Bishop Paiute Tribe is Awarded Grant for $2.1 Million by the U.S. Department of Commerce
(Press release)
Bishop, CA. – On June 26, 2018, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $2.1 million grant to the Bishop Paiute Tribe to apply towards the infrastructure of a retail center and business incubator to be located at the NE corner of See Vee Lane and West Line Street (SR 168).
Mr. Ross stated, “With Bishop’s new retail center and business incubator, the local community will have access to new tools for developing businesses right in their backyard which, in turn, will spur further growth.”
This project will provide 98 jobs and allow tribal members to pursue their own businesses. It will increase education, infrastructure, social and cultural values of the tribe. With this support from EDA the tribe can more closely realize self-determination.
Ms. Teri Red Owl, Bishop Paiute Development Corporation Chairperson stated, “We’re excited about this project and the benefit the gas station and retail center will have on the community. We’ve felt for years that a gas station and market was needed in this location and are looking forward to the convenience it will provide to residents and visitors. Creating jobs and contributing to the local economy is a goal of the Bishop Paiute Development Corporation and this project will certainly do that.”
For more information please call the Bishop Paiute Development Corporation at (760) 872-4172 or go to www.bpdcorp.org or www.bishoppaiutetribe.com
Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News - The Community's News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Just be Thankful Paiute Land in Inyo County has no OIL on it. Back in the day 1920 through the 1950s thousand of American Indian Chiefs and Medicine men were driving new Rolls Royce,s and drank themselves to death.
Oh wow! Wahwah ! Boohoo ya al non natives cant stand to see the Bishop Paiute Indians getting a big piece of the pie. Which they deserve. Ya all cant swallow the Paiutes becoming Self Sufficient.. Congrats to the tribe.
While economic development does not fit the noble savage stereotype that fits so well for non native people, taking care of our people in the modern world thru education, jobs, affordable wages, healthy accessible food and sustainable housing are definitely part of our cultural values. We have a long way to go economically to get where we are goin, but we have to take the steps. Keep in mind the Bishop tribe is the 5th largest tribal community in California with one of the smallest land bases. Just because it is the largest reservation in the Owens Valley, doesn’t make it adequate land by any means. Maybe we all can convince those empty space “land lords” in town to donate land back to the longest-term locals for the good of the entire community? Might it be a better tax break than keeping the lots empty? Until then, we will have to use what land we have on-reservation to earn enough modern capital (unless American guilt/goodwill is worth anything yet) to purchase our land that happens to make up those empty lots in town. Freakonomics indeed.
Good points. I hope this development benefits all, including our climate.
Very sad to see that corner developed with yet another gas station and store space when so many buildings in Bishop are vacant. I don’t see how cutting down more trees, paving more land, and creating more giant parking lots fits with the cultural values of the Tribe?
Karen, I don’t know if it is still in the works but years ago there was talk of a Walmart being built on the Res, if that still happens, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Are you aware of how well the Casinos are doing in the San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties?
I believe more people will benefit with development on the Res. than not.
I’m glad to see the Resevation doing so well. Maybe our city council should take some notes?