Business Bites: GFDA data center meeting; UW campaign; High School House groundbreaking; Bar NN Smokehouse closing; Double Barrel for sale; bead shop opens; girls robotics class; and more
GFDA Data Center Task Force meeting
The Great Falls Development Alliance is hosting another Data Center Task Force meeting on Sept. 28, inviting community members to gather and review what’s been learned during the previous five meetings to develop a clear, thoughtful, and informed community framework for any future data center project considering North Central Montana.
GFDA started the task force meetings in February to examine potential opportunities, impacts, benefits, and concerns associated with data center development.
The first meeting focused on community listening and identifying key concerns, including energy use, water use, infrastructure, workforce, taxes, community benefits, and long-term impacts, according to GFDA.
Industry, engineering, and economic development professionals presented at subsequent meetings to answer questions and provide information.
This meeting includes an overview by Jolene Schalper, community roundtables and discussion, next steps.
Attendance is in person and GFDA asks for RSVPs so they know how many are planning to attend.
The meeting is 5-6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Great Falls College MSU, 2100 16th Ave. S.
Download the notes from the fifth meeting here.
United Way launches fundraising campaign
United Way of Cascade County launched its annual fundraising campaign on Sept. 10 with the goal to raise $1.25 million to focus on our community’s greatest needs and challenges.
Based on funds raised in last year’s campaign, United Way will support 27 local nonprofit programs and help an estimated 32,683 people through grants during the coming year.
The need for services continues to grow. Many organizations seeking United Way grants this year
reported increased demand for food, rental assistance and other basic services, while also facing higher operating costs.
United Way Campaign Chair Keith Benjamin said the annual campaign provides an opportunity for
businesses and individuals to make a broad impact through a single organization while supporting efforts to address the underlying causes of community challenges.
“The annual campaign is the tip of our spear — it’s where we generate the resources that enable us to execute on our mission,” Benjamin said in a release. “It provides opportunities for people to contribute as much or as little as they can, and all can feel like part of a larger, indispensable, collective force for good in our community.”
Local employers continue to play a major role in the campaign. United Way pacesetter businesses
accounted for 60 percent of the campaign total last year.
The 38 pacesetters are:
- Alliance for Youth
- Beehive Homes
- Benefis Health System
- Bison Ford
- Bravera Bank
- Calumet Montana Refining
- Cascade County
- City Motor Company
- City of Great Falls
- Cogswell Insurance
- Columbia Grain
- D.A. Davidson
- Dick Anderson Construction
- Douglas Wilson
- First Interstate Bank
- General Mills
- Great Falls Chamber of Commerce
- Great Falls College-MSU
- Great Falls Independence Bank
- Great Falls Public Schools
- Horizon Credit Union
- Hotel Arvon and Celtic Cowboy
- Hoven Equipment
- HUB International
- JCCS
- LPW Architecture
- Marsh McClennan Agency
- Montana Credit Union
- NeighborWorks Great Falls
- NorthWestern Energy
- Opportunities Inc.
- Opportunity Bank
- Pacific Steel and Recycling
- Pinion Global
- RBC Wealth Management
- Scheels
- TDS Fiber
- United Way of Cascade County
In addition to the workplace campaign, people may give by sending contributions directly to United Way at P.O. Box 1343, Great Falls, MT 59403, or donating online via its secure website.
High School House groundbreaking
NeighborWorks Great Falls and Great Falls Public Schools are hosting a groundbreaking ceremony of the 49th High School House at 11 a.m. Sept. 17.
A donation from Wells Fargo helped secure the vacant lot at 1105 2nd Ave. S.W. for this year’s build.
NWGF and GFPS have partnered on this project since 1997 with the first home completed in 1998.
NWGF supplies the lot, arranges subcontractors and finances construction while working with potential homebuyers to prepare them for homeownership. Students provide the labor and gain hands-on skills in a real-world setting, preparing them for careers in the trades.
