2008 Annual Report Executive Summary

Northwoods NiiJii Enterprise Community

Through a comprehensive community-based strategic planning process 81 community development projects have been described with a total budget of $146 million. $135 million has already been raised since project implementation began nine years ago, bringing these communities 92% of the way toward funding their ten-year strategic plan. An additional $63 million in community development financing has been applied for but not awarded or pending award.

The largest share of investment has been for public infrastructure (29%) followed by education (16%), business development (14%), health care (11%), and capacity building (9%).

Over the life of the project, $1.7 million in Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Program (EZ/EC) seed funds spent have been used to leverage the $135 million in direct project funding and $9.4 million in in-kind resources, proving a leveraging ratio of $85:1.

Of funding received, approximately 62% comes from federal sources, 4% from state governments, 2% from non-native local and regional governments, 17% from the private sector and 15% from Tribal governments. Efforts are being made to expand private sector participation in the initiative.

One indicator of impact is measured in terms of jobs created. In 2008, 100 jobs were either created or retained. Over the life of the project, 2059 jobs have been created and 966 saved. While many of these are related to project construction activities, and are not generally considered as long term jobs, they are an important source of income to Native families. An addition, 327 youth, 10 college graduates, and 55 adults were placed in jobs. For perspective on the impact of job creation, it is worthy to note that the number of new jobs created represents 96% of the 2149 member population of EC residents in the workforce.

Sample Benchmarks:

Menominee Colleges Forest Products Lab (BMS 29): The project is in fundraising mode to establish a $15 million forest products laboratory in conjunction with the Forest Service and University of Wisconsin. A recent $3 million application was submitted to USDOC EDA for the first phase of funding. The project has great potential to create professional employment on the Menominee Reservation.

NiiJii Capital Partners Inc. CDFI (BMS 51): NiiCap was awarded $150,000 under a HUD-RHED grant for small business loan capital, training and technical assistance. In 2008, the newly established CDFI had 16 small business loans on the books to Natives. The organization lent $197,775, to leverage an additional $420, 746 in investment capital, and created/retained 41 jobs, creating 10 businesses and expanding 6.

Lac du Flambeau Chamber of Commerce (BMS 53): NiiJii was awarded $249,668 under a USDA Rural Business Opportunity two-year grant (RBOG) to build the organization’s capacity to promote commerce and tourism. A Chamber Coordinator has been hired. The Chamber has developed by-laws, corporate organizational documents, and developed a marketing plan. The Chamber sponsored a Wild Rice Festival in the fall of 2008 which benefited 10 local venders. In 2009 they plan to sponsor a business expo.

 

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