Indianpreneur Equity Fund to Assist in Indian Business Development in Montana

Today the State of Montana unveiled the Indianpreneur Equity
Fund for current or prospective Native American business owners. The
Equity Fund is a resource to Indianpreneurs who are interested in
starting a business, or enhancing their existing operations.

"Many Indian business owners don’t have access to the owner’s equity
that is available to non-native businesses," said Governor Brain
Schweitzer. "This Equity Fund will help Indianpreneurs achieve their
goals and enhance their community. This is a way to improve the economic
climate of Indian country, one business at a time."

The Equity Fund was developed by the Montana Department of Commerce in
cooperation with the State Tribal Economic Development Commission and
the Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

"The Indianpreneur Equity Fund will empower people to start a business,
and help existing business owners make improvements," said Department of
Commerce Director Anthony Preite. "The beauty of the Equity Fund is that
it is flexible enough to accommodate new and growing businesses, and
funds will be leveraged with other monies or collateral to create the
maximum benefit."

The Department of Commerce and State Tribal Economic Development
Commission has made $70,000 in Indian Country Economic Development
(ICED) monies available for the Equity Fund. Indianpreneurs from
Montana’s seven Indian Reservations and the Little Shell Chippewa Tribe
are eligible to apply. One Indianpreneur from each of the eight nations
will receive an allocation of $7,875 in equity funds. Equity Funds
require a minimum dollar-per-dollar match from outside funds or
collateral.

Marissa Kozel

Public Information Officer

Montana Department of Commerce, Director’s Office

406-841-2772

[email protected]