The California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. (CIMC) has been awarded four Rural Business Enterprise Grants (RBEG) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Development. These one-year grants, funded through the Rural Development's Business and Cooperative Programs are designed to address Tribal Business and Native Entrepreneurship at various levels of development.

Building the Native American Economy through Entrepreneurs fosters employment and entrepreneurial opportunities by establishing a technical assistance capacity and professional services to twelve tribes in five counties: Humboldt County , Mendocino County , Sonoma County , Riverside County , and San Diego County . Through this program, CIMC will train twenty Native entrepreneurs in these five counties and stimulate the Tribal economy through the creation of twenty small businesses.

Entrepreneur Training Program

Accessing Foreign Markets, a Tribal Business Export Development Program which Creates and Retains Jobs for Native American Indians is a follow-up to our previous RBEG grants, “Creating Jobs in the Global Business Community an Internship and Job Training Program for Native American Indian Tribal Members.” This grant project builds on information gained from past exploration of potential international markets and proceeds to enter identified markets. CIMC provides Native American tribal businesses and tribal member businesses with basic and advanced export business tools and skills, and mentorship and guidance regarding entry into the best and most lucrative foreign markets. Tribal business owners will learn how to effectively deal with international cultural differences in both social and business settings, develop a keen understanding of the global marketplace, and adapt to the rigors of foreign travel. CIMC collaborates with the Los Rios Community College District's Business and Economic Development Center and Center for International Trade Development to provide the necessary support, training, and programs. CIMC's certified Native American International Trade Specialists use their skills and expertise to aid the participating businesses in their efforts to access foreign markets.

Creating a Link between Native American Businesses and International Trade creates a platform for a think tank on tribal economic development and international trade and eventual creation of a Native American World Trade Center. This international trade center will be established based on culturally appropriate recommendations for CIMC staff and the think tank members with regards to the development of policies, marketing, and services that would accelerate Native American economic growth, social progress, and cultural development on a global scale.

California Native Entrepreneurs Opportunity Fund (CNEOF), written to complement CIMC's Community Development Financial Institution, establishes a Revolving Loan Fund to provide micro and mini loans to Native entrepreneurs who reside on or near Indian reservations/rancherias in the target areas of Sacramento region and San Diego region. This project provides an opportunity to individuals who have completed a recognized entrepreneur training program to apply for a start-up business loan or an expansion business loan. CIMC will provide pre- and post-technical assistance workshops, one-on-one technical assistance, and advocacy for these Native entrepreneurs.