2003 Annual Report Executive Summary
Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes Enterprise Community
In 2003 the Assiniboine & Sioux Tribal Enterprise Community leveraged $20 Million Dollars of Tribal and private sector capital from $100,000 of seed money to train the local labor force in modern manufacturing and commercial employment skills. The Enterprise Community has emerged as a key driving force in the economic development efforts of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Tribally owned entities such as the Farm & Ranch, A&S Tribal Industries, West Electronics, Looking Eagle Manufacturing, Convenience Stores (2 locations) and A&S Diversified continue to progress to profitably compete in the global market. Our collaborative with the College, Tribes, State and local leaders are paying off through new employment opportunities and the development of an advance labor force. For instance, the Enterprise Community provided $40,000 of seed money to the Fort Peck Community College for a new vocational trades building. This $1 million dollar facility will work directly with local high schools, labor force and industries to provide the latest in manufacturing skills to gain the competitive edge. West Electronics was given financial support from the EC ($20,000) for a data conversion lab, through increased capabilities such as this and training funds from the Department of Commerce ($125,000) they have landed a $128 million dollar – 10 year contract with a TACOM defense logistics agency. In July 2003, ASTI signed a three year Mentor Protégé Agreement with Northrop Grummon Corporation, the 2nd largest defense contractor to the U.S. government. Representatives from U.S. Senator Conrad Burns, U.S. Senator Max Baucus, U.S. Representative Denny Rehburg and Montana Governor Judy Martz took part in the signing ceremony facilitated by the Enterprise Community. The Governor declared the Fort Peck Indian Reservation/Enterprise Community the “Capital for a Day”. The efforts and progress of the Industries will impact the economy with liveable wages for 200 to 250 new jobs.
In 2003 the Enterprise Community made great progress on projects that focused on the culture and tourism. Funding assistance was given priority in developing the six Indian Celebrations/Pow-Wow arbors. The celebrations are help over a three-day period and bring in 1 – 2 thousand visitors to enjoy the dancing, celebration and story telling of our indigenous people. The EC provided $10,000 in construction seed money to repair parking, bathrooms or whatever the committees need help with. Each event is held annually and our hope is that each location will eventually become an interpretive site with the history of the local tribes depicted through signage, multiple events and amphitheaters. The Pow-Wows fund raise through private donations, bingo and raffle proceeds and the selling of Native American art and crafts.
2003 was a Tribal Government election year. A new Chairman and six of the twelve board seats were newly elected officials. Economic development and constitutional reform was the battle cry. The Enterprise Community and the community provided a one-day reorganization strategic planning session. This has been parlayed into grants in 2004 to assist in leadership training, constitutional reform and economic development grants for prospective business projects.