Bear Paw Development hires community development specialist

Press release

Bear Paw Development Corp. has announced that it has hired Josh Gomez of Havre as a Community Development Specialist.

The position works with area local governments on their infrastructure needs and includes grant writing, grant management and public involvement.

"I look forward to being part of the Bear Paw team and working with local officials and area residents to build the communities of northern Montana," Gomez said. "This region is a great place to live and raise a family. I'm anxious to get started to help it grow into an even better, more economically competitive part of our state."

Gomez comes to Bear Paw Development following eight years at Montana State University-Northern, where he served in various positions including computer support specialist, assistant registrar, transcript evaluator and veterans coordinator.

He also has 20 years of military service, including in the U.S. Army and Montana Army National Guard. His military-related positions include satellite communications operator, Army recruiter and financial management noncommissioned officer.

Gomez earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in accounting and an associate degree in business technology from Northern and is working on his master's degree in theological studies from Wartburg Theological Seminary.

"We are excited about Josh joining the team here at Bear Paw Development and know he will have an immediate impact assisting our local governments rehabilitate their aging infrastructure and helping to secure funding for community facilities throughout our Economic Development District," Bear Paw Executive Director Paul Tuss said. "The economic vitality and livability of communities anywhere - but certainly in rural America - is directly reliant upon a solid infrastructure. This is an area in which Bear Paw Development has been deeply involved since our founding in the 1960s."

Bear Paw Development's Community Development Department works with incorporated cities and towns, counties, water and sewer districts and unincorporated areas to help finance and mange the construction and rehabilitation of water and wastewater systems, bridges, stormwater systems and other public infrastructure components. Bear Paw partners with funding agencies at the state and federal level to secure financing for such projects, in addition to coordinating local match dollars.

Bear Paw Development is Montana's longest-serving federally recognized Economic Development District and also serves as a Certified Regional Development Corporation, a designation through the Montana Department of Commerce. Bear Paw serves the economic and community development needs of Liberty, Hill, Blaine, Phillips and Chouteau Counties, in addition to the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.