ILGP Borrower Success Story: Glacier Peaks Hotel

Date of Commitment: May 1, 2013
Type of Service: Loan Guarantee
Lender: Native American Bank
Borrower: Blackfeet Hospitality Enterprises
Project: Financing the building structure and operations of the Glacier Peaks Hotel as a turnkey Plant, Property, and Equipment business.
Financing Amount: $5,500,000.00
Location: Browning, MT

Thanks to an loan guarantee supported by the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP), the Blackfeet Tribe fulfilled one of its economic development visions by building the Glacier Peaks hotel in 2013. The breathtaking mountains of Glacier National Park frame the background of the hotel property, located on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Success for the hotel was not easily achieved, and similar to many first-time economic development ventures, it required perseverance. During the first three years of the hotel’s operation, the tribe was able to overcome several obstacles that often plague new hotel ventures. Since 2016, the hotel has been managed by The Siyeh Corporation, an economic development and management company owned wholly by the Blackfeet Tribe.

The hotel is an attractive, modern structure, within easy walking distance of other tribal businesses. It offers more amenities than any other lodging facility on the east side of Glacier National Park. “Many services that would usually be outsourced to another town can now stay within our own community,” said Dennis Fitzpatrick, Siyeh CEO. “We have the capability to host many different types of events, like meetings, conferences, trainings, weddings, and other special events.”

The hotel has had a positive effect on the community and has brought a sense of pride to the Blackfeet people. The hotel provides 25 full-time jobs on the Blackfeet Reservation and has inspired other economic development opportunities nearby, such as restaurants and shops.