NACDC's Small Business Support Services Center's goal is to help
By John McGill
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:41 PM MST
Long associated with the Blackfeet Mini-banks, Jay Dusty Bull was present Friday, Feb. 15, at the offices of the Native American Community Development Corporation to offer smudge and song to celebrate an open house at NACDC's Specialized Small Business Support Services Center in Browning.
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| Staff members of the Native American Community Development Corporation include (from left) Shayne Hall, Elouise Cobell, Eva Cobell, Angie Main, Butch Conway and Steve Powell. Photo by John McGill
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Joining him were representatives from Native American Bank, Blackfeet Manpower, Blackfeet Community College, several area small business owners and Glacier County Commissioner Michael DesRosier.
In addition, three student associates from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., were on hand to inform everyone about the reference services they could provide to people entering the world of small business, as well as to those seeking to improve their existing small businesses.
The Native American Community Development Corporation is a nonprofit, community development affiliate of Native American Bank in Browning, said Small Business Support Services Center Director Butch Conway.
Among the services offered by the SSBSSC are assistance in writing business plans, searching for funding and offering technical support. According to the Georgetown reps at the dedication last week, their association with the university enables them to provide in-depth analysis and information for free to the small business center, which can then pass it on to the individual entrepreneur.
"We're offering any support services for small business," said Conway, "and it's aimed at businesses on the Blackfeet Reservation."
Conway said Friday's open house was slated because it was the first opportunity for the center's primary donor, the Tzo-Nah Foundation, to attend, but unfortunately she was unable to be there.
The small business center is conveniently located in downtown Browning at 101 Pata Street, in the same building as the NACDC, the Blackfeet Reservation Development Fund and the Blackfeet Community Foundation. It's next door to the small business partner, Blackfeet Manpower, and it's within walking distance of Native American Bank in Browning as well, placing a wealth of resources in one, easily accessible location.
Small business owners and those interested in starting their own businesses are encouraged to stop by the office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or to call them at 338-2271 for more information.
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