The Great Fall Development Alliance (GFDA) is a regional public/private Economic Development Organization (EDO) which focuses its efforts on the Great Falls Montana trade area. Our region includes the Great Falls Montana MSA (Cascade County) and a vast rural/tribal region that extends over 13 counties and 44,000 square miles. We are a private sector driven organization supported by over 120 local businesses and community organizations. We are an entrepreneurial organization that generates over 86% of our revenue. We are formed as a Montana non-profit corporation with 501(c)3 status from the IRS. We are a 509(c)(2). Our Computation of Public Support Percentage for our most recent fiscal year was 99.6% As of now we have 20 staff and three open positions: one accounting admin and two business development officers. 

As a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution), GFDA provides gap and bridge financing focused on the Great Falls trade area. In addition to lending, our core operations include business development (business retention/expansion and business attraction) and business advising and training. Our lending and development services are focused in the economically distressed areas and people of our region, leveraging our capital to generate the greatest possible economic and quality of life impact. Our gap and bridge financing provides access to capital that conventional lenders cannot or will not provide. We partner with banks and credit unions to finance entrepreneurial startups, business expansion, real estate and housing development, and nonprofit community services. Our business development work assists a wide variety of businesses, developers, non-profits, and public agencies with concierge services customized to help make things happen that otherwise would not. We also work on efforts to make our trade area more competitive in attracting investment, entrepreneurs, and workforce talent; and to improve quality of life. Our business advising and training services help entrepreneurs to start new ventures and help existing businesses to thrive and grow. GFDA is a proud to be an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Amazon’s Economic Development team supports worldwide expansion by building relationships with economic development organizations, policymakers, permitting agencies, and community stakeholders. We directly support Amazon’s investments and we help integrate our businesses into the communities in which they locate. Our engagement is not transactional. We build long-term, collaborative partnerships with economic development organizations to advance job creation and economic growth.

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

ACT workforce solutions strengthen job readiness and skills development for individuals, businesses, government, professional associations, and education institutions in the United States and internationally. Our comprehensive training, assessments, and credential offerings have helped more than 5 million individuals and 28,000+ employers find success.

CoBank is one of the largest private providers of credit to the U.S. rural economy. We are a national cooperative bank, a proud member of the Farm Credit System with a mission to serve vital industries that are the backbone of rural America including agribusiness, power, water and telecommunications.

Great Falls, Montana is an Air Force community, protecting the free world, rooted in history and grounded in hard work. It’s a basecamp to outdoor recreation across a diverse landscape of mountains, rivers, production agriculture, buttes, and bluffs. Great Falls is creative, with world-class museums, historical sites, sculpture lined trails, and murals throughout downtown. Explore the land of the plains Indians, where Lewis & Clark trod, in Charlie Russell’s backyard by fishing, hiking, kayaking, or going to his actual backyard, the C.M. Russell Museum Complex. Experience honest hospitality while dining outdoors, take in a game:  professional, college, or your own, and share a smile with our resident mermaids at the world-famous Sip ‘n Dip Lounge. We’ll see ya soon, when you Visit Great Falls, Montana! 

The Montana Department of Commerce works with local and statewide partners to support economic growth across Montana. By offering grants, loans and technical assistance, Commerce promotes economic opportunities and administers quality, affordable housing programs. Commerce also aids business development, tourism promotion and public infrastructure planning and improvements. Commerce is dedicated to assisting Montana’s businesses and communities, helping them thrive and build a prosperous future for the entire state

The Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) is proud to sponsor this event in support of collaboration and economic progress across the nation. MEDA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects economic developers with partners in business, industry, finance, and government to strengthen Montana’s economy. Our story began in 1988 with the formation of the Montana Economic Development Network. As collaboration grew, the group evolved, becoming the Montana Economic Development Coalition in 1991, then the Professional Economic Developers Association of Montana in 1992, and finally the Montana Economic Developers Association in 1993. For over 30 years, MEDA has brought together professionals who are passionate about building stronger communities. We’re committed to supporting economic development through partnerships, knowledge sharing, and statewide coordination.We’re honored to be part of this important event.

The Montana University System consists of 16 public colleges and universities spanning 147,000 square miles, and includes leading public research and doctoral-level institutions and comprehensive 4-year and 2-year colleges and universities. Learn more by visiting our website.

Network Kansas, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to making entrepreneurship a priority for economic and community development in the State of Kansas. Network Kansas connects aspiring entrepreneurs, emerging and established businesses to a deep network of business-building and community development resource organizations across the state.

Network Kansas serves the state’s small business capital access needs through both traditional loan and financial equity programs.  In addition, Network Kansas facilitates the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem within participating communities through the eCommunity Partnership. Contributing factors to successful development include the availability of financial capital, support by local leadership, and development of educational resources. All of these factors combine to increase entrepreneurial activity in participating communities, leading to increased startup activity, business expansion, job creation, and more.

NorthWestern Energy provides essential energy infrastructure and valuable services that enrich lives and empower communities while serving as long-term partners to our customers and communities. We work to deliver safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions that create value for customers, communities, employees, and investors. We do this by providing low-cost and reliable service performed by highly-adaptable and skilled employees. We provide electricity and / or natural gas to approximately 787,000 customers in Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Yellowstone National Park. We have provided service in South Dakota and Nebraska since 1923 and in Montana since 2002.

Founded in 1978, RCAC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that partners with underserved rural and Indigenous communities to achieve their vision and well being through technical assistance, training, financial resources and advocacy. For more than 45 years, our dedicated staff and active board, coupled with our key values: leadership, collaboration, commitment, quality and integrity, have helped effect positive change in rural communities across the West. Our vision is that rural and Indigenous communities throughout the West are empowered to be vibrant, healthy and thriving.

LinkED Visions is an economic development consulting firm led by Theresa Metcalf, specializing in supporting communities with limited capacity through strategic, high-impact solutions. Specializing in building capacity for small teams, Theresa delivers customized support in business retention and expansion, workforce development, stakeholder alignment and event strategy. Her work includes designing and implementing high-impact initiatives such as FAM tours, workforce summits, industry roundtables, and site selector engagements. From grant program development to strategic planning, Theresa equips communities with the tools to strengthen local economies and create long-term impact. With a practical, hands-on approach and deep understanding of rural challenges, LinkED Visions helps communities move from concept to execution—turning limited resources into meaningful results.

Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM) opened its Great Falls, Montana campus in 2023, marking the state's first nonprofit medical school. The 100,000-square-foot facility offers a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program and a Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Sciences, focusing on training physicians to serve rural and underserved communities.

TouroCOM's presence has significantly bolstered Great Falls' economic landscape. A study by the University of Montana's Bureau of Business and Economic Research projected that, in its fourth year of operation, the medical school would support over 360 jobs and generate approximately $74 million in annual economic output . The influx of students, faculty, and staff has stimulated local businesses, housing markets, and healthcare services. TouroCOM's acquired the Weissman Hood Institute which will enhance clinical education and research opportunities in the region.

In essence, TouroCOM's Great Falls campus not only enriches medical education but also serves as a catalyst for economic growth and improved healthcare access in Montana.