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IEED

Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development

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Office of Indian Economic Development

Services We Provide

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)
Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant
Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)
National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG)
Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP)
Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP)
NATIVE Act Tourism Projects

Who We Serve

Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) supports the economic development of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities by offering access to capital through grant opportunities and loan guarantees, and by providing technical assistance to tribes.

To maximize the economic benefits for tribes, OIED works in partnership with other federal agencies like the Economic Development Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Small Business Administration.

About

Indian Affairs established OIED in 2005 to promote the economic development of tribes and individual tribal members. OIED consists of the Division of Capital Investment (DCI), and the Division of Economic Development (DED).

DCI works to fulfill the mission of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 by reducing the disparity between the business capital available to AI/AN and non-AI/AN businesses through ILGP.

DED administers competitive grants to support Native entrepreneurs (IBIP), broadband deployment (NTBG), business development feasibility studies (NABDI), tribal tourism development feasibility studies (TTGP), and the documentation and revitalization of tribal language that are at risk of disappearing (LLGP).

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Division of Economic Development

Services We Provide

Top

Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)
Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant
National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG)
Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP)
Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)
Starting a Business
Running a Business
Community Planning
NATIVE Act Tourism Projects
Tribal Infrastructure

Who We Serve

We provide technical assistance, training, and funding to assist tribes and tribal members with starting and sustaining their businesses, and bringing their innovative ideas to the marketplace.

Through our efforts, we support tribes in accessing knowledge and resources to address the limited economic opportunities that exist in many American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Key Information Title

NEWS AND UPDATES -

Key Information

OIED Releases the FY 2023 NATIVE Act Congressional Report
August 13, 2024 - OIED releases FY 2023 NATIVE Act Congressional Report detailing interagency accomplishments to strengthen NATIVE American tourism.
News Announcement -
OIED Releases the FY 2023 NATIVE Act Congressional Report | Indian Affairs (bia.gov)

FY 2024 TTGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
August 1, 2024 - The OIED released the FY 2024 TTGP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). This NOFO will take the next step in program development by funding a pilot group of competitively selected Tribal tourism implementation projects. The application deadline is October 25, 2024, at 5 pm (EST).
Notice of Funding Opportunity: Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)
Federal Register Notice: Tribal Tourism Grant Program; solicitation of Proposals

About

DED administers competitive grants to support Native entrepreneurs, broadband deployment, business development feasibility studies, tourism development feasibility studies, and the documentation and revitalization of tribal language that are at risk of disappearing.

Resources

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News
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Onna LeBeau

Director of the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED)

Organization:
Office of Indian Economic Development

Onna LeBeau, a member of the Omaha tribe of Nebraska, serves as the Director of the Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED). Onna comes to the Department of Interior as the former Executive Director of the Black Hills Community Loan Fund since 2015, where she had the honor of expanding the loan fund from a solely homeownership focused non-profit to one that provides the community with options for credit building and business development. Onna’s passion for community development started in 2001 shortly after graduating from Northern state university in Aberdeen SD, with degrees in finance and economics. Onna worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Great Plains Region, office of Economic Development, serving as loan specialist for the BIA loan guarantee program from 2002-2007.

Onna wanted to further her experience working with the people and left the federal government to pursue her career in the non-profit world by working at Oweesta Corporation as Lending and Reporting Director. Onna furthered her education at the University of Nebraska Lincoln, where she earned her Master’s in Applied Sciences with an emphasis on non-profit management in native communities and native community development, after which time she spent working at the Great Plains Tribal Leader’s Health Board as Development Director and Partners with Native American’s where she focused on native food sustainability projects and managed the American Indian education fund. Onna’s passion for the people led her to advocate for those who are driven to survive their historical trauma by providing a means to a healthier way of living financially and in a way that further empowers the individual by providing access to technical assistance and loan capital.

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Onna LeBeau, Director, Office of Indian Economic Development

Contact Us

Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED)
1849 C Street NW Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
Hours
Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Telephone
(202) 219-0740

James (Jim) Henry

Acting Chief for the Division of Economic Development

Organization:
Division of Economic Development

James (Jim) Henry, an enrolled member of the Enterprise Rancheria in northern California, serves as the current Acting Chief of the Division of Economic Development (DED). Jim brings 25 years of successful competitive federal services with the following federal agencies: Department of the Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and over ten years of tribal non-profit experience. This combination of expertise allows Jim to continue to provide guidance, support to Tribes, and balance his federal responsibilities to ensure the continued success of federal programs that support and protect Tribal Nations.

