Last Updated: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:00 AM CST
NiiJii receives $469,000 grant to help fight reservation poverty, provide job training
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Frank Frassetto recently announced the awarding of a new grant totaling more than $469,000 to Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community, Inc. (NNEC).
Frassetto will present the NNEC Board of Directors with the award to support Native American job development and employment.
“It is important to keep in mind that the goal is economic sustainability and these funds will help about opportunities for new economic vitality in these underserved areas, so that they can provide a better quality of life for residents,” said Frassetto. “Rural Development is pleased and honored to be a part of the success we are celebrating today. Building partnerships is a great way for our agency to meet the challenges put forth by the Bush administration to improve the future of our rural communities.”
The $469,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant will be used to provide instructional and technical assistance to Tribal members in employability skills, job training and development.
NNEC benefit partnerships include the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community of Mole Lake as well as the counties of Vilas, Menominee and Forest; the townships of Arbor Vitae, Woodruff, Minocqua, Boulder Junction, Lac du Flambeau, Manitowish Waters and Nashville along with the city of Shawano.
USDA Rural Development awarded Enterprise Community (EC) status to the Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community on Dec. 24, 1998 and has continued to support their ongoing programs. “Enterprise Community” designation bring with it nearly $2.5 million in grant funding (distributed in annual payments), priority ranking for federal assistance and special Rural Development program dollar set-asides for implementing their 10 year strategic plan. Since their designation, NNEC has matched each USDA Rural Development grant dollar with an amazing $98 raised from other sources. These have been in the form of grants and loans from the tribes and other local, state and federal partners, including the private sector.
The Enterprise Community designation is scheduled to sunset in December 2008. The community event offers a time to reflect on past successes and future plans to continue to fight reservation poverty.
Representing NNEC is Executive Director Patricia O’Neil who will present a community progress report, acknowledged partners and a review of accomplishments. Welcoming presentations will be provided by Judy Anaya, Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Councilwoman and NNEC secretary. The celebration will be highlighted with traditional Native American culture and feast.
USDA Rural Development is continuing to support NNEC in their 10-year initiative of developing more than 88 community projects as part of a $186 million federal, state and private sector package and is committed to funding partnership programs targeted to leading communities out of poverty and toward real solutions in improving Native American quality of life.
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