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Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development
In 1994, a loan guarantee provided necessary support for financing the tribe’s first health clinic. In 1997, a second guarantee supported financing for the Tribe’s headquarters facility.
Between 2000 and 2003, three additional guarantees to subsidiaries of the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation (RREDC) supported development of other businesses.
Date of Commitment: 2000
Type of Service: Loan Guarantee
Borrower: RREDC
Project: Mini-Mart Convenience Store
Financing Amount: $700,000 (paid in full 2014)
Location: Redding, CA
The Redding Rancheria has used the loan guarantee program both for essential government facilities as well as business. In 1994, a loan guarantee provided necessary support for financing the tribe’s first health clinic. In 1997, a second guarantee supported financing for the Tribe’s headquarters facility.
Between 2000 and 2003, three additional guarantees to subsidiaries of the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation supported development of the Rancheria’s Hilton Garden Inn, the Win River Mini-Mart with a service station and the acquisition of a moving and storage company in Sacramento. The hotel and mini-mart have been very successful.
While all five of the underlying financings have been paid off, the loan guarantee program was instrumental in assisting the tribe in developing its financial foundation. Economic diversification is a critical part of the Rancheria’s strategies and requires appropriate risk management and insulation of business assets. While the Redding Rancheria’s successes make it easier to locate financing today, the loan guarantee program remains an important tool to continue economic diversification for new acquisitions and start-up businesses.
2014 Loan Guarantee
Business: Minuteman Press, Rohnert Park
Lender: Native American Bank
Borrower: KN Printing LLC, Koi Nation of California
Amount Financed: $197,000
Location: Rohnert Park, CA
Tribal area: Koi Nation of California
The Minuteman Press franchise in Rohnert Park weathered the pandemic with savings, loyal customers, new products, and long-term employees. The Koi Nation owns the franchise; founder Dino Beltran has served on the Koi Nation Tribal council for almost 30 years. Dino praised the small franchise in 2019: “Our success is directly related to our outstanding employees. They established consistent and reliable services when we opened, and that excellent service has earned us loyal and repeat clientele.” In 2020 the franchise moved to virtual service, focused on digital products, and created a drop-off area for in-person customers. New and sophisticated equipment went live in the summer of 2020, creating new and expanded services for the clientele. The strategy paid off; business in the summer of 2021 was almost back to normal.
The path to success has not always been easy. During project development the company scrambled to find a location, train staff, and make decisions about equipment and capital investments. The initial plan was to use equipment purchased from an existing printing business and focus on saving revenue. The plan worked well, and Koi Nation was able to pay off their guaranteed loan from the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP) two years before its maturity date. The Tribal owners worked as a team and had a good working relationship with the staff at ILGP. “They worried about me and prepared me for my business. We were lucky enough and fortunate enough to work with them,” recalled Dino.
Today the Minuteman franchise has a dependable customer base, including other local Tribes and casinos, and is considering ways to solidify benefits for the employees, including any Koi Nation citizens. Dino summed up his advice for other Tribal entrepreneurs: “Wait it out for people who are going to do the job and like it. Finding the right employees is really key.”
NTIA's Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program has released their NOFO (closing 1/23/24) for their 2nd round of funding. This historic funding opportunity will be open for only the next 6-months!!
The NTBG grant opportunity for FY 2022 closed November 17th, 2022. For more information about this grant, please visit our Announcement page on Grants.gov.
Congratulations to the FY 2022 NTBG Awardees!! The Awardees are listed below and on our Press Release:
| Tribal Broadband Awardee | Project | Award Amt. | Description |
| Tunica-Biloxi Indian Tribe | Tunica-Biloxi Broadband Development and Deployment Feasibility Study | $175,000.00
| Through the feasibility study, the Tribe expects to identify and develop a comprehensive plan to increase broadband adoption and use among Tunica-Biloxi citizens. Increased access to broadband services for Tribal citizens will enhance health, educational, and business services, regardless of their location.
