Through WIHEDC, $160,000 in grants support Wisconsin’s Indigenous business community
Keshena, Wis., Nov. 26, 2024 — The Wisconsin Indigenous Housing & Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC) just awarded 32 Indigenous-owned small businesses grants of $5,000 through a partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The grant program, which totaled $160,000, is intended to support economic development and opportunities for Indigenous-owned businesses in Wisconsin.
Recipients represent a diverse range of small businesses across industries, from HVAC to beauty, retail, childcare, wellness and more. Among the recipients are businesses like Carl’s Trucking, Diamond HVAC, Just Breath Boutique, New Depth Counseling & Wellness Services, Dolls Daycare, Better Brows and many more. See the full list here.
The grant program celebrates Indigenous entrepreneurship and ultimately supports the economic sovereignty of Indigenous businesses, communities and families in Wisconsin. According to 2020 census data and a recent, ground-breaking Economic Impact Study by WIHEDC, Indigenous-owned businesses and Tribal enterprises contributed 1% of Wisconsin’s total GDP in 2023.
“Our state’s Indigenous entrepreneurs are making a big impact,” said Fern Orie, CEO of the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation. “Historically, this economic force has been under-reported and under-supported; and as an advocate for Wisconsin’s Indigenous business community, WIHEDC is proud to contribute to their success through the 2024 grant program.”
WIHEDC held its inaugural Economic Development Conference earlier this month, a premier gathering of leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and policymakers. The inaugural WIHEDC conference highlighted the grant recipients and presented opportunities for entrepreneurs to pitch their business ideas and win money for their business initiatives. Ten of the Indigenous-owned small businesses received grants from WIHEDC at this year’s annual Indigenous Biz Con, held by Wisconsin’s Indigenous Business Group in October.
WIHEDC is a Wisconsin-based coalition of four nonprofit certified Native Community
Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) who hold the mission to expand Native economic development in Wisconsin. If you are an Indigenous business owner or supporter, learn more about opportunities with WIHEDC here.
