION 


Projects changing the map. 


Montana investsTouro expands its visionMeadowview VillageAmazon comes online
Benefis announces three large projects
HEALTHCARE
GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



COMMERCIAL MOMENTUM 


Growth that follows. 


TownePlaceSuitesOpens
Specializedagriculture
1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



BUILDING THE 
NEXT GENERATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 


Launching what's next. 



Defense 
coalition 


The Central Montana Defense Coalition coordinates 
business and community advocacy to sustain 
existing missions and pursue future missions. 


Childcare 
action 


The 2026 feasibility study quantified unmet 
demand of 502-858 slots. The Dennis and Phyllis 
Washington Foundation funded the research. 


NEW 
WAYS 
TO 
REACH 
OPPORTUNITY 


Tourism, 
Recreation 
& 
Entertainment 
Business 
Development 
Position 
Added 


Dedicated 
capacity 
to 
turn 
visitor 
interest 
and 
market 
opportunity 
into 
new 
business 
investment. 


Energy 
alliance 


GFDA helped form the Montana Energy Business 
Alliance to advocate for transmission capacity 
and affordable, reliable power. 


Data 
center 
task 
force 


GFDA convened residents and experts to develop 
criteria, examine impacts, and guide responsible 
data-center attraction. 


Online 
Business 
Development 
Position 
Added 


Dedicated 
capacity 
to 
generate 
and 
cultivate 


prospects 
through 
digital 
channels 
and 
talent-

attraction 
tools. 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



SMALL-BUSINESS SUCCESS 


Advising. Training. Contracting. 


321,216275$60M+
Small BusinessDevelopmentCenterBoost YourBusinessAPEX AcceleratorTalent attraction
1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



CONNECTION IS 
ECONOMIC 
INFRASTRUCTURE 


Events that build community. 



The 
Fire 
Within 
Ignite 
2026 
The 
15th 
annual 
celebration 
honored 
52 
women 
30 
local 
businesses 
showcased 
the 
major 
business 
owners 
and 
drew 
more 
than 
230 
guests 
investments, 
developments, 
and 
projects 
for 
recognition 
and 
connection. 
expected 
to 
move 
forward 
across 
our 
region 
in 
the 
coming 
year. 


19individuals and partners werepresented with Ally Awards atour Annual Meeting.
Entrepreneur celebrations, groundbreakings, trainings, annual gatherings, and project tours turn information 
into relationships-and relationships into momentum. 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



GFDA CAPITAL 


Capital that moves projects. 


Flexible 
financing 
fills 
the 
gap. 


As 
a 
certified 
Community 
Development 
Financial 
Institution, 
GFDA 
provides 
gap 
and 
bridge 
financing 
for 
businesses, 
developers, 
nonprofits, 
and 
community 
projects 
that 
cannot 
secure 
all 
the 
capital 
they 
need 
from 
conventional 
sources. 


Revolving impact fund 


Dollars 
return 
to 
the 
fund 
and 
move 
into 
the 
next 
project, 
extending 
the 
value 
of 
each 
investment. 


$3M10$14.4M
Big Sandy Organics 


GFDA provided $195,000 in gap financing to help Big 
Sandy Organics complete a $4 million expansion of its 
Kracklin’ KAMUT production operation. New automated 
equipment will significantly increase production capacity 
and help the Montana-grown company pursue new 
markets, including international sales. 


GFDA capital supported manufacturing, childcare, healthcare, hospitality, housing, property redevelopment, and 
more during the year. 



Stadium Club Apartments 


GFDA provided $347,780 in bridge financing to help 
bring the 12-unit Stadium Club Apartments to life in 
Great Falls. The project transformed a vacant property 
into much-needed new housing. 


1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



RAIL-SERVED INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITY 


Great Falls AgriTech Park. 


