Tuss elected to national economic development board

Press release

The National Association of Development Organizations announced that Paul Tuss, executive director of Bear Paw Development Corp., was elected to its board of directors. 

Tuss was elected through a special election for an unexpired term on the board and will represent NADO's Central Region, which includes Montana and nine other western and midwestern states. 

NADO provides advocacy, education, research and training for the nation's regional development organizations and promotes regional strategies, partnerships and solutions to strengthen the economic competitiveness and quality of life across America's local communities. 

Bear Paw Development is one of approximately 540 multi-jurisdictional regional planning and development organizations throughout the country and works in Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Chouteau Counties, as well as the Rocky Boy's and Fort Belknap Indian Reservations.

"I am honored to have the trust of my peers in this 10-state region to further the interests of economic development and economic development practitioners at a national level," Tuss said. "For over 50 years, NADO has been the gold standard when it comes to serving the interests of economic and community development organizations nationwide and advocating for the programs and tools that make our communities better places to live, build a business and raise a family. 

"Bear Paw Development has been involved with NADO for decades, has taken advantage of its trainings and relied on their expertise to be stronger advocates for policies and funding at the federal level that help us assist the private sector grow and create jobs, as well as build communities with solid infrastructure and a quality of life that is second to none," he added.

Tuss is the first Montanan to serve as a member of NADO's board of directors. 

"As an economic developer in rural Montana, my hope as a board member is to be an advocate for those policies and programs that benefit small communities and rural areas," he said. "Not only is rural America the breadbasket for the nation, but it's also a great place to live and do business. I want people to understand that the economic health of America is directly tied to how well we are doing in rural places like northern Montana and the Hi-Line."

Information about NADO can be found at http://nado.org and information about Bear Paw Development can be found at http://bearpaw.org .