DURANT, OK – Choctaw Nation Small Business Development (CSBD) was recently awarded the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award by REI Oklahoma at the annual Dream Big Oklahoma Awards.
REI Oklahoma has focused on fostering economic development and job growth in Oklahoma for the past four decades with an emphasis on community partnerships and relationship building. Every year, it recognizes organizations with similar goals and values at the Dream Big Oklahoma Awards. This year, CSBD received an excellence award for its dedication to encouraging entrepreneurship in Oklahoma through its wide range of programming.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this recognition from REI Oklahoma,” said Billy Hamilton, Director of Choctaw Nation Small Business Development. “We work hard to give our tribal entrepreneurs access to everything they need to make their businesses successful, and we appreciate that our team’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.”
Choctaw Nation Small Business Development offers online trainings, business starter kits and templates to assist first-time business owners. Qualified tribal members can receive one-on-one business advising for business planning, business taxes, business counseling, business registration, marketing assistance and more. CSBD also helps connect entrepreneurs with assistance through networking opportunities, matching members with trusted lenders and providing access to other Choctaw Nation small businesses.
Choctaw Nation Small Business Development has helped hundreds of businesses across the reservation through its 5K Forgivable Loan Program, which gives qualified tribal members $5,000 to put toward business needs, such as startup costs and equipment purchases.