Arts on Fire
The 15th Annual Arts on Fire Festival is Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.
The festival includes art activities for all ages, food trucks, music and dance performances throughout the day, artist demonstrations, vendor market, museum exhibitions, pottery sale and more.
The museum needs volunteers for the event. Contact Sara Johnson, culture and engagement manager, at sjohnson@the-square.org or call the front desk at 406-727-8255 to sign up to be a volunteer.
Bridal Fair
Silhouette Bridal Studio is hosting the 2026 Central Montana Bridal Fair at the University of Providence conference center on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The fair includes photography, floral, gowns, catering, entertainment, videography, beauty and more.
Admission is free.
CMR track and field coach
The GFPS Athletic Department has recommended Bryce Cuchine be hired as the next head track and field coach at C.M. Russell High School.
If approved by the school board, Cuchine will replace Brian Greenwell, who resigned last spring following five seasons leading the program.
Cuchine is a 2015 CMR graduate who participated in football and track and field.
He graduated from UM Western, where he participated in football until injuries forced his retirement.
Over the past 7 years, Cuchine has served on the football, basketball and track coaching staffs while working as the health enhancement teacher at West Elementary. He has also been active with the elementary cross-country and track programs throughout his tenure.
Great Falls College MSU childcare center
Great Falls College is operating an on‑campus childcare facility this fall to better support student‑parents and strengthen hands‑on learning opportunities for college students in the early childhood education program.
The Early Learning Center, located at 1900 23rd St. S., opened Sept. 14.
The college will be able to offer more flexible options, including occasional care for the children of college students, with a more discounted tuition rate for students who rely on the center to care for their children.
Bringing the Early Learning Center under college management will create a teaching laboratory for early childhood education students while strengthening services for children and families.
“Having the Early Learning Center operate under the umbrella of the college will give our students a richer, more consistent learning environment,” Deb Huestis, early childhood education program director, said in a release. “They’ll be able to apply what they learn in class directly in the center with guidance from experienced senior staff as they strengthen their skills and confidence as early childhood professionals.”
The center is only open to children of students and employees when it first opens to ease into operation, but will eventually be open to the public.
At full capacity, the Early Learning Center will be able to care for 80 children.
The college hired Kelly Chadbourne and Chilo Ketterling to be the director and assistant director, respectively, of the Early Learning Center.
Ruver and Range Bistro
River and Range Bistro is opening its recently remodeled dining room in the Columbus Center this weekend.
The bistro is closed Friday for a private event, but open for reservations Thursday and Saturday.
Call or text 406-403-8992 for reservations.
Sunset, full moon hike
Hikers can enjoy a Montana sunset followed by September’s harvest moon on a special hike on Sept. 26 at First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park.
The three-mile moderately difficult hike on the park trails begins at 6 p.m. and will be led by the park’s AmeriCorps member Alysa LaPlante, who will share the history and unique features of the park.
A $4 per person fee applies and the hike is limited to 25 participants.
Great Falls Clinic
Great Falls Hospital‘s Heart and Vascular Center was voted the Best Heart Center in Montana for 2026 in Distinctly Montana magazine’s annual Best of Montana competition.
Winners are determined entirely by public vote.
The Heart and Vascular Center will celebrate the recognition by thanking patients, staff and providers whose support and commitment helped make the honor possible.
The center provides cardiovascular and vascular care for patients across North Central Montana. The program offers preventive care, diagnostic testing, interventional cardiology services, vascular care, cardiac rehabilitation and long-term heart health management. As part of Great Falls Hospital, the Heart and Vascular Center is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care close to home.
Girls robotics class
TurboTech Girls Robotics is designed just for girls ages 8-12 who are curious about how things work and ready to create something amazing.
The class is Sept. 22-Oct. 15 at Great Falls College MSU.
