Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Carl Artman, Mashantucket Chairman Michael Thomas, Seminole Chairman Mitchell Cypress and other United South and Eastern Tribes recently announced a new economic development initiative that would link land rich, cash poor tribes with wealthy gaming tribes. The purpose is to stimulate purchasing by the wealthy tribes from these partner tribes.
The National Tribal Development Association, which developed the ”Join the Circle” tribal economic development and diversification model several years ago, is extremely pleased that someone has been listening and another piece of the model is coming together. NTDA is an association of 49 tribes and is dedicated to creating and stimulating intertribal trade and commerce. The NTDA model is based on a partnership between wealthy tribes, non-gaming or ”marginal” gaming tribes, private investors, current gaming vendors and service providers and, in some cases, elements of the federal government. It would establish collective marketing capability for existing tribal and Indian businesses, and more importantly, create and enhance incentives to bring distribution points, manufacturing, assembly, fabrication and importation points to Indian country. full story