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Acting Chief for the Division of Economic Development

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
Email
DEDGrants@bia.gov
Telephone
(505) 917-3235

Division of Economic Development (DED) Outcomes Data

Indian Business Incubator Program (IBIP) Outcomes Data

IBIP Infographic

Living Language Grant Program (LLGP) Outcomes Data

Infographic Detailing LLGP Outcomes

Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) Outcomes Data

Infographic Detailing TTGP Outcomes

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street NW, Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
Open 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday.
(202)219-0740

OIED Grant Success Story: Strongbow Strategies

"Due to the collaboration and support from OIED this dream of establishing a resource for local ranchers is well underway and would not have been possible but for the OIED’s vision and support in the long-term goal.”  
     Clara Pratte, Strongbow Strategies Chief Executive Officer

About

The Office of Indian Economic Development aims to fulfill the mission of the NATIVE Act by providing funding for tribes to help them make informed decisions about potential tourism projects. Signed into law in 2016, the NATIVE Act directs federal agencies to support tourism throughout Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Beginning in 2018, the OIED’s Division of Economic Development, through NATIVE Act funding, was able to support Strongbow Strategies in their effort to assess the viability and development of a Navajo-based wool mill, an effort to support the preservation of sheep culture for the Navajo Nation. The study identified the best path for the longevity of the operation would be through Diné College, a respected institution with wool and animal husbandry expertise. Strongbow and Diné College worked closely together to develop the mill, purchase a wool baler, establish an online wool store with space for educational content, created by Navajo owned web development company Obsidian, and film web content with Sheephead films. Through much hard work and dedication, they are now able to buy raw wool from local growers, sort by hand, and bale for bulk sale, creating a revenue stream for wool in the community. Over the last 3 years, they have collected over 200 large industrial bags of wool, which are ready for baling.

Strongbow’s journey has not been without challenges, including updating the charter of Diné College, parameter and partner issues, and the supply chain issues caused by the global pandemic. However, they have overcome each hurdle thrown their way, and are anticipating an in-person wool buy this Spring in conjunction with the Spring lambing season. Strongbow Strategies and Diné College have big plans for the future of the wool mill, including a larger ecotourism initiative, and we look forward to seeing all that they accomplish!

Hands Stretching Raw Wool

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
(202) 219-0740

Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)

Indian Affairs Awards $2.9 Million in Indian Business Incubator Program Grants

The Indian Affairs Office of Indian Economic Development today announced it has awarded $2.9 million in total Indian Business Incubator Program funding to 10 American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes and Tribal Organizations. Read the Press Release issued on November 3, 2022.

 

Congratulations to the 2022 Indian Business Incubator Program Awardees!

IBIP AwardeeAward Amount
Change Labs$300,000.00
Cherokee Nation$300,000.00
Chickasaw Nation$300,000.00
Mohave County Community College District$237,055.92
Plenty Doors Community Development Corporation$300,000.00
Quechan Indian Tribe$300,000.00
Regents of New Mexico State University$289,869.00
Sinte Gleska University$300,000.00
South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency$300,000.00
Taala Fund$300,000.00

 

View our IBIP Newsletter!
Picture of page 1 of the IBIP Newsletter from 5-23

 

IBIP Technical Assistance

OIED’s Pilot Technical Assistance Program supported the implementation of IBIP by providing a pre-application webinar for prospective applicants as well as in-person and virtual business incubator roundtable events to share lessons learned and best practices from IBIP grantees.
Visit our Technical Assistance page to see the IBIP highlights from OIED's Grantee Meeting, IBIP pre-application webinar, and IBIP roundtable.

 

IBIP Program Report

View our 2023 IBIP Program Report:  

 

IBIP Outcomes Data

Visit OIED’s Outcomes Data page to view an infographic detailing our IBIP grant awards.

What Would You Like to Do?

