The Department of Agriculture awarded grants to foster the growth of small businesses in Indian Country.

The money came from the Rural Business Enterprise Grants program. Recipients included the Bering Straits Foundation in Alaska ($200,000); the Yavapai-Apache Nation in Arizona ($50,000); the Fort Bidwell Indian Community of California ($12,000); and The Lakota Fund in South Dakota ($99,993).

"Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in small towns and rural communities, just as they are in our biggest cities," Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a press release. "USDA supports small businesses by providing job training, business development opportunities, strategic community planning and other resources."

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USDA awards $250,000 to Indian organization in Billings to boost small businesses (The Billings Gazette 6/18)