The Wisconsin Indigenous Housing & Economic Development Corporation (WIHEDC),
a Wisconsin-based coalition of four nonprofit-certified Native Community Development Financial Institutions (NCDFIs) which hold the mission to expand Native economic development in Wisconsin, has awarded $160,000 in grants, the organization announced on Tuesday.
WIHEDC awarded $5,000 grants to 32 Indigenous-owned small businesses through a partnership with the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The grant program 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.
“Our state’s Indigenous entrepreneurs are making a big impact,” said Fern Orie, CEO of the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation, in a press release. “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.”
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.