All Other Tasks

View Native American Business Incubators Program Act
View Native American Business Incubators Program Regulations
View IBIP Consultation Resources & Materials

Success Stories

  • IBIP Success Story: Change Labs - Tuba City, AZ

    Photographers take pictures of a ribbon cutting.

    Change Labs received a FY 2022 Indian Business Incubator Program grant from OIED and has been extremely successful in utilizing their grant funds.

    Change Labs is a Native-led 501c3 on the Navajo Nation creating pathways for Navajo and Hopi entrepreneurs to strengthen their business skills and provide opportunities for business growth.

    Learn More
...

Additional Information

Related Services

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DEDGrants@bia.gov
505-917-3235

Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP)

Through the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP), our Division of Capital Investment (DCI) helps American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and individuals overcome barriers to conventional financing and secure reasonable interest rates, while also reducing the risk to lenders by providing financial backing from the federal government.

Eligibility Information

For Lenders

Most lending institutions, including Community Development Financial Institutions, may obtain a guarantee or insurance, provided they regularly make and evaluate business loans. Credit unions are generally not eligible to become ILGP approved lenders. Non-bank lenders (such as insurance companies, leasing agencies, and private wealth funds) that otherwise meet ILGP’s standards are eligible to access guarantees, but not insurance since they are not financial institutions.

For Borrowers

To qualify for a loan through the program, you must be: an individual who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribe or group; a federally recognized AI/AN group; or a corporation, limited liability company or other business entity with no less than 51% ownership by federally recognized AI/AN individuals.

Borrowers must have at least 20% equity in the project being financed and the project must benefit the economy of a reservation or tribal service area. Loans may be used for a variety of purposes including operating capital, equipment purchases, acquisition and refinancing, building construction, and lines of credit.

What You Need to Know

What is ILGP?
What Lenders Need to Know
Preferred and Performance Lender Awards for 2015-2021
What Borrowers Need to Know
Borrower Success Stories

Additional Information

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment (DCI)
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

Borrower Success Story: PureWild Co.

"My company wouldn't exist without the Indian Loan Guarantee Program." Cindy Convery, Founder

Snapshot

2021 Loan Guarantee

Business: PureWild Co.
Borrower: PureWild Co. LLC
Amount Financed: $250,000, later increased to $350,000 and a line of credit 
Location: Ojai, CA and Durant, OK

About

PureWild started in 2019 with homemade herbal juices in Cindy Convery’s kitchen, and by 2021 Cindy’s company was negotiating with Whole Foods to sell her bottled marine collagen drinks in 60 locations. Cindy, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, had no experience with food distribution, but built upon her background in restaurants, business, and start-ups. “You have to do every job in your company and you have to understand every level…. I have done every job and made every mistake.” She found collagen experts, took an online course in food product distribution, and started by emailing her local grocery chain in southern California. The boutique chain, Erewhon Markets, quickly put the drinks on their shelves.

""In 2020 Cindy began visiting larger bottling plants and arranging national distribution

In 2020 Cindy began visiting larger bottling plants and arranging national distribution. The pandemic began to boost sales as consumers focused on healthy food products, and PureWild’s restorative collagen drinks, certified non-GMO, found a growing market. Cindy’s Tribal connections proved a strong and defining support for the company; she opened a regional office in Oklahoma and worked with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to distribute the drinks within Tribal areas. Using the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP) helped Cindy to focus her business goals on these Tribal collaborations, yet still provided enough flexibility to work simultaneously with other sales platforms and outlets. Working with Chickasaw Community Bank and ILGP, PureWild was able to increase the original funding amount to keep pace with the company’s rapid growth. “My company wouldn’t exist without the Indian Loan Guarantee Program,” Cindy affirmed.

Cindy has also worked with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma and American Indian Foods, a program that assists Native American agribusiness owners and entrepreneurs. PureWild is one of the only beverage companies in the world headed by a Native American woman, and it continues to innovate with online sales platforms and award-winning product packaging. Cindy is thrilled to have built her company to this level. “It’s about whether you really enjoy the job….And putting one foot in front of the other in a mindful way. It doesn’t matter what your skills are. It all comes back to the product.”

Shopper

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

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