TIPS-Tohono O'odham Economic Development Authority

Levi@CAIED · Joined: 20 Nov 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Flagstaff

TIPS in Sells

On December 14th, the Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority hosted the Tribal Implementation Planning Session. Those attending the session included: Kitchell Construction’s Jeff Begay, APS’s Miguel Bravo, Merrill Lynch’s Dan Callahan, Chauduri Law Office’s Jonodev Chaudari, NAU’s Levi Esquerra, Wells Fargo’s Matt Eyrich, NAU’s Laurence Gishey, Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority’s Richard Grijalva, Navajo Nation RBDO’s Arthur Hubbard, Jr., US SBA’s Michael Hull, Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority’s Phillip L. Miguel, Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority’s Travis Nabahe, UofA’s Claudia Nelson, Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority’s Welsey Rothermel Kitchell’s Don Scoggins, UBS Financial Services Joe Sotelo, and AZ Department of Commerce’s Rafael Tapia.

Travis Nabahe and Richard Grijalva presented a power presentation on Economic Development Authorities (EDA) Business Proposal Process. The EDA was organized by the Tohono O’odham Nation through its inherent rights and powers of self-governance as one means of achieving economic self-sufficiency. The EDA is a chartered organization whose overall objective is to acquire, own, and operate businesses for the benefit of the Tohono O’odham Nation. One of the general purposes of the EDA is to establish, own and operate financially, self-sustaining and successful business enterprises. Finally, the EDA’s review criteria are based upon what is considered best business practices. Further, the criteria conform to the EDA’s charter and plan of operations. The criteria is divided into the following three areas: Business Focused (economic sustainability), Social Focused (Cultural compatibility) and Desired results (benefits).

Following the presentations the group toured the Sunrise Vending, an enterprise of the Tohono O’odham Economic Development Authority, Sells Chopping Center and the new Cultural Center and museum. After the tour the group continued in discussion at a local deli.

We are tentatively planning on next TIPS meeting in San Carlos Apache or Yavapai-Apache Nation in February.
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Levi Esquerra, Program Director
Center for American Indian Economic Development