Feasibility study for the Wichóthi Kágá Business Start-up and Development Center
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation
Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation is a holistic organization that works for the liberation of the Lakota people. Its mission is to empower Lakota youth and families to improve the health, culture, and environment of its communities through the healing and strengthening of cultural identity.
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With a focus on promoting Lakhóta entrepreneurship, increasing local dollar circulation, providing greater opportunities for youth and families, and enhancing overall well-being and self-determination for the community, the purpose of this study was to determine the social and economic feasibility of a new business center. Thunder Valley set out to explore four key resource areas: land base; agriculture and conservation; renewable energy; and the short-term rental market. Our role was to facilitate data collection, analysis, and reporting, and provide recommendations.
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Research and recommend potential organizational structures, incubation strategies, and policy and procedure insights.
Show how the land tenure system supports or hinders business development and provide options for Native entrepreneurs.
Explore the existing opportunities for agriculture or conservation efforts, either through the tribe or through federal programs like the USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
Determine the potential for wind and solar energy development in Oglala Lakota Country.
Identify a market for short-term rentals like Airbnb, VRBO or Hipcamp, including active rentals, community rental demand, and occupancy rate.
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Based on the findings, our determination was that a business start-up and development center was both feasible and viable. Our recommendations included culturally placed long-term solutions, knowledge-sharing efforts, respect for community feedback, and establishing a nurturing local business environment. The final report is used as a decision-making tool for facility planning, curricula and services development, and outreach to potential partners. It’s also used to inform business plans and grant proposals for the new center.
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Jan 2020–Jan 2021
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Michael Brydge — Project supervisor, tool design, data collection and analysis, secondary research, financials, economic multiplier effect, and report writing
Andrea Mader — Data analysis
“The contribution Sweet Grass is making will lead to transformative change for many.” —Nick Tilsen, Thunder Valley CDC
