Tribal lands project announced

Three projects on tribal lands in Northern Nevada are in line for funding announced recently by USDA Rural Development Nevada.

In the aggregate, $112,800 in grants were approved for the Fort McDermitt Tribe in Northern Washoe County; the Pyramid Lake Tribe, also in Washoe County; and the Ely Shoshone Tribe in White Pine County. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Enterprise Grants program is aimed at helping to spur business development.

“It is very positive to see these funds going into under-served communities to support business enterprise development,” said Sarah Adler, the Carson City-based state director of USDA Rural Development. She said Nevada was selected as a Strike Force state to focus targeted and collaborative efforts in such areas to boost the rural economy.

The Fort McDermitt Tribe will use $22,800 in grant funding for a feasibility and market study on a planned full-service family restaurant to be located at its newly constructed travel plaza.

The Ely Shoshone Tribe’s $20,000 grant is for a study to identify business opportunities associated with work-cutting and pinyon pine nut collection in a conservation district. The tribe also will assess how to create a structure for further development opportunities.

The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s $70,000 grant is to complete a feasibility study and business plan for the tribe’s small-business enterprise and decide whether to expand and sustain its telecommunications system.