Tribal Business Summary: August 22, 2022

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This week Tribal business news The summary looks at new funding opportunities around broadband access in tribal communities, whether legislation to help Native farmers and ranchers will be cut, details on new tribal business acquisitions, and how a long-planned business project will fare with new federal grant dollars.

The Depreciation Act promises to help, but some native ag advocates say it’s the wrong move

The Inflation Relief Act promises relief for Native farmers and ranchers, but critics say the bill’s vague language could mean a larger pool of borrowers and less funding.

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Other indigenous agriculture groups say the law is not ideal, especially since funding from the America’s Rescue Plan debt relief program is tied up in various court cases, so it could get help for distressed farmers before it’s too late.

Tribal broadband program boosts $1B in new funding, promises opportunity for second round

The digital divide in India is stark, with only 46 percent of rural tribals having basic broadband access, compared to 92 percent of non-tribal households. However, the Biden administration is committed to closing the gap and connecting Indian Country with high-speed broadband.

The $2 billion injection will help meet nearly $5 billion in the first round of applications for the Tribal Broadband Connection Program and a second round of funding this fall.

Santa Clara Pueblo receives $3M for commercial wastewater infrastructure

A Santa Clara Pueblo commercial development project that has been in the works for nearly 20 years has seen progress with a new $3 million federal grant.

Future revenue from the site — which includes 51 acres of highway that sees 17,000 commuters a day — will help the tribe preserve natural resources under the threat of ongoing, devastating wildfires.

Yulista, a native of Alaska, promotes the aerospace and defense business through two women-owned companies.

Alaska-based Yulista Holdings LLC has acquired two women-owned companies as it expands its portfolio and strengthens its technical services offerings. With the two acquisitions, Ulista now operates 14 branches, many of which are certified 8(a) companies.

Indigenous middle-income borrowers join USDA program for farm replacement

In a move to create indigenous wealth in tribal communities, Native-led financial institutions Akiptan Inc. and the Cherokee Nation Economic Development Trust Authority are joining the USDA Heritage Asset Recovery Program.

The initiative allows heirs to consolidate complex land ownership situations created by the absence of wills or title deeds, resolving a series of disputes between indigenous farmers and ranchers.

Tribal business briefs

Finally, this week’s Tribal Business News Briefs Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wishes Band of Pottawatomie Indians gaming venture Gun Lake Casino has hired Lam Vongsaku to serve as its new Vice President of Hospitality; new funding for broadband feasibility studies from the Bureau of Indian Affairs; A $1.5 million pledge from the Bush Foundation to a venture capital firm dedicated to investing in Black, Latinx, and Indigenous technology startups. Also, the Pokagon Band of Pottawatomie opened expanded gaming operations at the casino in South Bend, Indiana.

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