Posted: 08.19.2011

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the selection of projects in 15 states to support small business and job creation opportunities, and train workers in Native American communities. In addition, Vilsack also announced grants to help bring transportation improvements to Native American communities. Janie Hipp Senior Advisor for Tribal Affairs made the announcement on behalf of Secretary Vilsack while attending an award ceremony with Tribal leaders in Miami, Okla.

 The announcement was made as part of the Obama Administration's week-long focus on the rural economy and the White House Rural Council, which is addressing key areas of need in rural America including helping rural small businesses access capital, expanding rural job search and training services, and increasing rural access to health care workers and technology.

            For example, the Montana Indian Business Alliance in Great Falls, Mont., was selected to receive a grant to provide businesses training technical assistance to members of Indian Tribes of Montana. The funding will create an estimated 14 jobs. In Ukiah, Calif., Resource for Native Development was selected to receive a technical assistance grant to provide Tribal members with business and entrepreneurial training — including training that focuses on developing biomass-centered businesses and local food hubs.  This project is expected to create 30 jobs.

            The more than $3 million in grants announced is administered through USDA Rural Development's Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program. This program provides grants for rural projects that finance the development of small and emerging rural businesses, help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment-related adult education programs. More information about this program can be found at www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_rbeg.html.

 
The goal of the project is to provide job skills, financial literacy and business training to tribal members.  The Tribal Council is a coalition of 12 Indian tribes in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. It used the grant to provide business assistance to the Native community.  In 2010, the organization assisted 33 Tribal members and helped create 22 jobs. 

Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement. The announced recipients in Wisconsin include:
•           Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., $99,999

•           LaPointe Financial, Inc., $40,000

•           Northwoods Niijii Enterprise Community, $182,722

To improve transportation service in rural Native American communities, the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) was selected to receive $748,767 in grants to provide technical assistance to help organizations enhance passenger transportation service. The grants will help rural communities in five states.

A portion of the funding will be used to provide technical assistance, training and support services to transit systems in Stevens Point, Wis. too.

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