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IEED

Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development

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Office of Indian Economic Development

Services We Provide

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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)
Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant
Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)
National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG)
Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP)
Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP)
NATIVE Act Tourism Projects

Who We Serve

Office of Indian Economic Development (OIED) supports the economic development of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities by offering access to capital through grant opportunities and loan guarantees, and by providing technical assistance to tribes.

To maximize the economic benefits for tribes, OIED works in partnership with other federal agencies like the Economic Development Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Small Business Administration.

About

Indian Affairs established OIED in 2005 to promote the economic development of tribes and individual tribal members. OIED consists of the Division of Capital Investment (DCI), and the Division of Economic Development (DED).

DCI works to fulfill the mission of the Indian Financing Act of 1974 by reducing the disparity between the business capital available to AI/AN and non-AI/AN businesses through ILGP.

DED administers competitive grants to support Native entrepreneurs (IBIP), broadband deployment (NTBG), business development feasibility studies (NABDI), tribal tourism development feasibility studies (TTGP), and the documentation and revitalization of tribal language that are at risk of disappearing (LLGP).

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Division of Economic Development

Services We Provide

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Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)
Native American Business Development Institute (NABDI) Grant
National Tribal Broadband Grant (NTBG)
Living Languages Grant Program (LLGP)
Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP)
Starting a Business
Running a Business
Community Planning
NATIVE Act Tourism Projects
Tribal Infrastructure

Who We Serve

We provide technical assistance, training, and funding to assist tribes and tribal members with starting and sustaining their businesses, and bringing their innovative ideas to the marketplace.

Through our efforts, we support tribes in accessing knowledge and resources to address the limited economic opportunities that exist in many American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

About

DED administers competitive grants to support Native entrepreneurs, broadband deployment, business development feasibility studies, tourism development feasibility studies, and the documentation and revitalization of tribal language that are at risk of disappearing.

Resources

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James (Jim) Henry, Acting Chief

Acting Chief for the Division of Economic Development

Organization:
Division of Economic Development

James (Jim) Henry, an enrolled member of the Enterprise Rancheria in northern California, serves as the current Acting Chief of the Division of Economic Development (DED). Jim brings 25 years of successful competitive federal services with the following federal agencies: Department of the Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Labor, and over ten years of tribal non-profit experience. This combination of expertise allows Jim to continue to provide guidance, support to Tribes, and balance his federal responsibilities to ensure the continued success of federal programs that support and protect Tribal Nations.

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
Hours
Open 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday.
Telephone
(202) 219-0740

Division of Economic Development (DED) Outcomes Data

Living Language Grant Program (LLGP) Outcomes Data

Infographic Detailing LLGP Outcomes

Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) Outcomes Data

Infographic Detailing TTGP Outcomes

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street NW, Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
Open 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday.
(202)219-0740

OIED Grant Success Story: Strongbow Strategies

"Due to the collaboration and support from OIED this dream of establishing a resource for local ranchers is well underway and would not have been possible but for the OIED’s vision and support in the long-term goal.”  
     Clara Pratte, Strongbow Strategies Chief Executive Officer

About

The Office of Indian Economic Development aims to fulfill the mission of the NATIVE Act by providing funding for tribes to help them make informed decisions about potential tourism projects. Signed into law in 2016, the NATIVE Act directs federal agencies to support tourism throughout Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

Beginning in 2018, the OIED’s Division of Economic Development, through NATIVE Act funding, was able to support Strongbow Strategies in their effort to assess the viability and development of a Navajo-based wool mill, an effort to support the preservation of sheep culture for the Navajo Nation. The study identified the best path for the longevity of the operation would be through Diné College, a respected institution with wool and animal husbandry expertise. Strongbow and Diné College worked closely together to develop the mill, purchase a wool baler, establish an online wool store with space for educational content, created by Navajo owned web development company Obsidian, and film web content with Sheephead films. Through much hard work and dedication, they are now able to buy raw wool from local growers, sort by hand, and bale for bulk sale, creating a revenue stream for wool in the community. Over the last 3 years, they have collected over 200 large industrial bags of wool, which are ready for baling.

