South Dakota tribes urged to help entrepreneurs

Tribes must do their part to encourage individual Indians to open business on reservations, an expert in economic development said.

Stephen Cornell, the director of the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy at the University of Arizona and co-director of the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development, spoke at the South Dakota Indian Business Conference on Wednesday. He said tribes can change their attitudes, make investments and change institutions to make it easier for Indian entrepreneurs.

Cornell cited one reservation where Indian entrepreneurs had to follow a 100-step process. Instead, they started opening businesses in a border town.

The conference continues today in Rapid City.

Get the Story:
'Hope sprouts with new business:' Speaker: Tribes must help entrepreneurs (The Rapid City Journal 2/22)

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