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Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development
General Information on OIED’s Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grants
NABDI Grants provide technical assistance funding on a competitive basis to federally recognized American Indian Tribes and Alaska federally recognized Tribal entities seeking to retain consultants to perform feasibility studies or procure business plans for economic development opportunities.
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.
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).
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.
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
Press Release: Indian Affairs announces Tribal tourism grant opportunity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 2024 TTGP NOFO FAQs
Pre-Application Webinar: Check back soon for a link to the recording.
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.
OIED Releases the FY 2023 NATIVE Act Congressional Report
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development has been selected to implement a new federal…
K. Denise Litz, a member of the Tuscarora Nation in New York, is the Acting Director for the Office of Indian Economic Development. Prior to joining the Department of Interior, Denise dedicated 21 years of her federal service at the Department of Health and Human Services, where she was Branch Chief for the Division of Tribal TANF Management. Prior to that position, Denise worked for the Administration for Native Americans and the Office of Head Start. She possesses over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, twelve of which focus on tribal economic development. Denise currently lives and works remotely from the Denver area.
K. Denise Litz, a member of the Tuscarora Nation in New York, is the Chief for the Division of Economic Development within the Office of Indian Economic Development. Prior to joining the Department of Interior, Denise dedicated 21 years of her federal service at the Department of Health and Human Services, where she was Branch Chief for the Division of Tribal TANF Management. Prior to that position, Denise worked for the Administration for Native Americans and the Office of Head Start. She possesses over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, twelve of which focus on tribal economic development. Denise currently lives and works remotely from the Denver area.
1849 C Street NW, Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
"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
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!
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
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.
| IBIP Awardee | Award 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 |
Read the Press Release issued on November 3, 2022.
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
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.
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
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.
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.
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
"My company wouldn't exist without the Indian Loan Guarantee Program." Cindy Convery, Founder
2021 Loan Guarantee
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. 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.”
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
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