Spirit, land and growing the economy

New Mexico Business Journal, Dec, 1995 by Albert A. Hale

Doing business with Indian Nations brings benefits as well as responsibilities.

The Navajo Nation is a land of tremendous opportunity. For those willing to accept the business environment and reasonable risks, the Navajo Nation presents many opportunities to establish and develop businesses and needed services for the Navajo people and our neighbors in New Mexico and surrounding states.

The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Nation in the United States. Our [TABULAR DATA OMITTED] 27.5 million acre land base is larger than the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Rhode Island combined. The Navajo Nation is larger than France. Our membership exceeds more than 220,000 people - 160,000 of them reside within the boundaries of the Nation.

The Navajo Nation is blessed with abundant natural resources: coal, oil, natural gas, and miles and miles of undisturbed natural beauty. Within the traditional boundaries of the Navajo Nation, the Four Sacred Mountains - Mt. Blanca to the east, Mt. Taylor to the south, the San Francisco Peaks to the west and Mt. Hesperus to the north - and numerous scenic and historic sites attract thousands of visitors each year. These sites include Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon.

In spite of the blessing of abundant resources, the Navajo people are listed by economic studies at the bottom of the socio-economic strata. Many Navajo families live in substandard housing with no electricity, no telephones, no domestic water systems, and little or no income. They make their livelihood mainly from silversmithing, rug weaving or raising livestock. The unemployment rate on the Navajo Nation fluctuates between 35 and 55 percent, depending on the season. Of the 110 communities on the Nation, only a few have more than a trading post at which to buy consumer goods.

In many ways, the Navajo Nation is similar to an undeveloped third world country. But as with any undeveloped country, the opportunity for economic development and business development is enormous.

The Navajo Nation welcomes any business willing to accept reasonable business risks and who finds gratification in rendering help to their fellow human beings.

The Navajo Nation does not have development funds to finance start-up costs. But it does have a willing, able and trained work force, land, water, electrical power and a network of paved highways. We can also offer tax advantages in the form of tax exemptions for employment of Native Americans and accelerated depreciation. Land leases for businesses are very favorable. Joint ventures and partnerships with the Navajo Nation or individual Navajo entrepreneurs are encouraged and supported by the Navajo Nation government.

The newly elected Hale-Atcitty Administration has a three-pronged approach to business and economic development within the Navajo Nation. First, we want to make it easier for businesses to get established. This is where "local empowerment," the authorization of local community governments to approve business site leases, is essential.

Second, by providing incentives and technical assistance through the Navajo Nation government, we want to ensure that once businesses are established, they are successful. And finally, we want to provide opportunities for businesses to expand. Disseminating information regarding business opportunities with the Navajo Nation is therefore essential. We believe that joint ventures and partnerships between large industries, corporations and small businesses will achieve this goal.

The business environment on the Navajo Nation is favorable to business. We invite business owners to join us in providing needed services while achieving success at the same time. We welcome your interest and invite you to visit the Nation.