CurrentoperatingtenantsMontanaSpecialtyMillsHelenaAgri-EnterprisesFedExGroundPonderosaSolutionsCOMINGSOON:JanickiIndustries
The Great Falls AgriTech Park is a critical asset in keeping our region competitive for new investment. Its shovel-
ready industrial sites reduce the time, cost, and uncertainty companies face when selecting a location. 
With infrastructure, transportation access, and development-ready land in place, the AgriTech Park gives Great Falls 
a powerful advantage when competing for manufacturers, processors, logistics companies, and other major 
employers. 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



RECOGNITION 


A year of recognized impact. 


honoringprograms,projects,transparency,andleaderswhoarestrengtheningthefield.
National Impact Awards 


GFDA 
received 
three 
2026 
National 
Association 
of 
Development 
Organizations 
(NADO) 
Impact 
Awards, 
recognizing 
our 
2026–2029 
Economic 
Development 
Strategy, 
30 
years 
of 
successful 
gap 
financing, 
and 
Great 
Falls 
Regional 
Small 
Business 
Development 
Center.. 


Economic 
Development 


3rd 


Organization of the Year · Bronze 


Bronze 
recognition 
from 
the 
International 
Economic 
Development 
Council 
placed 
GFDA 
among 
the 
highest-performing 
economic 
development 
organizations 
in 
the 
25,000– 
200,000 
population 
category. 


1 
Franzini Fellowship 


Senior 
Vice 
President 
Jill 
Kohles 
was 
selected 
for 
a 
competitive 
development-finance 
fellowship 
and 
national 
program 
that 
recognizes 
and 
develops 
emerging 
leaders 
in 
development 
finance 
through 
advanced 
training, 
mentorship, 
and 
industry 
engagement. 


1 
ATHENA Leadership Award 


Executive 
Vice 
President 
Jolene 
Schalper 
received 
the 
2025 
ATHENA 
Award, 
recognizing 
leaders 
who 
demonstrate 
professional 
excellence, 
meaningful 
community 
service, 
and 
a 
commitment 
to 
helping 
women 
achieve 
their 
full 
leadership 
potential. 



1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



OUR 
TEAM 


14GrowGreatFallsMontana.org144053rdStreetNWSuite203,GreatFalls,MT59404People who moveprojects.

THE 
GFDA MODEL 


People. Place. Partners. 



MissionGrowdiverseeconomicopportunitiesthatenhancequalityoflife.
STRATEGYPARTNERS
Platinum transparency: 
GFDA 
earned 
Candid's 
Platinum 
Seal 
of 
Transparency 
for 
the 
7th 
consecutive 
year. 



The strongest outcome of FY2026 is a region more prepared to win 
and 
more capable of delivering when it does. 


1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



GFDA INVESTORS 


16 


Thank you for investing in regionalgrowth! 


GFDA Investors 


Investor 
support 
gives 
GFDA 
the 
flexible 
capacity 
to 
pursue 
opportunities, 
solve 
project 
barriers, 
and 
build 
a 
stronger 
regional 
economy. 


16 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



GFDA INVESTORS 
· CONTINUED 


17 


CentralMontanaDefenseCoalitionInvestors
1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



BOARD, COUNCIL, ANDCOMMITTEE MEMBERSThank you to our volunteer leaders!
18GFDA Board of Directors & Council
BOARD, COUNCIL, ANDCOMMITTEE MEMBERSThank you to our volunteer leaders!
18GFDA Board of Directors & Council
18 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 


405 
3rd 
Street 
NW 
Suite 
203, 
Great 
Falls, 
MT 
59404 



BOARD, COUNCIL, AND 
COMMITTEE MEMBERS 
· CONTINUED 



High Plains Financial Board of Directors 


19
1-406-781-9499 


GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 



Invest in what 
comes next. 


Your support gives Great Falls the capacity to compete, 
finance, convene, and deliver. 


Grow diverse economic opportunities that 
enhance quality of life. 


Become a GFDA investor 
Jenn@GrowGreatFalls.org 
1-406-781-9499 


FollowtheTopTenWeekly project wins, businessnews, and ways to get involved.
GrowGreatFallsMontana.org 
1-406-564-0957 
405 3rd Street NW Suite 203 
Great Falls, MT 59404