Navajo Nation Expands Capital Access for Entrepreneurs

Navajo entrepreneurs just got a major boost in their fight to grow businesses and create jobs in their communities.

President Buu Nygren announced a new partnership with Trans Pecos Bank that expands access to capital for Navajo-owned businesses through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The federal program reduces financial barriers that have long made it difficult for entrepreneurs on tribal lands to secure loans.

The collaboration focuses on industries that drive economic activity across the Navajo Nation, including tourism, hospitality, retail, and community development. By using the Navajo Loan Participation Program, the partnership makes it easier for both new startups and established businesses to get the funding they need to expand.

The February 2025 meeting brought together Navajo Nation Department of Economic Development Director Sharlene Begay-Platero and Trans Pecos Bank President Patrick Kennedy. Their discussions built on momentum from the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit, where leaders first explored ways to move capital directly into Navajo communities.

President Nygren's economic agenda centers on strengthening Navajo-owned enterprises through improved access to funding, technology, innovation support, and mentorship. The expanded investment pipeline serves entrepreneurs at every stage, whether they're launching their first venture or ready to scale up.

"This is about building long-term sustainability," President Nygren said. "When we increase access to capital, we increase opportunity. Strong Navajo businesses create jobs, strengthen families, and keep our economy growing from within."

The Ripple Effect

This partnership represents more than just access to loans. It's about economic sovereignty and keeping wealth circulating within Navajo communities.

When Navajo entrepreneurs succeed, they hire locally, source materials from neighboring businesses, and reinvest profits back into their Nation. That creates a multiplier effect where one thriving business lifts up many others.

The initiative also addresses a critical gap in tribal economic development. Traditional banks often struggle to serve reservation communities due to complex land ownership structures and limited credit histories. By partnering with institutions that understand these unique challenges, the Navajo Nation is building a financial ecosystem designed for its people.

Previous investments under President Nygren's leadership show the potential impact. In 2024, the Nation invested $7 million in small business loans and received $88.7 million in federal small business funding.

The partnership marks a concrete step toward an economy built on Navajo ownership, innovation, and opportunity for generations to come.