The Indigenous Business Group (ICB) will host a new networking event series with its Wisconsin Contractor Connection on May 22.
The ICB is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit that drives Indigenous business and tribal economic development. Its new networking event aims to advance opportunities for both through a one stop to find everything needed to secure contracts for larger development contracts.
The keynote speaker for Wisconsin Contractor Connection will be Colin Price, co-founder of ICB and owner of Heeba Development. Price will speak on housing, infrastructure and energy development.
“Our goal is to not just be focused on tribal, but definitely be tribal lead, but inclusive of our neighbors and our greater state of Wisconsin,” said Rob Pero, co-founder of ICB. “I think now it’s more critical than ever to be thinking about how we can create partnerships amongst communities, but also these business partnerships.”
Pero hopes to move the narrative around Indigenous development away from solely gaming. He notes that the Department of Transportation as one potential source for Indigenous businesses and Tribal development to find opportunities with.
Massive layoffs of federal workers have led to projects coming to a halt. In March, federal employees in Wisconsin who were in their probationary period in their roles — those who have served less than one or two years — were laid off. The total amounted to around 3,000 employees, with 27 at the Department of Transportation, WPR reported.
Tribes are poised for a unique way to meet the needs of Wisconsin due to its sovereignty, Pero said. Tribal corporations are able to establish foreign trade zones (FTZ), which are not subject to U.S. import tariffs, and are able to hold and store materials.
“This is sort of an untapped opportunity for Tribal governments and tribal enterprises,” Pero said. “For instance, in an FTZ, you can import five items in order to build a chair and you’re only going to pay one customs fee when it leaves that FTZ. You’re saving so much because you can import all those items for assembly into that manufacturing zone.”
Wisconsin Contractor Connection will be hosted at Sevenwinds Casino, 13767 County Hwy B, in Hayward, Wis., on Thursday, May 22, 4-7 p.m. It is free to attend;registration is open and will be capped at 50.
