Implementing an Economic Development Plan or Strategy (Online Training)
Many tribal and Native economic development plans are never fully implemented. This section will focus on the critical shift from planning to plan implementation. It will cover the timing and sequencing of coordinated and diversified economic development activities (i.e., what comes first, what comes next and how do each of the seemingly discrete activities fit together in a synergistic puzzle?). It will also cover how to turn loose planning partnerships into solid development partnerships.
Subject Matter Experts:
Session Worksheets and Slides:
Click to access Question Worksheet
Click to access Economic Development Plan Implementation slides
Training Overview & Resources
Planning Steps taken Before Implementation and Intro
View planning before implementation and intro slides
1. Foundational Infrastructure Development
Question to think about: How do you effectively involve and engage community members in the decision-making process for infrastructure projects, ensuring their voices and concerns are heard?
Click to access Foundational Infrastructure Development Slides
Infrastructure Development includes:
Physical Infrastructure
Financial Infrastructure
Social Infrastructure
Technological Infrastructure
Cultural Infrastructure
Entrepreneurship Infrastructure
2. Formation of Effective Partnerships
Building strong relationships with external partners, such as government agencies, private businesses, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions, is critical to the success of the development plan.
Question to think about: Who are the key external stakeholders (government agencies, private businesses, non-profits, academic institutions) that should be involved in your community's economic development?
This section includes:
List of questions to ask yourself when looking for potential partnerships.
Building Trust and Relationships
Developing a Collaborative Framework
Example: The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe created a partnership with MN Dept. Of Transportation to work together to increase employment of American Indians on Transportation projects on or nor Indian reservation lands. This partnership is an example of Tribal sovereign government making agreements with a non-Tribal entity/government.
Click to view Formation of Effective Partnership slides
3. Workforce Development
Workforce development is essential for building a sustainable economy within Native communities. Workforce programs should also be designed to ensure that they reflect tribal values and provide opportunities for self-sufficiency. A low capacity workforce was one of the largest barriers our participants had when implementing plans.
Click to view Workforce Development slides
Question to think about: What are skills that are already prevalent (e.g. fishing, forestry work,) in your community that could be built upon to support local businesses and what are the most important skills (e.g., technical, managerial, interpersonal) for tribal members to develop to succeed in emerging industries in your community?
Where to start:
Understand your current/existing workforce (existing data, skills survey)
Determine the skills needed for new projects
Inventory the current skills training and education
Understand current housing situation
4. Securing and Managing Funds
Identifying and securing diverse sources of funding is one of the most critical components of the plan. Effective management of these funds is equally important to ensure that they are used effectively and transparently, with mechanisms in place for monitoring and evaluating the success of funded projects. Securing and managing funds was the second largest barrier our participants face when implementing plans according to our registration questionnaire.
Question to think about: What obstacles have you encountered in securing funding for infrastructure projects? How have you navigated these challenges? Have you found or seen any creative strategies work to overcome certain obstacles?
Funding Sources include:
Direct Source of Capital (Tribal businesses)
Banks and Traditional Institutions
Native Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Philanthropic foundations & partnerships
Federal Contracting
Regional, State, and Federal Funding Sources – How to write a grant
Click to access Securing and Managing Funds slides
5. Engagement with Broader Economies
By developing trade relationships, expanding market access, and participating in regional economic development initiatives, communities can diversify their economic activities and reduce reliance on a limited number of industries or resources.
Click to view Engagement with Broader Economies slides
Question to think about: What regional economic initiatives or collaborations can we participate in that would benefit our community?
This section includes:
Assessing Community Strengths and Needs
Identifying Regional Economic Development Initiatives
Building Strategic Partnerships with Regional Stakeholders
Aligning Tribal Goals with Regional Economic Priorities
Example: The Yurok Tribe partnered with California state government and the Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative (KRRBI) and led by the Karuk Tribe.
Expanding Workforce Development and Training
Example: The Yakama Nation is growing their members educational and professional careers by establishing a Forestry degree partnership with the Salish Kootenai College (SKC) based on the Flathead Reservation.
Promoting Tribal Business Development in Regional Markets
Opportunity Zones, HUBZones, Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ), and Federal Contracting
6. Measuring and Tracking Progress
Tracking progress and adjusting strategies are necessary for any successful economic development plan. Effective plans should include measurable outcomes based on both numbers and experiences, such as employment rates, income levels, business growth, educational achievement, and efforts to preserve culture.
Question to think about: What specific measurable outcomes should we use to track the success of our economic development plan? (e.g., employment rates, income levels, business growth)
This section includes:
Collecting Data
Updating Plans and Continuing Momentum
Click to access Measuring and Tracking Progress slides
Example of Implementing an Economic Development Plan: Wind River Development Fund
Paul Hubery and Erika Warren-Yarber from Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) discussed their implementation experience. Wind River applied for the EDA Recompete program a year ago, and attracted another $9 million for economic development on their reservation. a year ago, and attracted another $9 million for economic development on their reservation.
WRDF includes sustainability in their planning stage --not just for projects, but for everything they want to do. They look forward and consider how their actions things will impact their decedents 7 generations ahead. They have continued engagement with their Board.
WRDF established a separate non-profit, Wind River Sage Fund, apart from their CDFI. This helps ensure the smooth and effective planning and management of these large-scale projects.
WRDF also partnered with an expert law firm and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) firm.
Management Concepts, a consulting firm that offers training programs on mangaging federal awards, will be partnering with WRDF.
An EDA site visit created big impact and strengthened their relationship.
WRDF values working as a community. They plan to host a ReCompete kick-off event with food and prayer.
EDA Resources
As highlighted by Carolee Wenderoth, EDA Tribal Engagement Coordinator
Assistance to Indigenous Communities program is a rolling program at EDA under the PWEAA NOFO.
Closing Thoughts
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.
Upcoming CoP Events:
Learn about the CoP Resource Roadmap which links the sectors of Community Economic Development.