The latest round of business bites is a mix of updates and announcements from the Great Falls Development Alliance’s Ignite 2025 on Jan. 10 and other local business updates compiled by The Electric.

The Falls

Ted Mitchell of Mitchel Development is planning a 100-acre mixed use development on the east side of the city, kitty corner from the WalMart and near Malmstrom Air Force Base.

The proposed project includes hotels, box stores, restaurants and residential.

“It’s going to be a long tedious project,” Mitchell said, and estimates it will take 20-25 years.

The first phase will include development of a Woodspring Suites hotel that Mitchell said has an estimated opening of the fall of 2026.

Business Bites: childcare grants; Little Shell event center; Ignite 2025; Station District opening; Banff film festival; Sacagawea program; GFPS job fair; youth activities

Later phases include a mixed use building with about 300 apartments on the upper levels and commercial use on the bottom floors and “big boxes stores which we will attract eventually,” as well as a centralized area for entertainment and restaurants. Another section is proposed to include about 800 residential units that Mitchell said they may sell that land to a residential developer for that portion of the project. The proposal includes an estimated 63,000-square feet of retail and office space and 20 restaurants.

The proposed development includes pedestrian trails and green space.

He said the project is similar to the Bozeman Gateway, which is about 72 acres and includes a Kohls, and is not yet complete.

Mitchell said his team has been in discussion with the Montana Department of Transportation about a proposed roundabout in that area versus a signaled intersection.

As of Dec. 31, city staff told The Electric they’d had some initial conversations about utilities in the area, but no plans or applications had been submitted for the project.

The proposed property is outlined in blue on the map.

Both parcels are currently in the county and will have to go through the city’s annexation and zoning process before the project can move forward.

Business Bites: Tony Roma’s opening in November; Kelly’s Signs for sale; GFDA working on potential $1.1 billion manufacturing project; First Peoples Buffalo Jump park seeking volunteers; and more [2024]

120th Airlift Wing

The 120th Airlift Wing of the Montana Air National Guard was selected to receive new C-130J model aircraft to replace their aging H models.

The unit is scheduled to receive the first of those aircraft in March 2026 and plans to begin their conversion in October. They have about $30 million worth of infrastructure projects in preparation of the conversion, including additions to hangars, main gate and fuel station.

There’s also a multimillion dollar project planned to combine and relocate the existing hangars after the conversion.

MANG selected for new aircraft after years of modernization efforts [2023]

Clearwater Credit Union

Clearwater Credit Union purchased the former downtown Hardee’s last year and is planning to begin construction this summer on the demolition and new building.

Paul Herendeen, Clearwater’s director of impact market development, said that they estimate an 18-month buildout on the estimated $7 million project that’s currently in the design phase.

Business Bites: downtown Hardee’s sold; Mrs. Wrights Pastys closing; Honey Hippo has new owners; Hi-Line Climbing offering free climbing; Miss Linda’s, Montana Youth Symphony have upcoming events; Cascade 66 Race; Special Olympics Montana numbers; Korean War online exhibit; Safety Town; and more [2024]

Benefis Health System

Benefis Health System is planning to break ground on a 15,000-square-foot outpatient senior health facility near their existing campus on 10th Avenue South this spring. A rendering of the new facility, provided by Benefis, is below, as well as a location map.

Benefis implementing new records management system [2024]

The Healthy Aging Center will be next door to the Women’s and Children’s Center on 10th Avenue South.

Permits for the project have not yet been submitted to the city.

The purpose of the center is to bring together geriatric specialist and services focused on supporting healthy maintenance through aging, promoting patients’ continued independence. The center will address issues of nutrition, medication, cognitive health, and mobility with dedicated specialists focused on care gaps in prevention and adaptation to issues that come with aging, according to Benefis.

NeighborWorks Great Falls

NeighborWorks Great Falls is celebrating its 45th anniversary this year and are on track to start the first phases of their 124-acre Highland project in the near future. The development will include homes built through the federal Mutual Self Help build program, as well as single family lots for developers to purchase and space for other types of housing and potential partnerships, Sherrie Arey, executive director said during Ignite.

The Baatz Building project is nearing completion. The project is creating permanent supportive housing for the homeless and is partnering with Opportunities Inc. to provide and coordinate necessary services.

Arey said they plan to start leasing this summer.

Demand for new housing high in Great Falls area; costs slow development

Pizza Ranch

Pizza Ranch has been issued permits and expects to start construction soon on their new location at the former Joann on 10th Avenue South.

They’re hoping to open the 15,000-square-foot restaurant that includes a Fun Zone Arcade and serves beer and wine by the start of the summer.

Like Joann, Pizza Ranch is planning their main entrance on the parking lot side of the building.

