Explore summaries from all past CoP events, review presentation slides and other event sourced materials, and connect with featured subject matter experts.
Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 2 (In-Person Training)
This in-person training at the 2024 NAIHC Legal Symposium in Las Vegas underscores the foundational elements of economic development and provided strategies for developing each of these specific elements. This training covered:
Workforce Development and Housing as Economic Development
Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 2 (Virtual Training)
This virtual training introduced participants who are entering or considering an economic development planning process to its core components. Participants learned about the key internal and external actors, the process’s timeline and duration, the data required, and critical outcomes.
Tourism and Culture-Centered Economic Development
This session discussed strategic planning for indigenous tourism development, an intro to ATNI-EDC and Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development, and highlighted tourism projects across Indian Country such as:
The Wind River Development Fund
NC Growth - Native Edge Tourism Technical Assistance Center
Akwesasne Travel of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe
Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
This first section of the track underscores the foundational elements of economic development plan implementation, including a qualified workforce/labor pool, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the primary infrastructure necessary to support economic activities.
Creative Mechanisms for Funding Economic Development
This session featured the presentation of two unique funding mechanisms for supporting community economic development in tribal and Native communities, including Section 105(l) leases and Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSCBI), as well as an introduction to some useful tools and Resources the EDA offers for underserved communities
Creating an Economic Development Plan and Embarking on Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)
The first training in the CoP’s 9-part series of a variety of topics across Indian Country. Cris Gastner and Kevin Klingbeil from Big Water Consulting led a discussion and exercises about the foundations and essential components of CED in Indian Country and an introduction to CED planning.
How Health and Human Services Uplift Community Economic Development
The discussion centered around how project leaders identified a need for the facilities in their communities, how they secured funding, and the impacts the health centers will have and are having on community economic development. Experts also discussed how the 105(l)-lease program can help fund and support Native health centers.
Grant Application Best Practices
The August CoP session featured a panel of grant experts who discussed strategies for writing successful grants and attracting other capital, common mistakes and other barriers to the grant writing process, and opportunities to reduce or eliminate barriers.
The Role of Data in Tribal and Native Economic Development
This session featured a panel of data experts who shared their experience working with and collecting new tribal and Native economic data.
Linking Housing and Economic Development
As tribes work on projects to grow and improve their communities, it is essential that all the various sectors of community economic development are involved in the conversation together through a holistic planning process.
Current Opportunities for Economic Development: Energy
The session featured a panel discussion on the impacts of energy projects on tribal and Native lands. Our panelists Kenneth Ahmann, Ken Stock, and Wendolyn Holland shared a wealth of expertise and insight into the importance and timeliness of the energy sector and its impact on community economic development.
Structuring Economic Development in Native Communities
The session featured a discussion of topic-driven member-led committees and a presentation from Dustin Goslin of Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures.
Promoting a Tribal Citizen Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
During this monthly session SMEs discussed the barriers to and the benefits of tribal citizen entrepreneurship. A lack of financial literacy, limited access to capital, and inconsistent rules & regulations have made it difficult for tribal citizens to start business ventures.
Kick-Off Event
Over 90 people attended the session from across the country, including from Alaska and Hawaii. Participants came from tribal enterprises, tribal planning departments, Native CDFIs, state and federal agencies, academia, regional tribal associations, and more. Attendees reported a range of experience with EDA grants.
