1 Comment

1. 

   cindymillercss on May 14, 2019 at 5:47 pm

   The idea of a TM CDC is an excellent non profit entity with several special capabilities to help create community development (sustainable jobs, manufacturing and participation in obtaining contracts from federal agencies on FBO.GOV and directly from the BIA). A TM CDC is similar to an 8 (a) Tribal entity and or any corporation located in a HUBZONE (often an address on Tribal Trust land.) * For a CDC to work and be sustainable there is a need to put funds into the organization to kick start it just like a Tribal 8 (a) based on a written plan of how to convert operational day to day capital into qualification for grants and for procurement of federal contracts.
   The staff of the CDC need to have a background in how to operate a CDC with outreach to qualify for grants and federal contracts. There is nothing wrong with hiring a consultant to teach / review how to run a CDC.
   Or the TM CDC can obtains workbooks for members of the Board of Directors and staff as to an example
   of how to run a CDC and expand to to other entities on an off the reservation.
   Beyond a hotel/ casino and buffet experience of a Tribe there is a need for the most valuable treasures of the Tribe
   to reach out to well known companies in ND, SD and MT through the TM CDC. These valuable treasures are
   the members of the Tribe. The beginning relationship between the TMCDC and a company on behalf of the Tribal Member is for the Tribal Member to be an INTERN with a stipend of income to cover cost of travel, housing (if needed) and clothing (if needed). The 6 month INTERNSHIP can change into a JOB. The other offer of the TM CDC
   for the company off the reservation is through the former INTERIM is to participate in economic and structural
   development on the reservation. (Remodel or demolition and rebuild of houses where CRACK was made).
   The remodel or new build of a house involves the use of the trades, i.e. operating heavy equipment, carpenter,
   electrician, plumber, painting, landscaping, management, project site management.

   Through the Chairman and the TMCDC a direct reach out to the Senators of ND is the ability to create jobs on the reservation in the areas of welding and fabrication for parts and vehicles of the ARMY and DOD. A process that
   was done years ago that could be repeated. Also the oil companies in ND, SD and MT are in need of metal
   fabrication and welding. The TMCDC can create a list of Tribal Members with past performance in these areas to request additional training for other Tribal Members and to work with the DOD and with oil companies.

   There is a need to address several home care, prevention and immediate health care needs. Members of the Tribe
   can be sponsored to work at a medical clinic and hospital as a 6 month INTERN participation program. Then
   the TMCC can apply for funds for a Tribal member to go further in his or her training to become a licensed
   health care practitioner with an agreement / contract to work a specific number of years a the reservation.

   In summary a Community Development Corporation is a wonderful platform from which one or more issues or needs of the community can be addressed with the knowledge and participation of Tribal Members.

   Respectfully,

   Cindy Miller
   Chippewa Sustainable Solutions, LLC dba CSS