Indian Affairs awards $3.9 million to promote economic development in Tribal communities

Press Release

Funding to establish and operate business incubators and support feasibility studies for Tribal businesses.

WASHINGTON – The Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development announced grants under two programs that support economic development in Indian Country, the Native American Business Incubators Program and the Native American Business Development Institute Feasibility Study Program.

“Entrepreneurship has a long history in Indian Country, and the Department of the Interior is proud to support businesses in Tribal communities,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland. “These grant programs are part of the federal government’s treaty and trust responsibility to protect Tribal economic sovereignty and revitalize Indigenous communities by spurring economic growth and innovation. Growing businesses in Indian Country is necessary to build sustainable Tribal economies that generate revenue, meet community needs and create jobs.”

The Native American Business Incubators Program awarded grants totaling $2,926,924 to 10 Tribes and Tribal Organizations. These funds will be used to establish and operate business incubators that assist entrepreneurs by providing guidance and services like workspace, advice on how to access capital, business education, counseling and mentorship opportunities to navigate obstacles in transforming their innovative ideas into operational businesses.

• Change Labs, Arizona $300,000
• Quechan Indian Tribe, Arizona $300,000
• Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation, Montana $300,000
• Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma $300,000
• Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma $300,000
• Sinte Gleska University, South Dakota $300,000
• South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, Washington $300,000
• Taala Fund, Washington $300,000
• Regents of New Mexico State University, New Mexico $289,869
• Mohave County Community College District –Hualapai Tribal Nation, Arizona $237,055

Each business incubator will receive the awarded amount annually for a three-year term, with an option to renew for an additional non-competitive three-year term.

The Native American Business Development Institute Feasibility Study Program awarded a total of $1 million to 15 Tribes and Tribal Organizations to fund feasibility studies that evaluate the viability and risks of an economic development project, opportunity, enterprise or business, or the practicality of a technology a Tribe may choose to pursue.

The studies may be used to determine the likelihood of success for businesses in specific American Indian and Alaska Native communities. When performed by a reputable third party, an economic development feasibility study also can be used to help persuade lenders and investors to provide financial backing. A study that concludes a project is worthwhile and financially sustainable can often fulfill many of the lender’s or investor’s due diligence requirements by answering questions about a project’s chances of success, resulting in a more rapid loan approval or better loan terms.

• Pit River Tribe, California $75,000
• Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, California $75,000
• Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana $75,000
• Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan $75,000
• Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma $75,000
• Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas $75,000
• Kiowa Tribe, Oklahoma $73,665
• Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Oklahoma $68,708
• Burns Paiute Tribe, Oregon $65,750
• Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, $62,164
• Delaware Nation Economic Development Authority, Oklahoma $60,300
• Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, Arizona $59,700
• Shinnecock Indian Nation, New York $58,752
• Resighini Rancheria, California $57,187
• Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma $43,774

The Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs advises the Secretary of the Interior on Indian Affairs policy issues; communicates policy to and oversees the programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bureau of Indian Education), and the Bureau of Trust Funds Administration; provides leadership in consultations with Tribes; and serves as the DOI official for intra- and inter-departmental coordination and liaison within the Executive Branch on matters concerning American Indians and Alaska Natives and the federally recognized Tribes in the United States. The Office of Indian Economic Development is located within the AS-IA office.

Indian Affairs’ Office of Indian Economic Development, formerly known as the Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development, supports the economic development of American Indian and Alaska Native communities by offering access to capital through grant opportunities and loan guarantees, and by providing technical assistance to federally recognized Tribes. OIED administers the Indian Business Incubators Program through its Division of Economic Development. For more information about OIED’s mission and programs, visit the OIED website.

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