Over the past fiscal year, the Navajo Nation and the Navajo Nation Division of Economic Development have demonstrated extraordinary progress in building a more resilient and prosperous future for our communities. From securing major development deals to empowering small businesses and local artisans, the accomplishments of 2023-2024 reflect a deep commitment to sustainable growth and opportunity.
Quarterly Accomplishment
- New Tenant secured for the old Rhino Health building in Churchrock. Noricon Trading LtD will lease both the existing and new building. They will hire over 200 workers, build a water treatment facility that will also help the Fire Rock Casino, and provide child care for their workers.
- Created a new community market at Shiprock starting with 3 acres. This is part of a new project that encompasses an RV park, campground, river walk, gardens, and near the new hotel and visitor center projects.
- Completed a lease for Horseshoe Bend Development. This will enable a major resort and retail development resulting in over 3000 jobs and over 14 million in revenue to the Nation when fully built. The project also results in another major anchor to drive tourism to Navajo
- Completed the ARPA business hardship program. Contracted HN4 solutions owned by Spencer Willie to provide hardship grants to 117 small businesses and 432 Artisan businesses. Spencer and his team used Navajo speaking employees, major community outreach, to assist many folks across Navajoland.
Yearly Accomplishment
- Provided over 45 business site transactions including new leases, major renewals, conditional use and energy operating agreements that moves our small business sector forward.
- Launched the Navajo Small Business Credit Initiative by finalizing contracts with US Treasury, finalizing contract with Change Labs, Securing our internal management team, and recruiting several financial institutions to help us manage this $88.7 million program over the next 10 years. Our first loans will be going out in November through Change Labs.
- The Gouldings Hotel and major development purchase and business site lease. This developed ensures 300+ jobs, unique revenue sharing agreement with our Lessee Navajo Hospitality Enterprise. The revenue sharing and tax revenue streams from this project will generate over $7 million annually to the Navajo Nation and anchors many new developments in the region of our Nation.
- Initiated Development of the Shiprock Community Marketplace and eventual RV Park and Campground Development. This marketplace was critical to help the many local vendors and is a win win for the area and the larger development. It’s strategically located near the San Juan river and will also include a river walk, community gardens and greenhouse, a new hotel, visitor center, and recreation activities.
Posted in News, Tony's Insights
