SSBCI TRIBAL PROGRAM SUPPORT | 2022-Present
Challenge: Tribal nations in Minnesota—including Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Fond du Lac—sought to leverage the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) to support Native-owned businesses and foster economic development. However, accessing and implementing SSBCI funding required significant technical expertise, strategic planning, and capacity building—resources that many tribal governments needed support to secure and deploy effectively.
Role:
Northspan played a pivotal role in securing SSBCI funding and technical assistance for the three tribal nations. The organization provided end-to-end support, including:
- Grant Strategy & Writing: Northspan collaborated with tribal leadership to develop compelling grant applications tailored to each community’s economic development goals.
- Technical Assistance Grants: Northspan successfully secured additional funding to support the launch and implementation of SSBCI programs, including underwriting support and business technical assistance.
- Program Design & Implementation: Northspan worked closely with tribal economic development and planning teams to design SSBCI-aligned programs, including loan, guarantee, and collateral structures, eligibility criteria, and operational workflows.
- Capacity Building: Northspan provided training and ongoing support to tribal staff to ensure long-term sustainability of the SSBCI programs, including guidance on compliance, reporting, and outreach to Native entrepreneurs.
Results: Northspan’s efforts resulted in the successful acquisition of SSBCI funding and technical assistance grants for Grand Portage, Bois Forte, and Fond du Lac. These resources are now being used to launch and operate tribal SSBCI programs that provide capital access and business support to Native-owned enterprises. The programs are expected to catalyze entrepreneurship, create jobs, and strengthen tribal economies across northeastern Minnesota.
Reference:
Jason Hollinday, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Planning Director, 218-878-2625, jasonhollinday@fdlrez.com and Kimberly Greiner, Chief Financial Officer, Bois Forte
Learn more here: https://dawnmn.org/ssbci/