Business & Economic Development

Will Ware Chief Development Officer

Tlingit & Haida’s Business & Economic Development (BED) department is dedicated to creating tribal enterprises that not only have a financial bottom line, but a social, cultural bottom line that reflects who we are as Native people. Although each tribal enterprise varies in nature and scope of work, they are all grounded in the mission and vision to help economically diversify the Tribe and provide employment and training opportunities to tribal citizens. BED works internally with several of the Tribe’s departments such as Employment & Training, Head Start, Reentry & Recovery, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to place clients in work experience positions within the tribal enterprises.

Tribal enterprises include: ƒ Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall ƒ Little Eagles and Ravens Nest (LEARN) ƒ Sacred Grounds Café ƒ Sacred Shine Auto Detailing ƒ Smokehouse Catering BED enhances community planning efforts on economic development projects in Southeast Alaska through the development of the Tribal Community Economic Development Strategy (Tribal CEDS) plan and by partnering with local, state and federal agencies. The Tribal CEDS identifies the economic conditions and needs of the region and is a tool to initiate and sustain local planning and development efforts. The plan is updated every five years and developed with input from tribes, tribal citizens, Alaska Native corporations and small business owners. The department also supports tribal artisans through the Certified Tribal Artists (CTA) program and by partnering to host community events throughout the year.

In 2020, BED’s tribal enterprises, which are largely based on gatherings, events, and face-to-face contact, were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. All were slated for record-breaking numbers, however, each business shut-down in March as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of employees, citizens, customers and the general public. During the closure, BED evaluated best-practices and implemented safety preparedness and mitigation plans to safely reopen following tribal and state mandates.

ƒ Administered the CARES Small Business Grant program that provided grants up to $5,000 to 130 tribal citizen small business owners adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of $1 million was allocated for these grants. ƒ Expanded social enterprise services to include: » Online ordering (Sacred Grounds) and walkup window services » Drive-up/take-out services (Smokehouse Catering) ƒ Completed overhaul of the Tribe’s online storefront ShopTlingitHaida.com (formerly known as www.ccthita-commerce.com).

ƒ Established retail sales of fireworks in July that generated a net profit of $177,938. ƒ Hired Project Manager for Southeast General Contractors and began construction on two non-congregate sheltering projects, Allen Court and Haven House. ƒ Provided quality child care to Juneau families through the LEARN child care center, while maintaining strict safety protocols.

The Certified Tribal Artist program promotes Alaska Native-made arts and handicrafts through certifying tribally-enrolled artists. Upon certification, applicants are issued a certificate, permit card, and free gift tags, stickers, or combination thereof to assist in marketing tribal citizen artwork. ƒ Certified nine Tlingit and/or Haida tribal citizens under the Certified Tribal Artist program bringing the total number of certified tribal artists to 69.

The Tlingit & Haida Cultural Immersion Park (Immersion Park) is a long-term commitment of the Tribe. The Immersion Park will serve as a powerful instrument in fulfilling the Tribe’s mission and vision, and enhance the awareness, preservation and perpetuation of our Southeast Alaska indigenous cultures. ƒ Conducted a site visit with Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) and NORTECH, Inc. as a follow up to the spillage identified onsite and preliminary strategies to address environmental issues. ƒ Collaborated efforts with AJT Mining Properties, Inc., Alaska Electric Light &

Power, City & Borough of Juneau, Juneau Police Department, and State of Alaska

Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to address long term camping restrictions on

DNR land, parking easement, and unsafe conditions impacting the Immersion Park. ƒ Partnered with the Thane Neighborhood Association on a project to support DNR and safe beach access. ƒ Confirmed direction to work with a commercial real estate agency to support the procurement of leases and transfers of land ownership for the remaining parcels.

Jodie Gatti Tribal Enterprise Manager

ƒ Revamp the Certified Tribal Artist program and its logo and expand services to include an online artist directory and featured artists. ƒ Apply for U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) FY 2021 to FY 2024

Partnership Planning funding to update and implement the Tribal CEDS. ƒ Break ground at Kowee Creek subdivision and acquire large construction contracts through Southeast General Contractors. ƒ Contract a fundraising consultant to help build out and solidify a comprehensive strategy to identify grants, private endowments, and fundraising opportunities, and create a Capital Campaign Committee to increase fundraising efforts for the immersion park.