Local Native-owned businesses receive grants

Eagles Wings and Sunshine Can-dles, both of Polson, were among 24 new and expanding Native-owned small businesses that received Montana Indian Equity Fund (IEF) Small Business Grants, awarded by the Montana Department of Commerce.

Eagles Wings, a financial services and management consulting company headed by Charmel Gillin, will receive $14,000 to purchase a pre-built structure to be used for office space. Sunshine Can-dles, which makes all-natural soy wax candles using high-end fragrance oils in Montana-Made craft brewery recyclable cans, will receive $14,000 to purchase a freestanding workshop for product production.

Tribal leaders noted the impact the IEF grants have on creating and sustaining economic opportunities for Native-owned businesses. “Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grants have been a success among Native businesses and have enabled those businesses to go to the next level of success,” said Little Shell Chippewa Tribal Chairman Gerald Gray.

Sharon Small, executive director of The Peoples Partners for Community Development, added, “The Montana Indian Equity Fund Small Business Grants have been a huge asset to Indian Country and have helped several businesses fill the financial gap in either starting a business or expanding services.”

The Indian Equity Fund is one of four financial assistance programs under the Office of Indian Country Economic Development at the Montana Department of Commerce. Other programs include the Native American Business Advisors Grant, Native American Collateral Support, and the Tribal Tourism Grant.

Learn more at the Office of Indian Country Economic Development website at business.mt.gov.