The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grant is a two-year grant that will focus on Native American small and medium businesses on the Quinault Indian Reservation and throughout Grays Harbor County.

A Taala Fund selection committee has selected the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship as the consulting firm for the project.

“We are excited to lead this important project that is sure to greatly benefit the people and communities of the Quinault Indian Nation. We look forward to launching this project and meeting the community,” stated Jacob Cravey, Project Lead, for the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship.

During the first year the consultants will conduct business surveys and interviews to harvest business training and technical assistance needs, develop online and in-person training modules to meet those needs, develop materials (hard copy and electronic) under each module, and create a training program schedule. The consultants will develop an evaluation tool to measure the impacts of the program.

During the second year Taala Fund will implement the training and technical assistance program by following through with the training schedule, garnering feedback through pre and post assessments, and adjusting the program as needed.

Natalie Charley, Executive Director, emphasized, “In order to garner participation, we will be utilizing creative techniques to draw in folks to survey or interview. This may include dinners, incentives, drawings, and more.”

The Project Team will keep the community posted on upcoming events!