By: NP staff | The Navajo Post | May 10

Washington, DC – Recently, Kevin Ellis said in a interview, NACA would release a ‘guide’ to help people understand the importance to Indian Country of the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development program.

On May 8, The Native American Contractors Association (“NACA”) released its 2011 Economic Impact Study.

Executive Director of the organization, Kevin Allis said “Our goal is for the study to serve as a glaring illustration of the importance and success of Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program.”, adding “This study is made available not to only our membership, but also for the agencies and legislators that work with, and seek information from, Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organization when it comes to government contracting matters and concerns,”

The first impact study was published in October 2007, shortly after critics of the Native 8(a) program proposed legislation that would have negatively impacted Native participation in government contracting.

The 2011 study updates key information as it relates to Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program, and the benefits derived from the program.  “The story is compelling, as our study clearly shows how important this program is to our Native communities,” stated Lance Morgan, Chairman of NACA. He continued, “Native participation in the SBA 8(a) program stimulates the economies of some of the poorest communities in the country and creates Native human capital growth.”

The author of the impact study, Jonathan Taylor, is an economist with expertise in natural resources, gaming, and American Indian development. He provides counsel to tribes in the United States and Canada in the areas of public policy analysis, strategic advice, and economic research. He has authored or supported expert testimony in litigation and other public proceedings for a number of Native American groups.

To order a hardcopy of the handbook, contact Jennine Elias at (202) 758-2676.