Business Bites: Rocky Mountain building for sale; gymnastics academy closed; Cup Bop, Cambridge Court for sale; Malmstrom contract; Front Agency opens in Fairfield; Eagle Scout paints Memorial Stadium; permits issued and more [2024]

Buffalo Blanc Cafe

Buffalo Blanc Cafe opened their second location in the Great Falls Hospital on Jan. 10 at 6 p.m.

“Whether you’re a doctor, nurse, patient, or a family member, we’re here to be that warm, welcoming space where you can take a moment to recharge, relax, and feel connected to the community,” according to Buffalo Blanc.

They’ll be serving coffee and drink, plus unique gifts.

They’re open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Business Bites: Symphony leadership changes; Peres Food Basket closing; Belles and Lace returning, ice cream and barcade coming to downtown; tax help; fraud prevention bingo; dance show; and more

Vintage Sellers

Vintage Sellers is moving this weekend and planning to open in their new location in West Bank on Jan. 20.

Business Bites: Times Square, Harlos have new owners; Station District food hall update; Hallmark closing; bubble tea coming; Vintage Sellers moving soon; Denny’s not closing; First Peoples Buffalo Jump hikes

Bringing U to You

The Bringing U to You lecture series is a collaborative effort of the University of Montana Alumni Association and Montana State University Alumni Foundation. It is organized locally by a committee of alumni from both schools. This is the 24th season.

This year’s series includes:

• Jan. 23: Dr. Waded Cruzado, MSU president, “Montana State University, Our Land-Grant University” at 7 p.m. at Great Falls High School’s Davidson Auditorium
• Feb. 6: Brad Bigelow of UM, “A Layperson’s Guide to Cyber Warfare” at 7 p.m at Great Falls College MSU’s Heritage Hall
• Feb. 20: Dr. Cara Palmer of MSU, “Sleep on It: Connections between Sleep and Mental Health” at 7 p.m at Great Falls College MSU’s Heritage Hall
• March 6: Dr. Jason Neiffer of UM, “Learning Reimagined: the Promise and Perils of AI in Education” at 7 p.m at Great Falls College MSU’s Heritage Hall

Series passes are $25 and available at Kaufman’s downtown and Leslie’s Hallmark in Holiday Village and can be ordered by calling 406-899-0277.

Tickets for individual lectures also are sold at the door, $10 for adults, $5 for students.

Business Bites: Candy Masterpiece closing; Thrive Cycle moving; Bloom and Bean open in new spot; Tres65 closing; Project Noel, Clear Your Stash drives; Giving Tuesday; Cascade XCELL; Safety Town; Pirates of Penzance; pedal trolley

Mac Attack

Mac Attack has partnered with Nosh MT Catering for a seasonal pop-up shop.

For a limited time, Mac Attack is bringing back their build-your-own mac and cheese experience from 12-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at 4307 N. Star Blvd., No. 3.

They’re also available on DoorDash from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ink and Toner

Ink and Toner is for sale at 2124 10th Ave. S. for $215,000.

A nondisclosure agreement is required for all inquiries.

All inventory, machines, and car included in price. Business space is leased.

Children’s Museum of Montana

The Children’s Museum of Montana is having a rummage sale to finish cleaning out their now closed location at 22 Railroad Square in preparation for their move.

The sale is Jan. 24-25.

UP Athletic Director

Doug Hashley, the University of Providence athletic director Doug Hashley has resigned.

He’s led Argos athletics since 2020 and served as assistant athletic director since 2017.

Hashley was twice named the Frontier Conference athletic director of the year, most recently in 2023. Hashley, a native of Big Sandy, is a graduate of Montana State University, where he played college basketball, setting several Bobcat records including rebounding records, free throw record and earning all-conference honors.

Business Bites: Tony Roma’s opens Monday; Feather Your Nest, Belles and Lace closing; Sisters Cafe open; housing rules; downtown development; new exhibit at Russell Museum

The Argos compete in 15 total intercollegiate athletics, comprised of more than 300 student athletes. Four Argos teams are nationally ranked currently.

Kylie Carranza, chief of staff to the president, and former Argo basketball athlete, is serving as the interim director responsible for day to day management of athletics and lead a national search for the next director.

Pedal trolley

SID’s Pedal Trolley Tours is launching this spring.

Prepped food

Lisa Schmidt of A Land of Grass Ranch in Conrad is purchasing a commercial pressure cooker to operate a food manufacturing kitchen, allowing her to package pre-cooked food that will be good for you to two years that can be sold in grocery stories. She said she’ll partner with other food producers to package their products.

Business Bites: Big Lots closing; NWE acquiring Energy West; Joanns update; Albertsons merger; Luz’s Mexican kitchen; Eagles Manor auction; and more

Electric City Logistics

Electric City Logistics is hosting their grand opening Jan. 16 in the Times Square building at 525 Central Ave.

They offer packing, shipping and delivery solutions for businesses and individuals.

Got a business bite? Email it to jenn@theelectricgf.com with ‘business bite’ in the subject line and the details in text form in the body of the email.