Strongbow’s journey has not been without challenges, including updating the charter of Diné College, parameter and partner issues, and the supply chain issues caused by the global pandemic. However, they have overcome each hurdle thrown their way, and are anticipating an in-person wool buy this Spring in conjunction with the Spring lambing season. Strongbow Strategies and Diné College have big plans for the future of the wool mill, including a larger ecotourism initiative, and we look forward to seeing all that they accomplish!

Hands Stretching Raw Wool

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
(202) 219-0740

Indian Business Incubators Program (IBIP)

Eligibility

The following entities are eligible for IBIP grants; Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible to Receive Services From BIA (87 FR 4363), Tribal Organizations as defined (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)), Tribal Colleges or Universities 25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq, 25 U.S.C. 640a note, section 532 of 7 U.S.C. 301 note; Institute of higher education in any State admitting students as per 20 U.S.C. 1091(d); and Joint Applicants who must each be independently eligible (25 CFR 1187.14).

What Would You Like to Do?

Top Tasks

Apply for IBIP Grant

All Other Tasks

View Native American Business Incubators Program Act
View Native American Business Incubators Program Regulations
View IBIP Consultation Resources & Materials

Additional Information

Related Services

Additional Resources

Contact Us

Division of Economic Development
1849 C Street, N.W., Room 4152
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DEDGrants@bia.gov
505-917-3235

Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP)

Through ILGP, our Division of Capital Investment (DCI) helps American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and individuals overcome barriers to conventional financing and secure reasonable interest rates, while also reducing the risk to lenders by providing financial backing from the federal government.

Eligibility Information

For Lenders

Most lending institutions, including Community Development Financial Institutions, may obtain a guarantee or insurance, provided they regularly make and evaluate business loans. Credit unions are generally not eligible to become ILGP approved lenders. Non-bank lenders (such as insurance companies, leasing agencies, and private wealth funds) that otherwise meet ILGP’s standards are eligible to access guarantees, but not insurance since they are not financial institutions.

For Borrowers

To qualify for a loan through the program, you must be: an individual who is an enrolled member of a federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribe or group; a federally recognized AI/AN group; or a corporation, limited liability company or other business entity with no less than 51% ownership by federally recognized AI/AN individuals.

Borrowers must have at least 20% equity in the project being financed and the project must benefit the economy of a reservation or tribal service area. Loans may be used for a variety of purposes including operating capital, equipment purchases, acquisition and refinancing, building construction, and lines of credit.

What You Need to Know

What is ILGP?
What Lenders Need to Know
Preferred and Performance Lender Awards for 2015-2021
What Borrowers Need to Know
Borrower Success Stories

Additional Information

Additional Resources

Contact Us

U.S. Department of the Interior
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

Borrower Success Story: PureWild Co.

"My company wouldn't exist without the Indian Loan Guarantee Program." Cindy Convery, Founder

Snapshot

2021 Loan Guarantee

Business: PureWild Co.
Borrower: PureWild Co. LLC
Amount Financed: $250,000, later increased to $350,000 and a line of credit 
Location: Ojai, CA and Durant, OK

About

PureWild started in 2019 with homemade herbal juices in Cindy Convery’s kitchen, and by 2021 Cindy’s company was negotiating with Whole Foods to sell her bottled marine collagen drinks in 60 locations. Cindy, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, had no experience with food distribution, but built upon her background in restaurants, business, and start-ups. “You have to do every job in your company and you have to understand every level…. I have done every job and made every mistake.” She found collagen experts, took an online course in food product distribution, and started by emailing her local grocery chain in southern California. The boutique chain, Erewhon Markets, quickly put the drinks on their shelves.

