Great Falls.
Great Opportunity.

Supporting Business Growth from the Rocky Mountain West

Situated on the banks of the Missouri River east of the Rocky Mountain foothills, Great Falls is a Top 15 small city for business and one of the nation’s most livable communities. Our region is defined by great schools, safe neighborhoods, excellent health care, diverse arts and entertainment, outdoor recreation in every direction and the stunning Montana landscape. Our diverse economy includes a mix of home-grown businesses and national brands across food/bio/agricultural processing, steel fabrication, energy, Air Force, logistics, and back office/call center operations.

Rocky Mountains. Smooth Business Climate.

Great Falls is located in Central Montana along the Interstate 15 Canamex Corridor between Calgary and Salt Lake City. Our market has 24/7 customs, a foreign trade zone, and a category 1 all-weather international airport. We offer a new BNSF-certified rail industrial park, custom workforce training across office and industrial skillsets, and an array of economic development incentives.

Customized Workforce Training For Your Needs

Our Community’s Size Make Us Agile & Responsive

We have strong partnerships with Great Falls College MSU and University of Providence in Great Falls, Great Falls Public School System, MSU Northern in Havre, MSU Bozeman, and the University of Montana. Our close relationships allow for industry input in programs and certifications, and ensure a talent pipeline to meet your needs.

Examples of this partnership are our Industrial Technology, Computer Coding, Cybersecurity and Health Technology programs, initially developed by and are continuously evolving with input from area employers. Major employers impart their industry knowledge and specific needs to the program directors, which can then be incorporated into the existing programs quickly and efficiently.

This type of collaboration doesn’t just happen at the college level. Our public schools work closely with industries to ensure that students are graduating with the skills they need to be employed or seek advanced degrees, and have upgraded equipment and curricula to do so.

Centralized U.S. Location & Neutral Voice

Specializing in Tech & Healthcare Support

From niche companies like FCR, which often provide tech and business support to upstart brands and helps them become household names, to larger organizations like Centene and BlueCross BlueShield, Great Falls has provided a welcoming and productive environment for business service operations. Yes, we have low costs compared to other regions around the country, but our value comes from providing a stable workforce, supportive workforce development resources, a central U.S. location accessible to all time zones and a population with a neutral voice often appreciate.

Employers that do well here are those that ingrain themselves into the community. The Great Falls Development Authority can assist with that, making connections with local colleges and universities as well as other community institutions around the region.

Produce More for Less

Proximity to Raw Materials, Canada, Workforce Training & Accessible Sites

Business operating costs in Great Falls are 92% of the national average, with low renewable electric rates and substantial water rights, including spring water. It has helped our region attraction successful operations for American, Canadian, French, Japanese, and Spanish owned companies. Many of them are attracted to our raw materials, including wheat, barley, sprouted grains and cattle. Our location is also an asset, with proximity to Western Canada’s transportation hub in Alberta and south to the Rocky Mountain corridor along I-15.

The Great Falls advanced manufacturing sector is supported by a pipeline of customized talent beginning in our public schools and continuing on through our community college, Great Falls College MSU. We were instrumental in creating the first Canadian and American duel certified welding center in the United States. Together we will identify your talent pipeline utilizing all training and education assets.

A number of sites around Great Falls are built with business in mind, including the AgriTech Park, a 1,300 acre, BNSF-certified premier rail industrial park providing fully-served sites for bioscience, food and agricultural processors, distribution/logistics, and advanced manufacturing operations. Great Bear Innovation Park and the Great Falls International Airport are also home to a multitude of manufacturing tenants and have space for companies to grow.

Tools & Resources

Great Falls Labor Supply Study

Review Chmura Economics & Analytics’ analysis of our market’s labor strengths.
Download Here

Available Sites & Buildings

View our searchable database of locations around the Great Falls region.
Search Here

Food Processing Operating Costs Analysis

See how Great Falls performs as a location for food processing operations.
Download Here

Finding Success in Great Falls, Montana.

Jolene Schalper, CEcD Senior Vice President, Business Development

Jolene Schalper, CEcD

Senior Vice President, Business Development

JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org
(406) 750-4481
LinkedIn

Great Falls by the Numbers

82,000

Regional Population

6.75%

Montana Standard Corporate Tax Rate

92%

Business Operating Costs Compared to National Average (100%)

89.7%

Cost of Living Compared to National Average (100%)
Jolene Schalper, CEcD Senior Vice President, Business Development

Jolene Schalper, CEcD

Senior Vice President, Business Development

JSchalper@GrowGreatFalls.org
(406) 750-4481
LinkedIn