Our $1.5 Million Treasury Award Will Expand Capital Access for Entrepreneus
Wind River Development Fund (WRDF) has been awarded $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) to expand access to capital and business development services on and near the Wind River Indian Reservation.
The award was made through the Native American CDFI Assistance (NACA) Program and represents the maximum award available through the FY2025 funding round. WRDF will use the investment to increase its lending capital and strengthen technical assistance programs serving entrepreneurs, businesses, agricultural producers, and community members.
“We will put this award to work creating more economic opportunity on Wind River,” said Paul F. Huberty, Executive Director of WRDF. “Access to capital remains one of the greatest barriers facing entrepreneurs. This investment gives us more capacity to help businesses start, grow, create jobs, and build wealth within our local economy.”
As the only certified Native Community Development Financial Institution headquartered in Wyoming, WRDF combines lending with individualized technical assistance to help entrepreneurs and borrowers strengthen their businesses and successfully access and manage capital.
The Treasury award comes during a period of significant growth for WRDF and its sister organization, Wind River Sage Fund. The two organizations are implementing more than $40 million in economic development projects in the region.
In announcing the FY2025 awards, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized both economic opportunity and accountability.
“Today’s awards reflect Treasury’s commitment to ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and advancing economic opportunity in communities that need it most,” Bessent said. He added that the investments are intended to “support local economic growth, expand opportunity, and deliver lasting results for the American people.”
Those priorities closely align with WRDF’s approach to economic development: attracting outside investment to Wind River, stewarding those resources responsibly, and converting them into lasting economic and community benefit.
“Our lending program can meet a broad spectrum of capital and assistance needs for local entrepreneurs,” says Erika Warren-Yarber, WRDF Chief Operating Officer. “Whether someone is in the initial idea phase or is looking to expand an existing business, we encourage them to get in touch with our staff to learn how we can support them in achieving their business goals.”
The CDFI Fund’s NACA Program provides Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance awards to CDFIs that primarily serve Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian individuals and communities. The program is designed to increase access to capital, credit, financial services, and economic opportunity in Native communities.