Sokaogon Chippewa Community News

NiiCaP Awarded USDA Grant

On August 6th, Wisconsin State Director Frank Frassetto announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $866,000 with 13 partner organizations in Wisconsin to help rural businesses create jobs and increase economic opportunities.
“These grants will strengthen the economic fabric of our rural small towns and communities by providing capital to small and emerging businesses,” said Frassetto. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, the USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural Wisconsin in building stronger and healthier communities, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
The USDA is awarding the grants through the Rural Business Development Grant (RBDG) program. Recipients may use the funds to provide technical assistance, training and job-creation activities to small rural businesses.
Niijii Capital Partners, Inc. (NiiCaP), will use a $89,000 grant to provide technical assistance to five Native American business owners of three Wisconsin Tribes: the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, the Menominee Indian Tribe and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community.
This is the 12th year that this agency has been participating in Rural Development business programs and this year’s award proposes to help save or create 53 jobs.