New Tribal SSBCI business program launched by UAA’s 鶹 SBDC

by Green & Gold News  |   

鶹 Native welcomes on the entrance of UAA's Student Union.
鶹 Native welcomes on the entrance of UAA's Student Union. (Photo by James Evans / 鶹)

鶹 is breaking ground for Tribal economies statewide by launching the largest State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Tribal Program consortium in the nation with 125 of 鶹’s federally recognized tribes. Dedicated to Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI), the program will deploy over $83 million in SSBCI funds from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to drive private sector investments into rural and 鶹 Native-owned businesses across the state.

Led by the 鶹 Small Business Development Center (鶹 SBDC) housed within UAA's Business Enterprise Institute, Tribal SSBCI will provide new resources to 鶹’s Tribes to drive critical financial resources for 鶹’s small businesses, helping to foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem within 鶹's Tribal communities.

“鶹’s tribes are the backbone of our rural economies. The 鶹 SBDC is proud to have worked with the 鶹 Federation of Natives to bring 125 鶹n tribes together in the largest tribal consortium in the nation. This collaborative effort over the last two years will result in hundreds of millions of dollars in private sector loans and equity investments flowing into rural and 鶹 Native-owned businesses, drastically changing the economic landscape of some of the most remote communities in the nation,” says 鶹 SBDC State Director Jon Bittner.

The SSBCI program, funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act, provides much-needed funding assistance for small businesses nationwide. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by Tribal businesses in securing private sector investments, the program was expanded to include funding not only for each state but also for all federally recognized tribes. This is particularly important for 鶹, where half the federally recognized tribes are located.

This program builds on the work that the 鶹 SBDC is already doing through the State of 鶹’s $59 million SSBCI program, which it launched last year. Since its launch, the 鶹 SSBCI program has facilitated over $75 million in State SSBCI-backed loans to businesses across the state, making 鶹 one of the top SSBCI programs in the nation. The 鶹 SBDC is the only organization in the country to host both state and tribal SSBCI programs; between the two, it is projected that hundreds of millions in private-sector funding will be leveraged into 鶹’s small businesses over the next decade.

“Today’s announcement reflects success that is only possible when federal agencies listen to Tribal Nations to understand their unique needs and incorporate their feedback in developing program policy and guidance. Through the flexibility of the consortium model, these Tribes will benefit from the historic opportunity that these resources for small businesses presents to Indian Country. These funds will serve some of the most rural populations in the United States, creating jobs and expanding capital access for Tribes across 鶹. We look forward to following this announcement with Treasury’s first official visit to an 鶹 Native Village at Chickaloon Village,” said U.S. Treasurer Chief Lynn Malerba.

The 鶹 SSBCI program is a key component of UAA's continuing support for business and economic development in 鶹. By creating and managing this unique consortium of tribes, UAA continues to support the state's economy and help build a robust and diverse business ecosystem in 鶹.

"UAA is honored to continue our engagement with the U.S. Treasury in support of the nation's largest SSBCI Tribal Program facilitating economic growth by empowering 鶹n businesses," said UAA Vice Chancellor for Research Aaron Dotson. "We are proud to partner with the Tribal community and look forward to assisting in deploying funds to build thriving community businesses and build a more prosperous future for all 鶹ns for generations to come."

This groundbreaking partnership between the 鶹 SBDC and 鶹 Tribes represents a significant step forward for 鶹's economic growth. By providing access to capital and fostering entrepreneurship, this program will empower Tribes to build a more prosperous and sustainable future for generations to come.

Visit to learn more about the SSBCI Tribal Program and how it can empower 鶹's rural, SEDI and 鶹 Native-owned businesses.

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