|
| The Muscogee (Creek) Nation | MCN National Tribal Broadband Feasibility Expansion Study Project | $175,000.00
| The feasibility study will perform an analysis of existing broadband providers, develop a comprehensive strategy for the interconnection points identified, and inventory existing resources to meet the critical needs of the community and continue to address the sustainability of our community through Tribal broadband expansion.
|
| Pala Band of Mission Indians | Pala Broadband Planning: Pala Band of Mission Indians Feasibility Study and Assessments for Broadband Implementation; Promoting Self-Efficiency, Business Development, Education, and Communications
| $175,000.00
| The feasibility study will provide the Tribe with the information needed for the establishment, expansion, and implementation of a sustainable broadband access solution to improve broadband access for existing underserved/unconnected Tribal areas. It will help the Pala Band of Mission Indians make decisions regarding the deployment of broadband in our community, emphasizing that this opportunity would continue to support our sovereignty as a Nation.
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| Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas | Feasibility Study of Tribe-Deployed Broadband for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (ACTT) | $175,000.00
| The feasibility study will prioritize development of broadband connectivity for the distinct purpose of enhancing the overall economic resilience of the Tribal community in Polk County, Texas. The project will focus the Tribe’s efforts to become a connected community while sustaining the culture and heritage of the people of the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas.
|
| Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians of California | Broadband Infrastructure Study for Southern Reservation | $175,000.00
| The feasibility study will identify a potential plan and scope for installation and implementation of broadband infrastructure and service on Tribal lands. The proposed project will result in a plan ready for implementation that will support the Tribe’s enterprises and affirm its Tribal sovereignty.
|
| Pueblo of Laguna, New Mexico | Pueblo of Laguna Grant Application to BIA NTBG 2022 OIED Internet Service Provider Development Feasibility Study and Business Plan | $174,770.00
| The feasibility study and business plan will explore the potential development and build out of an Internet Service Provider entity on the Pueblo. It will provide guidance to the Pueblo of Laguna and Laguna Economic Advancement on the path forward to providing high-speed, affordable, reliable, and sustainable internet to the Pueblo of Laguna community.
|
| Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes | Tlingit & Haida Broadband Prince of Wales Study | $174,500.00
| The feasibility study will assist the Tribe’s mission to provide high-quality, modern broadband infrastructure critical to promoting the economic sovereignty and success of our citizens.
|
| Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe | LPPSR Network Expansion Planning | $174,360.86
| The feasibility study will focus on the enhancements needed to expand LPPSR’s currently planned broadband network. The expansion will allow the Tribe to use more digitally advanced technologies to meet their economic development and environmental priorities. The technical requirements and vertical solutions provided will aid LPPSR in our pursuit to meaningfully participate in the digital economy.
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| Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana | Tribal Broadband Feasibility Study Grant Proposal for Tribal Broadband Development, Employment Generation, and Middle Mile Infrastructure | $161,416.00
| The feasibility study will encompass the existing, planned, or requested infrastructure and changes to the overall reservation area with Tribal members moving back to the reservation due to the economic climate, and new housing communities being developed. We hope to identify the degrees to which reliable broadband will improve the quality of life and address Tribal needs to spur economic development and commercial activity, creating opportunities for self-employment, enhancing educational resources and remote learning opportunities, and improving public safety.
|
| Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Michigan | Sault Tribe Broadband Planning Grant (NTBG) | $156,026.06
| The feasibility study will identify the technical broadband delivery options available, given the topography of our land. It will also identify construction costs and plans, identify all current service, survey the Sault Tribe members, identify the current need, plan for ISPs, and identify potential partners.
|
| Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota | Feasibility Study and Business Plan for Rosebud Sioux Tribe ISP | $147,293.00
| The purpose of this grant request is to perform a feasibility study and a business plan for the deployment or expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) transmitted through wireless and fiber connections that will be built with funding awarded to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe through its successful application for a NTIA Tribal Connectivity grant. The resulting wireless and fiber network intends to serve all households, businesses, and Tribal locations on Tribal lands.
|
| Nenana Native Association | Nenana Broadband Feasibility Study and Engineering Analysis | $139,638.00
| The feasibility study looks to establish a coordinated and strategic approach towards a construction ready design for the rural, unserved community of Nenana, Alaska. The proposed study will assess the feasibility of deploying a fiber network in the village amongst many existing, poorly documented buried and overhead utilities, considering the financial and practical risks and contemplating future operations and maintenance. This project aligns with the Tribe’s objectives to improve quality of life, spur economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for self- employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning opportunities and meet emergency and law enforcement needs by bringing broadband services to Nenana, Alaska.
