HAVRE – At the recently-completed fall conference of the Montana Economic Developers Association (MEDA) in Polson, the organization awarded its Anthony J. Preite Champion of Economic Development Award to Bear Paw Development Corporation Executive Director Paul Tuss of Havre. The award is presented annually to a Montanan who practices economic development full-time and who has significantly contributed to the profession, to MEDA, their economic development organization and to the community as a whole.
“I am honored to be the recipient of the Preite Champion of Economic Development Award for a number of reasons, including that it came from my peers in Montana who work hard every day to improve the economic resilience and competitiveness of our state,” Tuss said. “It is also special because the award’s namesake, Tony Preite, is a good friend and long-time mentor of mine who has provided valuable counsel to me and countless others over the past several decades.”
The award is named for Anthony J. Preite, who devoted 50 years to economic development in Montana, including at the local, state and federal levels. Preite served as Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce, State Director for USDA Rural Development and was the Denver Regional Director for the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Preite was a founding member of MEDA.
“MEDA is pleased to present Paul Tuss with the Preite Award, which honors an economic development practitioner in Montana who has contributed in a significant way to the profession and has made a positive impact on Montana’s economy,” said Allison Corbyn, Executive Director of MEDA. “Paul has served as a member of MEDA’s board of directors for over 25 years and is a strong advocate for assuring local and regional economic developers have the tools they need to effectively impact their local communities and make them great places to live, raise a family, build a business and invest.”
Tuss has served as Executive Director of Bear Paw Development Corporation since 2000 and has served on various boards and commissions during that time, including for the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce, Montana Manufacturing Extension Center and Montana PBS. He served for nine years on the Montana Board of Regents and currently is a member of the Montana House of Representatives, representing Havre and Hill County
