The energy was electric at IEDC's inaugural Rural Retreat in Great Falls, Montana, where 400 economic development practitioners convened to reimagine what's possible in rural and tribal communities. This three-day event in late June proved that when bright minds unite, extraordinary outcomes can happen in rural communities. 

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IEDC extends its sincere thanks to the Great Falls Development Alliance and Visit Great Falls, whose leadership as host committee made the rural retreat possible.

Interested in bringing a Rural Economic Development Conference to your community? IEDC is seeking future host communities with a strong interest in rural economic development. Host Committees are typically made up of 3–4 local leaders who offer high-level guidance on sponsorship, branding, tour planning, and offsite events. It’s a unique opportunity to spotlight your region and help shape a national conversation.

Host Committee Interest Form

Beyond the Breakout Room: Immersive Experiences in Montana

On Tuesday and Wednesday, June 24 and 25, participants boarded tour buses or set out on foot across North Central Montana, visiting communities, tourism landmarks, businesses, and industries that are redefining rural prosperity. 

Immersive experiences were designed to give participants an up-close understanding of the ways economic development can reinvigorate rural communities. Explorations of thriving downtowns, tourism destinations, new and heritage industries, and small businesses showed attendees what’s possible with collaboration and innovation. 

Shared Challenges and Opportunities

The retreat's power came from recognizing common ground across rural America. Business attraction and retention, workforce, housing, infrastructure, quality of life, and opportunity creation are shared challenges faced by economic development practitioners. The process of learning from each other, networking, and sharing best practices gave participants practical tools to deploy in their communities. 

The Small-Town Startups with Global Spark in Conrad highlighted how a family-owned soap business scaled internationally by harnessing broadband and e-commerce. It showcased how rural communities can build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems without relying on foot traffic or traditional infrastructure.

"From a producer of large-scale agriculture processing facilities, to a line of high-quality goat milk soaps and beauty products, to the farming of local wheat and barley to create craft beers and spirits, Conrad, Montana, has an entrepreneurial spark. At the Rural Retreat, attendees visited AG Processing Solutions, Windrift Hill, and Farm Power Malt, all local businesses that have received support from the Great Falls Development Authority and other partners. These businesses show that Montana’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and vibrant, and that rural startups can thrive when there’s a strong ecosystem of support and services."

– A tour participant

The Trails, Tales & Tourism That Transforms tour in Choteau and Bynum showed how rural towns are using heritage tourism, natural assets, and local storytelling to fuel economic growth. By leveraging their proximity to Glacier National Park, these communities are attracting visitors, investment, and new residents while addressing housing and workforce needs.

The Housing the Boom in a Town Discovered tour in White Sulphur Springs explored how a rural community is managing rapid growth from tourism, mining, and recreation without sacrificing its identity. Participants saw how local leaders are addressing housing affordability, short-term rental pressures, and rising costs while keeping community needs at the center.

The Hemp, History & Hometown Growth visit to Fort Benton highlighted how a historic river town is embracing industrial growth through hemp processing and strategic redevelopment. Attendees saw how infrastructure investments and a strong sense of place are attracting new industries, talent, and long-term investment.

"The Fort Benton tour revealed how a historic frontier town leverages heritage and natural beauty for economic growth. Participants visited IND Hemp's facilities, the nation's largest industrial hemp processor–a model that could be replicated in other rural communities across the U.S.

Participants also explored Fort Benton's rich Western history through visits to Missouri River Outfitters, the Grand Union Hotel, and Historic Fort, which has been restored, learning how the town leverages its history and natural beauty for tourism. We also heard how the community is implementing a tourism grant to generate new economic opportunities while maintaining its authentic small-town character and beauty that earned it recognition as one of America's prettiest towns.

The tour provided actionable lessons for rural communities: support emerging industries like hemp processing and transform historical assets into economic opportunities."

– A tour participant

The Rail, Real Estate & Innovation Hubs tour explored how the Blackfeet Nation and the town of Cut Bank are transforming underused buildings into economic assets. From tribal entrepreneurship and Native CDFI-led lending to adaptive reuse and rail-connected redevelopment, participants saw how creative financing and local leadership are revitalizing rural downtowns.

The Clean Energy That Powers the Planet tour in Great Falls showcased how rural Montana is becoming a key player in the renewable energy transition through hydroelectric, sustainable aviation fuel, and emerging solar and wind projects. Participants heard from utility and ag leaders driving innovation and saw how energy infrastructure is creating jobs and revitalizing rural communities.

The Building Homes, Health & Hope tour explored how rural healthcare providers and med-tech firms are driving demand for housing and leading collaborative solutions. Attendees saw how partnerships with lenders, builders, and state agencies are supporting workforce retention and livability in growing rural communities.

The From Field to Fortune – Agriculture That Scales tour highlighted how Montana’s agri-processing sector is attracting global investment and strengthening rural supply chains. Participants saw how business retention, expansion, and FDI strategies are driving industry growth while supporting local economies.

"This Ag tour visited three locations around Great Falls, MT. They highlighted the work that the Great Falls Development Authority (GFDA) has done to support businesses expand and grow through innovative financing, infrastructure needs, and permitting help. GFDA created an agricultural industrial park that supports both rail and truck deliveries/pickups. This was critical for the Montana Specialty Mills to expand their operation in 2018, moving them off the riverfront and bringing them to the park. They also set up a better wastewater treatment option in the factory to allow the Mill to put their wastewater back into the city system. Next, we visited Pasta Montana, which was the first ever recipient of a loan from GFDA to expand its business in 1996. Now the company is almost at max capacity and demonstrates how local business partnerships can be beneficial and profitable for the community, including partnerships with the minor league baseball team across the parking lot!

Finally, the tour visited Missouri River Meats to see the new meat packing facility in partnership with a local rancher. GFDA has helped secure grant funding and loans to create a meat processing facility that is supplying local restaurants with high-quality beef, pork, and chicken. This vertical integration of farm-to-table options for the Great Falls area creates opportunities and strengthens the economy with an almost closed-loop system for ranchers to restaurants.

Attendees discussed their local agri-business, community buy-in, and the need to support businesses with infrastructure and technical assistance."

– A tour participant

The Breathing Life into Main Street walking tour in downtown Great Falls showed how financial tools like TIF and CPACE are being used to turn long-vacant buildings into vibrant commercial spaces. Attendees walked through revitalized properties and heard directly from the leaders driving Main Street reinvestment.

The Riverfront Revival on the Missouri tour at West Bank Landing showcased how West Bank Landing transformed from industrial land into a thriving mixed-use district. Participants saw how early investment, environmental cleanup, and placemaking turned a bold vision into a lasting model for rural waterfront development.

The Reimagining Space, Reclaiming Identity visit to the Little Shell Tribal Headquarters offered insights into how the newly recognized tribe is investing in housing, healthcare, and cultural facilities. The tour reflected the power of place in tribal-led economic development.

Momentum in Montana Yields Solutions at Home

IEDC organizers designed the retreat to illuminate the challenges and successes occurring in rural America. Participants left with new strategies, robust networks, and a renewed commitment to advancing rural prosperity at home.

Looking Ahead

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