West Sacramento, Calif. — Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) received a $500,000 Yocha Dehe Winton Nation (YDWN) grant to conduct Tribal Building Rural Economies Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (BRE ELP) training with the Kletsel Dehe Band of Wintun Indians and one other Northern California Tribe during a three-year period.
Under the Tribal BRE ELP, RCAC works with a local Tribal entity to train Native American leaders and entrepreneurs; conduct community asset mapping and value chain analysis; facilitate networking; plan economic development strategies; and support business expansion and development. The program assists both new and existing entrepreneurs with either a start-up project or with a business that requires repositioning and expert guidance.
“We’re pleased to partner with Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for the first time,” said Stanley Keasling, RCAC chief executive officer. “And we are excited about this opportunity to help create positive economic change that will produce lasting benefits for Northern California Tribes.”
Work is underway to support Native American entrepreneurs to develop new businesses and jobs that will create positive economic change on their reservations. This initiative also builds the capacity of Community Coordinators from participating Tribal entities to deliver the program themselves so that, once the training is completed, they will have the tools to continue without RCAC’s participation. RCAC also is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and can offer affordable financing to new small businesses.
Media contact:
Julia Helmreich, director
Communications, Development & Events
(916) 447-9832 ext.
jhelmreich@rcac.org