To sign up, call 406-268-3734 or email cet@gfcmsu.edu
- build real robots
- learn coding basics
- work as a team
- strengthen problem-solving skills
- grow confidence through hands-on learning
No experience needed. Just bring your curiosity.
Thrift Happens
Thrift Happens, a new thrift shop, opened earlier this month at 320 6th St. S.
Bead store
Big Sky Beads and Western Grace Boutique has opened in the Times Square Building at 525 Central Ave. with beads and beading supplies, Indigenous-made jewelry and gifts, purses, clothes, Montana-made gifts and more.
Double Barrel for sale
Double Barrel Coffee House Cafe is for sale.
Stephanie Ross assumed ownership of the cafe Oct. 1, 2025 from Lucas and Melissa Cyr, who were part of the partner group that established the business in 2018.
In a post, Ross wrote that “due to life changes, I will no longer be able to run the restaurant as I once did. The restaurant requires time and love that I can no longer fully provide. As much as I would have loved to continue this humble restaurant for years to come, I feel God is pushing me to a different path, one where I am more available to my family and church.”
She wrote that she wanted to give the same opportunity she was given to others, “so if you have ever dreamed of owning your own small restaurant, coffee shop and/or bakery, this is your opportunity. Whether you want to continue an established business or create your own vision, the possibilities are endless.”
Serious inquiries should contact the cafe via messenger or email info@doublebarrel.cafe.
Bar NN Smokehouse closing
Bar NN Smokehouse will cease restaurant operations on Oct. 1.
The owner posted that he has decided to prioritize his health so restaurant operations will end, but they’ll still be available for special events or catering.
Benefis Goodnow Healthy Aging Center
The Benefis Goodnow Healthy Aging Center is preparing to open on Oct. 5 at 2800 10th Ave. S.
Benefis and the Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce are hosting a ribbon-cutting at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22 and attendees should RSVP to Events@benefis.org.
Malmstrom contract
The 341st Contracting Squadron at Malmstrom Air Force Base has awarded a contract for the expansion of the “Giant Voice System” to Acoustic Technology, Inc. of East Boston, Mass. for $246,902.75. The period of performance for this award is 30 calendar days after issuance of the notice to proceed.
Montana history writing prize
The Montana Historical Society is now accepting submissions for the Montana Headwaters Book Prize, a new annual award recognizing the best historical nonfiction books on Montana history.
Submissions are open through Jan. 31, 2027, and are open to authors and publishers of books published during the 2026 calendar year.
Full eligibility requirements and submission instructions are available here.
The prize is funded annually by Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson in partnership with the Montana Historical Society.
Up to three awards will be presented, recognizing first, second and third place books of historical nonfiction set substantially in Montana during the 20thcentury or earlier.
Winners will be announced on May 15, 2027, and prizes will be presented at the 2027 Montana History Conference, Sept. 23–25 in Helena.
First-place winners receive a bronze reproduction of C. M. Russell bookends, a $4,000 cash prize and paid registration, lodging, and travel to the Montana History Conference, where attendance is required.
Second-place winners receive a plaque and $2,000, and third-place winners receive a plaque and $1,500; complimentary conference registration is included for both, and attendance is strongly encouraged.
Authors who cannot commit to attending the conference should not apply.
Eligible works must be first-edition, full-length nonfiction books written in English, assigned an ISBN, and published in 2026. Books must include footnotes or endnotes, citations, a bibliography or bibliographical essay, and an index.
Self-published books are welcome, and the author does not need to be a Montana resident. Books published by the MTHS Press are eligible if submitted by the author directly.
To submit, authors or publishers complete a brief entry form on the MTHS website and pay a $50 entry fee.
Six printed copies of the work must be mailed to the Larry Len and LeAnne Peterson Library and Archives, Montana Historical Society, 225 North Roberts St., P.O. Box 201201, Helena, MT 59601.
Submissions may be added to the library’s permanent collection. Tracking is recommended, as receipt will not be individually acknowledged.
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.