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| Lower Brule Sioux Tribe of the Lower Brule Reservation, South Dakota | Lower Brule Reservation Tribal Broadband Project | $131,300.00
| The feasibility study will assess the risks, rewards, and roadmap for the creation of a telecommunications enterprise to serve the Lower Brule reservation of South Dakota. The outcomes will empower the Tribe with the information required to adequately address the considerations of financial and practical risks associated with developing a broadband network proposed to be within the two communities of Lower Brule and West Lower Brule and throughout the reservation area, population 698.
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| Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians of California | Middletown Rancheria Broadband Partnership and Engineering Feasibility Study | $130,000.00
| The feasibility study aims to develop Middletown’s own broadband network upon its Tribal lands. This project will allow Middletown to explore the feasibility of maintaining most of the current service but providing augmentation and/or far tolerance to the existing pipe and connecting Middletown's future fiber network to internet backhaul provided by a second provider, which is located just outside of Williams. Bringing backhaul to Middletown would aid the Rancheria in creating and maintaining its own internet service rather than having to rely on the often-spotty service currently provided. By improving broadband access for its 201 Tribal members as well as surrounding populations, Middletown Rancheria will improve the wellbeing of its rural community by making critical services, such as telehealth, remote work opportunities, and online education available.
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| Bay Mills Indian Community, Michigan | Bay Mills Indian Community Feasibility Study to Assess Broadband | $120,361.08
| The feasibility study will provide an assessment, followed by technical analyses, to delve into the community’s broadband needs, services, and infrastructure. A final report of the assessment may contain a roadmap for the execution and assist in positioning BMIC to pursue further funding for broadband.
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| Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation | Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Broadband Feasibility Study and Business Plan | $107,520.00
| The feasibility study will include a financial analysis, a competitive and needs analysis, and an operating pro forma business plan. of fiber broadband on the Nation’s land in rural northeast Kansas. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the forefront the critical need for reliable, quality broadband access to every home. Upon completion, the Nation will be closer than it has ever been to a state of readiness to deploy broadband.
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| Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation | Lummi Nation Community Broadband Roadmap | $104,835.00
| The goal of the feasibility study is to examine the Tribe’s ability to bring ultra-fast internet and communication to the Lummi Nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how essential broadband services are, however, there are many areas in the community where broadband speeds are too slow and some areas where residents do not get broadband services. So, the development of a Lummi-owned Internet Service Provider will help close the digital divide by bringing critical broadband infrastructure to the Lummi Reservation.
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| Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska | Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Broadband Feasibility Study | $102,980.00
| The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska has a Tribally-owned fiber network that was installed on part of the reservation 10 years ago. It does not reach all the homes or anchor institutions, is unreliable, and needs to be upgraded and expanded to meet the needs of the residents and business. This grant will fund a feasibility study and create a broadband plan to meet the digital access and equity needs of the community for healthcare, education, and economic development.
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Our Division of Economic Development provides the opportunity for tribes to receive funding to explore the possibility of developing or extending broadband services in their communities to:
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) also has grants to expand broadband access and adoption on tribal land through its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. Whereas their application window closed on September 1, 2021, we will also update this webpage for their next solicitation.
All federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, bands, villages, nations, or communities are eligible for NTBG funding. NTBG grant applications are rated on the potential positive impacts broadband could bring to an applicant’s community, with additional credit awarded to applications involving projects to be developed in Opportunity Zones. An Opportunity Zone is an economically-distressed community where new investments, including investments in broadband systems, may be eligible for preferential tax treatment under certain conditions.
