MESA, AZ – The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) recently announced that the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (the National Center) is the recipient of a grant worth over $550,000, which will be used specifically for the National Center to expand its Native Edge Institutes (NEI) to the Eastern United States. The funding is part of over $3 million recently awarded by MBDA to support programs for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian-owned enterprises. MBDA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that promotes the growth of minority-owned business through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research.
“The National Center is honored to receive financial support from MBDA and looks forward to working with the agency as we provide critical business development services to Native American and Alaska Native communities,” said Chris James, President and CEO of the National Center. “With the help of MBDA, the hands-on training offered by our Native Edge Institutes will be expanded to the Eastern United States, making the National Center’s training more accessible to a large portion of Indian Country.”
The National Center plans to host four Native Edge Institutes in states along the Eastern seaboard in 2019, with dates and venues to be announced in the coming weeks. With the support of KeyBank Foundation, the National Center hosted four NEIs in 2018. These took place in Albuquerque, NM, Seattle, WA, Tulsa, OK, and just last month in Anchorage, AK. These one-day events provide attendees hands-on training and important updates related to federal procurement and contracting. Several of the NEIs also had a focus on technology, specifically the challenges and opportunities it presents for tribal enterprises and businesses.
“The Minority Business Development Agency’s support to the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (including Pacific Islander American) communities is a key component of MBDA’s overall support for minority business development,” said MBDA National Director Henry Childs, II. “Throughout this process, we have worked very closely with tribes to ensure economic growth in communities across the country.”
The funding from MBDA will be used to bring the Native Edge Institutes – similar to the one shown here that took place in Anchorage, Alaska in November – to the East Coast.
About the National Center: The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With over 40 years of assisting American Indian Tribes and their enterprises with business and economic development – we have evolved into the largest national Indian specific business organization in the nation. Our motto is: “We Mean Business For Indian Country” as we are actively engaged in helping Tribal Nations and Native business people realize their business goals and are dedicated to putting the whole of Indian Country to work to better the lives of American Indian people- both now… and for generations to come.
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