Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 1 (Virtual Training)

Advancing from Local to Regional and Global Strategies (and How to Fund It)

This first section of the track underscores the foundational elements of economic development, This was the first installment of the Track 2 level CoP trainings which collectively underscore the foundational elements of economic development plan implementation. Part 1 included discussions surrounding a qualified workforce/labor pool, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the primary infrastructure necessary to support economic activities. 

Subject Matter Experts

Training Overview & Resources

Developing the infrastructure to support economic development and strengthen sovereignty and self-determination

High-quality infrastructure is essential for fostering community economic development (CED) in tribal and Native communities. 

In the clip to the right, Colleen Thomas, Planning and Infrastructure Director for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, shared examples of her Nation’s community economic development infrastructure projects and their collaborative planning process. 

• Thomas states her tribe adheres to the 7-generation traditional philosophy through regularly incorporating community engagement throughout their planning process and updating plans every 10 years to focus on short and long-term efforts. 

• The Mohawk Nation utilized a USDA loan to build an office building. The USDA Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant program provides grants and affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. 

Colleen Thomas discusses St. Regis Mohawk planning and CED.

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Types of Infrastructure and Their Impacts on Communities and Economies

The importance of infrastructure in Tribal and Native Communities

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In the clip to the left, Kevin discusses: 

• Infrastructure encompasses a wide range of facilities and services. When these elements are robust and well-maintained, they can significantly enhance a community's capacity to engage in economic activities, attract investment, and improve the overall quality of life for residents. 

  • The Building Jobs, Building Homes program is an example of approaching housing shortages holistically through offering education and workforce training to members of the community which, in turn, fosters housing sustainability. 

  • Yakama Nation’s Forest Development Program and Forest Products is an example of a tribe developing environmental infrastructure that preserves natural resources and promotes conservation while uplifting tribal economic development. 

  • Cansayapi Wicoicage Oti: Lower Sioux Cultural Incubator is an example of a tribe developing cultural infrastructure that promotes entrepreneurship activities for tribal members and other members of the community. 

Weaving together economic, cultural, and social threads ensures that communities are well-equipped to navigate future challenges while thriving in their unique contexts. 

Place-Based Catalysts for Broader Economic Development: Developing Facilities, Campuses, Networks and Business Parks to Support Diversification and Long-Term Growth

In the clip to the right, Cris discusses: 

• Place-based catalysts play a pivotal role in driving broader economic development, particularly through the establishment of facilities, campuses, networks, and business parks. 

  • Change Labs Business Incubator in Navajo Nation is an exemplary business incubator in Indian Country. 

  • The Kailapa Community Resources Center is an example of a community center being built and created by an Indigenous community to provide education for families to care for natural resources and preserve and protect the lands, waters and culture of Hawai‘i Kailapa Community. 

  • Foreign Trade Zones are designated geographic areas where businesses can engage in international trade activities with certain advantages. For more about these designations, check out the Foreign Trade Zone Manual. 

  • The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska’s Foreign Trade Zone is an example of an established foreign trade zone on tribal lands. Trade zones reduce costs related to customs duties, taxes, and tariffs and promote tribal sovereignty.  

  • The Eastern Shoshone Business Park in Wyoming is an example of developing physical infrastructure to spur future development 

  • The Coyote Business Park, developed and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) is an example of a tribe uplifting economic development by investing in business development.  

  • Quinault Pride Seafood is an example of a tribe using agribusiness and food processing centers to increase community economic development by promoting income for tribal members. 

How Place-Based Catalyst grow CED for Tribal and Native Communities

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List of Community Economic Development Funding Resources

• DOT - Tribal High Priority Projects (Tribal HPP) Program 

  Provides funds to applicants: 1. Whose annual allocation of funding is insufficient to complete the highest priority project of the Tribe or 2. Has an emergency or disaster with respect to a transportation facility that renders the facility impassible or unusable.  

• BIA - Indian Buisness Incubator Program (IBIP) 

  A grant to establish and run business incubators that serve entrepreneurs who will provide products or services in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.  

• USDA - Rural Business Development Grants  

  Grant for technical assistance and training for small rural businesses.  

• BIA - Tribal Tourism Grant Program  

  Grant for hiring consultants, preparing project feasibility studies, and expanding or developing tourism business plans, and COVID-19 recovery. 

• NTIA - Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program 

  To improve quality of life, spur economic development, and create opportunities for remote employment, online entrepreneurship, remote learning, and telehealth by expanding broadband access and by providing digital training. 

• Office of Indian Energy Funding Opportunities  

  Compiled list of clean energy funding sources. 

• BIA- Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) Grant 

  Provides financial assistance to Tribes and Alaska Native communities to evaluate the energy and mineral resource potential of their lands.  

• DOE Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program (48e) 

  Promotes cost-saving solar or wind investments in low-income communities, on Native American/tribal land, as part of affordable housing developments, and benefiting low-income households.  

• BIA - Native American Business Development Institute Grant  

  Funds go to hiring consultants to perform feasibility studies or business plans to help tribes and tribal organizations weigh their risks to determine whether a project is worth pursuing and empowers them to make informed decisions about their economic futures. All projects must be completed within one year. 

• USDA - Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant

  Grant and affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area. 

• BIA - National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG) 

  Funding to Tribes to explore the possibility of developing or extending broadband services in their communities to: Spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for self-employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities, meet emergency and law enforcement needs 

Upcoming CoP Events:

Closing Thoughts 

There are resources available, including the above subject matter experts (SME), who can help tribes and their programs get involved in large scale projects. 

Questions, with answers from the Resource Group and fellow participants, will continue to be posted in the Knowledge Bank on the CoP website. If you have questions that you want answered, please ask in the LinkedIn group or share it with the administrators.