Bear Paw Dev. looks for ideas on area's future

Bear Paw Development Corp. is planning to update its long-range development plan for northern Montana, and it’s looking for the public's help.

They want people to come forth with ideas about economic and community development priorities for this part of the Hi-Line.

“We really want to have a good idea of what people think are the strengths and weaknesses of our regional economy, and the type of projects that would help make our communities stronger, more resilient and better places to live, work and invest,” said Eryn Nissen, Bear Paw’s community planner. “While we have already worked throughout the fall to collect input, this last push prior to the end of the year is intended to ask residents what they believe makes our economy tick, what obstacles prohibit economic growth and ideas they may have to make things better.”

Nissen said that every area resident who completes the survey is eligible to win a prize that will be awarded to a randomly selected respondent. The prize is a Montana-shaped bamboo cutting board and a Bear Paw Development logo car blanket.

The survey, which can be found on Bear Paw’s website at http://www.bearpaw.org, must be submitted by Dec. 31.