With Federal Funding being released over the next 5 years (2022-2027) through federal and state grants, now is the time for Tribal leaders and staff to have a strong understanding of the grant system, how to assess grants, and how to write grants.
Economic Development
Analyzing the Infrastructure Act: What Tribal Leaders Should be Thinking About
The 2021 Infrastructure Investments & Jobs Act is a tremendous opportunity for Tribal Nations to address community needs and build Tribal economies for the next generations. In this article, I want to focus on not just the dollars involved but how Tribal Leaders should be thinking about this funding and the best approach to utilizing it. Here are my key takeaways as we consider the Infrastructure Act
Building Stronger Tribal Economies Part IV: Resiliency in the 21st Century
Continue the Series "Building Stronger Tribal Economies" This series on building stronger Tribal economies concludes with the concept of resiliency, a word of great significance to past and future generations, and one which, in many ways, defines our relationship with...
Building Stronger Tribal Economies Part I: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Explore the Series "Building Stronger Tribal Economies" The strength of a Tribe’s economy is intimately related to the well-being of its members, growth of their community, and expression of their sovereignty. A perpetually evolving and always important discussion,...
Rethinking Broadband Opportunities in Indian Country
Introduction With the unprecedented focus on the usage of internet services during the COVID-19 pandemic, broadband access has become even more of an important consideration for Tribal communities. Internet access has become a necessity, and investing in broadband...
Building Stronger Tribal Economies Part II: Broadband
Continue the Series "Building Stronger Tribal Economies" The 21st century has brought forth numerous changes in how Tribal communities operate due to digital technology and internet connectivity: how healthcare services are conducted, how education is delivered, how...
Building Stronger Tribal Economies Part III: Workforce Development
Continue the Series "Building Stronger Tribal Economies" In the landscape of economic and community development, building a broad Tribal workforce is fundamental to ensuring prosperity and strengthening Tribal sovereignty. A workforce provides the building blocks...
Using Taxation to Make Stronger Economies
A Low Risk, High Potential Return Opportunity It is a Nation's inherent sovereign authority to regulate the conduct of persons and activities within its territory and jurisdiction, including the control of economic activity within its boundaries which includes a...
How is your C-Store Performing Compared to Your Competition?
We were recently asked to perform an assessment for a Tribally-owned convenience store (C-store) in the Midwest. Before we toured the facility and observed its operations, however, we had done our homework. As part of our process, the Tribe had sent us the C-store’s...
Tribal Economies: The Case for Diversification
In May, the President released his proposed budget with major cuts that will directly impact tribes across Indian Country. And as the growth of Indian gaming has begun to slow, now more than ever tribal governments should be focused on diversifying their portfolios as...
Economic Diversification Part 1: The Ongoing Need for Development
The economic development opportunities on reservations that feature predominantly trust land are fundamentally similar to that of large, master-planned land-use programs. The genesis of Indian Gaming is well-documented in terms of how it was based on the unique...
Economic Diversification Part 2: Planning for Diversification
The first step in evaluating diversification options is to analyze a tribe’s current customers, their demographics, desire for services and willingness to spend disposable income. Next, applying two economic development principles can support tribes as they work to...