Navajo Business The Navajo nation is huge on a lot of accounts.First it is the second largest tribe in the United States and has the largest reservation covering all of Northern Arizona extending into Utah and New Mexico.Those two sizes make Navajo business unique in its opportunities and economic development operations.
On Site Business
With a massive landmass the tribe has needs to provide good and services throughout the reservation.Most other tribe will serve their population with tribally owned and Native owned (tribal members) stores and businesses.Or the tribe will not serve a certain need because those needs can be met off reservation.That a quick trip can get one to department stores or offices.Although, the Citizen Potawatomi have established a number of local retail businesses for both the Native and non-Native population. Still, to a large extent of border town commerce is not an option for the Navajo nation, so the tribe has established commercial spaces available for lease.Additionally, the tribe has recently established a sales tax.The space leases and sales tax provide two income streams for the tribe.
Industrial
With a need for large employment blocks and massive revenue for tribal operations, the Navajo Nation has long pursued large industrial businesses.Though not often Navajo owned business, they do employ many people and provide significant income.One example is mining on the reservation.They employ many with significant salaries while also providing the tribe money from the rights.Obviously there are not many of those, but they are sought.A significant Navajo business is the Navajo Agriculture Products Industry (NAPI), which is a tribal agribusiness.Again this industry provides both jobs and revenue to the tribe.
Standard Native Business
Navajo business ownership is encouraged for tribal members. Indeed, it is the defacto form of income for many but not in a formalized form. Sheep are shorn and wool sold, silversmiths sell jewelry, weavers sell world famous Navajo rugs, etc. These all are examples of individual forms of entrepreneurship the population has been involved in for years.
More formalized structured Navajo businesses have been growing among the entrepreneurs. Establishing business entities Navajo entrepreneurs are pursuing government contracts with set-asides. They are also establishing more business serving the need of the on reservation population.