FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2006 

Central Council Secures Funding for Training, Micro Grants

Business and Economic Development Department (BEDD) of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska is proud to report that it has secured an Indian Community Development Block Grant in the amount of $429,364 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The purpose of the grant is to support small business startups and development in rural Alaska through training and financing.

The grant award will be used to set up an 18-month Southeast Alaska Enterprise Program. The Central Council will provide training, technical assistance, and business start-up financing in Douglas, Craig, and Hydaburg. BEDD will be responsible for implementing the program.

BEDD will work together with the Central Council’s Vocational Training and Resource Center, participating tribes, and other stakeholders to develop training curriculum that will be tailored for rural communities. Once the curriculum is developed, small business training and technical assistance will become available to residents of the abovementioned towns.

Individuals that successfully complete training and demonstrate business planning skills will be eligible for matching micro-grants to start-up their businesses and bring their ideas to life. Grants for expansion of existing micro enterprises may also be available.

Matching grants will be awarded on a 1 to 5 basis, which means that for every dollar invested by the program graduate, the Central Council will match it with five dollars in micro-grants.

Micro grants money may not cover owner’s salary, and other limitations may apply. The program will target individuals with low to moderate income levels and will be available to start or expand micro enterprises of five employees or less, including the owner. Applicants

will be required to have a viable business plan for their current or proposed business.

If you are a resident of Douglas, Craig or Hydaburg, and would like to participate in the program, please contact our office. If you are an experienced business person, or an entity that is currently involved in business or economic development in these areas, and would like to partner with the Central Council on this project, please contact Andrei Chakine, BEDD Manager at the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (achakine@ccthita.org).

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For more information contact:
Andrei Chakine, BEDD Manager
9097 Glacier Highway
Juneau, AK 99801
Ph: 907.463.7121
Fax: 907.463.7356
E-mail: achakine@ccthita.org

 

Media Contact:
Jodi Wolf, CCTHITA Publications
9097 Glacier Highway, Juneau, AK 99801
Tel. 907/463-7123
Email: jwolf@ccthita.org