RED LAKE — Red Lake Nation is set to receive federal funding to support small business development in their communities.
The tribe will use the funding to help small businesses access credit, which Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said can be difficult in Indian Country.
Tribal communities are systemically under-banked, making it nearly impossible for small businesses to obtain the financing they need to grow.
“Native-owned small businesses face disproportionate obstacles when trying to secure capital to develop and grow their businesses, especially in rural areas like Red Lake," Smith said.
"Tribes know best what works for their communities, and this funding will help Tribal economies to grow and thrive.”
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Plus: North Memorial Health will continue to be the ambulance service provider in the Walker area after a meeting of the newly-formed special taxing authority; Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development announces it can no longer honor $12 million in grants to local governments and small businesses after federal funding cuts; and the Minnesota DNR is accepting comment on an environmental assessment worksheet to restore habitat on the St. Louis River. -
'Bhangra Rangeela' by Red Baraat is KAXE's Album of the Week for May 19-25, 2025. -
Contributed/North Memorial HealthThe special joint taxing authority formed to fund the ambulance service for Walker and surrounding communities also approved a $528,500 levy for 2026. -
Contributed/C. Skustad / U.S. Forest ServiceThe three wildfires have burned more than 30,000 acres of land in St. Louis County and destroyed more than 150 structures. -
Contributed/Book cover—Minnesota Historical Society Press; Author photo—Author's websiteWriter Frank Bures thrills us with a collection of true stories about canoeing our Minnesota waterways in “Pushing the River.” -
As three large wildfires burn in St. Louis County, Leanne Langeberg of the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center provides insight into the work firefighters have been doing.
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And: Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in Minnesota; and Highway 73 pavement resurfacing in Chisholm starts Monday.
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Contributed/City of HibbingThe event is 3 p.m. Monday, May 19, 2025, in the second-floor conference room at city hall. This event is intended for all Hibbing residents, business owners and property owners. -
Contributed/MnDOTThe 19-mile work zone is located between Johnson Road and Highway 1, starting May 19, 2025. -
Lorie ShaullAs three large wildfires burn in St. Louis County, Leanne Langeberg of the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center provides insight into the work firefighters have been doing.
Tribal governments can remove these barriers by working directly with businesses in their communities.
The funding was awarded through the Small Business Credit Initiative, which was reauthorized and expanded by the American Rescue Plan.
"An investment like SSBCI will help the Red Lake Nation achieve a vision of economic independence as well as continue to fuel the growth of our Tribal economy that also benefits rural communities across Minnesota," stated Jake Robinson of Red Lake Inc. in a news release.
Red Lake Nation will use more than $3.3 million for two programs administered by Red Lake Inc.
One is a loan guarantee program to provide credit support for tribal- or member-owned construction projects.
The other is an equity funds program, which provides affordable access to capital for tribal small businesses.