WASHINGTON — Indian Affairs’ Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) announced Sept. 16 that its Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) program has awarded business development grants totaling $500,000 to 10 federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes. The funding will enable the Tribes’ leaders to better evaluate and identify viable economic opportunities for their communities.

“Native American Business Development Institute grants empower Tribes to make informed decisions about their economic futures,” said Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs Bryan Newland said in a statement. “Tribes will use these grants to explore opportunities to further economic self-sufficiency and Tribal self-determination. Indian Affairs and the Department use these grants to support them in achieving these goals.”

NABDI awards fund feasibility studies that weigh the viability and risks of an economic development project, opportunity, enterprise or business or the practicality of a technology a tribe may choose to pursue. The studies may be used to determine the likelihood of success for businesses in specific American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Grants are awarded on the basis of a proposal’s potential to create jobs for tribal members and stimulate economies in Native American communities.

The FY 2021 grant recipients are:

• Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of the Stewarts Point Rancheria awarded $44,500 for a convenience store/gas station feasibility study.
• Nulato Tribal Council awarded $45,000 for a tribally owned airline feasibility study.
• Delaware Nation awarded $37,500 for an orchard and apiary products company feasibility study.
• Oglala Sioux Tribe awarded $65,000 for a feasibility study for businesses for the Crazy Horse scenic byway.
• Lower Brule Sioux Tribe awarded $48,000 for an aquaculture/aquaponics feasibility study.
• Oneida Nation awarded $65,000 for a beef and buffalo production plant feasibility study.
• Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia awarded $40,000 for an economic development through tribal enterprises feasibility study.
• Walker River Paiute Tribe awarded $65,000 for a food sovereignty economic development feasibility study.
• Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians awarded $45,000 for an economic development recovery feasibility study.
• Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria awarded $45,000 for an economic feasibility and business plan.