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
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...
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,...
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...
Bringing people back to work from this complex pandemic could prove difficult. Although unemployment benefits vary from state to state, the rates being offered could potentially incentivize workers to stay home until funding runs out. For example, in the state of...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...