Cultural Adaptation of UMN Extension’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program

UMN Extension Fall Conference Poster and Presentation SessionIn an effort to better understand the needs of businesses owned by Red Lake Nation members, project leaders within the community worked with UMN Extension’s Community Economics staff to modify the Business Retention and Expansion Strategies Program (BR&E). These modifications were intended: 1) to better fit with Red Lake Nation’s existing community decision making traditions, and 2) collect quantifiable data that could be used by the community partners in addressing the development needs of local businesses. In implementing these changes within the program with the Red Lake Nation Entrepreneurship Program, Community Economics staff gained greater insight into the integrated nature of development issues within the Red Lake Nation community. Community participants also found the BR&E program a novel and engaging approach by UMN Extension to explore and listen to their needs as business professionals.EDA Center at University of Minnesota Crooksto