Bear Paw Development brings in $8.9 Million in 2017
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HAVRE – Bear Paw Development Corporation, Montana’s longest-serving federally-recognized Economic Development District, recently released its Annual Report for 2017. Through the activities of the nonprofit community and economic development organization, more than $8.9 million was coordinated for projects in Bear Paw Development’s five-county region of northern Montana. That equates to $85.33 for every $1 of funding from local government the organization receives.
Additionally, Bear Paw Development’s work in 2017 with the private sector and others led to the creation or retention of 195 jobs, and 124 entrepreneurs were counseled by the organization’s Small Business Development Center.
“For nearly five decades, Bear Paw Development has worked hard to meet the economic and community development needs of northern Montana. Last year is a good example of the positive impact we have annually in coordination with our partners in both the public and private sectors,” Paul Tuss, Executive Director, said. “From every job we help private industry create, to every infrastructure project that gets completed, to every business start-up or expansion we help to finance, we know we are making this region a better place to live, work and invest.”
Tuss also noted that the organization has approved 381 loans to small businesses since the inception of Bear Paw Development’s revolving loan fund, and has coordinated more than $136 million for projects for northern Montana since 2006.
“We firmly believe that northern Montana has a bright future, and we are honored to be a small part of what makes it tick,” Tuss noted. “As we approach our 50th year of service, we look forward to continuing the tradition of working with local and tribal government leaders, and the business community, to assure the continued viability and livability of this special place.”
Bear Paw Development Corporation serves a region of northern Montana which includes Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Chouteau Counties, along with the Rocky Boy’s and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations.
