Brian Edwards

3 days ago | tribalbusinessnews.com | Brian Edwards

Details Policy and Law The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to review whether Nebraska can enforce state tobacco regulations on sales occurring within the Winnebago Indian Reservation, dealing a blow to tribal sovereignty claims. HCI Distribution Inc. and Rock River Manufacturing Inc., both wholly owned subsidiaries of the Winnebago Tribe's economic development corporation Ho-Chunk Inc., had petitioned the court in December challenging an 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that allowed...

1 week ago | tribalbusinessnews.com | Brian Edwards

Details Economic Development Isabel Casillas Guzman, who expanded Native lending and federal contracting at the Small Business Administration during the Biden administration, has launched a Los Angeles-based strategic advisory firm. Guzman, who administered over $1 trillion in federal programs during her SBA tenure, will serve as founder and president of Avenida Advisors, a growth consultancy that will work with businesses and communities. Before leading the SBA from 2021 to 2025, she was...

3 weeks ago | tribalbusinessnews.com | Brian Edwards

Details Energy | Environment A nonprofit credit union organization has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency and Citibank, seeking to protect nearly $2 billion in clean energy funding that includes resources designated for tribal communities. New York City-based Inclusiv, which received a $1.87 billion award through the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program last year, filed its complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on March 31....

3 weeks ago | tribalbusinessnews.com | Brian Edwards

Details Native Contracting President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20 that could potentially disrupt Native contracting opportunities by consolidating federal procurement under the General Services Administration. The executive order, titled “Eliminating Waste and Saving Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement,” requires federal agencies to shift their purchasing of common goods and services to the GSA within 60 days. While aimed at improving efficiency, the order...

3 weeks ago | tribalbusinessnews.com | Brian Edwards

Details Gaming The U.S. Department of the Interior will temporarily rescind its gaming eligibility determination for the Scotts Valley Band of Pomo Indians’ casino project in Vallejo, according to a letter sent to Scotts Valley Chairman Shawn Davis on March 27. The Interior plans to maintain the land’s trust status, but will reconsider whether the 160-acre parcel qualifies for gaming under the “restored lands” exception of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, according to the letter from Scott...