Native American Business Development Resources
Tribal Business Information Centers (TBICs)
Tribal Business Information Centers, sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, provide the following kinds of help:
- access to business related computer software,
- one-on-one business counseling,
- business workshops, and
- business reference libraries (including sample business plans, how-to guides for starting many types of business, videos, and business related books).
Currently there are 18 TBICs, located in seven western states. Web site for more information: www.sba.gov/naa/tribes
Business Administration Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA)
The SBA’s ONAA is dedicated to ensuring that American Indians, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians seeking to create, develop, and expand small businesses have full access to business development and expansion tools available through the agency’s entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs. ONAA administers the Tribal Business Information Centers project. The web site includes access to a listing of Section 8(a) certified Native American businesses, and a complete listing of TBIC locations and the services they typically provide. Web site for more information: www.sba.gov/naa
Native American Business Alliance (NABA)
The purpose of the Native American Business Alliance is to facilitate mutually beneficial relationships between private and public businesses with Native American owned companies, and to educate communities on Native American culture. Its focus is on helping Native American companies become part of the supply base to corporate America. The Alliance currently includes over 200 Native American companies, with corporate sponsorships including Toyota, Honda, GM, Ford, Chrysler, Universal Studios, Walt Disney, and Square D. Web site for more information: www.native-american-bus.org
Oklahoma Native American Business Development Center(ONABDC)
The purpose of ONABDC is to provide technical assistance to federally recognized tribes and Native Americans who are interested in starting a business or enhancing their present business. Services include assistance in preparing business plans and financial proposals, procurement information, human resource development training, resume development, and employment referrals. There is no cost to Oklahoma tribal members. Web site for more information: www.indiansbusiness.org
National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED)
The mission of NCAIED is to develop and expand an American Indian private sector that employs Indian labor, increases the number of tribal and individual Indian businesses, and positively impacts and involves reservation communities, by establishing business relationships between Indian enterprises and private industry. Its services include:
- feasibility studies,
- business plan development,
- entrepreneurial training,
- financial forecasting and budgeting, and
- web page development.
NCAIED operates Business Development Centers in Arizona, California, and the Northwest, and provides fee-for-services management consulting nationwide. Web site for more information: www.ncaied.org
U.S. Department of Labor DINAP Partnership
DINAP (Division of Indian and Native American Programs) maintains a web site to provide general information about the Workforce Investment Act Program intended to help Indian and Native Americans to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment and job training. Web site for more information: wdsc.doleta.gov/dinap
Four Times Foundation
Financial and technical assistance for small business owners on select reservations. Website for more information: www.fourtimes.org
Native American Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMCOR)
NAMCOR's mission is to provide marketing, consulting, and other business development services to businesses owned by Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. NAMCOR's clients provide a wide array of services to federal agencies and commercial organizations and are all SBA 8(a) certified with annual revenues between $6-$40 million per year. The web site includes a listing of special rights enjoyed by tribes and Alaska Native Corporations under Section 8(a) of the SBA Business Development Program. Web site for more information: www.namcor.com
GAO
Economic Development; Federal Assistance Programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives. GAO-02-193 December 2001. Web site for more information: www.gao.gov
American Indian Business Leaders (AIBL)
AIBL has chapters for both students and professionals and fosters a support system for American Indian students interested in careers in business that they will use eventually to assist with tribal economic development. Web site for more information: http://www.aibl.org/