5)

Statement of the Objective:

During the second half of the first project period and continuing through the first half of the second project period of September 1, 1998 to August 31, 1999, the National Tribal Development Association (NTDA) will develop an information package to assist tribal governments with an interest in participating in the upcoming Empowerment Zone (EZ) program and will conduct a series of briefings on a regional basis to offer perspective on EZ strategies. NTDA will retain the firm "Trade Services" through a consultant contract to carry out these tasks because of their proven background in enterprise zone policy design and implementation. Results or Benefits Expected:

The information package will assist tribes by providing a detailed history, benefits analysis, and complete synopsis so tribes have the necessary information to decide whether they want to pursue an application under the federal EZ initiative. Through this information package, it is expected that tribal governments will seek new legislation specific to Indian reservations so that tribes are given the full opportunities and benefits that non-Indian communities currently receive through the EZ program. NTDA expects to have a minimum of 30 tribes apply for an EZ designation using the technical details and information provided in the package during the course of the two and one half year funding cycle.

Criteria for Evaluating Results or Benefits Expected:

The criteria to be used to evaluate the results will include:

⚫Quality of the information package completed.

●Sampling of states with a large percentage of American Indians residing in their states.
⚫Use of the information package by NTDA and other tribes.

●NTDA technical assistance provided for the development of EZ strategic plans and long range
implementation programs to member tribes.

⚫Evaluation by tribal participants of information presented during regional informational briefings.
•Development of legislation by tribes to acquire language specific to reservations with full EZ benefits.
•Congressional passage of Indian specific EZ language.

●Establishment of 30 EZs on Indian reservations.

Task 1: Develop Empowerment Zone information package tailored to needs of tribes.

Trade Services (consultant) will prepare a complete background document that details the history of EZ policies and places them in context with other local and federal economic development initiatives. This item will provide a comprehensive synopsis of the program that will help interested tribal officials decide whether to pursue an application under the federal EZ initiative. The package will include research data, as well as reports about state-and federallydesignated Ezs. It will also develop perspectives that suggest how the program may relate to rural communities, especially Indian reservation environments.

Task 2: Distribute information to tribes by mail and internet.

As soon as the information package is developed, NTDA personnel will post it on the Internet at it's Web Site. In addition, Trade Services will mail packets out to economic development professionals at every reservation and Indian community in the united States. These items will invite tribal officials to call NTDA specialists to receive further verbal or written clarification.

Task 3: Informational briefings for tribal officials.

NTDA will sponsor three sessions to assist tribal officials in familiarizing themselves with the EZ concept. The program will be organized on a regional basis and will be promoted both on the internet and by mailouts that will accompany the original information packets. The sessions will be day-long workshops, with speakers who can offer valuable background on economic development issues in general, as well as initiatives that have the greatest relevance to Indian Country.

During the project period of March 1, 1998 through February 28, 1999, the NTDA and Trade Services will hold a series of meetings with member tribes and other tribes to brief tribal human services and economic development officials on the operational features of all Welfare-to-Work programs and introduce innovative methods for using a variety of incentives, training programs and other economic development measures to help Indian families move into permanent private employment.

⚫NTDA member tribes and other tribes will become knowledgeable of a
variety of Welfare-to-Work incentives, training programs, and other economic
development measures that will help families move into permanent private
employment.

●A minimum of 15 tribes will implement Welfare-to-Work incentives, new
training programs and/or economic development measures that will move
Indian families from the "welfare rolls" to permanent private employment.
•Welfare families will become self-sufficient as a result of new programs and
economic development innovative measures to reduce the welfare rates.

Criteria for Evaluating Results or Benefits Expected:

Training sessions will be evaluated and results tabulated on the effectiveness of training sessions and meetings held. Through the holding of the series of meetings and training sessions, it is expected that human services and economic development officials will become fully aware on how to access the "Welfare-to-Work measures and to relate the overall initiative to new economic development opportunities.