The Office of Indian Economic Development's Tribal Tourism Grant Program (TTGP) aims to support tribal economic development and fulfill the mission of the NATIVE Act by providing funds to Tribes striving to achieve substantial community benefits by supporting infrastructure development and increased tourism capacity to elevate the living standards of the community.
FY 2025 TTGP Awardees are still pending review! Please check back soon for updated information!!
OIED awards new cooperative agreement to advance cultural heritage tourism in Tribal communities
July 31, 2024 - The National Center Selected to Create New Tourism Technical Assistance Center – NCAIED
Applications can include how Tribal tourism businesses recover and adapt to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic…
Convenience stores are a reliable source of employment and revenue for tribes and individual Native entrepreneurs. Some of the stores are located in remote areas and are a significant provider of critical services such as gasoline, basic food items, and financial services such as money orders and wire transfers.
Several stores also complement other tribal attractions such as hotels, casinos, and artisan communities.
Date of Commitment: Multiple commitments
Type of Service: Loan Guarantee
Lender: Multiple lenders
Borrower: Tribal entities
Project: Convenience Stores
Location: View Success Story Spotlight Map (PDF)
The Southwest Zone‘s loan guarantee portfolio includes several convenience stores representing approximately $32 million in loan guarantees. Tribes have used loan guarantees to capitalize on convenience store enterprises throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.
Convenience stores are a solid source of employment and revenue for tribes and individual Native entrepreneurs. In addition, these convenience store enterprises have been equally successful for tribes of all sizes and locations. Some of the stores are located in remote areas and are a significant provider of critical services such as gasoline, basic food items, and financial services such as money orders and wire transfers. Several stores complement other tribal attractions such as hotels, casinos, and artisan communities.
For over 45 years, the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program (ILGP), has helped to reduce the risk to lenders who offer loans to American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes and individuals through the financial support of the federal government.
Our Division of Capital Investment (DCI) manages the program and can provide up to a 90% guarantee or insurance for loans.
The loans provided by ILGP are not offered through the Small Business Administration (SBA). For information about SBA-guaranteed loans, please visit the SBA website.
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.
Lenders must sign a Loan Guarantee Agreement or a Loan Insurance Agreement with ILGP before they can participate.
Loans may be used for a variety of purposes including:
A lender must ensure that a business entity is qualified and only apply for a loan guarantee or obtain loan insurance when it would not otherwise approve the borrower’s loan application.
If the loan will be used for refinancing, construction, renovation, or demolition work, there are additional requirements.
All required information can be provided using the lender’s own forms, along with a commitment letter from the lender to the borrower that states the loan amount, purpose of the loan, the interest rate, the schedule of payments, the security, and the terms and conditions of the loan.
Lending Limitations
The following types of businesses are ineligible for ILGP loans:
DCI will provide no more than a 90% guarantee or insurance for loans.
The maximum loan amount guaranteed for individuals is $500,000, but we’re able to guarantee loans of greater amounts for tribes, tribal enterprises, or business entities, subject to program and policy limitations.
Loan insurance, primarily for loans of $250,000 or less, is at the discretion of the lender. If a lender believes loan insurance is justified to offer the best lending terms, it can simply make the insured loan and submit the Notice of Insured Loan Form to DCI afterward.
Interest Subsidy
ILGP also offers interest subsidy payments for certain loans, which is a discretionary payment made to a lender for the benefit of a borrower whose projected or historical earnings are below the industry norm. A lender may request interest subsidy as part of a loan guarantee request.
To see the latest Indian Financing Act rate, visit TreasuryDirect's Monthly Interest Rate Certification page, click on the link for the current month and view table 6 for "Other Specific Legislation."
Interest Subsidy
Lenders whose interest subsidy request has been approved must submit an Interest Subsidy Report to DCI on a quarterly basis.
Interest Subsidy Reporting Forms
Loan Default Process
Loan Default Forms
Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building
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Fort Snelling, MN 55111
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