""In 2020 Cindy began visiting larger bottling plants and arranging national distribution

In 2020 Cindy began visiting larger bottling plants and arranging national distribution. The pandemic began to boost sales as consumers focused on healthy food products, and PureWild’s restorative collagen drinks, certified non-GMO, found a growing market. Cindy’s Tribal connections proved a strong and defining support for the company; she opened a regional office in Oklahoma and worked with the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations to distribute the drinks within Tribal areas. Using the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP) helped Cindy to focus her business goals on these Tribal collaborations, yet still provided enough flexibility to work simultaneously with other sales platforms and outlets. Working with Chickasaw Community Bank and ILGP, PureWild was able to increase the original funding amount to keep pace with the company’s rapid growth. “My company wouldn’t exist without the Indian Loan Guarantee Program,” Cindy affirmed.

Cindy has also worked with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma and American Indian Foods, a program that assists Native American agribusiness owners and entrepreneurs. PureWild is one of the only beverage companies in the world headed by a Native American woman, and it continues to innovate with online sales platforms and award-winning product packaging. Cindy is thrilled to have built her company to this level. “It’s about whether you really enjoy the job….And putting one foot in front of the other in a mindful way. It doesn’t matter what your skills are. It all comes back to the product.”

Shopper

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

Borrower Success Story: Reno-Sparks Indian Colony

“The loan guarantee was a critical piece of the project.Without the loan guarantee, the bank was unwilling to provide a 20-year loan. Without the loan extended to 20 years, the RSIC would not have been able afford the debt service payments.” RSIC Director of Economic Development

Snapshot

Loan Guarantee
Business: Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center, Northern Nevada Transitional Housing
Lender: US Bank
Borrower: Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Amount Financed: $8,000,000
Location: Reno, Nevada

About

Nevada federally recognized tribes benefit from an agreement with the state which allows tribal governments to collect taxes on sales occurring on tribal lands. In 2003, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony (RSIC) leased land to Walmart to construct a Super Center. The sales tax revenues from the Super Center were used to secure a 2006 Bond Issue to finance the design and construction of a 65,000 square foot health center for the RSIC.

Due to the magnitude of sales tax collected, RSIC prudently introduced a bill in the Nevada state legislature to share sales tax revenue with Nevada. In 2005, the bill passed unanimously.

The revenue sharing agreement has two components: the first is an annual payment to the local school district of approximately $500,000; the second was an agreement to finance the design and construction of the Northern Nevada Transitional Housing Center (NNTHC) for the State of Nevada. The design and construction of the NNTHC was financed with a 20-year, $8 million bank loan from U.S. Bank, enhanced with a 90% Indian loan guarantee from the Division of Capital Investment.

“The loan guarantee was a critical piece of the project,” said Steve Moran, RSIC Director of Economic Development. “Without the loan guarantee, the bank was unwilling to provide a 20-year loan. Without the loan extended to 20 years, the RSIC would not have been able afford the debt service payments.”

RSIC Chairman Arlan D. Melendez is optimistic about the continued progress of his tribe due to the successful collaboration with the state and the financial institutions. “All the new construction and revenue benefits, not only benefit our tribal members, but the entire region,” Chairman Melendez said. “We are able to provide expanded and much needed essential services to our community, plus contribute to the economic growth of the greater Reno-Sparks area."

The construction of the Reno-Sparks Tribal Health Center was completed in 2008. The Walmart Super Center opened in 2010. The Northern Nevada Transitional Housing Center opened in 2015. Last year, Fitch Rating Service upgraded the colony’s long-term Issuer Default Rating to BBB, and reaffirmed the rating in 2017.

healthcare facility

Additional Information

Related Pages

Contact Us

Division of Capital Investment
MIB-4138, 1849 C Street NW, mail stop 4132
Washington, DC 20240
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday–Friday
DCI@bia.gov
(202) 219-0740

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