Native edge: tribal economic accelerator - objectives: 1.ncaied will equip at least 300 tribal leaders, economic development officers, and legal staff with the knowledge and tools to strengthen…

The National Center For American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED) received a $794,651 Project Grant from the Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families under the Native American Programs (CFDA 93.612) to implement the Native Edge: Tribal Economic Accelerator initiative. Awarded on September 30, 2025, with completion expected by September 29, 2028, this three-year project addresses economic disparities in Native communities by building a Native-to-Native marketplace that connects tribal governments with Native-owned businesses. NCAIED will deliver a Tribal Procurement Policy Toolkit, provide virtual training and workshops at the Reservation Economic Summit, and conduct 700+ hours of one-on-one technical assistance counseling to strengthen local procurement capacity and business readiness for tribal contracts.

The initiative targets measurable outcomes across three core objectives: equipping at least 300 tribal leaders, economic development officers, and legal staff with procurement knowledge and tools; providing intensive technical assistance to a minimum of 75 Native-owned businesses; and creating direct economic opportunities through annual Native-to-native matchmaking events connecting at least 25 prepared businesses with tribal procurement officers each year, supported by a pilot program with four tribal communities designed to establish a replicable economic growth model for other tribes to implement.

Native edge: tribal economic accelerator - objectives: 1.ncaied will equip at least 300 tribal leaders, economic development officers, and legal staff with the knowledge and tools to strengthen local procurement. 2.over the 36-month project period, the native-to-native business accelerator will provide intensive, one-on-one technical assistance to at least 75 native-owned businesses. 3.over 36 months, create direct economic opportunities by hosting an annual native-to-native matchmaking event at RES to connect at least 25 prepared businesses with tribal procurement officers each year, and implementing an intensive pilot program with 4 tribal communities to create a replicable model for local economic growth. Summary: the native edge: tribal economic accelerator is a 3-year initiative by ncaied to address economic challenges in native communities. The project tackles a two-sided market issue: tribal governments need modern procurement systems to purchase from local and native-owned businesses, while these businesses need specialized capabilities to work with tribal governments. This situation results in significant economic losses for tribal communities. The solution involves building a native-to-native marketplace through integrated support on both sides. The project will develop a tribal procurement policy toolkit and provide training through virtual sessions and workshops at the annual reservation economic summit. Additionally, the native-to-native business accelerator will offer 700+ hours of one-on-one counseling to prepare businesses for tribal contracts. The initiative includes annual matchmaking events and a pilot program with four tribal communities, creating a model that other tribes can replicate to strengthen their local economies.