Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Indigenous Economic Development Corporation (WIEDC), based in Keshena, received a $4 million grant through the Department of Administration’s Diverse Business Assistance grant program.
The program, funded by the Federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, provides funding to chambers and nonprofit organizations assisting small businesses that have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Wisconsin Native communities are in a unique position right now by the development of Wisconsin Indigenous Economic Development Corporation, in the way that we’re here to support all 11 tribes [in Wisconsin], and with the DOA funding we received,” says Jennifer Peters, CEO of WIEDC.
Formed in January 2022, WIEDC is a coalition of four nonprofit Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) with the mission to expand Native economic development in Wisconsin by strengthening individuals, families, communities and Native-owned businesses. The four Native member CDFIs are Woodland Financial Partners, Wisconsin Native Loan Fund, First Nations Community Financial and First American Capital Corporation.
In addition to the $4 million grant WIEDC received, Peters says some of the Native CDFIs that make up WIEDC also received DOA grant funding that must be used by Dec. 31, 2024.
“[Among] the coalition there’s a large amount of money to spend out in a very short period of time, and it’s all focused around Native businesses and tribal communities,” she says.
The grant will help WIEDC provide resources like training, technical assistance, workshops and educational opportunities for Native business owners and emerging entrepreneurs.
One of the unique ways WIEDC is using the funding is to present an eight-part video series titled “Resilience, Recovery, and Prosperity.”
The video series showcases the Indigenous economy by highlighting Native-owned businesses that have utilized CDFI resources and technical assistance, with an emphasis on the importance of utilizing available resources to ensure long-term sustainability and growth.
“People in our Native communities don’t realize that there are resources out there that are going to assist the underserved, which is what our Native communities are,” Peters says.
WIEDC Program Manager Nicole Fish, who also serves on Menominee-based Woodland Financial Partners’ credit committee, says one of the biggest barriers for Native businesses is access to capital — a problem the DOA funds have helped address.
“Since [Woodland Financial Partners] received the funding, they have funded 14 businesses and have six more in their pipeline,” she says.
Funds have supported businesses in industries from forestry and logging to mobile food service, Fish says.
But capital is only part of the equation. Fish says opportunities for Native business owners and entrepreneurs to connect is the next step.
“We just recently held some focus groups to understand the needs of our communities because not every Native community is the same,” she says. “But what did seem to be the same was the need for more networking with Native entrepreneurs so that they could support each other. That’s one of the things that we’re trying to work on right now.”
Child care expansion
A new child care center is opening next year in Oconto Falls. The addition will bring 140 new child care slots — representing a 67% increase in care — to the county.
“This is huge, and yet it still doesn’t fill all of our needs,” says Oconto County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Jayme Sellen. “But it’s going to dramatically help the families and employers around here.”
Encompass Early Education and Care Inc. is on track to open its first Oconto County center in spring 2024. This will be Encompass’ eighth location, with seven other centers operating in the Greater Green Bay area.
“[Oconto County] is the driest child care desert in the state, I feel like. We have pockets where there are five kids for every one slot of child care,” Sellen says. “Encompass coming in is going to serve a huge need. They aren’t even open and 20% of their capacity is full.”
Sellen originally got connected with Encompass Executive Director Missy Schmeling, who told her the center was considering an expansion in Oconto County and was looking for assistance in locating a building.
“When she emailed me, my response back to her was, ‘If only you could see me doing backflips in my head,’” Sellen jokes. “I was so excited.”
Encompass partnered with Oconto County Public Health on a $250,000 grant using American Rescue Plan Act funds and is working on additional grants with the city of Oconto Falls and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
The 14,000-square-foot facility at 650 E. Jackson St. is undergoing renovations to create classrooms for infants, toddlers, 2-year-olds, preschool age children and school age children, as well as all-ages outdoor play areas and a community collaboration room.
Sellen says OCEDC is continuing to work with Encompass on creating community partnerships, applying for grants and networking with the local business community.
“They’ve already been working on a great partnership with the county’s public health department so that they can provide screenings for kids and families,” she says. “It’s just really a holistic approach to child care.”
