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...