Community Economic Vitality

No progress is possible without a strong economic foundation. A well-functioning American Indian economy within the metropolitan economy will provide living-wage jobs, business creation, and a range of housing opportunities for different income levels. Improving the local economy, particularly associated with the American Indian Cultural Corridor, will provide direct and tangible benefits to community.

Community Voices
• “Training and owning businesses are key activities to shift the emphasis to entrepreneurship. Historically more Indians were in the trades. Some went into professions but very few went into business. We need this new emphasis on entrepreneurship if we are going to make a substantial change.” – American Indian community member
• “I like [his] idea about land and land ownership. What if organizations pooled their money and created a revolving loan funds for Indian business development?” – American Indian community member
• “Educate. My grandma taught me education is the key. Learn, learn, learn. That was the tool. She was proud when everyone graduated. She couldn’t write, read. We should all take responsibility as individuals, as people.” – American Indian community member

Implementation Strategies

Vision: American Indian people inspire and grow their own entrepreneurs and small businesses, creating a vibrant local business district and economy with regional prominence

Strategies:
o Create an American Indian Business and Finance center to house community business services, training and technical assistance
• Services include:
• a community development financial institution (CDFI), bank, and/or other financing opportunities to support American Indian business development
• Career skill-building programming that includes: computer, resume, interview, and public speaking
• American Indian small business and entrepreneurship classes
• Knowledge of all resources available to Indian-owned small businesses ie. A business information clearinghouse
• Database of available commercial properties for lease and purchase
• Technical assistance and computer center with business and accounting software, search engines, tutorials
• Small business incubator
o Develop a native-owned hotel and conference center within the Cultural Corridor
o Create an American Indian marketplace at the Minneapolis American Indian Center
o Provide support and assistance for a strong Cultural Corridor neighborhood business association
o Increase availability of small business loans
• Both capital and operating
• Façade improvement grants
o Maintain/create space for light industrial
o Create American Indian youth entrepreneur opportunities
o Promote green business and planning
o Foster the creation of a vibrant American Indian business district along Franklin Avenue with a diversity of locally owned businesses and services
o Develop or recruit American Indian-owned bank(s) to locate in the Cultural Corridor
o Ensure ongoing community engagement and participation in the development of the Cultural Corridor
o Create a land acquisition fund and vehicle to increase American Indian business and organizational land ownership

Vision: American Indian people have living-wage jobs that build wealth and assets and eliminate barriers to success, creating economic self-sufficiency

Strategies:
o Foster the creation of American Indian owned businesses, particularly within the American Indian Cultural Corridor
o Align, support, and expand strong training and apprenticeship programs that prepare American Indians for viable 21st century jobs that fill market niches
o Build partnerships with employers in south Minneapolis to increase the number of American Indian employees, i.e. Allina
o Create a community financial center and/or a community development credit union
• Services include:
• Financial literacy classes
• Financial planning services
• 1st time homebuyer classes/technical assistance
• Low interest loan pool for homebuyer assistance
• Classes/assistance to build/repair credit history
o Advocate for greater understanding of the urban American Indian community and increased investment by foundations specifically in long-term community vitality and sustainability strategies (asset-based vs. needs based)

Vision: American Indian people have access to quality, affordable housing for all people with an emphasis on home ownership

Strategies:
o Expand and support housing opportunities for American Indian people including rental, for-sale, and co-op/land trust options
o Create and preserve elder housing options within the community
o Develop and implement 1st time homebuyer classes within the community
o Ensure accessible finance opportunities and services including credit repair
o Increase availability of resident support services at rental housing locations with American Indian residents to assist with connections to job training, child care, neighborhood organizations, financial options, support towards home-ownership
o Recruit and provide support for American Indian community-based realtors/brokers

Vision: American Indian people have strong schools, educational programs, and training opportunities to prepare for 21st century jobs

Strategies:
o Increase the availability of early childhood school readiness programs and childcare
o Develop a new K-12 school with emphasis on innovation, creativity, and 21st century opportunities for American Indian youth
o Increase wraparound student support that includes both the family and parents and the school staff and administration
o Develop opportunities for youth supplemental learning/experience programs
o Increase availability of tutoring services
o Develop a strong American Indian youth mentorship program
o Develop an after-school youth learning laboratory with a focus on 21st century jobs and innovation that includes:
• Media center, entrepreneurship clubs, fine arts, music and dance, science and technology labs, language centers
• Sports programs, youth leadership and service programs
• Provides connections to additional experiential learning opportunities and programs
o Develop and expand active training programs within high growth sectors of the economy
o Advocate and expand American Indian higher education/post-secondary scholarship programs
o Foster American Indian community relationships with metropolitan colleges such as:
• Develop departmental partnerships to host activities and programming in the neighborhood
• Arrange undergraduate and graduate school internships
• Develop higher education outreach office in community
• Maintain emphasis on connections to high growth sectors
o Increase the amount of programming and student support offered to American Indian students at higher education institutions
o Increase collaboration and information sharing between higher education institutions that have American Indian programs and support structures
o Create an American Indian education research institute to document best practices and proven methods
o Increase the number of American Indian people that are educators at all levels
o Increase the availability of scholarship funds for American Indian students

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